If Democrats want to win some seats in November, they are going to have to step up their game.

All three Democrats in this region who are running against Republican incumbents for state or federal office – Bobby Saxon, Sherry Jackson and Tim Riley – posted dismal fundraising numbers for the second quarter.

Saxon raised $22,000 for the quarter and $92,000 since getting into the race almost a year ago. His campaign manager, George Birchby, recently left – the latest of about a half-dozen departures from Saxon’s staff. He was making $2,600 a month, on the low side for running a congressional campaign but by far Saxon’s biggest expense. Saxon now has no one on his payroll.

“It was an amicable parting,” Birchby said. “It was nothing personal or political. It was purely a financial decision.”

For the life of me I can’t even begin to fathom the American electoral process. Leave it us to take something as simple as voting and turn it into the most complicated thing ever.

Take this never-ending primary season for example.

First of all, I don’t understand why we haven’t gotten rid of this months-long primary season, which just drains the candidates coffers and annoys the hell out Americans because we have been hearing the same crap from said candidates over and over and over again. Wouldn’t it be great, just one big primary in let’s say February for arguments sake and then it’s over. The conventions could be held in March and then the campaigning against the real opponent could commence.

Standin’ on the corner
Endorsement in my hand
Obama, he got that grass-roots organization
And me, I’m the party chairman

This is Jane Kidd in the ABH Feb. 24: "I'm going to stay (neutral) at least through the end of the primaries. I think it's real important to let everybody vote and see what happens."

This is Jane Kidd in the AJC today: “Obama shares our dedication to neighbor-to-neighbor contact. I strongly believe that having Sen. Obama as our nominee puts Georgia into play, and I know that, as the nominee, he will invest in our efforts to turn Georgia blue this year."

After two-and-a-half hours of cursing GDOT, following misleading signs and wishing fervently for a hovercraft, I arrived at the World Congress Center about 45 minutes ago.

I accidentally parked probably a good mile away, then wandered around like a bumpkin. I finally decided to follow the black people - this is a Democratic event after all - and wound up at a Baptist convention next door.

I am wearing a suit, which means everyone I know is making fun of me, and I'm the best-dressed journalist here. This is the first time in my life I've looked sharper than everyone else in the room since, well, actually, since I spent this afternoon in Tent City.

The life of a reporter: one minute you're interviewing homeless people, the next you're rubbing elbows with Roy Barnes and Max Cleland. If nothing else, it's a variety.

I’m just going to throw this out here. This is what Paul Broun said about the State of the Union:

“While I agree with the President that the state of the Union is strong, there are several steps we need to take to make it even stronger,” said Broun. “First, I support an economic stimulus plan that contains tax cuts for job-creating small businesses that are broader than those described by the President. Second, I think we need to encourage the President to follow through with tonight’s pledge to contain excessive and wasteful earmarked spending. Finally, I wanted to hear the President address the critical issue of illegal immigration with more emphasis placed on securing the border and enforcing current laws. I think these three issues provide a positive agenda for the country and our Union would be stronger if the President advanced them.”