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DEL.ICIO.USBoom.
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.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Tater Tate
June 27, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this
Cagle’s ad ends with this— “the conservative leader you can trust”
Sure, right— the conservative leader you can trust to duck out on a vote for securing private property rights
—the conservative leader you can trust to write a $1,000 campaign contribution to Mark Taylor when he feals intimidated
—the conservative leader you can trust to enrich himself while serving as chairman of a powerful committee that impacts his own business interests
—the conservative leader who has been in the senate for more than a decade only to see his own net worth increase dramatically
First he is not conservative Second he cannot be trusted Third he is a hypocrite. Fourth he is in bed with the liberal media in trying to destroy a real Republican conservative leader, trusted by Bush, Cheney, Rove, Zell, Newt, Sadie, Hannity, and on and on it goes.
Who should we trust? The AJC and Cagle or those other guys?
By Bill B.
June 27, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this
Will it never end with the AJCs support of Cagle? Reed’s ad stops after about 18 seconds and the window is shows in is smaller than Cagle’s. Will he disclose the AJC contributions in kind or hide it like he did the Mark Taylor money?
By snd
June 27, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this
Whoa…haw can Reed get away with having the titel “Lt. Governor” under his name in the ad? That seems misleading to me.
By Harold
June 27, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this
Never mind them explosions. THat’s just the meth labs.
By Emily
June 27, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this
I would say that Cagle won that round…
Ralph’s commercial seemed a bit amatuer?
By Mike K.
June 27, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this
Emily,
That’s because Ralph’s been spending all his time protesting those casinos.
By Tony
June 27, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this
Tater,
I guess your definition of a hypocrite is different than Webster’s. How can a man that lied to his clients, lied to pastors, lied to Christian groups, and lied to the media, and Georgians flat out NOT be a hypocrite? The guy said he had no clue where this casino money came from. But he sure didn’t mind accepting over $1 million dollars from an “unknown” source? And he sure didn’t mind telling Abramoff to NOT send the check directly from the Indian tribes but to send it to his OTHER buddy Grover. SOunds like Ralph knew exactly where the money came from and thought that if the money was laundered through his other buddy, Christians would believe him. Unfortunately many still trusted him and he betrayed them all.
Tater would have us believe that ripping off Christians and lying to everyone about it is FAR more noble and worthy than a check to Mark Taylor. Frankly selling out your own people and even money from Churches, you know God’s money, is worthy of a one way ticket to Hell. But we’ll leave that to God. Here on earth Ralph continues to lie about it and his disciples like Debbie and Tater condone such action. Cagle’s a typical politician. Reed’s a typical con artist, liar, hypocrite, sleazeball, and church robber. Tater supports lying to Christians and being morality hypocrites.
By disgusted republican
June 27, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this
Does Reed think anyone believes he didn’t know where the money came from? why won’t he explain that in his ads?
By CobbGOPer
June 27, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this
So it begins. I think the real question is this: how many voters will be turned off by this war? Seriously, the only people who can afford TV in the next three weeks are Cox/Taylor and Cagle/Reed, and all of those campaigns are knee-deep in mud right now. Will it charge people up and drive turnout? Or will it turn off voters in both parties so that undecideds/moderates stay home? How will this affect down-ballot races, or the Congressional primaries?
Those of us who follow politics already know how nasty these campaigns have been so far. Now the rest of the state will see the carnage through duelling TV spots.
By Former Cagle Guy
June 27, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this
I don’t pretend to understand the anti-Christian folk who attack Reed. There is nothing wrong or immoral about trying to stop the spread of casino gambling, as Reed’s firm clearly did.
Reed was used by Abramoff as Abramoff used so many others. They had been friends during college. Guilt by association does not play here even though the anti-Christian crowd will do anything to kill off Reed.
I am no longer with Cagle where I started this race because his campaign joined in this attack and joined itself to the liberal media in trying to destroy Reed rather than run on issues.
It is an issue that Cagle did not vote for SB 86 to protect private property. It is an issue that he gave Taylor a cool grand as a campaign contribution.
I don’t care if Reed worked to stop the spread of casino gambling, even if the money came from other gaming interests. Who cares? Reed has not lied about this and making money is not evil, at least not to Republicans. So, to quote your hero and Cagle’s hero, “go cry me a river!” Reed will win.
By Tony
June 27, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this
Anti-Christian? I guess the many religious leaders who are condemning Reed for lying to them are anti-Christian? I know a few religious leaders who are saying the same things being said on this board about Reed’s lying and being a hypocrite. I guess all of those men of the cloth are anti-Christian.
And FCG, explain to me and the rest of us here how you can say poor old Ralphie was used by Abramoff? How can someone be used when they were complacent in what was going on? How can Ralph say he did not know what was going on when HE was the one who told Abramoff the money needed to go through Norquist instead of directly to him? Abramoff was going to have the tribes pay Ralph directly. RALPH was the one who said the money needed to go through a third party. It is clear Ralph knew what the money was and where it came from. He knew, Abramoff knew, and Norquist knew. How can you claim Ralph was used? Answer that simple question.
Notice FCG cannot answer any questions directed to him. Notice he cannot explain why he said Cagle never did anything but then say he supported Cagle. Can FCG explain WHY he supported someone he’s said never did anything? And how can we take anything FCG says as worthwhile? I say FCG is nothing but a Reed plant regurgitating what his boss is having him say.
Notice FCG first says Ralph was used and now he ended this by saying it’s no big deal if the money came from gambling interests. Reed was representing Christian groups he knew were against gambling altogether. Reed knew this and didn’t bother to let those Christians know.
So keep up the good work FCG. You make your boss look bad every time you and your fellow disciples tries to cover for Ralph.
By Josh
June 27, 2006 07:08 PM | Link to this
If the issue is SB86, then why is the ad about SB273?
By Tony
June 27, 2006 08:03 PM | Link to this
Because Ralph has to find something as close to tangible to argue on. So he picks a bill that he can hit Cagle on. But as the PI pointed out, the entire GOP in the State Senate voted for it as well.
Strike one up for Ralph and party building when he attacks his own delegation.
By Former Cagle Guy
June 27, 2006 10:08 PM | Link to this
I originally supported Cagle because I live in his district and I was not very involved in politics. He was my senator, so I supported him. But the more I learned, the further I distanced myself from Cagle. The more I learned I discovered how lame Cagle really has been as a Senator.
He would rather tale some children around the capitol than do his job and vote to protect our property rights. And then how can any real Republican excuse his $1,000 campaign contribution to Mark Taylor. That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence for Republicans, now does it?
And I don’t know any religious leaders who are rejecting Reed. That’s stupid. I was at a luncheon recently where some of the most respected religious leaders in Georgia endorese Reed.
I think the liberals who back Cagle and join in with the AJC in attacking him want us to think religious leaders have left him, but I learned differently from Dr. Richard Lee and many others who know Reed and reject the guilt by association and character association of the AJC, Cagle, and his supporters.
It is sad the Cagle crowd has been dupped by the AJC and the liberal media. Fortunately Republican primary voters will not buy this wholesale. Reed will win. I am confident.
Cagle is the real hypocrite here. He cannot be trusted because he has joined in with the liberal media to achieve his goal of power. His corruption will fail.
By Tony
June 27, 2006 11:40 PM | Link to this
Going to Reed luncheons with religious leaders….sounds like you’re an insider. Quite a huge jump from knowing nothing on politics to going to Reed luncheons with religious leaders. When was that? Before or after this evidence came out that showed he clearly lied to everyone and misled his Christian conservative clients in AL?
You still did not answer my questions on Reed’s actions. Why did he say he knew nothing on those transactions being connected with gambling and then clearly the evidence says otherwise?
No, the duping was by Reed. He duped his followers, his clients, and now the people of Georgia. And then STILL has the audacity to keep a straight face and say he was vindicated.
Honestly how can you condemn Cagle while supporting a guy who lies to his clients, lies to Christians, and then goes before the cameras and the people of Georgia and lies? Doing what Reed did to clients who paid millions for services and leading them into a cause under false pretenses doesn’t inspire confidence for Republicans or even all Georgians does it? If he cannot even honor the people who have elevated him to national stature, you know conservative Christians, how the heck can he honor the people who elected him or ALL Georgians? he lies to everyone with a straight face. He does transactions and has to launder the money trail. if he was on the up and up, he would have come out and told those groups what he was doing. HE IS NO DIFFERENT THAN BILL CLINTON! When caught with his pants down, he STILL denies everything. He is the lowest of the low. Cagle, even on his worst behavior cannot compare.
By Savannah Thinker
June 28, 2006 12:37 AM | Link to this
Ralph Reed has as much credibility in attacking Casey Cagle as Saddam Hussein has in being a moral and ethical leader of Iraq.
You can’t escape the facts surrounding Ralph Reed’s involvement with Enron, Jack Abramoff, Northern Mariana Islands, casinos, online gambling, money laundering, etc… Those are some hard facts to overcome.
I’m waiting on some of the State Republican leaders and Governor Perdue to come out and protest Ralph Reed’s ad.
Where are you State Senator Eric Johnson? Your caucus is watching.
Casey Cagle is the best candidate for Lt. Governor.
By Debbie
June 28, 2006 07:59 AM | Link to this
Tony, everyone knew about the luncheon for religious leaders. Not a secret. Great turnout. The pastors have NOT turned their back on Reed.
Cagle is counting on crossover left wing extremists, gay activists, moderates and libertarians to take him to victory. He is not counting on conservatives. Cagle will have some conservative vote, but Reed will garner the overwhelming majority.
If Cagle wins, then the left wing and gay activists that crossed over and voted for him will be the real winners.
Cagle is ethically challenged and him attacking Reed is like Bill Clinton attacking someone else for being henpecked.
Cagle used his position as State Senator to enrich himself. He increased his wealth by 900% while supposedly serving the public.
The theme song of the Cagle Campaign should be the theme from The Beverly Hillbillies. “There was a poor haberdasher trying to keep his family fed and one day he was at the capital passing all those bills, when out of the legislation there came a golden brew, taxpayer gold that is, Georgia Banker tea….”
By Debbie
June 28, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this
Looking someone in the eye depicts honesty and trustworthiness.
Reed is not afraid to look the voters in the eye. Cagle is afraid too look the voters in the eye.
By Howard
June 28, 2006 08:18 AM | Link to this
Debbie, you left out one line in that theme soneg, “First thing you know old Casey is a millionaire…”
By Josh
June 28, 2006 08:41 AM | Link to this
The millionaire line don’t hunt. Go check both financial disclosures.
By Fearful for Christian
June 28, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this
These two guys are basically good men who have been tempted to take a bite of the forbidden political apple-sauce. What a wonderful example they could be to other candidates if they would refrain from the temptation to disparage the other. WE already KNOW WHO WE TRUST TO LEAD US! We do not need to hear trash talk from those we respect. What usually happens is the one who spends the most money on the best ads makes the cut. The best ad is NOT the ugliest…in my opinion. Remember Bob Barr’s “rocking horse opponent?”
By Debbie
June 28, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this
Josh, it does hunt. The AJC even ran a story on their net worth. YOU go check it out. Reed and Cagle both have over a million net worth. I am not referring to political contributions.
Cagle achived his financial success while working for the taxpayers as a State Senator serving on the banking committee.
Reed never has held elctive office.
BYLINE: JIM GALLOWAY DATE: May 3, 2006 PUBLICATION: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The (GA) EDITION: Main; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution SECTION: Metro News PAGE: B4
CORRECTION: 05/04/06, page A/2: A Wednesday Metro section story on the personal finances of Republican candidates for lieutenant governor contained incorrect information about the value of a condominium near Miami owned by Ralph Reed. On Wednesday, Reed campaign manager Jared Thomas placed the value of the condominium at $550,000. Reed and his wife own a 50 percent share in the condominium.
Georgia’s two Republican candidates for lieutenant governor — a job that pays $89,662 a year — are self-made millionaires, according to personal finance documents filed this week.
Ralph Reed, a political strategist with a 9-year-old grass-roots lobbying firm, reported a net worth of $4.5 million.
State Sen. Casey Cagle, who holds a stake in six firms related to banking or real estate, has a net worth of $1.7 million.
Fearful for Christian, Cagle started the attacks long before Reed did. Cagle drew first blood not Reed.
By RepublicanDawg
June 28, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this
Ralph Reed may be popular among the Christian Coalition, but that’s as far as he’ll go. They are too naive or dumb too realized he took them all the way to the way. Tater Tate, attack Casey all you want, but he is a good man. Ralph has been in Washington long enough to end up becoming the one all our moms warned us about. He is willing to bring down the entire Republican Senate to win that one office so he can have a stepping stone. If he wasn’t so arrogant, it would almost be pathetic.
By Debbie
June 28, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this
Republicandawg, I am not and have not ever been a member of the Christian Coalition. Giuliani is not, Zell is not, Newt is not, Sean is not. Reed’s Treasurer for his campaign is Jewish. Keep on spreading false rumors that the Cagle campaign has been spreading.
Cagle increased his wealth 900% by being a State Senator on the Senate Banking Committee passing and introducing legislation that helped make him a millionaire. Are you saying that is ok?
By Josh
June 28, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this
Debbie, You made my point they are both millionaires.
By Debbie
June 28, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this
Josh, the HUGE difference is Cagle went from renting tuxedos to a millionaire in four years all the while serving in the State Senate on the Banking committee.
Ralph Reed made his money in private enterprise. He did not get rich while serving the taxpayers.
By Tony
June 28, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this
No. Ralph made his millions by lying to the people who believed in him the most. He funnels money around through other dummy groups and buddies to make it look like he’s still mmoral and pious. Funny thing instead all it makes Ralph look like a launderer and a drug dealer with such methods. It’s a sad day when churches and preachers are deceived by such an outstanding Christian leader like Ralph Reed. His millions were made in the fashion of Jim Baker. So Debbie, what’s worse? Making money while an elected official OR ripping off God’s people and God’s money by using lies?