Kingston tapped for key spending post; Bishop, Lewis promoted

WASHINGTON - Republican Rep. Jack Kingston landed a powerful post as one of 13 ``cardinals&#39;&#39; that control federal spending projects, and Democrat Sanford Bishop also was named to the panel Thursday as Congress shuffled many of its committee assignments. <br> <br> The promotions - and several others announced this week - should boost the clout of Georgia&#39;s House delegation, both on the Republican and Democratic side of the aisle. <br> <br> Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss was tapped by Senate leaders to serve on the Judiciary and Rules Committees, in addition to spots he had already won on the Intelligence, Armed Services and Agriculture panels a huge load for a freshman. <br> <br> Kingston&#39;s appointment as an Appropriations subcommittee chairman one of the most coveted spots in the House comes less than two months after fellow Republicans elected him as the vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, the No. 5 leadership job. His new roles make him Georgia&#39;s most decorated House member since Newt Gingrich was speaker. <br> <br> Not to be outdone, Georgia&#39;s two veteran Democratic congressmen John Lewis and Sanford Bishop also landed key assignments. Bishop will join Kingston on the Appropriations Committee, the congressional check-writing panel. Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., picked Lewis Wednesday as his top deputy, conceivably putting the civil rights leader in line for the No. 2 leadership job of his party behind Nancy Pelosi of California. <br> <br> The appropriations appointments for Bishop and Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark., are noteworthy because both are ``Blue Dog&#39;&#39; Democrats, far more conservative than Pelosi, who chose them for the key panel. <br> <br> ``Representative Pelosi recognizes the diversity of viewpoints that exists within the party,&#39;&#39; Bishop said. ``This reflects credit upon her and her leadership.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Georgia had seen a bit of lag in clout for the last few years, especially since the departure of Gingrich and the death of Republican Paul Coverdell, formerly the No. 4-ranking Senate leader. But the state added two new seats through redistricting, and one of the newcomers, Max Burns, has already been tapped as president of the Republican freshman class. <br> <br> ``Georgia&#39;s tide is rising,&#39;&#39; Kingston said. ``We&#39;re coming back.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Despite his heavier leadership load, Kingston reiterated Thursday that he is interested in running for the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Zell Miller in 2004. Miller made a surprise announcement Wednesday that he wouldn&#39;t seek re-election or campaign for any would-be successor. <br> <br> Kingston and Republican Rep. Mac Collins have both signaled they are interested in the post, and sources said others - including Reps. Charlie Norwood and Johnny Isakson - were also considering a run. <br> <br> ``There is a real good possibility we will have a primary among delegation members,&#39;&#39; Kingston said. ``We&#39;re kind of at the point where you sort of jump now or sit tight for 10 years.&#39;&#39;