Thursday, October 16, 2008
News Fulton County state lawmakers: Remember it's only a protest vote
Posted by Scott Henry @ScottTheHenry on Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Two recent elections — 2002, when Republicans captured the state Senate, and 2004, when they took control of the House — brought sweeping changes to the state Legislature.
Don't expect any such drama this year, especially when it comes to the incumbent-friendly state legislative districts in Fulton County. Politicians have gotten very good at tweaking district lines to create seats that are solidly Republican or Democratic; that's particularly true in Fulton, where there's a clear divide between relatively upscale suburbs and more economically diverse urban areas.
For instance, state Sen. Dan Moody, R-Alpharetta, may have built an unimpressive record that includes sponsoring Gov. Perdue's toxic bill to allow private developers to condemn private land. But his Democratic opponent, Pakistan-born businessman Akhtar Sadiq, who's run several times in recent years, represents a meager threat in North Fulton's District 56.
Likewise, in Alpharetta's House District 47, that city's former mayor, Republican state Rep. Chuck Martin, likely has little to fear from his Democratic challenger, businessman Tony Patel.
Despite their lack of political experience, we'd urge you to vote for the Democrat in either of those races. Before you think that's unduly partisan, consider two things: 1) Neither Sadiq nor Patel stands a chance at winning, but we as voters can help ourselves by letting elected officials know that they might someday be vulnerable — particularly if there's a message we want to send them; 2) Both Martin and Moody need to be sent a message. They've largely followed the state's Republican leadership in failing to come up with serious solutions to Georgia's mounting transportation, environmental, fiscal and educational problems.
If officeholders ever have earned a protest vote, it's the partisan foot soldiers who have marched this state into swamp filled with mosquitoes.
Check out CL's 2008 Voters' Guide and add your comments to races you care about. On Oct. 21, come back to find a handy cheat-sheet to guide you — especially on the obscure races.
Comments (12)
Showing 1-12 of 12
I agree that our so called leaders need a kick in the you know what if they think they can just show up and do nothing! Tony Patel may be fighting an uphill battle but he is atleast FIGHTING! I have contacted both candidates (and I am Republican), but I like what Mr. Patel has said so far over Mr. Martin. I have not decided yet, but I am leaning for Patel for State Rep even though I am voting for McCain for Prez. If you care about improving our schools, fixing our traffic problems and stopping big development from clogging our streets, you should vote for Patel. Remember, Martin may have been Mayor, but he also used his position to help the new hotel going up on Haynes Bridge to get more rooms approved! which will hurt our quality of life and help the big developers. My vote is for Patel.
like
dislike
Who says this is a protest vote??? jus look at what experience has gotten us from Martin. I think we finally have someone who actually cares more about us than just being a bench warmer. I am voting for Tony Patel and I AM A REPUBLICAN. I have gone to his website and like what he has to say about...the TRUTH not political double talk. My vote is for Tony Patel. Time for the other guy to go home.
Tony Patel is our best choice for state representative this election if you care about our schools. I am a teacher and the Georgia Association of Educators have endorsed him for good reason! I dont know Sadiq but have heard people talk about Moody not caring enough. My vote is for Mr. Patel because he cares about my kids education and will lower my taxes. This is not a throw away vote it is a statement and a damn good one. I want a leader like Tony Patel to represent me and my family. Check out his website at www.patelforgeorgia.com before you make up your mind.
My vote is for Tony Patel. We need change in the right direction....better schools and lower taxes are a part of that change. He also has a son in the public school system and therefore has a personal interest in a better education system!
What has this country come to? What is a protest vote anyway? I am sure of my vote and it is certainly a protest vote. A protest against the poor work of our current slate of politically experienced officeholders. I am not willing to wait another 2 years and just think about my taxes going up again as I sit in traffic trying to get to work. Dan Moody and Mayor Martin have had their turn trying to fix things and failed. Its time for new guys to try. If these guys fail, I vote them out also. I am voting for Patel and Sadiq and hope you will also. Atleast Patel owns his own business like I do and Sadiq is a business consultant so I know they will do better than C. Martin when elected.
Tony Patel has attracted a great deal of attention in the Alpharetta dist 47 race; this could be a most welcome upset against the incumbent.
I am glad to see that some folks finally are looking at somethin other than the president race. its like people just forget every four years that we have cities and states to run also. i worry about the water my family drinks, the schools my kid goes to, the doc my wife sees (if she can even get in), if i am gonna have enough gas to get to work and how long i have to sit on ga400 or on mansell road til i get home. i dont know much bout politics but i know some new guys may be what the doc ordered this time. i not sure but i may just vote for some new blood this year and if that sadiq and patel than that who i will go with. adios mr mayor, u had your chance buddy.
Tony Patel, Tom Price, Dan Moody, Jim Martin and yes on libraries is what I am voting for. I care about what our country too much to throw my vote away! Tom Price seems to be much more engaged in what is important in washington, Jim Martin I like because he did a great job as a state legislator and will make a much better Senator than Saxby who seems to be just like Chuck Martin (does not care or understand what we are going through in Alpharetta and Johns Creek). Tony Patel and Dan Moody as our state legislators will work for us and our values. I tell all the new guys to please dont forget your promises or next time you will not earn my vote! This time, I want new guys when the current ones dont work.
I'm a republican and live in Alpharetta. This ellection cycle, I'm not voting for a single incumbent (except maybe Saxby). Maybe Saxby due to the DNC commercial I saw this AM saying that he sponsored a bill to raise taxes 24% national sales tax without saying that the same bill would eliminate income tax.
Most of the so called new candidates are focused on the issues and not dirty politics which I like. I agree that if the new Saxby commercial is wrong, my vote is for whoever is right. Tony Patel seems to be telling the truth in his ads which is nice. I will check out the saxby thing but i know my vote goes to the new guys...as long as they keep telling us the truth and promise to work for us!
I have been living in Georgia since 1975 and have never seen this kind of interest in politics. my friends are all talking about how great it is that new folks are getting in politics -- like Bill Jones (www.billjonesforcongress.com), a 20+ years of military service, Tony Patel (www.patelforgeorgia.com) a businessman who seems to care about everyday issues and lowering taxes, and Akhtar Sadiq who I heard speak about stopping the fights in our state senate. I plan to to vote early for the new folks.
Tony Patel is for education, is endorsed by my wifes group (the Georgia Association of Educators) and has said he will work to lower taxes and that is why I am voting for him - NOT throwing my vote away like so many others. I work too damn hard for what I have and care too much about what my kid will face in the world if she is cant go to college. Martin and the repub mach has had their turn at running things and failed -- lets kick their collective behinds out the door and get some new blood to run things for a change. The D's deserve another chance and Patel deserves to show us what he can do otherwise he will be out in 2 yrs like Martin.
Latest in Fresh Loaf
-
First Slice 5/25/12: First smog alert of the year = the actual unofficial first day of summer
Plus other things that harm children
-
Weekend Arts Agenda: You are Evereman
Few openings, but lots of festivals and parties
-
ARTWORKS and so can you!
WMLB 1690 AM launches ARTWORKS website with VARI-OKEY event
- More »
More by Author
-
Newt positions hisself as leader of the Redneck Nation 11
Newt is pandering to the most ignorant, intolerant and zenophobic portion of the GOP base
-
Legislature on schedule to restrict reproductive rights 23
Abortion bill passes state House
- More »
