Johnny Isakson will resign from his U.S. Senate seat effective at the end of 2019..

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by demonta4

Not really. Progressive politics have been clearly defined since I started following them in 2016. Politicians like Pelosi have been trying to use the term to describe centrists since progressives have been gaining popularity but it’s clear that much of the Democratic Party isn’t economically progressive. (Abrams hasn’t supported Medicare for all, weed legalization, or free state college for example).

So Abrams does fail the progressive purity test.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by jero23

Yeah, the moment I heard of her candidacy for governor in 2018 I was like, "Huh? Didn't she vote to reduce the number of days of early voting and to change the HOPE scholarship to its current screwed up requirements?"

I knew of the New Georgia Project since its inception in 2015, but it was her way of painting over her legislative record in the Georgia House. She has yet to explain those decisions to anyone other than saying that the GOP "tricked her and that her aide didn't read the legislation she was voting for". She better HOPE nobody doesn't call her out on her voting record in the near future. That calling out without a better explanation on those votes will essentially end her future political aspirations.

Seems like it would take more than those two particular votes to end a political career. Sure, hold her accountable for them but I wouldn't consider them disqualifying.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by SavannahLife

interesting. I'd rather have progressive ideas than identity politics; rather a Bernie than a less progressive candidate of a particular race/gender etc. Not that I'm not excited to see record numbers of women and minorities getting elected but the votes are the most important thing. electibility is always on my mind too. Maybe she was cutting deals with the other side to look bipartisan? Regardless, she lost, and I would hope she waits at least one cycle before running again, to avoid the 'loser' label. Kind of like why I think Beto should have waited or done something else. Also I am glad Isaakson has good health care, I am sure his family is as well. Must be nice. It would be heart warming to see him redeem himself with any votes relevant to healthcare. I have respect for McCain saving healthcare. Come on Isaakson do something for the good of regular Georgia and American people, you don't need the lobbyists anymore or pretend to believe voodoo economics

Ironically, the person who could have saved healthcare in the early 70's was Nixon of all people. Ted Kennedy killed it and later regretted it. Imagine had we gone down the path of a stronger public/private option before costs got totally out of control.

I think the major reason why Abrams is sitting out is that she needs to pay off all her personal debt (or at least to a point where it's not a liability) and the best way to do that is to get a salary running her voter access group.

As to the Hope scholarship, it should remain largely as is - a merit-based scholarship designed to keep honor students in-state instead of losing them to other schools elsewhere. Loosening the standards and/or turning it into a virtual needs-based scholarship doesn't make sense. There are plenty of needs-based programs already out there. As a parent of middle-schoolers this is an important issue to me.

[jero23]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

Seems like it would take more than those two particular votes to end a political career. Sure, hold her accountable for them but I wouldn't consider them disqualifying.

Her not speaking on them will become an albatross if a primary opponent exposes her for it. The other Stacy stayed away from it because she didn't try to be an ass, but a future opponent may not be as kind to Abrams.

[CaliDreaming01]

Looks like the replacement will be in the mold of Trump. https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/th...CYZHU6HXY4qMN/

2020 is going to be a super high stakes year for Republicans. Can rural GA eke out another win for them?

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by CaliDreaming01

Looks like the replacement will be in the mold of Trump. https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/th...CYZHU6HXY4qMN/

2020 is going to be a super high stakes year for Republicans. Can rural GA eke out another win for them?

Predictable but a bad move. An establishment Republican would cruise to victory in the 2020 special election.

A lot of Georgians are getting tired of fire-breathers, and they don't want another one.

[toll_booth]

https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regi...oFxXSnSehrb6I/

Lucy McBath will not run for Isakson's seat.