Strange GOP dance in Augusta

The state Republican Party is having its state convention in Augusta this Friday and Saturday and since the national scene is clearing — somewhat — there is other jockying going on. Former Texas governor and presidential candidate Rick Perry is scheduled to speak tonight, but Gov. Nathan Deal will be more than 150 miles away and is not scheduled to attend the convention.

Certainly, he’s got plenty he could crow about. The recent annoucement of the 2019 NFL Super Bowl coming to Atlanta; the state’s tax revenues rising well above 2015 and the rolling announcements that hundreds of jobs are being created by HD Supply, Mohawk Flooring, Dollar General and Kumho Tires.

But with all those accomplishments, Augusta probably wouldn’t be the most comfortable place for Deal to spend his weekend, particulary after his high profile veto of the religious freedom bill, and his absense may say a lot about his effectiveness during the last two sessions of his term. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Lynn Westmoreland and others are lining up to sit in his chair once he exits.

The other Republican who will be causing conversation in Augusta is the state’s junior senator, David Perdue. While he’s always said he would back the party’s nominee, he compared his own race in 2014 against Rep. Jack Kingston, an establishment Republican, with Donald Trump’s run for the presidency in an Op/Ed in the Washington Post. He wrote that the people listened when he “spoke in business terms ... instead of reciting tired old GOP talking points. Instead of the usual Washington Beltway babble.”

Some have said Perdue, by openly backing Trump, is looking for a VP nod or a Cabinet post. All is pure speculation at this point, but Perdue has a successful campaign style and demeanor the Trump camp could certainly use. Maybe at this weekend’s convention Perdue will be testing the waters to see what his home folks think.

This story was originally published June 2, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Strange GOP dance in Augusta."