The Bishop Eddie Long alleged sex scandal is now on an incredible news media roll that could run into the November midterm elections and even beyond. But, is Long’s high-profile mess really about his alleged illicit sex, relations with gays or gay bashing; the power and influence of black churches, mega churches, television ministries or black ministers in general; or, the rough and tumble of Georgia based politics and political campaigns?
For bloggers, public affairs, politics and media junkies, it’s interesting and engaging what’s going on in Georgia these days.
The Democratic candidate for Governor, Roy Barnes, who cancelled an upcoming political campaign fundraiser to be hosted by Bishop Long, is in a tough election contest with a Tea Party supported opponent. And, Newt Gingrich, the former Georgia Congressman, U. S. House Speaker and leader of the conservative Contract With America movement that influenced mid-term House elections in 1994 under President Clinton, is making rumblings about launching a candidacy for the upcoming Presidential Election. With all that going on, there is renewed national debate about the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy affecting gays in the military, on the heals of a court decision declaring the policy to be unconstitutional, while Reverend Long takes a hit about his gay bashing.
WOW!!! What a mess, what a scandal and what a blast for politics, current and future Georgia based political campaigns, religion, gays, television ministries and black ministers all rolled into one!
Perhaps it’s all a coincidence; perhaps not. It will be interesting to see who gets paid out of all this at the end of the day.
But, one thing is for certain.
Georgia will certainly be on our mind for a while.
