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DEL.ICIO.USThe DeLay factor in Georgia
A candidate with close ties to Abramoff — but none that are illegal — bows out of a 'negative, personal campaign.'
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Tuesday morning, every Republican in Georgia with geek credentials was attempting to triangulate the meaning of former House majority leader Tom DeLay’s resignation.
“Because I care so deeply about this district and the people in it, I refuse to allow liberal Democrats an opportunity to steal this seat with a negative personal campaign,” Delay said.
Ralph Reed faces the same Democratic gauntlet, plus a tough Republican primary. What’s the impact of this on his campaign for lieutenant governor?
Reed’s not saying. His daily communiqué focused on a Henry County judge’s decision in an eminent domain case. The rival GOP campaign of Casey Cagle also remained mum.
Carolyn Meadows of Cobb County, a former member of the Republican National Committee and a board member of the National Rifle Association, backs Reed in the lite gov race, and knows DeLay.
She wasn’t surprised by DeLay’s decision to pull out of his race. “I figured this would come sooner or later,” said Meadows, though she admits the timing caught her off guard.
But she expects no repercussions for Reed. “I think there’s still enough time that this is all going to die down before the election,” Meadows said.
Before you argue that Georgians don’t really care what happens in Texas, know this: Last week, one of the most popular pieces of literature passed among Republican lawmakers, in the House as well as Senate, was a photocopy of a mailer from a Texas education PAC.
The target was a GOP candidate in a special, February statehouse election in Austin. The district was limousine Republican. The flier carried the “culture of corruption” message pushed by Democrats — with photos of DeLay, Reed, and Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
The Democrat won.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By romac
April 5, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this
The meaning is this: Delay set a new low in Congressional representation which will be difficult for future corruptionists to top. The American people now understand the “win at any cost” approach to politics he espoused…and the price tag Delay demanded for it. They also understand the fear he instilled in colleagues who dared challenge his perverted view of democracy. You will not hear it from Republicans in Washington, but nearly all of them are privately pleased — if not ecstatic — that Delay’s day is done. Anyone — especially Reed — who refuses to disassociate himself from Delay quickly, firmly and convincingly risks feeling the full brunt of the voters “hammer” in November. The hammer will be lucky if he is not in the slammer by the time the new Congress is sworn in next January.
By Howard
April 5, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this
Ralph is a fraud and a hypocrite.
By getalife
April 5, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
Die down before the election?
Please Georgia, if Cynthia McKinney is embarrassing you, just think if Reed is elected?
The Gang Of Pirates want business as usual and it is the voters job to stop them.
By Savannah Thinker
April 5, 2006 02:07 PM | Link to this
This Meadows woman must be hitting the Kool Aid… This is going to heat up before it dies down… There are multiple ongoing investigations into this. DeLay resigned cause he knows what’s coming and he didn’t want to harm the GOP or House Majority.
Reed should do the same.
By Tater
April 5, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this
Guilt by association—that is all the Cagleites have going for them. Ralph Reed is in no way related to Delay or Abrahoff’s troubles.
Georgia’s Republican primary voters will see through this. They know and appreciate what Ralph Reed has contributed to our cause.
Cagle better get to some issues fast if he is to have any chance of defeating Reed. Otherwise he will only be guilty of violating Reagan’s 11th commandment and he will be forgotten after the primary as a state senator who never really accomplished very much except to be the anti-Reed candidate for LG.
By
April 5, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this
“Ralph Reed is in no way related to Delay or Abrahoff’s troubles.” Tater, seriously, do you read anything? Or is your favorite news site ralphreed.com. The reason the Weekly Standard, David Brooks, World Magazine, Jim Wooten, and Matthew Connetti (all conservative) have criticized Ralph Reed is precisely because of Abramoff. Guilt by association? Try guilt by actions.
“Cagle better get to some issues fast if he is to have any chance of defeating Reed.” Cagle is the only one who has even posted where he stands on the issues on his website. Ralph Reed wont even do interviews with Christian media outlets.
As far as the 11th commandment, sorry, your boy has already broken it. Many times. In many elections. Ralph didnt think to much of it when he took down Clint Day.
By Don't Make Me Ralph
April 5, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this
Ralph has no association with DeLay? Are you serious? Ralph thumb wrestled DeLay for the window seat on Jack Abramoff’s fanciful, casino-sponsored golf junket to Scotland.
By Tony
April 5, 2006 08:00 PM | Link to this
Yes. Ralph is the Grand Holder of the Kool Aid Pitcher and Tater would be the Chief Stirrer of the Wooden Spoon.
By Debbie
April 6, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this
What has Ralph been charged with? What crime do you have evidence he committed? As far as Carolyn Meadows, she is former longtime Republican National Committeewoman from Georgia. I guess your strategy is to bash Reed supporters. You have a LONG line of people to bash. IE:Rudy Giuliani, Gov. Barbour, Newt Gingrich, Nancy Coverdell, etal Being a lobbyist is not a crime. Just look at the list of former GOP officials that are now lobbyists: Eric Tanenblatt, Rusty Paul, etal
By Tony
April 6, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this
Boy Debbie, keep it coming. Tell us more of the establishment that supports Ralph. And last I heard Newt hasn’t officially endorsed anyone. No, being a lobbyist is NOT a crime. But lobbyists sure know how to grease the wheel with some of the most unethical behavior in politics. I love how Sonny and the state GOP are saying you’re judged by the company you keep. Abramoff, Reed, DeLay, Ney, Cunningham….now there is a list of the powerhouses of the GOP letting power go to their heads.
I find it amusing that a Reed supporter would tack Giuliani on there. Doesn’t he support gay rights? When his ex-wife kicked him out of Gracie, he went to live with a gay couple. Wonder how the Reed people like that. I don’t think Sadie would be too fond of that.
By WD
April 6, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this
C McKinney , a great example why not to vote for DEMOCRATS.
By Debbie
April 6, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
I have to agree with the statement you made :”I love how Sonny and the state GOP are saying you’re judged by the company you keep.” People that live in glass houses should not throw stones. All of sudden everyone is slamming lobbyists. You should check out some of the financial disclosure forms, especially in 2003.
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/campaign_disclosures/disclosure.htm
Newt was the primary guest speaker at a fundraiser for Ralph. Rudy also was at a different fundraiser. If you are not supporting someone, it stands to reason you will not let your name be used in conjunction with a fund raiser.
By HP
April 6, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this
Debbie are you throwing stones for Cathy Cox?