Opinion: Just over two weeks ago, I addressed the then looming double-whammy U.S. Senate race by suggesting a much more tightly focused look at the myriad of claims the competing candidates where hurling at one another involving serious violations of federal and state laws and regulations. Some of these charges – if true – should have been disqualifying and could have been thrashed out in a tightly disciplined four-way debate in which candidates actually answered the questions addressed to them.
The idea had no takers, apparently, although various kinds of electioneering dynamics began to undulate, and then – in a shock to all – explode into physical violence within the halls of the nation’s capital. Both democratic candidates in Georgia won their Senate seats – by a squeak, to be sure, and there may be a new look and more movement in Washington. Time to start seeing some communication and cooperation on the Hill to be sure. As the president likes to say: “We’ll see…”
But it is not my purpose to declare the obvious. What I would like to describe is what I thought to be a consistently commendable level of ethical conduct by the various officials in Georgia who were pushing the buttons as the system trudged on toward the seating of the president-elect. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger was a rock and could not be budged even when the president threatened and whined. Commissioner Gabriel Sterling wielded a broadsword and did a lot of homework, smiting each of Trump’s fantasied claims with mighty blows. Governor Brian Kemp and his counterpart for the Democrats, Stacey Abrams, performed admirably, in my view. The army of public service workers who counted and recounted votes are owed a large debt of thanks by the voters for a job well done.
An election of this sort will probably never happen again in my lifetime, but should similar circumstances arise again, with all of the misleading labyrinthine signs trying to lure officials to stray from the beaten path, those in charge would be well-advised to look to Georgia to see that it can be done correctly, and successfully.
Well done!