Thread by @bluestein

In Macon, a few hundred business executives, community leaders and elected officials are gathering for an annual @GAChamber luncheon that’s designed to focus on bipartisanship in a polarizing time. #gapol

Happening now: Republican Rep. Buddy Carter is touting the benefits of a federal bipartisan infrastructure measure that he voted against. (At the time, he said more funding should be devoted to boosting ports, broadband and not a “disguise” for liberal policies.) #gapol

Republican pollster @FrankLuntz starts his speech by entering the crowd, singling out Democratic Rep. Sanford Bishop — and praising him as one of the most remarkable members of the congressional delegation. #gapol

Luntz also makes a beeline for Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, sitting in the front row, praising him for his “willingness to speak the truth” to Trump when he refused his demands to overturn the 2020 election. #gapol

“Bad.” “Corrupt.” “Broken.” “Terrible.” These are among the words that came up the most when Luntz asked voters to describe American democracy right now.
He adds, scanning the elected officials in the room, “They still have *some* faith in you.” #gapol

I’ve never been more worried about our democracy, says Republican Rep. Austin Scott. But he says he has hope. “In Georgia, there’s friendship across the aisle …” He invokes John Lewis’ “good trouble” to say Georgia has “good trouble” ahead when it comes to economic growth #gapol