If 2006 were a fish, I'd throw it back

Well, I'm finally dry. But I'm still cold. In fact, I think I've come down with a cold. It was a long day and an end to an interesting year, if not altogether enjoyable. I liked being around campaigns again and feeling the urgency to help try to get a message out. But the results weren't what I'd hoped for.

I feel like Georgia Democrats shot themselves in the foot way too often all year long. We used to have an actual margin for error just a few short years ago. That's all gone now. We can't afford to help the Republicans. They're in complete control now.

I suppose I should be happy about our national success. But, at this very moment, it isn't comforting to me right now. I'll feel differently about it later. I think I"m just flat out tired.

On the major state races, congratulations to Justice Hunstein for not only fighting back, but for finishing the drill. She proved that she's still a fighter, something she's had to be her entire life. Also congratulations to "tough as nails" Thurbert Baker, Michael Thurmond, and Tommy Irvin. I regret not blogging more about Michael. He was a real team player for us this fall.

And I believe that congratulations are in order for Jim Martin. He stood his ground and ran as an actual, honest to God, Democrat. Jim might have gone down tonight. But at least he went down with his boots on. There's no shame in that.

Speaking of which, here's something I need to get off my chest:

This blog was born out of frustration from having one of our own calling people like me "too liberal for Georgia." So I need to move somewhere else? No, I don't think so. This is my state too.

I have went along to get along for the sake of "pragmatism" so many times in the belief that it would help good Democratic candidates advance our state. But in helping some of those candidates who don't truly represent me, some of my goals and dreams get left behind.

Compromise, rooted in reality, will always be necessary. It's politics after all. But, in the future, I'm going to be tougher on Democrats that take people like me for granted. My vote should be earned just like anyone else's. Future candidates, you have been warned.

Looks like there's nothing left to do tonight, but to do as I was taught to do as a boy. When you lose, you offer sincere congratulations to the other side and you wish them well. After all, we'll all be counting on them in the next 4 years.

I'm sure we'll have plenty of disagreements along the way. I just hope that my fears and suspicions about having a Republican Gov, Lt. Gov, Sec. of State, house, and senate are wrong. We'll see................