Busbee's work, humor won't be quickly forgotten

"One of the finest men we've had in state government."

- Former Rep. Jack Connell, on George Busbee

They're saying many nice things about George Busbee, the former Georgia governor who died unexpectedly Friday.

That's usually the case when old politicians pass away, but in Mr. Busbee's case, the praise is deserved, because it was earned.

I met him 30 years ago on a courthouse square outside Atlanta. I was wearing cutoff shorts and a T-shirt. It must have been during my "art period" because I remember I was sketching the old building's clock tower.

"Hello," said a voice behind me.

I turned around to see a smiling man in a gray suit, extending his hand.

I shook it as he said, "I'm George Busbee, and I'd appreciate your vote for governor."

"OK," I said, in that agreeable tone one uses when surprised.

He then turned and walked down the street looking for more hands to shake. He must have found a lot of them, because he won the governor's race. His slogan, "A workhorse, not a showhorse," still remains a political classic.

He did such a good job in his first term that Georgians changed the law prohibiting a governor from seeking successive terms.

Lawmakers liked him because he made them look good. He was a legend at handling the state budget, and despite a sour economy during the mid-1970s, George Busbee kept Georgia's financial ship sailing.

Reporters liked him, too, because he had a sense of humor.

During one legislative session, a political opponent publicly described the governor's plan with a barnyard expletive.

Reporters rushed to Mr. Busbee to get a response, asking what he thought of the lawmaker.

Without missing a beat, the governor quickly glanced around the room, then repeated the expletive.

The surprise of his response broke up the room.

After eight years in office, he joined a prestigious Atlanta law firm and lived, for the most part, out of the public eye.

Before he moved out of the Governor's Mansion into his newly constructed Gwinnett County home, a reporter asked if there were any political plans in his future.

After all, Mr. Busbee's predecessor, Jimmy Carter, had gone on to the White House, and Georgia governors are known for seeking bigger roles.

"Why, yes," he said. "I'm considering a run for Gwinnett County dog-catcher."

When told the position was not an elected one, the governor said, "Well, I guess I'm out of politics."

That might have been true, but this weekend he's not been out of our thoughts. He was one of Georgia's most successful and competent governors, who left the office much better than he found it.

Reach Bill Kirby at (706) 823-3344 or bill.kirby@augustachronicle.com.