Oconee County, GA Politics

First Friday fun in the sun in Watkinsville was the place to see and be seen, ride a rickshaw or pedicab or train, hear a rock band cover ZZ Top's "Just Got Paid Today," go see Delores Schofield at Circa before they close the doors, see some candidates campaigning including Ashley Hood, Johnny Pritchett, Chuck Horton and Sarah Bell were seen glad handing voters and listening to the concerns, or getting a blown up balloon artistry created, or bouncing in the moonwalk, or climbing the rock wall, or shopping at the stores, or eating at the restaurants, or buying the boiled peanuts, or listening to the people. Experience was on every one's mind, or so it seemed. The heat can make some people question other's motives. I can only write what I know, and I know Ashley Hood has her heart and mind in the right place for our kids. She is not beholden to the special interests, cliques, country clubs, Rotary, Moose Club, skate punks or developers. She has worked with a number...

Even though I may not agree with their politics, I like to go and introduce myself to most candidates who won't try to punch my pick-up truck. So last night I saw a relatively youthful looking Dr. Paul Broun in a red polo shirt and straw hat, age 61, at the Athens Academy spring scrimmage football game and BBQ. We argued and turned heads in the relatively small and predominantly Republican crowd about the possibility of a Democrat winning. Dr. Broun told me that Democrats have no chance, and I told him that Democrats do have a chance, especially if 35 Americans a week are getting slaughtered in Iraq through next month. He kind of ushered me away from the paltry crowd so as not to scorch the ears of the nearby Republican elite faithful. To his credit, Dr. Broun was very forthright, honest and compelling in his discussion, claiming various Democrats are going to vote for him. I am sure there are more than a handful of lifelong Democrats in the over 60 crowd locally that remembers ...