Session Right Around the Corner

Politics never stops. It just waits around a corner to punch you in the face and take your wallet.

Which is another way of saying that, with the presidential election behind us, the Georgia General Assembly is now gearing up.

The session's first day is Jan. 12, and House Republicans will gather Monday at the Capitol for their caucus elections.

This year's caucus could bring a little more excitement than most, because of Republican state Rep. David Ralston's announced challenge against Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson. Only time will tell if the Blue Ridge challenger will win, but Richardson's supporters insist he has the votes to remain speaker.

Senate Republicans also will be caucusing soon, with their meeting scheduled for Nov. 18, according to the lieutenant governor's office.

And, of course, the Democrats are getting ready for the session, too.

"Obviously, we don't have a massive power struggle on our hands," state party spokesman Martin Matheny said, taking a nice little pre-session shot at the Republicans.

"We're planing for the session," Matheny said. "We're going to make sure that once again we're going to be the voice of reason and responsibility in the General Assembly."