By Alan Mauldin
alan.mauldin@gaflnews.com
MOULTRIE — As a candidate for Georgia’s attorney general, former federal prosecutor Max Wood thinks his experience gives him an edge.
Wood, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush, was U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia for eight years, a portion of which was spent working with the Justice Department in Iraq. The Republican is seeking his first elected office for the seat being vacated by Attorney General Thurbert E. Baker, who is running for governor.
“I’m the only candidate who has been a state prosecutor, a military prosecutor and federal prosecutor,” he said. “I think it (attorney general) has amazing similarities to what I did for eight years. I don’t think there’s any job more similar to being attorney general than being a U.S. attorney.”
Wood said he was encouraged by former colleagues who made the leap from his former position in other states to successful political bids, including New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie, who was sworn in this week.
As attorney general, Wood said he would like the office to be a constitutional watchdog. He also would like to see the attorney general’s office become a storehouse of expertise that would allow the state to weigh in on federal issues that are playing out in courts around the country but also affect Georgia.
“If I was attorney general now I would be joining the 13 or 14 attorney generals in states challenging the unconstitutionality of health care (legislation),” he said. “What we’re having with that legislation, for the first time in history you have Congress forcing people to buy something. I think that’s unconstitutional.”
The biggest change Wood said he envisions in the office is in how the state handles appeals cases.
Georgia still uses the same system of 30 years ago in which attorneys who argued a case still handle the appeals, he said, a way of business that is “old fashioned.”
“Nowadays you need to go the way of 30 states and develop an appellate office,” he said. “Over 30 states have gone in this direction because the federal government is ignoring the 10th Amendment.”
The 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reserves to individuals or states those powers not granted to the federal government or prohibited to the states.
Wood said that Southern states’ unsuccessful attempt to fight civil rights advances in the 1960s and 1970s led to a weakening of the amendment.
On the more common role of the office, Wood said that the office should be more aggressive in addressing information-age crimes that federal prosecutors do not get involved in except in large cases and for which local prosecutors often do not have the resources. Those crimes include credit card and online fraud, identification theft, child pornography and the use of computers in child molestation.
“We’re kind of losing ground on those nationwide,” he said. “I think the attorney general can fill the gap in some of that.”
Wood said he also would like to explore the possibility of opening satellite offices “if it’s cost-effective.”
Other candidates who have announced their intentions to seek the attorney general’s position are former Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens, who also is a Republican, and Democrats Ken Hodges, former Dougherty County district attorney, and state Rep. Bob Teilhet, D-Smyrna.
Local News
Wood sees AG role as constitutional watchdog
- Local News
-
-
Saving wildlife, 1 critter at a time
Many South Georgians enjoy the beauty of bountiful wildlife. But chances are, few realize that there are those special people out there who work diligently and spend their own money rescuing and rehabbing injured and orphaned animals.
-
Tax would build new school
When voters begin casting ballots next week, in addition to picking a presidential challenger they will decide whether to approve sales tax funding for a new high school.
-
Teen robbed on walking trail
A teenager reported being beaten and robbed Wednesday while on the South Main Street walking trail, Moultrie Police Department reports said
-
Easter Seals at Legislature
-
Labor Dept. to sponsor seminar for veterans
Georgia Department of Labor career centers in Moultrie and Camilla, along with employer committees in Colquitt and Mitchell counties, will sponsor a resume-writing seminar for veterans and other job seekers who are looking for civilian jobs with the federal government.
- Your Agenda 2/10/12
-
Grandmother pleads guilty in child's death
A Norman Park woman was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday in the drowning death of her 6-year-old granddaughter.
-
City: Land bank would help with dilapidated buildings
In a short but eventful meeting Tuesday, the Moultrie City Council voted to take another step toward dealing with abandoned properties and, in a separate action, voted to increase the hotel-motel tax to benefit the Colquitt County Arts Center.
Both actions will require the approval of other agencies to take effect. -
Bike trek to raise money for charity
The grandson of a Moultrie couple will be one of about 90 Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity brothers bicycling across the country to raise money for people with disabilities.
-
ABAC brings Near Peer mentors to Colquitt County High
Five students at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College have been selected to participate in the Near Peer Service Learning Program, which allows ABAC students to serve as mentors to Colquitt County High School (CCHS) students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
