Recent press reports on the death of Hamilton Jordan have repeatedly mentioned a memo written by Jordan to Carter in 1972.

Former President Jimmy Carter said Wednesday that the campaign memorandum compiled for him in 1972 by Hamilton Jordan, which detailed in about 80 pages how a peanut farmer turned Southern governor could win the White House, remains a timeless user's guide for anyone with political aspirations.

You can download the memo here, but since it's scans of the actual memo, it's a very large file.

Extended excerpts are below the fold, but the whole thing is fascinating. It was written just one year into Carter's term as Governor, with an eye toward using the office as a stepping stone to a run for the Presidency in 1976. Those born after the Carter years will find names still in the news today, although for very different reasons, such as Sam Nunn and Senator Edward Kennedy.

10:31 A.M. We are just now getting underway here at what promises to be an eventful state committee meeting. All the notables appear to be here, although it's sad not to see Virgilio at the party leadership table. Commissioner Irvin got himself a heart AMEN with his blessing, in which he noted that we Democrats are probably all closer to the Lord than those other guys. We're in the usual boring introductory remarks.

10:37 A.M.Commissioner Thurmond has just stated that the only people who can defeat Democrats are Democrats. I will resist the temptation to make a list of times where that has happened in this state.

Lack of Progress in McCain's Bid Is G.O.P. Concern

"They finally assigned someone to West Virginia three weeks ago," said Doug McKinney, the state Republican chairman there. "I had a couple of contacts with him and I e-mailed him twice and I never heard back. I finally called and they said that the guy had resigned."

"I think any Republican who doesn't say panic is in the wind is lying through their shirt," said Ron Kaufman, a former senior adviser who had worked for Mitt Romney. "The question is, is that panic caused by McCain's campaign - or lack thereof in some respects - or is it the climate."

Former Georgia Representative Bob Barr was nominated today as the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate. I doubt he'll put Georgia in play for the Democrats, but it's always nice to dream. Of course, I could be completely underestimating Georgia's disenchantment with the GOP.

Lasting Tribute to War Dead | LA Times, Memorial Day, 1968

In 1868, three years after the end of the bloodiest and most traumatic conflict in the nation's history, the commander of the Grand Army of the Republic ordered that the graves of the late Union dead be suitably decorated on May 30 as a mark of remembrance for the sacrifices they had made.

Thus began the custom of Memorial Day. In time it evolved as a commemoration for the dead of all the nation's wars, and is today observed in nearly all states throughout the land.

Good Morning,

I hope everyone had a nice long weekend.

Here is your open thread...

Georgia Association of Realtors will pay for failing to disclose more than $585,000 in campaign contributions and other expenditures in 2006.Among the contributions not disclosed was more than $200,000 to an "independent committee" that ran media advertising in support of Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, according to campaign reports. Cagle's campaign has denied any direct connection with the group, known as Realtors for Cagle.

The ethics commission has gotten more aggressive over the past few years in part because Gov. Sonny Perdue and state lawmakers increased funding for the panel. In fiscal 2005, the commission received about $700,000 in funding. Next fiscal year, which begins July 1, the panel's budget will be $1.78 million.

The money has helped the commission increase its staff. That increased staffing and the move to electronic filing have made it easier to audit reports filed by politicians, appointed officials and political action committees. In the past, the commission usually only investigated cases if a member of the public filed a complaint.

Years ago I held a Georgia Real Estate License, and while taking the courses one of the teachers indicated that 99% of all the issues we faced as a state, rampant poorly planned growth, traffic congestion, water shortages and pollution was a direct result of the influence of developers and real estate "interests" under the Gold Dome. At that time 80% of all elected officials had direct ties to or were in the real estate business. Am I surprised that now this is all catching up with them, ah no, not a bit.

Congratulations, David!

Author, blogger, activist, and friend, David Sirota releases his newest book, The Uprising: An Unauthorized Tour of the Populist Revolt Scaring Wall Street and Washington, today. Coinciding with the release David will be touring the country in support of this exciting new book. The tour launches today in Vermont with Senator Bernie Sanders joining David for an event.

Georgia for Democracy is pleased to be hosting David Sirota during his book tour. Please mark your calendar for July 23 & 24. On Wednesday July 23 David will appear at Manuel's Tavern for a book signing and public comments. Then on July 24 he will be the featured guest at a private fundraiser in Atlanta. Please check the Georgia for Democracy website for more details.

Attention Facebook users: Check out David Sirota on Facebook too! Click below the fold to hear what people are saying about The Uprising: An Unauthorized Tour of the Populist Revolt Scaring Wall Street and Washington.

Scotty blurts it out.

Former Bush aide, Scott McClellan, has written a book, What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception. It is an apparently scathing insiders view of the Bush White House. Everyone seems surprised by this from the once darling of the Bush Administration.

The dogs have been released - moves to discredit Mr McClellan have begun.

More tell alls are sure to be in the works in studies, coffee shops, and other undisclosed locations.

According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, consumer confidence hit a *16 year low* in May. The monthly index now stands at 57.2, down from 62.8 in April. And the prediction is that it's only going to get worse, with gas prices skyrocketing and the real estate crisis..

I just hope voters know who they should be holding responsible for this downturn in the economy.

this is a new one.

(Not saying where this came from.)

Since I do voter targeting for a living I can expertly say that Congressman David Scott will not have a problem winning in November against Republican Dr. Deborah Honeycutt...again! She needs to fire her voter targeting firm and I mean quickly.

So I go to my mailbox today, which is a miracle in itself, and I see an envelope addressed to my former fiance'. I can tell its something political which I am very shocked. Shocked because when he lived at 30316 he couldn't even vote in this country. He's a trained classical pianist from Belarus, Russia.

So I open the letter - hell, it ain't a federal crime if the person has no longer occupied the current residence in a few years - Nita rules!

Lo and behold crazy Deborah Honeycutt has sent him a request for money. OK Deborah, how the heck 1) did your people get this address for him, 2) since I'm the only voter in the household why didn't I receive it, 3) the letter is clearly directed to African Americans and he's a White Russian - his name is unmistakable very Russian.

So here are parts of the letter. We need to know this stuff that they are sending out, so thanks Debra for your contribution to the political book. My thoughts are in italic.

Dear Friend,

Allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Deborah Honeycutt. I am a doctor. I'm from Atlanta, GA...

...And I am the Democratic Party's worst nightmare (I'm guessing the Republican Party's nightmare also)

Why is that you ask?

Because I am a black Republican woman and I am running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (entire sentence underlined).

This wasn't an easy decision for me. I know that this is going to be the fight of my life. (Um...that would be 2nd fight of your life since Scott kicked your butt in 2006. But keep the lying going since you're on to a good start.)

That's why I am writing you. (A white Russian who thought he was a libertarian when he couldn't even vote in this country.)

You see, I am a conservative. (bolded)

I believe in the value of hard work, personal responsibility, taking home more of what you earn and the sanctity of human life.

For many years now, the Democrat Party has been selling the black community a bill of goods. (and your Party has barely acknowledged that they are even Americans.)

They have been making worthless promises to entire generations of people. (ok and your Party just kills and maim us by starting worthless wars in other countries.)

I'm tired of it. I intend to call the Democrats on it in this election, and that terrifies them. (no, what terrifies us is that you will have access to a telephone and will call everyone.)

Can someone put a muzzle on both Roy Barnes and Mark Taylor? Please.

Mark Taylor speaks up for Dale Cardwell: 'He'll never sell us out'

Please Join Us for a Fundraiser For Dee Dawkins-Haigler

Thursday May 29, 2008
6:00pm-8:00pm

Our Candidate for State Representative for the 93rd House District

Hon. Billy Mitchell - State Representative 88th House District
Hon. Emmanuel Jones - State Senator 10th District
Hon. Earnest Coach Williams - State Representative House District 89th
Hon. Kwanza Hall - Atlanta City Council District 2
Michael Armstrong - President, South Lithonia Neighborhood Coalition
Bobbie Kennedy Sanford - Realty Broker/Owner Coldwell Banker Sanford
Royce Love-Diagne - President Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Stone Mountain Lithonia Alumnae Chapter
Doug Stewart - Co-Host, "2 Live Stews"
Markus J. Butts - Managing Partner, Consensus Firm
Karen Henderson - Owner, Henderson Insurance Agency

At Crabby D's After Dark
(formerly Breeze's)

5000 Snapfinger Woods Drive Decatur, GA 30035
(Corner of Snapfinger Woods and Miller Road)

Requested Donation - $50

Donate online at www.votefordee.com

Please Make All Checks Payable To:
Committee to Elect Dee Haigler
6050 Kingston Wood Way
Lithonia, Georgia 30038

Remember the runoff date is June 10, 2008, so sign up to volunteer and help this amazing progressive bring home the victory!!

Yeah, but you're the best looking man in Georgia Politics.

Ag Commissioner Tommy Irvin is at Crawford Long getting checked out for some medical testing. Good Luck Tommy. I expect to have a shot of Cointreau with you at the convention.

Read here.

Finally after months of hard work the website for what had been known as Georgians for Choice is live. . Why a name change? The movement well ... moved and it was necessary to address the needs of an entire community regarding reproductive rights, education and access.

SPARK! is all things RJ. Read the new mission statement and it pretty much sums up what we will be working every day toward.

About SPARKSPARK’s Mission: SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW! fosters a dynamic, collaborative model of leadership, collective action and discourse for reproductive justice throughout Georgia and the South. SPARK collaborates with communities to build and sustain a powerful reproductive justice movement throughout Georgia and the South. We use creative grassroots strategies to build knowledge, shift power and advance the reproductive justice discourse

More content and events will be added daily and we have several folks willing to live blog events.

Two extremely hard working women are at the helm as Co-Excutive Directors and getting the organization to this point has been and continues to be a lot of hard work.

Thunder had the scoop last night. WorkingGeorgia announced the deal today. Lots of stuff happening at the Tavern.

Democratic candidates in need of a competent and talented mail and marketing firm should look no further than TrueBlue.

This Atlanta based firm "runs energetic, innovative campaigns to elect progressive candidates and win ballot initiatives." Their services include: general campaign consulting, campaign identity materials, message development, speech writing, coalition building, political direct mail, electoral field operations and media relations.

I'm most familiar with their direct mail work, and the pieces I've seen so far this cycle have been excellent. I also know both of the principals and can recommend them to you as good people. In other words, they don't run smear campaigns against Ds or charge exorbitant fees.

Finally, they are winners of numerous Pollie Awards, and if you know anything about political consultants, that's kind of a big deal. I like them, and I think you will too.

David Sirota holds his own on Colbert.

Another reminder about "Forward" v "Reply All".

How to run a company into the ground and come out with $28 Million...

A year from now I plan to be lounging here.
UPDATE: Not to be confused with the new Jolie/Pitt digs...

But tonight I'll be holding a fundraiser for my friend, Phyllis Huster, who is running for State Senate in Washington State.

MSNBC is airing the DNC Rules Committee meeting live. It's pretty dry, but I suspect there are a lot of folks watching this.