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DEL.ICIO.USA pot-luck dinner from Gwinnett
Quick quotes from both Democrats and Republicans, for lieutenant governor and secretary of state
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Following are notes from Wednesday evening’s political forum at the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce. Consider them rough drafts of the first draft of history.
We’ll link you with sound from the event ASAP.
Casey Cagle, one of two Republican candidates for lieutenant governor, invoked the ghost of the late Gov. George Busbee. No doubt he was also trying to cope with the reams of policy statements issued by rival Ralph Reed.
Said Cagle: “In a political campaign, you hear a lot of political rhetoric. People put a lot of fluffy things out there that sound real good. But at the end of day, you don’t want a show horse, you want a work horse. You want somebody there who can deliver, who has led in the past, and delivered for you in the business community.”
Allen Buckley, the Libertarian candidate for lieutenant governor and a self-described “atrocious public speaker,” may have had the most honest plea ever heard from a candidate.
Said Buckley: “Does anybody out there think that the world would come to an end if I were elected lieutenant governor of the state of Georgia? Anybody?”
Ralph Reed, the other candidate for lieutenant governor, demonstrated the eagerness with which many Republicans intend to disassociate themselves with Washington.
Said Reed, in explaining his demand that state budget surpluses be returned to taxpayers: “One of the two major parties is really good at raising your taxes and spending your money. The other party, my party, is good at cutting taxes, but not always good at controlling spending. I really think we need to do both.”
The bravest might have been Rufus Terrill, a conservative Democrat who stressed limits on government.
Said Terrill: “This gay marriage ban. I’m against it. You cannot make your faith stronger by taking rights away from people. It’s not going to work. It didn’t work in Germany.”
The Gwinnett chamber also hosted candidates for secretary of state. (Republican Karen Handel and Democrat Walter Ray sent representatives.)
Said Shyam Reddy, a Democrat: “I believe our political system is broken. I believe it has been hijacked by extreme elements of society.”
Pay attention to what was said by Bill Stephens, a Republican candidate for secretary of state. It smacks of the future.
Said Stephens: “The secretary of state of Georgia ought to fight for Georgia, not apologize for Georgia all the time. When it comes to the Voting Rights Act, Georgia ought to be treated with the same dignity as other states in the nation. We’ve been punished for years now — allegedly, temporarily — for our sins in the ‘40s, 50s and 60s. “I will seek out and enforce Georgia laws. …without regard to race, creed color or persuasion. If Cynthia McKinney shows up again at a Dekalb County polling place with a bullhorn, screaming at people, I’m going to put her in jail.”
And there was a reminder that not all the world revolves around two political parties.
Said Scott Holcomb, a Democratic candidate for secretary of state: “July 18 is the biggest day on my calendar this year for me for two reasons. The first is the primary. If you’re a Democrat, I’d love your support. If you’re a Republican, I’d love your vote in November. And, I’m also an expectant father, and the due-date is July 18.”
Makes you wonder where he’ll be election night.
Comments
By Sam
June 7, 2006 10:05 PM | Link to this
It should be noted that Handel was in a Fulton County Commission meeting and could not attend
By Joe
June 8, 2006 07:54 AM | Link to this
… hence this very different take on the event from the Gwinnett Daily Post.
Both stories were good, but they’re two entirely different sets of quotes. This is why having more than one news source is good.
By Jason
June 8, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
Buckley has my vote.
By Debbie
June 8, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
Reed’s policy papers are well thought out and not rhetoric as Cagle’s are.
You want a work horse that knows what he is doing .
This posting fails to mention that Cagle left before questions were asked and Reed stayed and answered quesitons. Gee, I wonder why that was?
By O' Tim
June 8, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this
And the winner of the Inconvenient Truth Award is — Rufus Terrill!
Go Rufus!!
By Ross
June 8, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this
I typically vote Republican but I’m voting in the DEM primary this year for CATHY COX AND SHYAM REDDY…solution driven people with the right ideas to lead GA into the future. I will say I’m going for CAGLE (Lt. GOV) and BLACK (AG COMM) on the Republican side if they make the general. Sonny is stupid, Ralph is a crook, and Bill Stephens and Karen Handel suck.
By Nicholas
June 8, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this
Thanks for those notes. I’m a Democrat that was considering voting for Bill Stephens for Secretary of State if he won the primary. But since he needs to race bait and threaten Cynthia McKinney, and fails to see the continued need for something that is as important and extending the Voting Rigths Act, he lost not only my vote, but also my respect.
By Julius
June 8, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this
I hope the Republican primary voters are bright enough to look past Reed’s superficial and calculated charm. I expect they won’t be and that we may very well have a very smart, opportunistic, and dangerous Lt. Governer come November.
The Secretary of State race should be Reddy or Holcomb versus Handel. Those three are the most capable, well-informed of the lot. I wouldn’t want to entrust any form of significant responsibility on the others.
By Chief
June 8, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this
Political races are a process, not an event.
Many events for statewide candidates happen at the same time. The candidate, being thoughtful, sends a representative; yet, gets no mention in the media. Too bad.
Last night that was the case for Walter Ray.
Voting for any candidate who says our system is broken and provides no solution. My. My. My.
To get my vote: tell me how you’re going to “fix-it”.
Walter Ray, you and I are tired of reading: Georgia worst. Walter says: Georgia in first.
Two examples, Walter Ray is working for a national model for archivists. Katrina clearly demonstrated the need for Georgia to be better prepared.
Second, Walter Ray is the ONLY candidate, Republican or Democrat, who has a fillable online voter registration form online - TODAY!
Streamlined paperwork shows Georgia is pro-business. Translation: More Georgia Jobs…faster.
Broken system with no solution smacks of the James Brown’s song: Talking loud, saying nothing.
Election Day, vote Walter Ray.
I intend to. B-T-W Wave when you see me putting up Walter Ray signs.
By Wayne
June 8, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this
I was there last night and thought Cagle was better in the Lieutenant Governor’s race, but I wish he would have stayed for the questions. Buckley was, however, entertaining.
As for the Secretary of State race, I was surprised by Holcomb. He was the most articulate of the 3 during the speeches, and he’s actually a Democrat with common sense. I also like his military service record.
Reddy came across as adolescent and too liberal during his remarks, but he did better with the question and answers.
Stephens seemed a bit distracted during his 10 minute plug, but he made up for it during the questions by talking about his legislative experience.
I think both primaries are impossible to call, but I think Stephens and Holcomb would be good choices for their parties. I’m a Republican (like almost everyone there last night), but I liked Holcomb - he seems to actually have character, which isn’t too common in politicians these days.
By BlingBling
June 8, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this
Staffers… Debbie for “Ralphy” Ross & Julius for “Reedy”
By Wayne
June 8, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this
Chief (or, should I say Walter Ray?). Your representative was nice, but all she did was talk about South Georgia and how she doesn’t like New York. Thanks for posting all your great ideas for us.
By BlingBling
June 8, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this
Staffer.. Wayne for ethically challenged Stephens.
Were you there when Zig Zag caught and fired Stephens with the staffer on the Governor’s couch?
By Debbie
June 8, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this
From Peach Pundit:
The Reed accusation states that
Cagle Voted 33 Times on Bills That Benefited Banks. Between 1999 and 2006, Cagle sponsored or cosponsored five bills and voted 33 times on legislation that significantly affected banking while serving as chairman of the Southern Heritage Bank or a director of the bank holding company that acquired it, GB&T Bancshares. The legislation Cagle voted on included bills allowing all banks to sell life insurance, sell securities, buy and sell corporate bonds, and expanded their ability to garnish wages. (Senate Vote 27, SB 19, 2-2-99; S.V. 227, SB 230, 3-9-99; S.V. 475, 3-24-99; S.V. 264, SR 241, 3-15-99; S.V. 269, HB 297, 3-15-99; S.V. 918, HB 1231, 3-13-00; S.V . 717, HB 272, 2-23-00; S.V. 1048, HB 656, 3-16-00; S.V. 922, HB 1364, 3-13-00; S.V.1069, HB 1257, 3-20-00; S.V. 177, SB 70, 3-6-01; S.V. 178, 3-6-01; S.V. 211, SB 25, 3-7-01; S.V. 365, HB 191, 3-19-01; S.V. 555, SB 353, 2-6-02; S.V. 1111, 4-12-02; S.V. 20, SB 53, 2-12-03; S.V. 130, 3-6-03; S.V. 233, SB 157, 4-7-03; S.V. 853, 3-4-04; S.V. 80, SB 78, 3-3-03; S.V. 414, HB 506, 4-17-03; S.V. 568, HB 385, 4-25-03; S.V. 662, SB 405, 2-2-04; S.V. 1028, HB 1258, 3-24-04; S.V. 1027, 3-24-04; S.V. 59, SB 82, 2-14-05; S.V. 95, SB 100, 2-22-05; S.V. 287, 3-17-05; S.V. 207, SB 127, 3-11-05; S.V. 504, 3-31-05; S.V. 436, HB 59, 3-29-05; S.V. 437, 3-29-05)
The allegations also say that Cagle says he abstained from votes, but the Senate record does not reflect that.
Cagle’s campaign issued a terse response sayiing,
We remind you that Georgia has a citizen legislature - farmers help set agriculture policy, doctors craft health care laws, and businessmen update commercial codes. This is precisely the system our founders set up and we stand proudly behind it. If Ralph believes that Georgia should have a full-time California-style legislature, we invite him to debate that point any time, anywhere. In reality, that is the only way to ensure that no one who serves in the legislature has a job outside the legislature.
We also repeat the challenge we made last time you made a set of false ethical accusations: if you believe your own charges that a legislator acted in violation of the law, you should sign an actual complaint, put a stamp on it, and mail it to the Attorney General. We are committed to running an open, honest and ethical campaign and welcome the opportunity to address these kinds of concerns despite your continued unwillingness to accept the same standard for yourselves.
Interestingly, I got the Cagle response before I even got the Reed accusation. Of all the things Reed has hurled Cagle’s way — and there frankly have not been too many so far — this one has the most potential to leave a bruise.
By A. Ham
June 8, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this
Boy, is that Dem. dim. Homo “marriage” is already ILLEGAL. How is a constitutional ban “taking away” something that does not exist?
By Tony
June 8, 2006 03:13 PM | Link to this
Debbie,
Just how did you get all of this? Reed spilling all of the details to his minions to flood the blogospheres? Sounds like all of that righteous talk about Ralph focused only on his own agenda is all as much fluff as Ralphie himself. It’s funny to hear Ralphie accusing someone else of serving special interests. Reed has made his career and living off of this and then pretends to be a man of the people. He’s as much a man of the people as all of the DC fatcats and lobbyists.
By Debbie
June 8, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this
Tony, what was incorrect about? Are you disputing that the public record of the State Senate is incorrect?
Go look it up yourself. I encourage you to.
By Tony
June 8, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this
What the heck are you talking about Debbie? You’re a fool. Where did I say anything was ‘incorrect’? You Reedies LOVE to invent stories and what people allegedly say. Read my statement again. Read slowly. Sound out the words. Comprehend them. Then reply. Knee-jerk reactions are a testament to intelligence.
By
June 8, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this
I wish Debbie would actually make a comment based on the issue at hand instead of spewing her obvious Reed campaign propaganda. Jeez, if you work for Reed, fine. Just say that up front and what you have to say might actually be taken seriously.
By Darrell
June 9, 2006 08:06 AM | Link to this
We need a work horse not a show horse eh? Well at a meeting in Rome, I heard Casey say that was “trying to clean up a mess”, in response to a question about his contribution of $1,000.00 to Mark Taylor (campaign funds not his own $$ mind you) Well seems to me we need a Leader not a Janitor who uses other peoples money to kiss up to the opposition.
By Sam
June 11, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this
It’s too bad that Handel couldn’t attend. I’ve seen other forums with Handel & Stephens and she really understands the issues and challenges, while Stephens has some good sound bites (to quote Political Vine)
By Tony
June 12, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this
Darrell,
Let’s flip this around. Perhaps we need a janitor rather than a litterer like Reed. Obviously he’s done a lot of ‘polluting’ in his day. Do we need that much of a liability in our government? Do we need someone who is being scrutinized for his shady deals and compromised principles? Frankly I don’t want a media and legal circus here in GA disgracing our state because DC Ralph can’t keep his own money-grubbing agenda away from Christian principles.
By Darrell
June 12, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this
Reed polluting??? All I’ve seen is a lot of accusation! I had a good friend in HS that I found out was a coke head and had robbed all of his friends homes including mine to pay for his habit. Did that make me guilty of a crime?? Casey spent others people money to buy his Committee from Mark Taylor. One that seems to have benefited him greatly in dollars too! That’s pretty despicable to me. He could have at the least used his own money. I heard all of the same criticism of Ralph when he ran for Chairman of the state GOP. Neal Bortz said well this means that the Democrats will be in power for a lot longer in response to Reeds election as GOP Chairman. Well all I have seen from Reed is doing what he say’s he will do. He said we would elect a Republican Governor and Senator in 2002, we did. He then said he would deliver the Southeast for Bush, he did. Granted it was with a lot of people working with him, but he provided the leadership and training to get the job done. That ability to lead and achieve is what Georgia needs, not someone who has done next to nothing in 12 years. I have been very active in GA politics for the last 10 years and I had never heard of Casey Cagle until he spoke at the 2005 State Convention. No thank you, I’ll stay with proven and known leadership.