Just not enough spots

Months ago, we pined for an extra two U.S. Senate seats for Georgia. That's how much we thought of Johnny Isakson, Mac Collins and Herman Cain. If only there were a way to accommodate each of the men who were vying in the Republican primary to succeed outgoing Sen. Zell Miller.

Of course, there was little surprise Tuesday when Rep. Isakson, a rock-solid congressman from Newt Gingrich's old district, came out on top. He is a fine congressman, and should be an exemplary senator, should he do as well in the general election this November.

We do regret that either Collins - also a fine congressman - or Cain - a national-quality businessman - had to lose. They are terrific assets to Georgia politics, and we hope they hang around.

We are particularly hopeful that Mr. Cain will throw his hat into another ring sometime.

A political newcomer but a successful businessman sporting conservative, commonsense credentials, Cain appears prone to bust out into politics. Admittedly, he aimed at the moon in his first run at elected office. But some people were born to escape orbit. Herman Cain is such a man.

We also regret the short political arc of Augusta's Ed Tarver, who failed Tuesday in his upstart bid to win the Democratic nomination in the District 22 state Senate race. Tarver is one of life's good guys. We sincerely hope the respected community activist considers Tuesday's election results as a start, rather than a finish.

Sometimes you can't get good people to run.

Other times, you can't find enough spots to put them in.

This is one of those times.