The World Turned Right Side Up:

Brock Clay Senior Partner Chuck Clay on Newly Elected Speaker David Ralston.

The following article originally appeared at InsiderAdvantageGeorgia on Friday, December 18th. In addition, James Salzer at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote an extended piece on Speaker-Elect Ralston in the paper's Sunday edition that included a quote from Chuck Clay. You can see that article here.

(12/18/09) Every now and then, it’s nice to be reminded that hard work, perseverance, and good cheer can and do pay off. Such was the case yesterday when Rep. David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, overcame the naysayers and some political prognosticators by winning the venerable position of Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. Two years ago, when the same David Ralston challenged then-Speaker Glenn Richardson and lost, many thought he had ended his political career. He lost his committee chairmanship and was exiled to the legislative office building.

Instead of being bitter or complaining, Ralston went about doing what he has done both in the Senate and now in the House for years, which is to work hard, to provide a sound legislative product, and to put the past behind. That sort of determination won even the grudging respect of opponents, and it was no surprise to many that it was David Ralston to whom the leadership turned to pass the Department of Transportation overhaul bill late in the session last year. Only a handful of legislators could have pulled off what Ralston did with that particular piece of legislation, and his style of collaboration and compromise was a refreshing throwback to the days of grizzled veterans of the art of lawmaking – people like Denmark Groover, Roy Barnes, Johnny Isakson, Paul Coverdell and Zell Miller.

The simple truth of the matter is that David Ralston is a good guy with real world experiences.

He has run a successful law practice in Blue Ridge, Georgia, and is respected throughout the state for his legal skill and acumen.

A graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law, he is well connected to the political network of UGA and UGA Law alums, and he has maintained a statewide political network since his unsuccessful but well-respected run for Attorney General.

What kind of Speaker will Ralston be? I would never be so presumptuous as to begin to speak on matters of policy or politics for any politician, but the good news is that first and foremost Speaker Ralston will take a reasoned and thoughtful approach to both political decisions and public policy. He has a keen mind and has served in the Senate and House, which will serve him in good stead in the upcoming legislative session. For the first time in years, there should be a close and productive working relationship between the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker because of their shared experiences in the Georgia Senate.

Additionally, Ralston will surround himself in time with the best and brightest in the Georgia House. Gone will be some of the hard-edged and sometimes caustic partisanship that has too often been in the forefront over the past few years. Ralston is a proud Republican and has more than paid his dues in the political trenches of Republican Party politics; but he is also an individual who is going to listen to both sides, be respectful of differing opinions, and seek to utilize the intellect and leadership of the entire membership of the House - Republican and Democrat. With House members looking for a clean break with the past, Ralston will be just the man to do so without throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Additionally, David Ralston is not a vindictive politician. Certainly as the Speaker, he is entitled to make decisions about those he wants to be part of his leadership team, but he is not the type of individual who is going to reward or punish people on a whim.

Ralston will want to build on the positive legacy of some of his predecessors (and, yes, there are many.) He has won political races, but he also knows what it is like to lose. He knows you don’t kick a man or woman when they are down, and you put the past behind and move on to the next issues of importance to the people of Georgia. David will also have an open-door policy and a willing ear to listen.

For fear of making Ralston sound too nice for the demanding job of Speaker, I hasten to say that no one should underestimate Ralston’s mental or personal toughness. Many say that to be a good Speaker you have to have a touch of the tyrant. I do not know if this is so, but you don’t try cases in every courtroom throughout North Georgia without developing a certain ability to make decisions and stand and defend them in an often hostile environment.

David Ralston will always be the gentleman, but do not underestimate his ability to be tough if and when circumstances demand. Clearly, there is never perfection in politics or in any other arena for that matter. In this past election for Speaker, there were three truly outstanding candidates. Only one could win, and without in any way criticizing the other two candidates, the Georgia House is in good hands with David Ralston holding the gavel. More importantly, the people of Georgia are too.