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Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Boom.
The Republican race for lieutenant governor begins with a pair of simultaneous explosions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The day calls for some wide-angle thoughts on the first round of TV ads exchanged by Ralph Reed and Casey Cagle.
First, here’s the Ralph Reed ad. (Some of you have had trouble viewing it. Our tekkies say it may be a tad muddled. We’ve got a request into the Reed campaign for a fresh version.)
And here’s the Casey Cagle response.
Now, to begin: First, remember that these are second-string topics brought out by both candidates. A kind of testing of the waters. Reed has yet to drill Cagle on banking legislation. Cagle has yet to flash that photo of Reed and the Learjet to Scotland.
But Enron was an interesting first choice by Cagle. It’s probably the most recognized corporate name in the country, and not in a good way. Much easier to understand than the word “Abramoff”. And the references to pensions is always red meat for older voters, who are most likely to show up in a primary.
Likewise, you can see why Reed chose eminent domain as his topic. His strategy all along as been to string together enough dedicated — some would say rabid — GOP subsets to win a low-turnout July primary. Eminent domainists are particularly active this year.
The Reed campaign this week flaunted the endorsement of Mark and Regina Meeks of Stockbridge, whose eminent domain case in Henry County served as the centerpiece for Republican legislation this year.
Look for Cagle very quickly to bring out state Sen. Jeff Chapman, considered by many E.D. enthusiasts to be the unchallenged champion of property rights in Georgia. Chapman has endorsed Cagle.
In the meantime, consider this: Reed’s attack on Cagle on S.B. 273, a 2003 precursor to the unfortunate S.B. 5, underscores a problem Reed will have throughout the remainder of his campaign. One of S.B. 273’s chief sponsors was Eric Johnson of Savannah, the Senate president pro tem. Every Republican in the Senate voted for the bill.
When Reed attacks Cagle on this, he attacks every Republican he wants to lead next January. Obviously, he’s willing to live with that.
Two other spare thoughts: Among the first words out of Reed’s mouth is the fact that he was once head of the Christian Coalition. He’s addressing the base, not the party’s middle. Also, Reed speaks directly to the camera, a move that many candidates save until the final days of the campaign.
That may be a product of Reed’s experience before the lens. But solid, unwavering eye contact also helps if your opponent is about to accuse you of nefarious deeds.
Now, let’s have your thoughts.
Finally, a way to keep out the riff-raff
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gov. Sonny Perdue would love for you to attend his primary night bash July 18 — as long as you can afford the cover charge.
In an effort to hold down costs on a campaign that is flush with money these days, the Perdue campaign decided to charge people to attend his traditional primary night party at the Westin Hotel in Buckhead.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $20 at the door.
“For $10, folks get a free T-shirt and finger food while celebrating election returns with the governor and fellow conservatives,� said Nick Ayers, the governor’s re-election campaign manager. “That’s a pretty good deal.�
The Perdue campaign sent out e-mails to supporters on his mailing list Monday telling them space was limited and that they should buy their tickets soon.
Perdue managed to win in 2002 with $3.65 million compared to Roy Barnes’ $20 million. He’s heading into a primary, in which he has only token opposition, with a much bigger nest egg and help from the state Republican Party, which is paying for his campaign ads.
After the 2006 legislative session, Perdue had $8 million in the bank — more than his two main Democratic opponents combined. And he’s picked up the pace of fund raising. He heads to California today to attend three fund-raisers in his honor.
Ayers said charging for the formerly free party makes sense.
“It’s a great way to break even on costs and for Sonny to fellowship with his biggest supporters,� he said. “This allows for the campaign to focus our resources on getting our message out.�
Democrats, who face being heavily outspent by Perdue and the Republicans this fall, were chagrined.
“This guy is coming up with new ways of shaking down campaign donors,� said Georgia Democratic Party spokesman Emil Runge. “This is the same guy who four years ago attacked Democrats for the way they raised money. He’s doing the same thing today.�
Thanks to our colleague, staff writer James Salzer, for the above contribution..
