Who should run for higher office in Georgia - and which office?

This is kind of like a very Athens-centric fantasy politics. Trying to guess who is going to take the plunge and run for (another) office is often an exercise in extreme futility, but it is fun none the less to look into the murky world of politics and take a stab in the dark at who is going to run for what position.

A lot of what prompted such speculation on my part was the ninety minutes of euphoria spurred on by the joke run amok of Athens area attorney and State Representative Doug McKillip running against Johnny Isaakson this past Sunday.  I would vote for his very intelligent wife Mary Byers McKillip as a write-in candidate against Isaakson if no one else announces soon. 

As much as it hurts me to say this, right now I would wager on a near unanimous (with the probable exceptions of hometown favorite son Michael Thurmond and possibly Roy Barnes) GOP sweep in Georgia for 2010, although much could erupt to change that. No Democrats have stepped up or even hinted at running against Paul Broun or Johnny Isaakson. Isaakson is by far a much superior politician to almost anyone on either party, and does not make stupid, incendiary statements like Paul Broun seems to constantly do. That much said, here is who I think should run against Broun. Much of this has been borrowed from various other sources on the internet and other media:

WHO WILL RUN AGAINST PAUL BROUN?:

1. Bobby Saxon - he made enough mistakes the first time around to learn from that and might actually hire a full time fundraiser this time if he gets enough time off from the National Guard. Don't hire students to manage your campaign.
2. Heidi Davison - the outgoing Mayor of Athens has never shied away from a fight but somehow I do not imagine her and Al moving to DC, yet alone campaigning non-stop from here to Augusta. Also she would probably have to resign her last half year or so of her second term in order to do so, and I do not see her doing that either.
   
3. Dr. Neil Priest - nicest guy in the world, top notch surgeon, media savvy, dulcet tones, superb voice but lacks any practical political experience in terms of actually running a campaign. He would strike the most fear in the heart of Paul Broun and would be someone we would all be extremely proud of, but again, I do not see this happening. But damn, he would do a great job as a Congressman.
   
4. Gwen O' Looney - she has the time and energy but not the funds. She would rip Broun a new one at every occasion. Her last name does not inspire confidence from those who do not know her. She would do a fantastic job in Washington as she was once a nurse in Vietnam and was also a two-time Mayor of Athens. Ostensibly flushing a bag of weed away from a young girl instead of busting her might be fodder for some on the right.
   
5. Rich Rusk - son of the former Secretary of State Dean Rusk moved back to Athens recently from Oconee County, but never quite seems to have the fire in the belly to make such a bold move.
6. Andy Rusk - this would be the most entertaining candidate and is the son of #5. Has run for Mayor of Athens-Clarke but pulled out when it appeared his candidacy might pave the way for a Charlie Maddox victory and deny Heidi Davison a second term. Has the matinee idol Leonardo DiCaprio good looks, charm, charisma and a No Bullshit attitude which some might find refreshing. His politics are slightly to the right of Cesar Chavez and that might not translate too well toward Augusta. Still his last name has a certain cache that many will remember, and actually some on the far left will not forgive or forget.

Let me know who you think should run. Allan Powell? Jane Kidd? Keep it coming love.