Political Insider

By Bowersville

July 5, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this

The add was not effective…the first part with all the enclosed captions reminded me of a comic strip. As usual, Reed fails to mention his $4-5 million in profits in the same time period. No mention of the Abramoff conections? No mention of the millions coming from the Tribes through Abramoff, through Norquist, through not for profit organizations to Reed. Why? Profiting from Indian Casinos to thwart competion from competing Tribes seems be okay in Reeds mind. Do you have a problem with that kind of reasoning?

By Debbie

July 5, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this

I though it was very effective and painted Cagle just as he is. He served himself when he should have been serving the taxpayers… The theme song of the Cagle Campaign should be the theme song from the Beverly Hillbillies.

By Ken Dorsey

July 5, 2006 06:42 PM | Link to this

I know Reed because of his high profile in the GOP. Don’t know Cagle, but I don’t like politicians who are unethical and say everybody does it.

I don’t want legislators who use their public service to feather their own nests and become millionaires.

Reed is a businessman and making money is fine. Just don’t use your elected office to do it please.

I’ll vote for Reed.

By Philly

July 5, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this

From another thread:

Legislation regarding banking that Cagle either voted on or introduced.

(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) )

From the June 13th edition of Savannah Now:

Local News Web posted Saturday, June 10, 2006

Cagle: Everybody does it

Reed E-mail story

Print story

Your opinion

Ralph Reed’s latest campaign broadside may say a lot about Casey Cagle.

Or it may merely say something about the way we do politics in Georgia.

Either way, it’s not pretty.

Reed, battling Cagle for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor, accuses Cagle of using his state Senate perch to feather his banking nest.

Reed’s campaign says Cagle served on a banking committee, authored five bills on banking and voted 33 times on legislation affecting banking.

All the while, the campaign said, the Chestnut Mountain lawmaker served on the board or as chairman of a bank or the holding company that owned it.

Among the bills Reed says Cagle voted on were ones that let banks sell insurance, securities and corporate bonds.

Reed’s campaign cites Cagle’s official economic interest statements, which show that his bank holdings increased from $50,000 in 1998 to $450,000 at the end of 2005.

Reed campaign manager Jared Thomas noted that Cagle has said he sets “a fairly high standard” for himself.

That standard, Thomas said, “apparently includes personally benefiting from his public service.”

Cagle has denied profiting from his Senate service.

But his campaign’s response to Reed’s charges is - to say the least - interesting. While calling accusations “frivolous,” Brad Alexander, Cagle’s campaign manager, makes no attempt to refute their specifics.

Instead, Alexander essentially uses the “everybody-does-it” defense.

Alexander begins by rebutting a charge Reed didn’t actually make.

“You falsely charge that ethics rules are violated when a legislator serves on a community bank board and votes on financial services issues,” he responds.

The Reed salvo made no reference to rules violations but alluded to a smell test it says Cagle imposed on himself and then flunked.

That aside, Alexander goes on to remind Thomas “that Georgia has a citizen Legislature; farmers help set agriculture policy, doctors craft health care laws and businessmen update commercial codes.”

The alternative, which he invites Reed to propose, is a full-time “California-style” legislature.

“In reality,” Alexander argues, “that is the only way to ensure that no one who serves in the Legislature has a job outside the Legislature.”

Thomas wouldn’t take the bait.

He said Reed agrees that Georgia shouldn’t have a full-time Legislature.

“But we’re not talking about farmers writing laws about farming,” Thomas said. “This is a fellow who started a bank, got on a committee that regulated banking and had a direct impact on his bank. And he profited.”

It’s not obvious who’s right.

Cagle is correct in noting that many Georgia legislators are active on committees and in legislation affecting their businesses and professions.

Rep. Tom Bordeaux, D-Savannah, a trial lawyer, used to chair the House Judiciary Committee, which had life-and-death authority over bills affecting trial lawyers.

Reps. Ron Stephens, R-Savannah, and Buddy Carter, R-Pooler, are pharmacists and members of a pharmacy caucus active on bills involving the industry.

Carter is secretary of the Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Sharon Cooper, R-Marietta, a medical administrator.

The list goes on.

Yet the number of Cagle fingerprints on bills regarding matters that affect his business interests seems above average.

If, as Alexander implies, it isn’t, maybe we need to rethink the way we do things in Atlanta.

Probably with good reason, almost no one wants to go the California route. And, sure, the Legislature revised ethics laws last year. But, if Cagle’s practices are indeed the norm, maybe it’s not too early to go back to the well.

Bill Bozarth, director of the Common Cause Georgia political ethics watchdogs group, thinks so.

Bozarth’s not willing to single out Cagle for condemnation.

“He’s doing what a lot of people do to some extent,” he said. “But this shows the need for requirements for people to recuse themselves on these sorts of bills. … And we need some kind of an enforcement procedure.”

In the meantime, Alexander wants us to judge Cagle by the standard of current criminal law rather than the senator’s own “fairly high” standard. Or perhaps he thinks they’re one and the same.

“If you believe …. a legislator acted in violation of the law,” he told Thomas, “… sign an actual complaint, put a stamp on it and mail it to the Attorney General.”

Thomas said Reed won’t do that.

“We’re going to pursue it, but with the voters.”

Given that we’re really talking about politics, not the law, that seems an appropriate forum.

But, whatever we think of Cagle’s conduct, Bozarth has a point.

We need to think about the bigger picture.

By Tony

July 5, 2006 07:48 PM | Link to this

Wow. Philly knows how to copy and paste regurgitated Reed campaign info. Notice they don’t post anything negative against Reed. They spin. They lie. They distort.

Reed says he won’t do any of ‘this’. Will Reed pledge to NOT accept clients from GA or GA issues, etc. while he is in office? Let’s see how moral he truly is.

By CDog

July 5, 2006 08:08 PM | Link to this

I was originally a Ralph Reed supporter before I researched Casey Cagle. Cagle is a true conservative. His voting record and position statements show it (A+ NRA rating, endorsed by GA Right-to-Life, etc.). Truth is, Casey and Ralph are ideologically about the same. That is why their commercials do not really deal with positions on issues but rather with character and honesty. I honestly like Ralph Reed, both as head of the Christian Coalition and as head of the GA GOP. However, his alleged ties to gambling and Jack Abramoff have hurt him tremendously (whether justly or unjustly). Bad things happen to good people sometimes. When you play around a mudhole, you are likely to get dirty.

Even if he is innocent, recurring questions about those issues will hamper his ability to govern as Lt. Gov. and his ability to run for governor in 2010. Casey has Ralph beat on character and honesty and thus will have an easier time against the democratic nominee for Lt. Gov. in 2006 and governor in 2010. Also, many on the left oppose Ralph Reed and hope that Casey Cagle will win because of Ralph’s religious ties. But they do not realize that Casey is just as conservative as Ralph and will support and oppose the same legislation as Ralph would.

If Ralph Reed wins, I will not be upset. Like I said, he is a good guy with a solid conservative ideology, but he will be hampered.

By Former Cagle Guy

July 5, 2006 09:05 PM | Link to this

I used to support Cagle, but I learned firsthand how he is not a true conservative. The first sign of this is that he gave liberal Mark Taylor a $1,000 campaign contribution because he said Taylor intimidated him. A conservative leader would not be intimidated into giving a flaming liberal like Taylor a $1,000 campaign contribution.

I could go on, but research into Cagle shows a moderate/liberal Republican who worked the system to make himself rich. After the contribution Taylor appointed him to the banking committee. While serving he started a bank and made himself a millionaire while voting on banking legislation.

So please don’t confuse Cagle with a real conservative leader like Ralph Reed.

By Tony

July 6, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this

Working the system to make oneself rich. Sounds like Ralph. He used fellow Christians to make himself a millionaire. How much money did he have when he first started his consulting firm? And how much did he have in the same amount of time as Cagle? The world will never know because Ralph won’t release his records and Ralph knows he is no different from Cagle.

Judge not lest you be judged. Reed needs to realize that everything he accuses Cagle of he is just as ‘guilty’ himself. He has exploited Christians and their causes to make himself rich living in that gated golf and country club community of his. Try going to his house sometime. You can’t. He separates himself from those he chooses to represent….both in business and politics.

By Howard

July 6, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

Tony, Reed was in private eneterprise when he made his fortune. Vastly different from Cagle who was supposed to be representing the taxpayers not himself. You have a case of wealth envy.

Maybe you believe in redistribution of wealth.

Cagle made his fortune passing and introducing legislation that enriched him financially. What a scumbag. Cagle took advantage of Georgia taxpayers.

By Missy Hughes

July 6, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this

I had been watching and listening until this latest ad by Reed. I remember Hillary making an odd amount on some cattle and the Cagle profits remind me of that. Coupled with the fact Cagle donated $1000 to Mark Taylor and my decision was made.

Put me down for Ralph!

By Tony

July 6, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this

Howard,

Can you prove that? I mean making such an assumption is quite absurd. I guess our President and the VP are scumbags as well? I guess numerous GOP politicians you’d probably hail as heroes are scumbags?

I’d like to think this booming economy was what caused stocks Cagle held to soar. If he did anything wrong, where are the charges? Where are the lawsuits? Where are the challenges? I mean if it was so evil, where is the proof?

It doesn’t matter if he was in private enterprise or not. He misled his clients and lied to everyone about it. He had to launder money to give the impression he was ethical. You see Howard, you can be sleazy in the private sector as well. The point is Ralph was supposed to honor his clients - those who hired him. That is the same as elected office with those who vote one into office. When a contractor deceives people, especially Christians when he claims to be one as well and then lies to those clients, the media, the people of Georgia, etc. he is as low as scum himself. You can’t pretend you don’t know where money comes from especially after saying it didn’t need to go to him directly. He attempted plausible deniability. Unfortunately, emails and the obvious supercede his intentions. Coupled with the fact all he can do is go negative, he’s just as corrupt as the rest of the lot and he’s not even in office. If he cannot even honor clients who are Christian groups, who can he honor?

Howard, very cute with the ‘oh you must be a communist’ garbage. Every time your type gets cornered with reality, you like to make stupid assumptions and call names. Let’s flip this around. Maybe you believe in sheep who believe anything their master tells them. Maybe you believe in some false reality. After all with all of this coming out about Reed but you still defending the lies, it tells us much about his followers. They’d follow Ralph off of a cliff. Enjoy that trip there Howard.

By Debbie

July 6, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this

We will enjoy the trip to victory on July 18th and in November.

Kool-aid wil replace Coke as the preferred soft drink in Georgia…

By Concerned Taxpayer

July 6, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

Shakespeare said “Thou protests too much”. In politics, the person that starts the mudslinging match always has his/her own dirt in the closet. Cagle is the one that started the negative campaigning. It is obvious that he has unethically benefited from his position on the Senate Banking Committee. We need an outsider to help clean up the mess in the State Senate.

By Evelyn

July 6, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

As usual this article is slanted to fit a Democratic bias. So taking that into stride, I think Ralph has done a fabulous job defending his integrity against the sleez Cagle. Mr. Cagle stood before the Christian Coalition Meeting in the spring and professed his faith in God and gave a scripture that “It was no longer he that lives but Jesus Christ”. Well, Cagle’s tactics are not of Jesus Christ. He is a fraud and an imposter. I am shocked that this man is even a public servant. But I don’t believe that he will be when he looses this race and hopefully never runs again. This type of man reminds me of Bill Clinton. He does what he does because he can. He attacks and then acts like a perfect man with some of the ugliest attacks one could imagine. I know Ralph is going to win this race and we are seeing a desperate man in Cagle. I pray you print this and Cagle can remember the faith he has forsaken.

By Debbie

July 6, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

Setting the Record Straight Cagle Lie: Reed took millions of dollars to help casinos. The Truth: Reed helped close illegal casinos and protected families from the ill effects of gambling.
Ralph has opposed gambling in 26 states. His work closed or prevented from opening nine illegal casinos. The work he did was entirely consistent with his moral opposition to gambling. (Gwinnett Daily Post, June 23, 2005) According to the Attorney General of Alabama, the legislation that Reed helped defeat would have led “to the vast expansion of casino-type gambling throughout Alabama.” (Associated Press, March 17, 2000) A U.S. Senate committee and a review by outside legal counsel found that none of the contributions towards his work in Alabama came from funds derived from gambling. (Testimony of Nell Rogers, U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee, June 22, 2005) His work was funded with contributions that “did not come from…casinos.” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 31, 2005) Reed was assured by the law firm that hired him that he would not be paid with revenues that derived from gambling.

A two-year inquiry by the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs confirmed that Reed was hired as a subcontractor to a highly respected national law firm and that he had no business relationship or communication with its clients. (Final Report, U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, June 22, 2006, pp. 25-26) The Committee also confirmed that “Reed has been accused of no wrongdoing.” (Final Report, Committee on Indian Affairs, June 22, 2006, p. 31; Atlanta-Journal Constitution, June 18, 2006)

The Christian Coalition of Alabama said Reed acted with total integrity. “We believe you acted truthfully and in good faith,” said the president of the Christian Coalition of Alabama. “No one has done more than you in recent years to oppose casino gambling expansion, from your work in creating the National Gambling Impact Study Commission and the assistance you provided to our victories over gambling in Alabama.” (Bob Russell, Christian Coalition of Alabama, News Release, June 30, 2005)
Cagle Lie: Ralph supported Internet gambling. The Truth: Ralph opposes Internet gambling. He opposed a bill that expanded online gambling and supports the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.

Ralph opposed legislation that expanded gambling on the Internet by horse tracks, dog tracks, jai-alai and Indian casinos. He supports H.R. 4411, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, to preserve the integrity of sports and protect children from Internet gambling.

The 2000 legislation Ralph opposed was so deeply flawed that the Department of Justice concluded that it expanded online gambling and endangered children. “The bill exempts pari-mutuel wagering from the prohibition against Internet gambling. The result is that people will be able to bet on horse racing, dog racing, and jai alai from their living rooms. If children have access to the same computer, they may also be able to get online and bet and wager.” (Kevin Di Gregory, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, May, 2000)

Leading pro-family organizations opposed the bill. The Southern Baptist Convention withdrew its support after pari-mutuel betting was exempted from the gambling ban. When asked, it stated its opposition. The Christian Coalition criticized the bill because it would “expand betting on dog races and jai alai into America’s homes” and “expands gambling opportunities on the Internet.” (Jeffrey Taylor, Christian Coalition, to Congressman Henry Hyde, May 22, 2000) The Free Congress Foundation denounced the bill as “a fraud in terms of actually banning gambling on the Internet….” (Washington Times, September 25, 2000) Cagle Lie: Ralph opposed Republicans who supported a flawed bill The Truth: Ralph Reed has spent 30 years building the Republican Party in Georgia and making the GOP a majority. He never opposed Republicans who supported the flawed bill.

The Cagle ad refers to mailings done by American Marketing, a Virginia-based direct mail firm in which Reed has no financial interest. The mailings did not urge voters to oppose Republican Congressman. They simply encouraged citizens to contact their member of Congress and ask them “to vote to eliminate the exception given to horse and dog tracks to the ban on Internet gambling.” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 17, 2005)
Cagle Lie: Reed funneled money to conceal payments. The Truth: Cagle’s false attack unfairly maligns one of the most respected anti-tax organizations in the nation.

Americans for Tax Reform, a highly respected anti-tax organization, made contributions to Reed’s efforts. ATR is best-known for its “Taxpayer Protection Pledge,” in which candidates and officeholders pledge to oppose tax increases.

ATR contributed towards Reed’s efforts because it opposes state-sponsored gambling. Cagle asserts that ATR was engaged in unethical or unlawful conduct by making these contributions. This unfairly maligns one of the most respected conservative organizations in the nation. Testimony before a U.S. Senate Committee refuted Cagle’s libel. “We did not have the sense that there was an attempt to obscure the source of the funds,” according to that testimony. (Testimony of Nell Rogers, U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, June 22, 2005)

The Republican National Committee defends ATR and its president, Grover Norquist, against these attacks. “[Grover] Norquist has and continues to be a very influential and important figure among fiscal conservatives and [on] Republican fiscal policy,” said Republican National Committee spokesman Josh Holmes. (The Hill, July 4, 2006)

By Rick

July 6, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

I want all of you republicans who support these religous extremists to remember one thing. One day the head of the MUSLIM COALITION will be running for office and he’ll get elected by his religous fanatics.

By Marc

July 6, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this

I agree. DO NOT VOTE FOR RELIGOUS EXTREMISTS. They cannot make rational decisions that are in the best interest of the general public.

By Nick

July 6, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this

Based on Debbie’s recent comment alone, no one should want to vote for Ralph Reed. Abramoff scandal aside …

Morally against casinos? It’s fine if Mr. Reed thinks gambling is a sin, but why does he get to exercise his morals in such a dramatic fashion? How dare he tell me and others how I can live my life. What religious crusade will Mr. Reed go on next? This is a dangerous, dangerous man.

And how did Mr. Reed help the reservations after he closed, or didn’t allow the opening of, the casinos? Did he give them a lump sum of money that would equate to all of the revenue they would lose over the next ten years? Or did he just say too bad for you and left them even more dilapidated than before?

By Debbie

July 6, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

Rick, Marc and Nick, you sound like you are upset because of the court ruling on the gay marriage ammendment.

Let’s see in Georgia and in New York supporters of gay marriage were dealt big setbacks. Get used to it..

By Howard

July 6, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

Praise be, the courts actually got one right this time.

By RL

July 6, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this

Debbie, why are you so concerned about gay marriage? Get over it.

By Nick

July 6, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

Can’t say I’m too upset, Debbie.

Gay marriage might not be a reality this year, or next year, or even ten years from now, but I have a hunch it’ll happen.

It’s an issue where one group feels as though their rights are being violated. It isn’t a cause that people will give up on.

And it’s an issue that skews toward the younger generation. Acceptance is growing.

Society never regresses. It always moves forward. There might be a step or two back along the way (electing Mr. Reed would undoubtedly be one of those steps back), but it always moves forward. Things will change.

By RL

July 6, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this

By the way Debbie you just convinced me to vote in the Republican primary this year FOR CAGLE. Thank you for your input.

By disgusted republican

July 6, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this

The only thing Debbie can put into any discussion is something about gay marriage. Gay marriage is not an issue the Lt. Governors race. Cagle is a conservative. There are no issues concerning his honesty. Reed has issues. If gay marraige was an issue in this race with both Reed and Cagle opposed to gay marriage, it would be a non issue. Leave it alone.

By Tony

July 6, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this

People, that’s the way Reed and his disciples work. When all looks bad for their guy divert attention away to another controversial topic. They cannot defend with logic and truth. They distort and distract. Reed’s own campaign has done nothing but attack his opponent and defend Reed’s own shady behavior. We’ve heard how righteous Reed is. But now we have seen far differently.

Reed’s whole strategy from this point on will be to make the other guy more unethical. He will deny all of the accusations and somehow paint himself as the lesser of the two evils. Just as he thought laundering money would exempt him from claims he took casino money, he thinks this will work and dupe the people of GA just as he has duped all of his clients.

By RL

July 6, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

Tony, I hate to say it but I think the people of GA will be duped by this. They’ll fall for it every time… Ralph is their saint… he can do no wrong.

By Debbie

July 6, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this

Tony, distort? You mean like the way you lied about how upset the Alabama Christion Coalition was when they are not?

Distort the fact that gays are going to cross over and vote for Cagle? Want me to prove it?

By Debbie

July 6, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this

There was an article in the AJC about how gays were going to cross over and vote for Cagle. Read it yourself

By Concerned Taxpayer

July 6, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this

All you guys attacking Debbie can’t stand it that she has the facts refuting all the lies of Cagle. The fact is that many of you are liberal Democrats and can’t stand it that the majority of Georgians align themselves with Reed on the issues and values he espouses. The fact is that Reed and Cagle agree on the issue of Gay marriage, abortion and most social issues. The problem that I have had with Cagle from the start is that he has smeared a good man with lies, innuendo and guilt by association from the start. Ralph has never been accused of wrong doing even in the liberal press that so wants to get him. Cagle has his own baggage and his skeletons will be coming out of the closet.

By Tony

July 6, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

How did I lie Debbie? Can you prove I lied? How can you honestly look yourself in the mirror and call someone a liar with no proof? You’re so insane!

And you’re quoting the ‘liberal AJC’ for your proof? It mentions a gay person voting for Reed and you are assuming there is this mass movement to cross over from heavily contested Democratic races to vote against Reed. Funny when Reed’s biggest fundraiser is one of the most widely known supporters of gay marriage and even after committing adultery moved in with a gay couple.

Debbie as far as the AL CC membership, you can keep touting a year old document all you want. I’ve talked to members within this past week that give me a different story. So you can believe a year old document all you want. I know for a fact you’re wrong. You can live in your little closet world all you want. I know the truth. You clearly don’t even if it hit you square in the face.

Fact: Reed told his clients, the media, and Georgians he had no knowledge of this money coming from gambling sources.

Fact: After asked by Abramoff if he wanted the money directly, Reed told Abramoff to send the check to Grover Norquist.

You don’t launder money through a third party that did absolutely nothing without something being wrong or questionable.

By Concerned Taxpayer

July 6, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this

The Republican National Committee defends the ATR and Norquist. He was against state sponsored gambling. Money laundering is a federal crime that construes the source of the funds was criminal activity. This is a smear of the highest magnatude. Reed said that he would fight gambling if the funds did not come from gambling sources. He now says that he made an error in judgement by trusting Abramoff and has asked the Faith community to forgive this error in judgement. The Faith community will forgive Ralph because of all the good he has done for our country and the Republican party. Ralph has not done anything wrong or illegal. Some may say he was being hypocritical by accepting money that he suspected was from gambling sources. However, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt or in the worse case forgive him for being an imperfect human being. In conclusion, RALPH DID NOTHING ILLEGAL OR UNETHICAL. He actually helped stop the spread of gambling casinos and lotteries so sometimes you make compromises to advance the greater good. He has been defended by the pro-family group Focus on the Family and been endorsed by the head of the Georgia Christian Coalition, Sadie Fields. These people have the highest integrity and feel the same as many of us about Ralph and his activites.

By The Facts Please

July 6, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

Want the facts????? www.REEDFACTS.com You will see the side the liberal media is hiding. Thank you Jim Galloway. YOu have a brain in your head that actually knows how to think! Kudos

By Tony

July 6, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

Not all laundering is criminal. Laundering is a term. It does not always denote criminal activity. Read a dictionary some time. I am not accusing him of illegal activity. That’s for the courts to decide. I am accusing him of lying to his clients and deceiving all involved.

He knew the money came from a tribe that had casinos. What other reason would there be for an Indian tribe with casinos to hire Reed if it were to actually eliminate competition. Reed knew the money came from and Indian tribe. This tribe had casinos. Reed refused to take the money directly. Why would you deny the money directly when it was the Indian tribe that hired him? They offered to pay directly. Abramoff even asked Reed if he wanted the money directly. It was REED HIMSELF who refused to take it directly. instead he chose to send it through a third party who ‘washed’ or ‘laundered’ the money.

In this matter Abramoff clearly asked Reed if he wanted the money directly. What reason would Reed have to send the money through a third group who did nothing on this project? I have never heard of being offered money for services performed directly but sending it through some other friend who even takes a cut for himself.

Answer that for me Concerned Taxpayer. Why would Reed do this? And last statement I heard from James Dobson is that he was none too thrilled by what transpired.

By Larry

July 6, 2006 06:56 PM | Link to this

Debbie and other Reed supporters, I see a lot of citation to the fact that Reed is morally opposed to all forms of legal gambling. Tell me now, does your candidate Ralph Reed support the Georgia lottery, which largely funds the HOPE scholarship program?

By Tony

July 6, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this

Good question Larry. Since Reed is a principled man fighting to stop the spread of gambling, how does Reed feel about what we have now? After all, new scratch-offs, etc. are coming out daily with many offering cars, etc. Does Reed support gambling now? Or is he a half-supporter that just allows gambling but not the growth of gambling any more than already allowed?

By Concerned Taxpayer

July 6, 2006 08:05 PM | Link to this

Tony, you know the conotation of money laundering was meant to equate what Ralph was doing to what drug dealers and the mafia do. This is sensationalized and hyperbolized charges that are meant to leave an impression that Ralph is no better than a criminal. Cagle himself implyed that Ralph’s activities were criminal and that he should be in jail for his activities on a TV interview on channel 11. He is just trying to divert attention from his own ethical lapses as member of the Senate Banking committee. A 900% increase in the value of his banking stock during his tenure on the committee is pretty sleazy. Ralph’s activity was in the private sector. He never used a public position to enrich himself. He was a private citizen involved in legal business activity.

By

July 6, 2006 08:25 PM | Link to this

===”you know the conotation of money laundering was meant to equate what Ralph was doing to what drug dealers and the mafia do.”====

Okay, well then why did he run the money through fake groups he helped create? If it was okay, why didnt he just take the money straight?

HINT: He didnt want anyone to know he was taking the money

By Tony

July 6, 2006 08:59 PM | Link to this

I can’t help you feel these are connotations or implied statements. Reed laundered money. Plain and simple. If things were so on the up and up why did he need to use a third party to collect the money? You cannot answer that. Neither can the rest of Ralph’s followers. Clearly Ralph WON’T answer that because he’d have to admit he knew where the money came from. It is clear as day Ralph felt something was wrong with directlt accepting the money from the Indian tribe. No one does business for someone and then diverts payment through a third party who had nothing to do with the deal unless there was an issue here. Ralph denying this just makes him look like Clinton. The obvious is there staring everyone in the face but yet Reed’s followers still try to deny something so factual and real.

As for Cagle’s increase in wealth, how can you conclude that this was done illegally or unethically? You idiots keep saying Ralph did nothing illegal or unethical. If Cagle did, how come you’re not lining up to file charges or make ethics claims against him? If what he did was so wrong where is the proof? Where are the laws or ethics codes he violated?

You see all you Reed people can do is throw corruption back around instead of answer for what your boss has done. you have this cute double standard. You say Reed is innocent and no charges have been brought against him but yet you make this absurd charge against Cagle. COnsidering how much stock has gone up since 9/11 moving up in direction and the fact he could perhaps even roll his own salary in the legislature into buying more stock, I’d say there is no issue here but one of a creative conspiracy. Next thing you know Cagle will have a Black baby or have some race issue come out against him. Who knows how creative the theories will be. I’m still laughing at Ralphie putting a press release out about Cagle not paying payroll taxes when Ralphie did the same thing. Perhaps Ralphie better clean the dead bodies and skeletons out of his own closet before casting the first stone out on others. His words and actions both in business and the campaign trail show he needs to spend more time in the Good Book than preaching to others what they need to do.

By Debbie

July 6, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this

I spoke to people in Alabama that are politically connected a month ago and you are wrong Tony about the Alabama CC being ticked off at Reed. You of all people would have no connection to the Alabama Christian Coalition so quit lying. You got caught in an outright lie about the matter and are now trying to squirm your way out of it like your man Cagle did when he got caught lying about the Taylor contribution.

He did not run money through any source. Reed made it clear to Abramoff he would not take money from gambling. Abramoff filtered the money not Reed.

Indian tribes do have other industry beside gambling. check out this link if you do not believe me.

http://www.choctaw.org/economics/tribalbusinessoverview.htm

Reed was a private businessman not representing the taxpayers when he made his fortune.

As for the lottery in Georgia, that is a question you need to ask Reed himself.

Reed will win. Deal with it.

By Tony

July 6, 2006 09:07 PM | Link to this

To those who keep saying Ralph has not been convicted of anything I will offer that he was in violation of Texas law in his TX actions. The only thing that saved him? Statute of limitations. Ralph’s M.O. is to convolute his whole operation and create these dummy groups with no employees to cover his tracks and cause it to be years before being caught. His double-speak and creative track covering is the only reason he’s walking right now. Using the system in such a devious way doesn’t sound very much like an honest and ethical man to me.

By

July 6, 2006 09:34 PM | Link to this

http://www.theweekly.com/news/2006/July/05/Ralph_Reed.html

By

July 6, 2006 10:08 PM | Link to this

And here’s an article that disputes Reed’s banking claims against Cagle

http://www.theweekly.com/news/2006/July/06/Cagle.html

By Longpoddle

July 6, 2006 11:29 PM | Link to this

SHEESH!

Wow…it’s REALLY campaign season! This scroll reminds me of how zebra mussels used to clog up the in-takes of my boat on Lake Erie: fast, furious and UGLY! Take a breater, folks! Republicans are bustin’ each other’s chops over 2 FINE candidates who are twisting and magnifying nebulous points in each other’s character for the sake of an election nod. Decent Republican officials needn’t go down in flames over a primary. The phrase ‘eating our young’ comes to mind! So does another head-picture: You guys ever see a crab bucket? Funny thing about a crab bucket…it’s shallower than you might expect, but you never need to put a lid on it—no matter how many crabs are inside! You see, if crabs in the bucket notice one of their company making headway in crawling out, the others will actually PULL IT BACK IN to prevent its success. First rule of politics is that you’ve got to work with what you’ve got. BOTH these guys will be worthy of serving us long after July 18th. Yes—I’m a ‘Ralpher’, but I’m a Republican first.
And I ALSO appreciate good intellectual jabs… Here are MY votes for the 2 best ‘shots’ thus far in this blogfest:

First….

By Howard

July 6, 2006 09:13 AM

Tony, Reed was in private enterprise when he made his fortune. Vastly different from Cagle who was supposed to be representing the taxpayers not himself. You have a case of wealth envy.

and second….

By Missy Hughes July 6, 2006 10:20 AM

I had been watching and listening until this latest ad by Reed. I remember Hillary making an odd amount on some cattle and the Cagle profits remind me of that. Coupled with the fact Cagle donated $1000 to Mark Taylor and my decision was made.

Put me down for Ralph!

Hillary made that dubious fortune in PORK BELLIES, Missy! Interesting comparison!

By jpetz

July 6, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this

Ralph Reed is a phony. Anyone who fails to recognize this is in major denial, blinded by support for someone claiming to be a Christian.

Reed is a politician and smamrmy businessman masquerading as a religious person. He scammed the Choctaw Indians for millions and refuses to fess up even though th Abramoff e-mails make it crystal clear Reed knew the money came from their gambling interests. Reed quite likley broke Texas law and the jury is still out on whether he committed a crime by laundering gambling money. His buddy Grover Norquist is equally guilty.

Bottom line: if you vote for Reed you forfeit your right to ever criticize another politician again without sounding like a complete hypocrite. If you must have a conservative for Lt. Gov, vote for Casey Cagle.

By Debbie

July 7, 2006 06:25 AM | Link to this

jpetz, quit spreading lies and propaganda spread by the Cagle team. It clearly says in the Senate report that the Choctaws were quite happy with Reed’s work. I suggest you read the report before you go spouting off untruths.

By Debbie

July 7, 2006 06:27 AM | Link to this

Here is an article that backups Reed’s claim:

From the June 13th edition of Savannah Now:

Local News Web posted Saturday, June 10, 2006

Cagle: Everybody does it

Reed E-mail story

Print story

Your opinion

Ralph Reed’s latest campaign broadside may say a lot about Casey Cagle.

Or it may merely say something about the way we do politics in Georgia.

Either way, it’s not pretty.

Reed, battling Cagle for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor, accuses Cagle of using his state Senate perch to feather his banking nest.

Reed’s campaign says Cagle served on a banking committee, authored five bills on banking and voted 33 times on legislation affecting banking.

All the while, the campaign said, the Chestnut Mountain lawmaker served on the board or as chairman of a bank or the holding company that owned it.

Among the bills Reed says Cagle voted on were ones that let banks sell insurance, securities and corporate bonds.

Reed’s campaign cites Cagle’s official economic interest statements, which show that his bank holdings increased from $50,000 in 1998 to $450,000 at the end of 2005.

Reed campaign manager Jared Thomas noted that Cagle has said he sets “a fairly high standard” for himself.

That standard, Thomas said, “apparently includes personally benefiting from his public service.”

Cagle has denied profiting from his Senate service.

But his campaign’s response to Reed’s charges is - to say the least - interesting. While calling accusations “frivolous,” Brad Alexander, Cagle’s campaign manager, makes no attempt to refute their specifics.

Instead, Alexander essentially uses the “everybody-does-it” defense.

Alexander begins by rebutting a charge Reed didn’t actually make.

“You falsely charge that ethics rules are violated when a legislator serves on a community bank board and votes on financial services issues,” he responds.

The Reed salvo made no reference to rules violations but alluded to a smell test it says Cagle imposed on himself and then flunked.

That aside, Alexander goes on to remind Thomas “that Georgia has a citizen Legislature; farmers help set agriculture policy, doctors craft health care laws and businessmen update commercial codes.”

The alternative, which he invites Reed to propose, is a full-time “California-style” legislature.

“In reality,” Alexander argues, “that is the only way to ensure that no one who serves in the Legislature has a job outside the Legislature.”

Thomas wouldn’t take the bait.

He said Reed agrees that Georgia shouldn’t have a full-time Legislature.

“But we’re not talking about farmers writing laws about farming,” Thomas said. “This is a fellow who started a bank, got on a committee that regulated banking and had a direct impact on his bank. And he profited.”

It’s not obvious who’s right.

Cagle is correct in noting that many Georgia legislators are active on committees and in legislation affecting their businesses and professions.

Rep. Tom Bordeaux, D-Savannah, a trial lawyer, used to chair the House Judiciary Committee, which had life-and-death authority over bills affecting trial lawyers.

Reps. Ron Stephens, R-Savannah, and Buddy Carter, R-Pooler, are pharmacists and members of a pharmacy caucus active on bills involving the industry.

Carter is secretary of the Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Sharon Cooper, R-Marietta, a medical administrator.

The list goes on.

Yet the number of Cagle fingerprints on bills regarding matters that affect his business interests seems above average.

If, as Alexander implies, it isn’t, maybe we need to rethink the way we do things in Atlanta.

Probably with good reason, almost no one wants to go the California route. And, sure, the Legislature revised ethics laws last year. But, if Cagle’s practices are indeed the norm, maybe it’s not too early to go back to the well.

Bill Bozarth, director of the Common Cause Georgia political ethics watchdogs group, thinks so.

Bozarth’s not willing to single out Cagle for condemnation.

“He’s doing what a lot of people do to some extent,” he said. “But this shows the need for requirements for people to recuse themselves on these sorts of bills. … And we need some kind of an enforcement procedure.”

In the meantime, Alexander wants us to judge Cagle by the standard of current criminal law rather than the senator’s own “fairly high” standard. Or perhaps he thinks they’re one and the same.

“If you believe …. a legislator acted in violation of the law,” he told Thomas, “… sign an actual complaint, put a stamp on it and mail it to the Attorney General.”

Thomas said Reed won’t do that.

“We’re going to pursue it, but with the voters.”

Given that we’re really talking about politics, not the law, that seems an appropriate forum.

But, whatever we think of Cagle’s conduct, Bozarth has a point.

We need to think about the bigger picture.

By debbie

July 7, 2006 08:15 AM | Link to this

Great post entitled Reed it and Weep

http://www.peachpundit.com/?p=1567#more-1567

By Tony

July 7, 2006 08:32 AM | Link to this

How does it back up Reed’s claim? Getting creative again Debbie? Funny how several bank stocks all over metro Atlanta had the same growth rate. Funny how many people, including several on Ralph’s fundraising team, have had similar growth rates in their own wealth.

Those evil capitalists! How dare they actually make money like that! Debbie has wealth envy. Perhaps if she was smart she could have had the same amount of money.

The strange thing is that in less time, I’ve seen my 401K plan grow more than that. And I’m not even in elected office. I guess I stole it or something right?

By Tony

July 7, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this

That was a great post? I didn’t see a factual reason to vote for Ralph. I saw quit a few lies. Ralph’s running on a solid conservative platform and running an honest campaign? I’ve yet to see a true platform on issues affecting Georgians. I see nothing but attack pieces in the mail and his ads. Actually this post did Ralph injustice…nothing he couldn’t do on his own of course.

By Howard

July 7, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this

Tony, stop being a hypocrite. You bash Reed for making money. Reed is in private business. Cagle was a public servant and he went from renting tuxedos to bank president while serving on the Senat Banking committee. Interestingly enough, Mark Taylor, appointed Cagle to the banking committee after Cagle “donated” $ 1,000 to him. hmm…

By Larry

July 7, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this

Debbie:

It is remarkable that you become very indignant about the topic of Reed and legalized gambling, posting an incredible amount of information about the subject, yet you could seem to care less what Reed thinks about the Georgia lottery. Shouldn’t this be an important issue? I mean, aren’t we are potentially electing this man to the Lt. Governor’s office? I would think that if you were to vote for him, and are so concerned about his views on legalized gambling, you would at least KNOW his position on this issue. Very strange indeed.

By jpetz

July 7, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this

Evidence that Reed is a Christian

Can’t find any really. Unless the following paraphrased Reed quotes make one think of Jesus:

“by the time my opponents know its me they’re already in a body bag”.

“its time to get humpin in corporate accounts”.

Yessir, thats a God-fearing man if I ever heard one.

My best Reed story happened in 1997 when the unfortunate Black church burnings in the South were wreaking havoc. Then SDLC President Joseph Lowery received an “offer” from Reed to rebuild the churches. Lowery accurately replied “there is a slippery slope between Reed and the ones doing the burning”. Mr Lowery nailed it.

Reed is a phony. He sees people like Debbie as lost sheep who need direction. I’m a fiscal conservative and fully believe the social conservatives are hurting the GOP with their stupid prejudices. Its time the GOP distance itself from self-righteous types like Sadie Fields and Ralph Reed.

By Debbie

July 7, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this

I could care less what Reed’s views on the lottery or legalized gambling are. That is a non issue as far as I am concerned.

I support Reed because he is a strong leader in the mode of Reagan.

By Tony

July 7, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this

Here are some good quotes easily pulled up on Google. Note Reed’s own words about his origins but notice the difference on where his campaign lit says he’s from.

‘Later Abramoff proposed that the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana also work with Reed. William Worfel, former vice chairman of the tribe, said he understood Reed would engage the Christian Coalition against bills expanding gambling in Louisiana.

Worfel said Kathryn Van Hoof, former outside counsel of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, told him Reed “did not want his name being revealed,” and it couldn’t get out he was with the Christian Coalition. “It wouldn’t look good if they’re receiving money from a casino-operating tribe to oppose gaming,” Worfel said. “It would be kind of hypocritical.”

‘Given the Reed scandal’s potential to erode evangelicals’ faith in politics, it’s no surprise that the main reaction among movement leaders has thus far been “an embarrassing silence,” to quote Ken Connor, the former head of Dobson’s Family Research Council.’

Even Richard Land, the normally forthcoming Southern Baptist powerhouse, has been rendered speechless. (“Dr. Land has decided to pass on this topic,” his spokeswoman told The Nation after first agreeing to an interview.)

‘Nobody has nailed the discomfort better than Reed’s old cohort Pat Robertson. “You know that song about the Rhinestone Cowboy,” he told The New York Times last April as the Abramoff-Reed connections began to go public. “‘There’s been a load of compromising on the road to my horizon.’ The Bible says you can’t serve God and Mammon.”’

‘Even Reed’s own mother, Marcy, confessed to a reporter, “I used to tell people he was going to be either President of the United States or Al Capone.”’

‘“As early as the eighth century B.C., the prophet Isaiah railed against bribery and corruption in the public square,” Ken Connor wrote recently in BP (Baptist Press) News. “In levying his indictment against the nation of Judah and forecasting the judgment of God, Isaiah complained, ‘Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts.’”

Reed also has to make himself look just as authentically Georgian as his opponent, which might be the toughest trick of all. At every campaign stop, in every piece of campaign literature, Reed repeats the new mantra of his embattled campaign: “Growing up in the North Georgia mountains, I learned the values that matter most—faith, family, freedom and hard work.”

But Reed did not grow up in the North Georgia mountains. As he writes in Active Faith, “It all began in Miami, where I grew up. My childhood was hardly spent in the Bible Belt.” Reed’s family didn’t move to Georgia until he was in his mid-teens. And when they did, as Nina Easton reports in Gang of Five, Reed was considered a “fast-talking Miami smart aleck” in Toccoa, the tiny mountain town where they settled. Even his best friend there, Donald Singer, remembered Reed showing “no demeanor of civility,” his abrasive personality constantly clashing with the native Southerners around him.

By jpetz

July 7, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

Reed as Reagan?

Ralph Reed wouldn’t make a patch for Reagan’s keister. Reagan was a world class figure who stood up to Communism and had the respect of all, whether you agreed with his policies or not. President Reagan was always a gentleman.

Ralph Reed is none of the above. He is a smarmy, self-righteous wise guy who is despised by many and worshiped by a few. A vote for Reed is a vote for more divisiveness, more hate rhetoric, more “us vs them” mentality. Georgia needs someone like Reagan who can unite folk, not divide. I don’t know much about Casey Cagle but the allegations made by Reed on Cagle’s unethical banking practices have been analyzed by impartial experts. The conclusion is Cagle acted above board and in no way came close to defrauding anyone. In contrast, Reed defrauded his anti-gambling bretheren by taking millions from gambling interests. If that isn’t deceitful, nothing is.

BTW - Debbie, the one reason the Choctaws might approve of Reed is he did what they asked which was to kill off the competition. My dear woman, you really need to open your eyes on this candidate of yours. He is leading you down a primrose path but in the end could care less what you think. Ralph is in it for Ralph.

By Debbie

July 7, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this

If the impartial source is that link you provided, I think we both know that is not impartial.

Another impartial source was the link I provided and they did not find the same thing.

Reagan stood his ground and was constantly attacked by left wing liberal groups. Reagan was accused of being divisive as well. I don’t want someone l ike John mcCain and Cagle that just want to get along and not make anyone mad or not make waves.

I repeat, Reed is like Reagan.

By debbie

July 7, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this

This is what is going on with the Georgia GOP. The Lt. Governor’s race will determine the direction. Reed is like Reagan.

http://republican.sen.ca.gov/web/mcclintock/article_print.asp?PID=85

Senator Tom McClintock
Date: December 9, 1998 Publication Type: Column GO BACK

For California Republicans, whose fortunes are lower now than at any time since 1958, there is the best of news and the worst of news. The best of news is that eight years after 1958 Ronald Reagan swept the governor’s race, carrying virtually every constitutional office. The worst of news is that eight years is also the period between the election of the last Whig president and the demise of the Whig party. Both cases are important for Republicans to understand as they contemplate their party’s future.

Reagan often urged Republicans to “paint our positions in bold colors, and not pale pastels.” There is an element in the Republican Party today that would have called – in fact, did call - this approach “divisive” and “polarizing.” Indeed, it was. Reagan sought to draw a sharp distinction between two ideologies: one that embraced the bureaucratic state as the best provider of happiness for the prevailing coalition, and one that embraced liberty as the best guarantor of happiness for the individual.

He knew that until these two ideologies were clearly delineated, voters had no basis upon which to choose.

Reagan was divisive in precisely the same way that Abraham Lincoln was divisive. “It is the eternal struggle between these two principles – right and wrong – throughout the world,” Lincoln said in 1858. One was freedom, the other was “the same spirit that says ‘you work and toil and earn bread, and I’ll eat it.’ No matter in what shape it comes…”

In the early 1960’s a great debate arose within the Republican party. On one side were those who sought to keep the party on a “moderate” path, closely mimicking the agenda of the ruling Democrats. On the other were those, like Reagan, who believed that the loyal opposition should stand clearly and forthrightly upon uncompromising principles of liberty.

Reagan’s wing prevailed, though not without serious obstacles. In 1964 Republicans learned anew that change does not come easily, especially when that change is from the security of the welfare state to the responsibility of freedom. “All experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed,” the Founders warned in the Declaration of Independence.

But Reagan was undeterred and unafraid to speak for a cause bigger than himself. “We’ve come to a moment in our history,” he said, “when party labels are unimportant. Philosophy is all important.” To the Republican establishment, Reagan was an ideologue destined to drag the party down to defeat.

The same debate raged within the Whig party in the 1840’s and 1850’s. The moderates of that age were determined to distance their party from the polarizing questions of slavery. In 1848 the Whigs elected slave-owner Zachary Taylor, who quickly transformed the party into a pale reflection of the opposition. Fearful of controversy that might alienate one group or another, the Whigs did not even adopt a party platform that year.

Within eight years the Whigs had vanished, while a new party emerged made up of widely disparate elements united in a single principled and highly controversial cause.

Reagan’s genius lay in his willingness to embrace principled causes, though they might be controversial, while uniting those disparate elements around a central tenet: that free men and women can decide their futures better as individuals than government can decide for them collectively. This was the ideological pillar that held aloft the so-called Republican “Big Tent.” When George Bush in Washington and Pete Wilson in California destroyed that pillar in the 1990’s by massively increasing taxes and regulations, the tent came crashing down and the diverse groups within it began brawling with each other.

Now a ruling party has emerged in California after sixteen years of stalemated government. It has the charter to govern. Its ideology is clear: to use the power of government to provide collectively for the demands of its constituencies.

The question is whether the Republicans understand the role of the loyal opposition: to offer a contrasting agenda of liberty and to take that agenda aggressively to the people.

Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln understood that role. Zachary Taylor and George Bush did not. Which style of leadership the Republicans choose could well decide whether eight years from now the Republicans sweep the state as they did in 1966, or whether they go the way of the Whigs in 1856.

By jpetz

July 7, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this

You’ve been Duped

Debbie, I give up. You have been duped by Reed and there is nothing anyone can do about it. The sad part is there are other lost sheep such as yourself who are easily led by a charlatan like Reed. But in the general election, I’m confident the people of Georgia will pick a Lt Gov who doesn’t have the ethical baggage Reed carries and isn’t so divisive.

As for the liberal left attacking Reagan, what does that have to do with Reed? If you took a poll across the country comparing Reed to President Reagan, you’d be laughed at.

I simply will never understand people such as yourself. Reed is clearly tainted and yet you are willing to gloss over it because you believe he is a good man at heart. If Reed was a liberal, would you be as forgiving? Be honest.

By Tony

July 7, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this

Reed is no Reagan. Trying to compare them both is rediculous. A guy who even lies about his beginnings is no where near Reagan’s stature or credibility.

By Mike E

July 7, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

My dictionary says “launder” means “to channel through an intermediate party in order to conceal the source.” Reed’s minions just can’t face the fact that their fearless leader laundered the Indian money through third parties to conceal its source from his Christian allies. They can’t face it because it would mean they would have to face all the other evidence in the Abramoff emails and the Senate report.

As for Cagle and his 900 percent increase in wealth while serving in the state Senate, I am still at loss to see how this suggests he did anything unethical. Reedites haven’t put up one shred of evidence to support their claims in this matter — not one! As for Cagle voting on banking issues, I’m sure he did. And I’m sure the doctors in the Legislature voted on medical issues; the farmers voted on agricultural issues; the insurance people voted on insurance issues. That’s the way our part-time Legislature works and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it as long as there is full disclosure.

Now, if Cagle had a bill come before him that would run a road up to a bank that he was somehow invested in I could see that as a probablt conflict of interest. But the Reedies haven’t come up with anything remotely close to such a hypotethical example. They just keep drinking the Kool-Aid and spitting out the propaganda coming from Reed Central.

The good news we only have to endure this pissing contest until July 18. Only then will we truly know how effective both sides were at getting their message across to primary voters. A year ago, I said Reed would walk away with it and bury Cagle. Today, I’m not so sure. I’d say its 50-50 going into the final stretch. I expect both sides to pull out all the stops to push their candidate across the finish line. And I expect Cagle to pull off an upset victory because he carries less baggage.

By Debbie

July 7, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

Mike E, Cagle and his minions can’t produce one shread of evidence to show Reed laudered the money and broke the law and that has not stopped you from bringing it up repeatedly.

The bottom line is the Senate Report found no wrong doing by Reed. Plese show me in the report where the committee found Reed broke the law or did anything wrong.

Reed is in private business. Cagle was supposed to serve the taxpayers not serve himself. Cagle is in public service not private service.

Please show me one other person that went from renting tuxedos or owning a small business with no banking experience and no college degree to bank president in four short years. Show me just one person other than Cagle that has ascended that quickly.

By Tony

July 7, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this

Debbie,

Show me Cagle’s wrong doing. You can’t. You cannot even abide by your own standard and neither can Ralph. Ralph cannot even abide by the standard he set for Cagle on campaigns and payroll taxes.

And why can’t Ralph even be honest about where he grew up? He says one thing in his book and another thing on the campaign trail. he lies even about his beginnings.

By Tony

July 7, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this

Debbie,

Honestly if you cannot clearly see the money was laundered, then you’re a fool. Ralph was asked if he wanted the money directly. Instead it was diverted to ATR, who took a cut and then given to Reed. THAT is called laundering. So keep deluding yourself into thinking Reed didn’t launder money. The truth is quite obvious. But it is clear you don’t have a thing for the obvious.

By Mike E

July 7, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

Debbie says: “Show me just one person other than Cagle that has ascended that quickly.”

Well, how about lifeguard David Grosh? You remember him, don’t you? He was the one Abramoff and Scanlon used to set up a phony foundation, American International Center, that was used to pass some $1,043,000 through to Ralph Reed and his Century Strategie firm in 2001. (page 269, Senate Report on Tribal Lobbying matters.)

So Reed accepts more than a million dollars in one year from a phony foundation headed by a former lifeguard, and he doesn’t bother to ask where the funds came from. Delicious!

You Reedites are pathetic in your blindness to reality. Reed is up to his eyeballs in this mess and it won’t go away. Use of those non-profits to launder his $5 million in fees is still under investigation and may yet result in punishment for those involved, including Reed.

You suggest that it is beyond the abilty of mortal man to go from selling tuxedos one year to being head of the Senate banking committee four years later. That is hardly a Republican concept. We believe anyone can succeed in this great land of ours, including Ralph Reed. My problem with him is that he continues lying about his knowledge of the funding sources forwarded to him by Abramoff, Scanlon and Norquist. If he would just admit that he took the money and did the work he was paid for I wouldn’t have a problem with him about this mess. But to insult our collective intelligence, even in the face and mountains of evidence to the contrary, Reed continues the Big Lie.

I think he had every right to take that Indian money and perform the campaigns he waged on their behalf. But don’t tell me he didn’t know who was really funding them. That dog just won’t hunt!

By Jesus

July 7, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

If Ralph Reed is elected I will personally unleash the biggest hurricane you have ever seen on Georgia.

By Debbie

July 7, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

Mike E I REPEAT, give me just one name of another individual that was able to accomplish what Cagle did in that short of a time.

By Mike E

July 7, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this

Debbie, you keep asking for names of successful Americans whose fortune has mutiplied quickly in a short period of time. Are you dense?

How about every American Idol winner? From nothing to superstar in less than a year! How about every top college football player drafted into the NFL, where they receive millions overnight? How about every entreprenuer who has a great idea and works hard to bring it to market — like Steve Jobs or Bill Gates.

You are really starting to worry me when you claim it is next to impossible to succeed in this great land of ours. You sound like a Democrat! There, I said it. The “D” word.

Cagle’s success appears to be something earned over a period of years when Georgia businesses prospered — including banks. Reed’s appears to have come mainly from Abramoff sending him money from Indian tribes through a network of nonprofits controlled by him and his partner Scanlon and Reed’s good buddy Grover Norquist. These men have worked closely together for more than two decades, Debbie. Is is really possible that they pulled a fast one on “The Right Hand of God” Reed? Because if THEY did, the voters of Georgia should reject him because he is too stupid to handle the finer details of elected office.

I will say it again: If Reed would just own up to his knowledge about the Indian money I would conclude that he was pretty smart to make sure it didn’t come DIRECTLY from them. He was smart to launder it through Norquist (who always took a cut for himself) or the phony AIC, which paid Reed more than a million dollars in 2001. Speaking of AIC, I wonder how many conversations Reed had with that “organization’s” head, lifeguard David Grosh? I mean, after all Debbie, if someone is paying me out a million dollars in payments over the course of just one year, I want to know who, what, when, where and why.

I’m sorry we just won’t let this issue die concerning Reed’s tribal lobbying efforts. But the fact is he was paid handsomely for his services and he should own up to it and quit claiming the money came from independent sources.

By Debbie

July 7, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

I said Bank President that had progressed that quickly.

Cagle is no Steve Jobs or Bill Gates, nor did he win the Anerican Idol. He did win elective office and very much used it to his advantage to build his coffers.

By Mike E

July 7, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this

That’s right Debbie, Cagle did win elective office, and for many of those years he served in the minority. He ran for re-election a few times over the years, and surely the Democrats would have come up with something to tarnish ol Cagle. But nope, there’s nothing there. Nada. Zip. Zilch.

Just because Cagle helped start a bank, and that bank later was merged into a larger banking conglomerate, and that new entity asked State Sen. Cagle to stay on and serve on the new board only shows that those bankers are pretty smart fellows. Heck, I’d keep Cagle on the board too! Might come in handy when banking issues come up in the Senate. So what? If Cagle was a pig farmer you’d say the same things about him voting to increase agriculture spending. If he was a medical doctor you would chastise him for voting on hospital reimbursement issues.

So unless and until you can show me one single instance where Cagle voted on some banking issue that personally benefited him, and that that vote was investigated and vetted by ethics officials who issued a report on their conclusions, knock it off! Enough of this “he used his position to inflate his income 900 percent” nonsense.

And no cut and paste of newspaper articles that merely discuss general voting patterns and how elected officials in Georgia have to guard against conflicts of interest. Nope, you have to do some real homework now and dig it out for yourself.

Remember, no general banking bills because that can’t be tied to him. You gotta show me how his votes personally benefited him.

I’ve put my evidence on the table concerning Reed and his gaming games. Where’s yours?

By Nick

July 7, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this

Isn’t Debbie’s newest argument about how Cagle did or did not acquire his wealth the quintessential example of the pot calling the kettle black?

By Tony

July 7, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

Mike E.,

It’s pointless. When she is faced with logic and truth, Debbie twists the issue around. When faced with Ralph’s schemes and lies, she flips it around on Cagle. Flipping, twisting, spinning….it’s a pattern of Reed and his followers. Look what they did in the SC race. Somehow McCain came out with a Black baby. I’m still not sure how that had anything to do with the campaign other than appealing to racists. Reed can deny the whole gambling bit all he wants. But how can he deny he knew he was working for an Indian tribe? What other reason would an Indian tribe in another state care about AL gambling issues? I figure Ralph for a smart man. He is no idiot when it comes to the obvious. If Ralph was truly duped as he claims he is, he has to be the most idiotic businessman ever. He handles millions of dollars and doesn’t question anything? He doesn’t wonder why Indian tribes are hiring him? He doesn’t wonder why money is going through his buddy Grover rather directly to himself?

You see Debbie screams that Casey lived the American Dream. He made his money with perseverance and dedication. But somehow that is evil. Meanwhile Reed makes his money exploiting people and religious concerns while deceiving clients on the origins of money. Reed has made his millions as a lobbyist. His millions were made alongside Scanlon, Abramoff, Delay, Cunningham, Ney, Enron, etc. Everything he is associated with has come under serious ethical and legal scrutiny. While he may have managed to cover his tracks better than others to prevent legal issues, he cannot deny this path he has taken has crossed with some of the most corrupt events in business and politics. Coincidence?

By Fred

July 7, 2006 05:27 PM | Link to this

The problem with Ralph Reed is that he practices situational ethics and morality. He is supportive of HOPE, even though it is lottery based (gambling), because it is wildly popular and to not support it would be political suicide. However, when it suits his personal financial or political interests, he is against gambling (even when he is getting paid by gambling interests for his opposition). The sad thing, as a Christian and as a conservative, is not that he has duped a lot of Christians, which is troubling, but that he has used faith and Christianity as a spring board for his own personal political and pecuniary gain. I think that anyone who truly and deeply beleives in their faith will see that Mr. Reed has used Christianity as a personal stepping stone. That to me is the most appalling attribute a person could possibly have.

By jpetz

July 7, 2006 05:30 PM | Link to this

Norquist No Fan of McCain

Grover Norquist despises John McCain but I’m not sure why. Perhaps its because McCain’s investigation on Abramoff revealed connections to both Grover and Ralph Reed. All 3 were Young Republican members back in college. And they were tight until Abramoff got caught and convicted. Its funny to watch how Norquist and Reed downplay their connections to Abramoff. Even RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman disavows any friendship with Abramoff, despite him being invited to a Jewish Seder for Passover held by Abramoff a few years back.

McCain is starting to make inroads with the religious right and that bothers Norquist because he hates McCain. It may go as far back as the 2000 primary in SC where some self-rightous types borrowed Reed’s playbook and started rumors about McCain’s mental stability, followed by an illegitimate black child, followed by allegations McCain abandoned his fellow POWs at the Hanoi Hilton. Were all these lies really necessary to defeat McCain? Perhaps this is what Reed meant when he made the “bodybag” comment. Reed’s tactics are really Christian, aren’t they?

By Tony

July 8, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this

Since Debbie is only on here during weekday business hours (only in Reed’s campaign office?), I’ll be waiting for her response as to the rest of the Reed spin on his killing of a 1996 immigration reform bill. it would have severely clamped down on illegals and even addd about 5000 Border Patrol agents along the border…keep in mind this was in 1996. Now everyone in the GA GOP Congressional delegation was for this bill but Ralph not only opposed them but opposed the curtailing of illegal immigration. This was actually a bipartisan supported bill and was the toughest bill on immigration since the 1920’s. But Mr. Tough fought against it. And you know who was there to work with him to stop this? Grover Norquist. Good to see birds of a feather lie together.

By Debbie

July 8, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

Tony, as usual you are wrong. You KNOW that I am not employed with Reed. As I KNOW you hate Reed with a passion and are supporting Cagle. Just look at your postings on PP. The rantings and ravings look so familar….

Sam Brownback and Paul Ryan, well known anti illegal immigration activists sided with Reed on this bill and issue. Kind of slipped your mind, huh? Also slipped your mind that Bill Clinton was in favor of the bill which makes it supsect from the beginning. Left wing liberal Barbara Jordan helped co-sponsor the bill. I guess it also slipped your mind again that Congressman John Linder sided with Reed on this bill.

I guess you will be blasting Ronald Reagan next because he was in favor of a bill that granted amnesty to illegals while he was President.

You Cagle supporters don’t care about the truth.

When Reagan first came on the national GOP scene, GOP elitists labeled him as controversial and claimed that he would hurt the GOP because he was too conservative and could not get elected. They said Reagan was a lightening rod that liberals and Democrats would use to turn out their vote. It wa sonly fter REagan was elected and proved them wrong did the GOP elitists establishment began to embrace Reagan. Same scenerio in this election. The Rockfeller Republicans mostly support Cagle and we hear things like Reed will drag down the party and will turn out the Democratic vote. Same things as was said about Reagan.

By Debbie

July 8, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

Reed made his fortune while in private enterprise. Cagle made his while supposedly serving the taxpayers. Cagle ended up serving himself by increasing his wealth by 900% and taking the fastrack to bank president while serving on the Senate Banking Committee. Interestingly , Cagle was appointed to this committee by Mark Taylor after Cagle gave Taylor a $1,000 “contribtution”.

By Philly

July 8, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

I did some research on the Southern Voice after reading the brouha with Stephens and Handel and found very interesting reading regarding Reed. The Southern Voice is a pro gay rag.

What I found:

http://www.southernvoice.com/2006/6-16/view/columns/ayotte.cfm

“THAT BRINGS US TO the Republicans, and potentially the most dangerous race on the ballot this election cycle: the battle between Cagle and Ralph Reed in the GOP primary for lieutenant governor.

Reed, the former Christian Coalition head, is under investigation for ties to Jack Abramoff, and he has been implicated in a huge casino lobbying scandal, yet he still manages to run about even with Cagle in the polls.

The man is a political genius, and that’s why we need to keep him out of office. A Ralph Reed victory would have a dangerous impact here and on the national level, and it is the fastest route to making Georgia Democrats take a hard right in November.

Only one group gets a free pass when it comes to crossover voting: Those who live in the Georgia House districts where gay candidates Allen Thornell and Karla Drenner are on the ballot. They need your votes, so don’t switch to the GOP primary this time around.

The rest of us should use our votes to keep Reed out of the State Capitol this July 18. At least then we will get something for our votes. That’s more than we can say about voting Democrat.”

http://www.southernvoice.com/2005/11-4/view/letters/letters.cfm

Ralph Reed isn’t good for gays Friday, November 04, 2005

To the Editors: Re “Stick a fork in Ralph Reed” (blog by Matthew A. Hennie, sovo.com, Oct. 12):

Matt Hennie is way off base if he think a Ralph Reed candidacy is good in any way for gays. So what if we can fund-raise a little more off his candidacy? He is a dangerous man who still has a good chance of winning the lieutenant governor’s race despite his political mistakes and lack of unanimous support from Republicans.

The reality is that Ralph Reed is the smartest politician in this state and has already built a political machine unlike any other candidate for any race in Georgia. Reed will turn his supporters out to vote like there is no tomorrow.

Kathy Kelly Executive Director MEGA Family Project Atlanta

By Philly

July 8, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this

The Pro Gay website Southern Voice is urging gays to crossover and vote for Cagle to stop. A Vote for Cagle is a vote of support for gays and gay marriage.

More on Southern Voice: http://www.southernvoice.com/2006/5-26/news/localnews/cox.cfm “We will be voting in the Republican primary to try to defeat Ralph Reed — that is how much Cathy has turned us off to her campaign. If Sonny [Perdue] wins the governorship, as [we] suspect he will now, at least we know his stance and will not see him stabbing us in the back as Cathy has,” Cleghorn and Kirby wrote.

Reed, former chair of the Christian Coalition, faces state Sen. Casey Cagle in the GOP primary for lieutenant governor. Unlike states where voters register by party affiliation, Georgia features an “open primary” system allowing voters to request a Democratic, Republican or non-partisan ballot in a general primary election.”

By RL

July 8, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this

Ya’all have lost it. Move on.

Debbie, again you have convinced me to vote in the Republican Primary FOR CAGLE. Now, I also will encourage others to do so.

What ever happend to true conservative values? All you people seem to ever talk about is who can hammer the gays harder. It’s sick…

Interesting post from Andrew Sullivan… www.andrewsullivan.com

“Actually, I don’t consider you a conservative anymore either, for the same reasons I don’t consider myself one anymore. In this day, in this country, to be a conservative is to buy into a program of relativism and deconstructionism (scientific knowledge in evolution and climate science is just one “perspective” or is totally unreliable because scientists are a bunch of liberals and science is just a political agenda). To be a conservative is to believe that good government rests on the personal character and godliness of an unshackled executive, not on the time-tested processes and institutions of democracy. To be a conservative is to let your worst enemies dictate your moral values. To be a conservative is to believe that insufficiently conservative judges are enemies of America and should be eliminated or marginalized as illegitimate.

Above all, to be a conservative is to use the power of the government to Christianize Americans and the US government to the greatest extent possible.

Andrew, today liberals are the better defenders of the enlightenment. Conservatives are the enemies of the enlightenment. So you want to cut entitlements? Pardon my French, but big f******* deal. You want to cut entitlements because you have weighed the evidence of their effectiveness and found it lacking. You’re still part of the democratic machine and you still respect democratic reasoning.

Conservatives aren’t as quaintly obsessed with evidence and balancing costs and benefits as you are. They want to cut benefits on principle, no matter what. They want to slash taxes as a first principle, expensive wars and basic human decency be damned. They are not rational decision makers in the sense that they distinguish between effective and ineffective programs. The slash taxes, period - no thinking required.

And - this isn’t a minor point - they don’t actually cut entitlements. They expand them. So there goes that argument.

My choice - and yours - is to join up with a reality-based community that trusts expertise, democratic processes, and established institutions and makes fact-based decisions (these days called liberals), or to join up with a community of relativistic mystics who are not open to reason or persuasion, distrust democracy, reject standards of behavior because they believe themselves to be inherently godly, and have no use for traditional democratic institutions. These tradition-despising relativistic mystics we call conservatives.

Andrew, you and I have much more in common with the liberals. Because they’re more conservative.”

By Tony

July 8, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

Debbie,

I see once again you are soooo far out of the loop on reality you continue assuming things that aren’t true. You know what happens when you assume right? Here’s breaking news for you. I have NEVER posted on PP. How about that? SHows you to be an idiot and a liar.

As for Ryan and Brownback, they’ve REVERSED their position since this bill. Check that out Debbie. As for Clinton supporting this bill, you kind of forgot that the ENTIRE GA GOP congressional delegation supported this bill. I guess you also conveniently forgot this was THE TOUGHEST immigration bill since the 1920’s. It even offered 5000 Border Patrol agents. Something that even W can’t get going.

So Debbie, I figured you’d come running out of your rock and spin this so well doing your master’s bidding. Funny that this cannot be spun. Facts and votes speak for themselves. Reed supported a relaxed stance on immigration while REAL CONSERVATIVES wanted a crackdown on illegal activity. Reed supports illegal immigration. Georgia Republicans support a tougher stance on lawbreaking. Reed differs with Georgians who polls show they disagree with Ralph.

By Tony

July 8, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this

Philly and Debbie trolling the gay websites on Saturday….does Ralph know you’re doing this? Or is he there doing it too?

By debbie

July 8, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this

I have not patrolled any gay web sites. What on earth possessed you to say something so ridiculous? Show me facts on your accusations or why you think that. Another example of a Cagle supporter making up things to suit their purpose.

The last time I checked John Linder was part of the congressional delegation from Georgia and he and Ralph were on the same side of this issue. Forgot that fact “Tony”?

So you are trying to convice us that Bill Clinton was in favor of the toughest bill on immigration since the 1920’s and left wing liberal icon Barbara Jordan was too. Sure, Tony….

The CATO Institute and Reed were on the same side of this issue. Reed has since taken an extremely strong stand against llegal immigraton.

http://www.cato.org/

By debbie

July 8, 2006 07:09 PM | Link to this

RL, I am not a bit suprised that someone left wing as you would vote for Cagle. Proves what I have said all along. I hope GOP voters realize just who IS suppoorting Cagle. Andrew Sullivan is a big supporter of gay marriage, something the overwhelming majority of voters in Georgia oppose. I am not suprised people like you will vote for Cagle. Thanks for being out in the open with it.

About Andrew Sullivan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Sullivan

By RL

July 8, 2006 08:50 PM | Link to this

Gee Debbie I never would have expected that response from you. Calling me “left wing”… If little Ralphie is right wing you can call me the opposite any day.

Keep it up Debbie… like I said you have lost it.

By Tony

July 8, 2006 10:48 PM | Link to this

Debbie,

You’re telling me you NEVER mention all of your insight to gays across Georgia crossing over and voting for Cagle? You’ve never mentioned anything about some mass gay conspiracy? Liar.

And “Debbie” if you’ll go back and look at the bill in question, Reed and Linder were not on the same side of the issue. Check the vote on the bill in question. Again, your spin needs a little work.

I have no clue what Clinton’s stance was. I’m only pointing out the fact that the entire GA GOP congressional delegation stood for tougher stances on immigration. Reed backed the status quo that has given us more illegal activity. I guess Reed is not one of those conservatives that stands for the rule of law. Judging by his actions in TX, I see he’s not one for practicing it either.

So “Debbie”, here’s a homework assignment. Go do a little more research on the bill in question. Go ask Ralphie about his stance. My guess is that we’ll get more spin and lies but what else is new. Again, we see the difference between Ralphie and real conservatism.

By Concerned Taxpayer

July 8, 2006 10:53 PM | Link to this

The fact is that a win by Cagle in the primary(however farfetched) would be a victory for the gays, lesbians and transgendered. They believe that Ralph would be bad for the gay “so called” rights community. They are aware that Ralph is one of the greatest political operatives of our times and is up there with Rove. He is the mastermind of grassroots politics that will set back liberals and so called libertarians back many years in Georgia. Cagle is a weak candidate that who will shown for the empty suit that he is tomorrow night. The only thing that he can say is vote no for Ralph, not vote for Casey. That is he has nothing going for him except the gay vote.

By Concerned Taxpayer

July 8, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this

Tomorrow night is the debate on GPTV at 8pm.

By fred

July 9, 2006 07:49 AM | Link to this

It is easy to tell the nature of the people who support Ralph Reed (and correspondingly the nature of the man himself) from the responses of his ardent devotees on this website - they are evasive, venom-filled, petulent, and arrogant. Is there anything in Cagle’s voting record that shows that Cagle’s views on social issues are different from Reed’s? Come on. And Cagle actually has a record - all Reed has is a long trail high dollar influence peddling to look to as a hint of how he would govern. And it is not too pretty when you look at the facts. A person is known by the company he keeps - and an awful lot of Reed’s close company seems to wind up in jail or under indictment - Mitch Skandalakis, Abramoff, Scanlon, that yo yo from the White House who they bought off - look, I am a die hard conservative, but I love this State and Reed is simply the wrong person for elected office in this state - let him go back to Florida where he grew up and run for office down there.

By Tony

July 9, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this

It’s funny to see Ralph’s minions running off to read gay magazines and quoting them. And it’s even more hilarious that they think because one writer or two says to do something, that automatically every gay person in this state feels this way and will vote against Ralph.

What is even more hilarious is that Ralph’s biggest fundraiser is a huge gay-rights and gay-marriage proponent. Giuliani, after committing adultery and getting kicked out of the mayor’s mansion by his wife, went to live with a gay couple. But all of those pious anti-gay Reed supporters don’t mind spending that money do they? They don’t mind THAT liberal support do they? All about the Benjamins?

By debbie

July 9, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this

Reed was in PRIVATE enterprise when he made his fortune. Contrast that with Cagle who was supposed to be serving the taxpayers not himslef when he went from renting tuxedos to bank president and increased his wealth 900% in four years while serving on the Sente Banking committee.

Cagle is weak and caves in under pressure. That is why he voted with Gov. Barnes and the Demnocrats against GOP sponsored legislation and why he gve a $ 1,000 to Democrat Mark Taylor.

As far as Reed supporters, I have not seen one Reed supporter refer to David Duke as a genuine Christian as Cagle supporter Linda did on the Peach Pundit blog yesterday.

By Howard

July 9, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

Can’t say that I am suprised. The Southern Party of Georgia has endorsed Casey Cagle. This same group bashes President Bush and Governor Sonny Perdue every chance they get. You Cagle people are in really good company…

http://spofga.org/elections/2006/republican_primary.php

By Tony

July 9, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

Debbie,

I’m still looking for that proof that living the American dream and succeeding in business is evil. I guess only Ralph should be making millions? No one else should? Or maybe Ralph’s money man Nardelli raking in millions and ignoring the shareholders while tanking Home Depot? Ralph just keeps some really classy company. If he’s not in DC making shady deals with shady people, he’s hiding in that gated community lifestyle with some questionably people. But yet CAGLE is somehow the bad guy.

Stick to trolling for gay news Debbie. Your time is better spent on doing that.