Even the New York Times is writing about Perdue being in a pickle.

The new governor of Georgia has all these big ideas: a fully wired state with high-speed Internet access for all; mentors for students taking the SAT; a saber-toothed ethics commission; more money for legal defense of the indigent.

But all the attention keeps coming back to same, single, stubborn issue: the state flag.

I am actually starting to think that Perdue may be a decent Governor. He appears to be more like a Democrat than a Republican, and may be to the right of Barnes on most issues. However he did not campaign on these issues. He campaigned on the flag. This will be the defining issue of his term, as it was for Barnes. Their is no getting away from it. Bringing it back will probably cripple Atlanta's fragile economy. Don't bring it back, and it will cripple Perdue for a future term. Perdue put himself in this pickle, and nobody is ready to let him wiggle out. I don't think flaggers can win a referendum, the NY Times thinks they can.

WSB is reporting that a referendum this fall will cost the state "millions."

Including a referendum during the 2004 elections will cost very little, since it is a statewide election and only requires adding one question to the ballots. Trying to have the referendum this fall during municipal elections will cost "millions" as most precincts won't be holding these. Bush and the GOP has reportedly made it clear that they do not want the referendum during the 2004 elections. Another pickle for Perdue.

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Notes About Washington 1/22

Transcript of Ted Kennedy's speech.

Ted Kennedy blasted Bush in a speech in Washington that is getting little coverage. He made some valid points.

In a time of testing for America, every American should bear a fair share of the burden. We must put aside policies which lavish benefits on some, while ignoring what it is like to be poor and struggling, to be unemployed, to be old and phased out of a career, to be a woman, to be a worker, to be disabled, to be gay, to be an immigrant, to be a victim of discrimination. And we must weigh in the balance not just the claims of the privileged, but the growing strains that other families now face as education, healthcare and housing costs soar.

The rich, the poor, workers and business, all contributing to a better America and a better world: This is how we waged and won our battles in the past, from the defeat of tyranny to the progressive reforms of our social and economic life. The rich and business contributed along with the worker and the immigrant. They were not accorded great tax cuts or disproportionate benefits. The road to prosperity was not paved with handouts to those at the top.

.....

The President says the war on terrorism requires us to tighten our belts. But he refuses to ask the wealthiest taxpayers to share the burden; in fact, he proposes the opposite. In the midst of repeated calls to sacrifice, he is advocating massive new tax breaks primarily for those with the highest incomes. But under the Bush tax plan already enacted, the wealthiest 1% of taxpayers will each save an average of $50,000 a year. Now he proposes to give each of them even more - an additional $25,000 a year. He sees no need for them to share in the national sacrifice. That policy is wrong. We cannot say it is wartime for the rest of America, but still peacetime for the rich.

.....

I continue to be convinced that this is the wrong war at the wrong time. The threat from Iraq is not imminent, and it will distract America from the two more immediate threats to our security – the clear and present danger of terrorism and the crisis with North Korea.

The far more likely reality is that an assault against Iraq – especially without broad international support – will not advance the defeat of Al Qaeda, but undermine it. It will antagonize critical allies and crack the global coalition that came together after September 11th. It will feed a rising tide of anti-Americanism overseas, and swell the ranks of Al Qaeda recruits and sympathizers. It will strain our diplomatic, military and intelligence resources and reduce our ability to root out terrorists abroad and at home. It could quickly spin out of control, and engulf other nations in the region too.

.....

And let me say plainly to my fellow Democrats: If we cannot achieve a fair and fiscally responsible compromise, there is no assured political safety in just going along with President Bush. Not a single Senate Democrat who voted against the Bush 2001 tax cut was defeated. Tom Harkin openly campaigned on his opposition to the unfairness of that tax cut – and, facing his toughest opponent, won by his biggest margin ever.

We as Democrats serve our country and our party best when we state, debate, and proudly defend the principles at the heart of our purpose. The lesson of 2002 is clear. We will not succeed if we fail to stand up and speak out.

Kennedy continues and discusses civil rights, education, medicare, childcare, and social security. Lefty bloggers all over the web are praising Kennedy for his vision, his voice, and the willingness to speak out. It is time for the Democratic moderates to step aside and let peope with courage lead. If you have the time, read the speech.

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