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Monday, September 20, 2010

The coming avalanche -- Georgia second congressional district

Of all the seats in the South, this is one of the most unlikely candidates for a GOP takeover. The last time that a Republican represented the district was in 1875, 135 years ago. Right now, Democrat Sanford Bishop holds the seat that has been his since 1993, but this may be his last term. Bishop is one of the two congressmen who steer scholarship monies to family members rather than to deserving youth in his district. While there is no alleged criminal activity associated with this move, it is, without a doubt, a very bad choice on his part. When given the right to name scholarship receipients, a congressman should not give the cash to his relatives.

This is a unique district in another way. It is the only majority white district in the south to be represented by an African American. That means that the district is not so overwhelmingly Democrat that Bishop's moves with the scholarship money cannot be sufficient to swing the vote to his Republican opponent. The National Republican campaign committee is sending resources to this race as we speak. It would truly be an upset if the republican wins, but it is now a distinct possibility.

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