

This was supposed to be the year that state lawmakers would finally do something about Sunday sales.

They'd been handed a common-sense proposal — one that allows cities and counties to vote on whether booze could be purchased on the Sabbath in stores — that offered political cover. Poll after poll showed strong support for the measure. Gov. Sonny Perdue — who for years had vowed to veto bills involving Sunday alcohol sales — had left office. Nathan Deal, Perdue's successor, said he wouldn't nix the measure if passed. Hell, he even dropped the golden quote "I don't drink — I simply believe in democracy."

Still, lawmakers found a way to muck it up. Via the AJC:

The chances of a Sunday sales bill passing this year took a major hit on Thursday when Senate Republican leaders said the measure lacks the support necessary among the majority caucus.

"It's a decision the Republican caucus made to not move forward with it," Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, the Republican caucus chairman, said.

For the past several days, Senate Republicans have been wringing their hands over the measure that just a few weeks ago seemed destined for passage. Social conservatives apparently started applying pressure, causing lawmakers to get antsy.

(Oh, and Christian conservatives shouldn't get all the blame for this foul-up. Word is that some senators with ambitions for higher office refused to support the measure. While it the measure was popular in their own districts, they feared a "yes" vote would bite them in the behind when they eventually ran statewide.)

Sure, a lot of things — including a floor amendment — could happen before the session gavels to a close. But to see such a popular measure — one that should've been handled years ago — break down so quickly says a lot about the current state of affairs in the Senate. Namely, that it's devoid of leadership and choked with personal ambition. Sigh.