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The
Central Georgian
Politics
2008
Younger and black — but not Democrats
By Jonathan J. Cooper
POST-DISPATCH WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON — Donovan Armstrong might seem an unlikely swing voter.
But Armstrong, who manages an East St. Louis restaurant, is part of the
so-called "hip-hop generation" defying conventional wisdom that
African-Americans are monolithically Democrats.
Armstrong, 28, says he is an independent voter.
"I try to read the options, which one is better, and which one would apply to my
own living conditions," he said.
Armstrong isn't alone. In a sharp split from their parents and grandparents,
younger African-Americans are increasingly identifying themselves as politically
independent, a change that could have powerful implications in Missouri and
other swing states, experts say.
More...
Michigan Primary Re-Vote Bill on Ice
as State Senate Adjourns
AP - Two contract employees for the
State Department have been fired and a third disciplined
for inappropriately looking at Democratic presidential
candidate Barack Obama's passport file, and the
department is investigating whether political or other
motives were involved, senior officials said Thursday.
Filing Deadline (GEORGIA) (Major Parties): May 2,
2008
Filing Deadline (Minor Parties): July 8, 2008
Filing Deadline (Write-In Candidates): September 2, 2008
State Primary: July 15, 2008
Primary Run-off: August 5, 2008
General Election Run-Off (if needed): December 2, 2008
Georgia Senate Oks Virtual
Driving School
ATLANTA (AP) _ Some of Georgia's worst traffic violators may soon be allowed to
take defensive driving courses online instead of in person.
The state Senate voted 36-12 today to approve the virtual defense driving
courses, paving the way for the state to sanction the six-hour online driving
courses. The House already has adopted a similar measure, and both chambers will
now have to settle minor differences before sending it to Governor Perdue.
State Senator John Bulloch and other supporters say it will help the state
better regulate the schools since many judges already order motorists to take
online courses through uncertified programs.
Some critics, however, worry the measure is too lax on driving offenders and
could encourage fraud because there's no way to tell
who is actually taking the course.
The legislation is modeled after similar legislation in Texas, and sponsors said
they hoped it would lead to a drop in crashes and traffic violations here. Some
also said virtual driving courses were a sign of the times.
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