The story is that when Dick Russell chaired the Senate Armed Services Committee and Carl Vinson chaired the House Armed Services Committee, these two legislative giants met to decide how to allocate the defense funds among the country’s military bases. Being the fine and fair men they were, and both wanting to do “the right thing,” there was no problem: They simply allocated 50 percent to the Georgia bases and 50 percent to the rest of the bases in the country.
Carl Vinson, “father of the modern Navy,” and Richard Russell, undoubtedly the most powerful senator of his time, gave the State of Georgia influence unequaled in the country at that time or in Georgia’s history. Georgia had the clout in Washington.
And there was Sen. Walter George and Sen. Herman Talmadge, and Carl Vinson’s great nephew, Sen. Sam Nunn, and Congressman Phil Landrum and Congressman Ed Jenkins, and Speaker Newt Gingrich. Herman took care of the farmers and agri-business, Sam took care of the military and Georgia bases, and later Newt took care of everything else. Georgia had clout in Washington. Yes, Georgia had the “connection”. Georgia had the influence.
Fast forward to 2008. What’s happened to Georgia’s influence? Where are the Sam Nunns and the Herman Talmadges? Does Georgia have the clout it used to have? Is the caliber of our representation as good as it used to be? Do we have capable and conscientious and effective people representing our state?
Yes, we have some very strong members of the Georgia delegation - more than most states have. But, no delegation dominates like Georgia did at one time. Let me suggest possible reasons why.
1. Seniority matters, and longevity in office is not what it was at one time. Capable people serve for a while and move on (example, Newt Gingrich).
2. Georgia’s delegation is not politically united as in the past. This is reflective of the political base in the state. Part of our delegation is influenced by the Christian Coalition and part by labor unions. About half are Republicans and half are Democrats. The result is that apparently, the delegation seldom unites and works together for problems common to Georgia.
3. Twenty-four-seven media coverage, even on the floor of the House and Senate, changes the political process and tends to make elected officials into media animals.
4. In previous times, there was an unwritten but firm rule that a member of Congress from Georgia would not join in a campaign to defeat one of their colleagues from Georgia. This sounds rather archaic and quaint, doesn’t it? But, it worked and inured to the benefit of Georgia citizens.
5. Single issues dominate rather than overall performance. This dilutes Georgia’s power base and splinters it among special interest groups.
6. Issues are more complex (i.e. healthcare, immigration, abortion, the war in Iraq, the economy, etc.). Members of Congress cannot master all subjects (like Mr. Vinson did with military matters). They are of necessity too busy with meeting with the media, fund-raising, or meeting with interest groups.
No, we don’t have two congressmen who can divide the military dollars to Georgia’s favor like we did at one time. But, no state does. And, we do have excellent people who are increasing in stature and influence. Give Johnny and Jack some time, and work with Saxby and John and Lynn and Nathan and Sanford, and perhaps they can ‘cut the pie’ like our Georgia giants used to do.
This column will appear in the next edition of James magazine. It is printed here with permission of the editor of the magazine.
