If you think national politics is dirty, try following the culture of “scotch and strippers” disguised as a lawmaking body, commonly referred to as the Georgia Assembly.

Here’s how Jay Bookman of the Atlanta Journal Constitution put it,

“Like cockroaches when the lights come on, everyone and his girlfriend are scurrying for cover at the state Capitol, afraid of the media spotlight.”

Here’s the cast of characters:

-Georgia Speak Glenn Richardson: Two weeks ago he announced that he had tried to commit suicide. Two close friends had been killed in an airplane crash; he was suffering from severe depression; he was going through a divorce, and an affair he had started with a lobbyist was getting increasingly messy.

His troubles compounded in a big way when his scorned ex-wife began speaking out. She revealed text messages and voicemails of the speaker saying that he would use his power to destroy her. Adding to the scum-baggery were revelations that he also used his power to help his mistress score some favorable legislation for her company, Atlanta Gas Light.

-Speak Pro Tempore Mark Burkhalter: A few years ago he took a lobbyist funded trip to Daufuskie Island, SC with a group of strippers. In a backroom deal struck with fellow Republicans, he agreed to step aside and let Rep. Jerry Keen take over; but is now considering staying on.

-Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Ben Harbin: A couple years ago, he got boozed up and crashed his car into a utility pole. He was booked and charged with DUI. Oh yeah, and there was a woman in the car with him who wasn’t his wife. Shocking.

-Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle: According to Red State, he has been connected to several women, one of whom recently lost some earrings. Lt. Gov. Cagle wanted to open up a theft investigation until he realized that any legal action would create a paper trail, which would, undoubtedly, lead Mrs. Cagle to wonder exactly which earrings were missing.

Erick Erickson’s blogs, Red State and Peach Pundit have all the latest information on these issues.

Here’s what he is saying:

“If the Georgia Republican Party will not clean up its own house, the voters will…It is unpleasant to write about this, but sunshine is terrific disinfectant.”

More:
-Erick Erickson: When Breaking Out the Guillotine, it is Best to Chop Off All Heads at Once. The Costs of Cleanup are Cheaper.
-Jay Bookman discusses the depth of the GOP’s problems in Georgia.
-Richardson’s out, Burkhalter’s in.
-Jim Thompson of the Athens Banner-Herald says that Thompson is the symptom, not the problem.