Erick has the details.

And I have the text of McCain’s excellent speech below the fold. (more…)

A cool video of my Church:

You can view additional images of Saint Joseph here, here, here, and here.

As many of you know, I strongly supported my good friend, Tripp Self, in his race to become a superior-court judge, and thankfully he won. In the runoff, Tripp faced Ed Ennis, a former United States Attorney for our district and gentleman in every sense of the word. I thought I would share with SA’s readers Ed’s recent letter to the editor, which I think should be required reading for every politician and/or person considering a run for office:

Thanks to my supporters

Before we close the book on the race for Superior Court judge, I wanted to take this opportunity to say thanks to those 5,513 voters who voted for me, and to all those supporters who worked so hard and contributed so much (financially and otherwise) to help me achieve my goal of returning to public service and serving the citizens of our community from the bench of the Macon Judicial Circuit.

As everyone who followed this race knows by now, I came up short by 468 votes. My opponent, Tripp Self, ran a skillful, effective and gentlemanly campaign, and he came out the victor. He deserves the congratulations of all who were interested in the outcome of this race.

Tripp is a fine young man, and I predict he will become a fine judge. I am proud to call him my friend, and in January I will be proud to address him as “your honor.” I intend to do what I can to help him achieve success in his new role, and I hope everyone in our community will do the same.
Edgar W. Ennis Jr.
Macon

This, folks, is how one accepts defeat gracefully. (more…)

Congrats, bro.

And well done, Erick.

Those of you who have been following my representation of the Housing Authority in the local appointment controversy may find this editorial of interest.

I decided to catch up with Erick Erickson last night via email.  As we sent messages back and forth it dawned on me that Erick is a Macon guy and so is Steve Dillard.  Redstate.com, the monster blog of the conservative movement, and Southern Appeal, one of the more tasteful boutiques of same, are both well-known and well-liked.  And it’s all from Macon.  As is current Georgia governor Sonny Perdue.  Does Atlanta even matter anymore?!!!

I think these Macon boys need to get together and get on the radio.  Can’t we have a Georgia version of the Minnesota Patriot station where the Fraters Libertas and Powerline guys yuk it up on the air?

Courtesy of my pal, Tripp Self.*

*My father-in-law, Joe McDaniel, does the voice-over for the first one. 

Macon, Jawja.

I thought y’all would be interested in seeing these pics from the dedication of my church’s new altar.

As I’ve mentioned before, Saint Joseph Catholic Church (here in Macon) is in the final stages of a complete (and beautiful) restoration.

Update: Sweet. A link from Shawn over at one of my favorite blogs, TNLM.

Posted without comment.

Governor: This is a no-brainer: Sonny Perdue. Anyone who votes for this guy deserves to be disenfranchised.*

Lt. Governor: This is the race I struggled with the most: Ralph Reed v. Casey Cagle. And while there’s a lot I could say about both candidates (pro and con), the bottom line is that I think Reed’s long service on behalf of the Republican Party, on both the state and national level, gives him the edge over Cagle.  This is not to say that I don’t find Reed’s dealings with Jack Abramoff problematic. I do.  And it’s possible that I will regret this vote down the road. But I just couldn’t bring myself to vote against one of my boyhood idols. Reed has done so much for the conservative cause, and as such I think he deserves the chance to govern and redeem himself.

Update: In the interest of equal time, Clint Austin of Peach Pundit makes an eloquent and compelling case against for voting for Reed here.

Secretary of State: Karen Handel (for all of the reasons noted here). 

State School Superintendent: Kathy Cox (incumbent). I think she has Georgia heading in the right direction, and should be reelected for a second term.

Commissioner of Agriculture: Gary Black (for all of the reasons noted here).

House District 137: Stebin Horne. This is perhaps the most interesting race that I am monitoring. It’s a four-way tussle for the GOP nod, and the winner will easily coast to victory over the dem challenger in November. The other candidates–Becky Burgess, Allen Peake, and Dale Washburn–are all fine folks, but for me the bottom line is legislative experience and local party involvement, and Stebin is the only one who fits the bill on both fronts.

As an aside, I think it’s worth mentioning that this ad by Becky Burgess (where she touts her support of the rape and incest exceptions) was a huge tactical mistake, and one that may cost her a chance of getting into the run-off election. You don’t run to the center on abortion during a Republican primary, dear. To put it plainly, this ad calls into question your commitment to the pro-life cause; and in a Republican primary, that will cost you dearly (especially in a close race). I’ll be discussing the ad in greater detail tomorrow on WMAC 940 from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. with my co-host Jami G (I am sitting in for Kenny B).

Macon City Council, Ward 5, Post 2: James Freeman.

*By way of full disclosure, I am the governor’s campaign chairman for Bibb County; so yes, I am extremely biased. 

More appellate work for the fedster.

This is why my posting has been light of late.*

*There is even a corresponding video report if you’re really hard up for entertainment.

This is one of my more high-profile cases here in Macon, which some of y’all may find of interest. And here is an excerpt re: the brief I filed in that case:

Both sides agree that Ellis has the right to appoint board members, but the authority’s contention is that he should submit those appointments for City Council approval, as he does with appointments to various other boards.

Historically, Macon mayors have done this when it comes to the housing authority. But this “collective wisdom and understanding of mayors past is to be jettisoned with a swish of the mayor’s hand,” the authority’s recent legal brief arguing for summary judgment states.

“This, in a nutshell, is Mayor Ellis’ regrettable legacy: ‘It’s my way or the highway,’” the brief states.