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Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Marshall in double-digit lead?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee says its polling shows incumbent Democratic Rep. Jim Marshall in a solid lead over Republican challenger and former congressman Mac Collins.
According to the poll, conducted July 8-10 by the Democratic firm of Hamilton, Beattie and Staff, Marshall leads Collins 58-32 percent, with 10 percent undecided. Doug Moore, Marshall’s communications manager, said it was his understanding the poll has Marshall leading both in those parts of the Central Georgia district he represented formerly, and those that are new to him.
According to the poll, Marshall’s favorable rating is 50 percent, with only 7 percent unfavorable. Pollster Dave Beattie said his firm didn’t poll in Georgia’s other hot congressional race, the 12th District battle between Democratic Rep. John Barrow and Republican former Rep. Max Burns.
The newest Cagle ad
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Casey Cagle’s aggressive attitude continues in his newest ad. It’s his third TV attack against Ralph Reed in 10 days, in the Republican race for lieutenant governor.
Key line is a Cagle-to-camera moment: “Ralph Reed’s false attacks? Well, that’s just politics. But the way he sold out our values? That’s wrong.”
Click here, then report back.
Two polls say Reed dropping
A withering assault by Cagle, via TV and direct mail, said to be prying voters away from ex-Christian Coalition leader
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The idea of a nationally watched race for lieutenant governor is silly enough. But the fact that the contest could turn on an argument over the minimum wage on an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean is downright incredible.
Two polls out today say that support for Ralph Reed is dropping in the Republican race for lieutenant governor, thanks to a ruthless push on the ground and in the air by Casey Cagle.
Insider Advantage numbers will be out this afternoon. Strategic Vision, a Republican public relations firm, this morning put Cagle on top for the first time, but barely: 42 to 41 percent.
On Monday, Cagle began a coordinated TV ad/direct mail assault on Reed, connecting the ex-Christian Coalition leader to Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s efforts on behalf of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands.
The Cagle TV ad, and Reed’s response, can be found below. On Tuesday, the air assault was followed by a direct mail piece that was just as incendiary. The opening message: “When investigators discovered child prostitution and forced abortions on the Marianas Islands, Ralph Reed was paid to cover it up.”
The issue is a pamphlet that Reed’s firm printed to support then U.S. Rep. Bob Riley (R-Alabama), who is now governor. Riley had cast a 1999 vote against applying U.S. labor law to the Marianas enclave several hundred miles east of the Phillipines.
Reed says the legislation was a Democrat-backed effort to extend control of labor unions to the islands, and that the measure included “amnesty” for foreign workers which, once granted, would allow them to work anywhere in the U.S.
Cagle says Reed’s work amounted to support for sweatshop conditions that include the aforementioned child prostitution and forced abortions.
“This is off the charts,” complained Jared Thomas, Reed campaign manager. “This is beyond the pale. This is a bill that had nothing to do with human rights abuses.”
