John Sugg and Decaturguy think it’s possible.
The theory goes Vernon has long had closeted Republican aspirations. He did a total 180 in 2004 and voted for George W. Bush in the general election after supporting Howard Dean during the primaries, so there may be some truth to that idea. Sugg sums up the scenario nicely:
The buzz around both D and R circles is that he’s carrying water for Chambliss, and will be suitably rewarded by the Republicans for deterring a candidacy by any Democrat that might be victorious. It’s a truly sad commentary on Georgia, but no black Atlantan will beat Chambliss. But Vernon Jones can guarantee that a divided party will have no chance of fielding a successful candidate.
I always have conflicting feelings about Vernon. On one hand, DeKalb County is generally run pretty well, all things considered. He’s been good about acquiring and preserving green space. The county’s bond rating has been good under his watch. EMS response times are down. The budget has gone up, but isn’t out of control. And, he’s one of the most charismatic public speakers/retail politicians I’ve ever been around.
On the other, he’s demonstrated that he has a temper, is vindictive, and can be cynical to a point that should be considered scary for anyone close to him personally or professionally. Like Ralph Reed scary. Like “if Georgia sends him to Washington, don’t be surprised to hear about a few fresh bodies floating in the Potomac” scary. There’s a pattern of sociopathic behavior (too lengthy to list… here’s the latest episode) that makes stories like him carrying water for Saxby plausible.
So, is he running interference to block a more competitive candidate? Or, is that the story someone who wants Jones out of the race wants us to believe? I don’t know. The conventional wisdom among a lot of Georgia Democrats I read and talk to is that divisive primaries will run what’s left of the party into the ground. I do know that the chances of him winning are practically non-existent. And I do know that a lot of people want him to go away to make way for a candidate with less baggage.
Thoughts?
It’s certainly not tin-foil hat conspiracy. And if true would be some pretty savvy politcs. Vernon is almost bipolar in his political maneuvering. Clever on one hand and bat shit crazy on the other.
“The budget has gone up, but isn’t out of control.”
I think the county budget was $340 mil the year he took office, and now it’s up to something like $625 mil. Plus, there’s been an ungodly amount of bonds issued by county “authorities” handpicked by Vern. He’s trying to spend $1 billion in water & sewer contracts before he leaves office.
The public is on to his gig of not filling employee positions so he can spend the adjusted mid-year budget like its Christmas time ($1 million to Callanwolde, which is used by more Fulton residents. $1 mil to a So. DeKalb Arts Center than Vernon seriously expects to be named after him as soon as he leaves the CEO’s office, seriously).
There’s been scandal after scandal with the police department, and veteran officers are running away in droves. Customer service and performance for county departments like Code Enforcement, Animal Control, Parks Maintenance, Planning & Zoning, etc. is pathetic. He has absolutely manipulated those departments and hired lackeys in key position after key position.
RGM is clearly right about greenspace acquisition, the bond rating & EMS. And he really is Clintonian in his way of winning any audience, whether an all black church in So. DeKalb or a temple in North DeKalb.
I’ve heard from multiple sources that VJ thinks he can take Hank Johnson’s seat anytime he wants it in the future.
And he owns a condo literally on the Fulton/DeKalb line that could qualify him to run for John Lewis’ seat when he retires. But I’ve also heard he’d take a plum appointment in D.C.
The sad part is, even though a conspiracy theory is a conspiracy theory, this one is completely believable since it involves Vern. This guy had the potential to be a major national player. But can you name an elected official both as promising and self-destructive as Mr. CEO?
Also, the DeKalb County budget has risen 41 percent in five years with only a 1 percent population increase.
I can’t commment on Vernon until I too, like the rest of the entire metro area, has a chance to, uh, “party” with him a little better. Should that (hopefully not) happen, I’ll report back then. I’ve watched him in action before though at meetings. He’s utterly charismatic, good looking and a total ADD case. He simply cannot stay still and focus on a thing. Cleavage maybe.