It is a civic responsibility to vote even when candidates you supported lost.

The five race run-off election with the elections chief predicting only about an 18 percent turn-out is going to produce at least one barn-burner potentially with the last precinct deciding the outcome. It is a civic responsibility to vote even when candidates you supported lost. You want the best qualified of those still in their races to win.<br /> For example, virtually everyone I've talked to agreed that Susan Brown was by far the most qualified for probate judge, but she missed the run-off by less than 50 votes. Before the election I had overheard her telling a man about a machine she intended to install that did lots of things more simply and actually could produce extra income for the office reducing the taxpayer funded county appropriations and lead to at least one position being phased out by normal attrition, saving more. The run-off winner would do well to talk to Susan about that idea. Being the gracious lady she is, I have no doubt she'd be happy to do that. Nothing that I know of prevents whoever wins from doing a great job in the office. However, more detailed study and talking to people who know both of them, I reached the conclusion that Brook Davidson appears to be the most qualified. <br /> The barn-burner mentioned above will be the Ninth District Congressional race. I have known both candidates, Doug Collins and Martha Zoller, well. I was on WDUN's Morning Talk Radio Show for 17 years. My personal ethics made me step down voluntarily when my then son-in-law Stacey Reece ran for the state house of representatives. I could control what I wrote in my Times then twice-weekly column and simply wrote that he was running and I was disqualifying myself from writing about that race and from the editorial board discussions. <br /> About 10 of my Morning Talk years were with Martha as co-host. I know her well and we are friends. If anything she is a very hard worker at what she does, be it radio or whatever. She always has wanted to run for Congress and considered Stacey Reece her biggest obstacle. Stacey is the only candidate for state office that then Congressman Deal had ever to that point endorsed before a primary election. Martha would do a credible job if she is elected and I would not be overly disappointed. .<br /> However, I think Doug Collins is a considerably better overall qualified candidate and deserves your vote, and you and she deserve to know why.<br /> Members of Congress do not run the government. They pass laws, set tax rates and appropriate funds. The bureaucracy runs the government directing the specific spending of the funds. The exception is when an amount is "earmarked" for a specific expenditure. The public, especially tea-partiers, rebelled against earmarks.<br /> To ensure passage of legislation effectively, a sponsor must get it passed by Senate and House of Representatives by veto-proof margins. To do that requires principled give and take between the houses, sometimes giving up this in exchange for getting that.. You can go back to get back what you gave in a later deal. Learning how to do that effectively takes time and experience.<br /> As Governor Nathan Deal's floor leader, Collins is the one who introduced Deal's requested legislation and guided its passage. This required compromises with Democrats and the state senate. It also required introduction of some legislation he didn't fully agree with and might have actually personally voted against. It was part of his assigned job. Martha has attacked him for doing some of his assigned job. If Martha is elected and gains influence she's going to have to do the same or else she'd become known as the least effective House member as was Rep Larry McDonald of Marietta was years ago.<br /> Doug Collins is a principled legislator who won't need the on-the-job training Martha lacks. Her declaration that she is a hard conservative non-compromising ball of fire virtually ensures we wouldn't have the most effective representation possible in Congress. She has strong support from many of my tea party friends who don't agree with my belief principled compromise is necessary for the public good at times. I personally disagreed with some legislation that Collins introduced as part of this job and may have actually voted against.<br /> At the same time I disagree with some of Martha's stances which include seeming to approve of same sex marriages and most abortions. My position on those are what people do in the privacy of their homes is their business and none of mine even though I disagree with them and while I basically oppose abortion (especially as after-the-fact birth control). I realize at times it becomes necessary. Doug Collins appears to be the most ready to hit the ground running knowing what to do and not having to learn how.. <br /> The primary seemed to suggest people were fed up with most, not all, incumbents running. I repeat, Martha will remain my friend if she wins, I just think our district would be better of if we elect Doug Collins.<br /> That could spill over into these run-offs with incumbents in them.<br /> When most of the precincts were in Dick Mecum had 53 percent of the vote for county commission chairman, but would up in a run-off with incumbent Tom Oliver with about a 12-point lead.. I suspect he is going to win that run-off. I voted for him, because I have known him well for many years and in discussions of what he's proposing to do am impressed. The fact he was a U.S. Marshal (which requires intense FBI background information proves he is clean as a whistle and has nothing hidden in his closet. (I voted for Tom when he ran the first time.)<br /> The sheriff's race really will be interesting. I have absolutely no way to gauge how it will turn out. Retiring sheriff Steve Cronic stands solidly behind chief deputy Jeff Strickland and Cronic's endorsement may be sufficient to elect him. If the anti-incumbent mood is in full play, it's possible Gerald Couch, who also has considerable diversified law enforcement experience could squeeze in. If he does, it well could be another squeaker. I don't think Couch can win by a comfortable margin.<br /> Most importantly, prove the elections director's prediction of a low turn-out wrong. Get Out And Vote! It's your civic duty. I'll be talking to you on WDUN's election coverage run-off night. Give us a call if you like but most importantly, LISTEN. <br /> <br />