[hoosier]

I'm sure Bell is a great guy, but he's a Democrat.

In GA, the Democrats had control of the State Senate, the State House, and the Governorship from 1880 thru 2002. Until the 1990 census, nearly every National Congressman and Senator (remember Herman Talmadge, who had an overcoat with pockets full of cash) was a Democrat.

During those 120 years of total Democrat control, the state had a terrible record in education, race relations (remember Gov. Lester Maddox), highway fund corruption, the Confederate Flag, etc. Instead of moving ahead, the legislative sessions were devoted to harassing nudist camps, naming state animals/insects/rocks, and fouling up Atlanta.

Our public schools - by all measures - are now ranked lower than both SC and MS, and ahead of the #51 ranked District of Columbia only slightly. There are still two or three public black colleges which are embarassing, under-funded, ill-equipted, and sad.

For about 30 years, until 2002, the most powerful politician was Tom Murphy, a Democrat and tyrant from a tiny rural town. He would not allow the tiny number of Republicans who got elected (only from Atlanta suburbs) to serve in any leadersihp position in the legislature, to introduce legislation with any hope of passing, or to serve their voters.

In 2002, amid a new low of Democrat schemes and illegal vote manipulation, the public finally got sick of the mess and voted in a Republican governor. After his election, several Democrat Senators saw the light and switched parties, giving the Republicans a majority in the Senate. Several more Dems switched parties after the recent legislative session.

I think the Republicans have some good ideas to bring GA into the 21st Century, and I wouldn't vote for any Democrat. I won't be ringing for Bell.