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DEL.ICIO.USTaylor 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.
Comments
By RepublicanDawg
June 14, 2006 11:40 PM | Link to this
Mark Taylor knows what he’s doing. Cathy will be strong among the PGA. The bigger picture is that Georgia Democrats just don’t get it anymore. They believe if you can the right phrase or word the sentence right, they’ll get your vote. They’re becoming a mirror image of the national party. Small town and suburban papers just don’t carry the weight and appeal for Democratic candidates like they used to, even 3-4 years ago. Taylor and Cox know that if they can carry Atlanta and 3 or 4 urban areas, the nomination is theirs. Rural Georgia isn’t where the vote is anymore for Democrats.
By Bruce Wilcox
June 15, 2006 02:23 AM | Link to this
Taylor is playing hide and seek, he has a better ad campaign, a clever line, “The Big Guy watching out for the little guy”, but that is about it. Taylor is just one of the good old boys, Cathy Cox has fresh ideas. To debate her and let her get her message out the Big Guy maybe looking a little smaller. If Taylor is somehow forced into debating Cathy, Sonny can say he did it.
By TitletownUSA
June 15, 2006 08:28 AM | Link to this
So now Mark’s comfy enough to skip out if he wants? I wouldn’t think so. There’s still a higher percentage of undecideds than there are for Taylor.
The real reason why he skipped the Chamber of Commerce is because they didn’t like his socialist health care plan. They would sooner take a health care plan from Hillary Clinton. But Karl Marx would be proud!
I don’t see Mark turning tail and running from Cathy because of a bunch of journalists either. It probably has more to do with the fact that he has only made one plan for Georgia public and that’s his dreaded socialist health care plan. If he showed up at the debate, he would actually be required to talk about ideas on how to fix Georgia’s problems. I don’t think he can do that without someone telling him what to do.
Simply put he is running skeered because he has to borrow other people’s ideas. What a wimp!!
By dumbfounded
June 15, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this
Who cares about a debate? Governor Perdoofus is gonna be in a movie! that’s all that matters!
By Mark
June 15, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this
Just so you know that movie is here because the Governor signed the film incentive package last August.
The movie will put about $20 million into the local economy and is employing a large number of people here.
By harold
June 15, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this
Taylor worked to lower the sales tax on food.
WELL DUH OF COURSE HE DID LOOK AT HIM.
Taylor worked to lower the cost of health care.
WELL DUH OF COURSE HE DID LOOK AT HIM.
Everything Taylor claims he did for “us” is obviously self serving.
By Media Blawtzt
June 15, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this
The media is incensed at M. Taylor! That is horrifying, to say the least. What nerve! Doesn’t he know “THE MEDIA SHALL BE SERVED!” The knave shall pay for his lack of deference.
By A smater voter
June 15, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this
Mr. Wilcox…don’t you know the voter is a sucker for a clever one-liner. “The Big Guy watching out for the little guy”, is VERY clever AND is emotionally connecting, but I prefer those adorable BABIES trooping all over the Capitol.
By Chris Bridges
June 15, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this
Why isn’t Govenor Perdue debating his primary opponent?
By trueblue
June 15, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this
You guys have really posted a bunch of good stuff on this issue. But to take it one step further; I think the BIG GUY has backed out of these appearances/debates for a couple of reasons; 1.He does not present himself well. White and entitled is dead in the real world. A guy raised in a wealthy family and educated in a Private School cannot really connect with the average Georgian? He’s never been hungry, never had to chose between groceries or rent, never had to work a swing shift, never been denied anything. Also, touting himself as THE BIG GUY, helping THE LITTLE GUY is demeaning to those of us who see ourselves as THE AVERAGE GUY. I think reporters are dying to get at him to bring out what he really is, an overfed zealot. 2. How can anyone believe that he can make a plan that works for all Georgians when he gives no explanation of how it will be payed for and carried out. This would be something that he may be asked to explain by a reporter and then what? It was smart for him to save himself the embarrassment by being a NO SHOW. Cathy Cox is an outstanding speaker. Polished, poised and able to stay on message. She was no doubt in her element at this Press event, maybe there wasn’t enough spotlight to go around.
By observer
June 15, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this
You should know that Mark Taylor has agreed to debate Cathy Cox…three times. He’s scheduled to appear on a debate in Albany July 12th that will be broadcast all over the state. He’s also made committments to two other televised debates in Atlanta after that. Cathy Cox won’t commit to any of them. What gives?
By Bruce Wilcox
June 16, 2006 12:45 AM | Link to this
“Mark Taylor has agreed to debate Cathy Cox…three times”, is that some kind of insiders secert? Is it that Taylor just don’t like Savannah so he didn’t bother to show up?
By oldblue
June 16, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this
If Cathy Cox could drag the Fat Cat (aka Big Guy) around with her on all her campaign stops, she’d win hands down. The head to head comparison with Mark Taylor is not a good one for Mark. That’s why he didn’t show up for the debate - and that’s why he NOW says he won’t show up for the GMA debate either. Definitely skeered. I sure won’t vote for someone who bails on a debate at the last hour - gutless, if you ask me - and rude.
By Jill Antrobus
June 17, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this
Just noticed Taylor has started attack ads, not a good sign for Taylor. I’ve noticed over the years the first to start the mud slinging are usually the ones in trouble.
Skipping debates, now attack ads, what is Mark Taylor hiding?
By Leah
June 17, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this
It’s time for people to start realizing just what Mark Taylor is. He’s a polarizing figure that divides people. Both he and some of his supporters openly brag about it. They don’t see the need in working with people. If you are not already on his bandwagon, his goal isn’t to work with you. It’s to steam roll you. His daddy bought him his senate seat for him after never having held a real job. Since then he’s used his daddy’s money and political connections to further his career. If Daddy Taylor had not been so close to Zell Miller Mark would probably be working at the family home office in Albany today. But I did notice that Zell didn’t endorse him. Must not have been all that and a bag of Doritos!
After committing to two appearances in front of voters and business leaders in Savannah he welched on both of them while only notifying them at the last minute. Was it really because they were not friendly enough audiences for him? Is that the kind of person we want as our governor. I say send him back to daddy right now!
By Hunter
June 19, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this
Taylor…aint he too big and fat to be running for anything?…
STRIVE to be SMARTER than a DEMOCRACKKK !!!
By The Thin Guy
June 20, 2006 12:44 AM | Link to this
Cathy Cox is so cruel. She made that commercial where she is walking down a flight of stairs reading a book. If The Fat Guy waddled down a flight of stairs he’d trip and roll all the way to Alabama. Cox should show up for the debate and put a manatee wearing a $ 2,000 suit in the chair next to her. His daddy may have bought him all that cocaine but he can’t buy the governor’s mansion.
By Country Girl
June 20, 2006 06:08 PM | Link to this
Cox has a strong populist appeal and she is likely to beat Taylor and Perdue both. I keep my ear to the wall and it’s sounding good for “the slender gal.”