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Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Taylor a no-show in Savannah
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Savannah — The Georgia Press Association is assembling here this Wednesday evening, and word is spreading that Mark Taylor, the Democratic candidate for governor, has nixed his scheduled debate with primary rival Cathy Cox.
It was supposed to happen Thursday. The reviews are not pretty. “We’ve been snubbed by better candidates,� fumed one publisher.
They shouldn’t feel singled out. Taylor was a no-show at last month’s gathering of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, also on the coast.
We haven’t talked to the Taylor’s camp. But allow us to hazard a few guesses on why they passed:
— Taylor feels like he’s got a comfortable lead in the polls. No need to give Cox a forum to attack him. — Cox is a journalism school graduate of the University of Georgia. This group already has an affinity for her. Why waste time?
— Here’s the cruelest interpretation: Like the Chamber, the press association is part of Georgia’s establishment. And the Georgia’s Democratic party is no longer an establishment party. The GPA, which is dominated by the state’s smaller weekly and dailies, most in rural areas, no longer reaches the voters who decide the Democratic primary.
Now, for Republicans, it’s another matter. Ralph Reed and Casey Cagle are set to tango at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
The robo-calls begin
And the first round indicates a split in among Christian conservatives
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The two Republican candidates for lieutenant governor swamped Cobb County with robo-calls on Wednesday.
And the first one to brandish a Christian Coalition endorsement was…..Casey Cagle?
It was a rough one, too. The recording was made by Dave Johnston, chairman of the Middle Georgia Christian Coalition — not the statewide organization run by Sadie Fields, an ally of Ralph Reed.
Said Johnston: “I believe that character does matter. More than ever, we need a leader like Casey Cagle, who lives his values every day, even when no one is looking.�
Both men appear to be trying to expand their reach into the other’s camp. Reed’s message was aimed more at the Republican mainstream:
“This is Ralph Reed, conservative candidate for lieutenant governor, and I’m calling Cobb County Republicans today to tell them I’m a balanced-budget, tax-cutting, pro-family conservative.
“I’m for securing the border, property rights, and the right to keep and bear arms. I’m against wasteful spending, illegal immigration, and higher taxes. I’ve helped build the Republican party for 30 years and I’d appreciate your vote….�
