The expression "What goes around comes around" is more than appropriate as the Georgia political season begins to unwind.

I see history in Georgia politics beginning to make a swing that is vastly overlooked. You could say---with apologies to Yogi Bera----it's deja vu all over again. Or you could be on a side that aspires to better things, or, on the side that despairs from what has happened and might get worse.

In 1960, I was part of a small group that put together what eventually was to be called "The Southern Strategy" by the Republican party. It was a long range plan to eventually win national elections by converting the heavily Democratic South, to the Republican party. The real catalyst behind this group was Richard Nixon. He hand picked those of us involved. We were all conservative Democrats who had lost faith in the Democratic party.

We each took a leadership role in Republican politics in our respective states and coordinated progress with one another. Most of us were winning our states with four years and beginning to win local elections shortly thereafter. This effort has grown in forty years to the point where it is dominant in American politics. It is interesting to note that those so called political pundits who report the history of Southern politics completely ignore this real genesis of two party politics.

Once regular victories begin, the deja vu takes place, and...history repeats. Parties become arrogant. They fall away from the base that built them and cater to a longer reach for interests and entities that require deeper compromise from the principles which built and maintained them.

This is important because the top of the ticket has a great deal of influence on the candidates down the line. An example might be the national Republican ticket seems triumphant, but the truth is they didn't really beat the Democrats, the Democrats have worked overtime beating themselves. A weak candidate at the top, unusual alliances with unusual groups and no real positive agenda for change all combined to lead to a national Bush victory.

Democrats shouldn't be too forlorn. The Republicans are as vulnerable as ever, perhaps more when you add arrogance. The refusal to do anything about illegal immigration, the reluctance to take a stand on a Constitutional Amendment on Homosexual marriage, the continued impetus on exporting U. S. jobs overseas, out of control spending leading to historic deficits and a trade deficit that will eventually bankrupt us...all these failures are being noticed by real conservatives. The Republican neocons who are pushing cultural divisions when unity and mutual respect would serve a better purpose.

Genuine conservatives are not happy. The neocons are delirious.

Democrats in Georgia can take heart, too. Their chances of recapturing some state offices and legislative seats may be better than realized. There are many conservative Georgians who are not happy with the Republican leadership in the state. Governor Perdue is vulnerable.

Unless he makes some reparations with the 400,000 estimated Confederate descendant voters in Georgia, he may be toast. Those trailing on a ticket with him may be similarly hurt. Anyone who has doubts about the power of the descendants needs only to ask Roy Barnes, Tom Murphy or about two dozen legislators who sold out their heritage.

There is still time for Sonny to come to peaceful terms with the descendants. We at GHC would be willing to try to help bring that about if it is possible.

In the meantime, Democrats Mark Taylor and Cathy Cox will gain considerable attention in a hard fought primary for the top of their ticket. Carol Jackson is a well qualified candidate for Secretary of State. There will be some other Democrats for state office who will be competitive, particularly if Perdue pulls his line down.

One bright side on the Republican side is the entry of Senator Casey Cagle in the race for the second spot. He is real conservative who not only talks it, he votes it. He has put together a good campaign team including Chip Pearson and James Mills who both carry unique influence as it might regard opponents in that race, namely, John Oxendine and Ralph Reed.

Overall, I see an opportunity for the Democrats to make some gains, particularly if they return to their roots and without expelling the groups in their umbrella, find a way to bring them into the mainstream and develop rhetoric more acceptable to those who cherish family values.

As one who started the Republican revolution in the South, I'd love to see a resurgence of the conservative Democrats. After all, my plea has always been for competitive party politics. I'd be even happier if third parties could gain more reasonable access to the ballot.

Watch closely. What went around is coming around... again.

Jeff Davis is a retired radio-TV journalist living in Gainesville, GA. Active in civic and political affairs, he is past president of the Georgia Jaycees, former vice president of the US and the world Jaycees, former campaign chairman of the Georgia Republican party. He voluntarily serves as president of the International Association for the Restoration of Confederate History and the Georgia Heritage Council. He is a collateral descendant of President Jefferson Davis.