My Morning Wooten

Apparently when it comes to Lt. Gov. candidate Eric Johnson, Jim has a blind spot similar to the veil cast by Sarah Palin. Since Sen. Johnson supports one of Jim's pets - school vouchers - he must be a straight shooter.

I’m getting OD’ed on drama in office. I want competence and I want honesty. No games. No hidden agendas. I’ve come to admire officials like former Senate Pro Tem Eric Johnson (R-Savannah), who has been passionate about school vouchers. He tells you what he believes and works diligently to give parents an alternative

Let's take a look at Sen. Johnson's honesty.

June 27, 2007

A young girl charged them with rape. The police arrested them. A district attorney chose to prosecute them. A grand jury decided to indict them. And a jury convicted them.

Genarlow Wilson was acquitted of rape. But why let facts get in your way.

February 21, 2007

if Genarlow Wilson had simply had the oral sex with the 15 year old, we would probably not be dealing with this.

Genarlow Wilson's only conviction stemmed from having oral sex with the 15 year old - based on a law so unjust Sen. Johnson voted to modify it the following year.

February 19, 2007

The young men, including Mr. Wilson, engaged in multiple acts of intercourse with the 17-year old, even after she was passed out drunk and high on drugs. In fact, Mr. Wilson is videotaped abusively having sex with the passed out girl – a fact ignored by the media, but witnessed by the jury.

The jury concluded the 17 year old not only was not passed out but was able to give consent.

February 19, 2007

My personal opinion is that the jury would have preferred to convict him of the rape charge due to sex with the older girl after she was passed out and incapable of consenting, but since she had earlier had consensual sex, they felt they couldn’t.

Polling of the jury and transcripts gave no indication the jury preferred to convict Genarlow Wilson of rape. In fact, they clearly indicated the 17 year old gave consent and struggled with the issue of the 15 year old girl. These facts did not stop Sen. Eric Johnson implying jury misconduct.

Honesty. It is a rare thing these days. So rare, an AJC editorial writer sees it in places it has long left.