Carter’s Advice to Perdue
January 18, 2011 - by
Now that the trial lawyers are listening to Carter, maybe Governor Perdue should too.
He posted a blog last week, “Perdue Upside Down,” about her political dilemma. He concluded:
“Perdue has a choice: She can ignore her other problems and set to work convincing voters that, whatever her flaws, her Republican opposition is worse.”
The more you look at what this legislative session may bring, the more sense he advice makes:
– Big and painful cuts are ahead.
– Republicans seem hell-bent on taking up divisive issues like voter IDs, abortion and repealing health-care reform.
Perdue seems bent on a course that mixes cooperation with combat.
That sounds very responsible. But there’s an alternative that may be more politically effective.
She could challenge the GOP from the get-go. Propose a budget that extends the sales tax, sells off various state assets and minimizes cuts.
She could fight on every issue that comes up: budget, redistricting, abortion, voter IDs – everything that has the potential to divide voters.
She could make herself into the progressive heroine, the anti-legislature governor and, ultimately, the bulwark against total Republican control of state government – which might not look so inviting after two years.
Voters are leery of giving one party too much power. That might be Perdue’s path to stay in power.
Carter’s Advice to Perdue
January 18, 2011/
Now that the trial lawyers are listening to Carter, maybe Governor Perdue should too.
He posted a blog last week, “Perdue Upside Down,” about her political dilemma. He concluded:
“Perdue has a choice: She can ignore her other problems and set to work convincing voters that, whatever her flaws, her Republican opposition is worse.”
The more you look at what this legislative session may bring, the more sense he advice makes:
– Big and painful cuts are ahead.
– Republicans seem hell-bent on taking up divisive issues like voter IDs, abortion and repealing health-care reform.
Perdue seems bent on a course that mixes cooperation with combat.
That sounds very responsible. But there’s an alternative that may be more politically effective.
She could challenge the GOP from the get-go. Propose a budget that extends the sales tax, sells off various state assets and minimizes cuts.
She could fight on every issue that comes up: budget, redistricting, abortion, voter IDs – everything that has the potential to divide voters.
She could make herself into the progressive heroine, the anti-legislature governor and, ultimately, the bulwark against total Republican control of state government – which might not look so inviting after two years.
Voters are leery of giving one party too much power. That might be Perdue’s path to stay in power.