Political Insider

By Teacher Teacher

July 24, 2006 3:38 PM | Link to this

Actually, who cares whom Steen Miles endorses? Hers has always been a vanity project. Had she kept her Senate seat, she would have easily been reelected; however, just like Denise Majette, she has such a high opinion of herself that she just knew she would cakewalk into the Lt.Gov. spot. What a joke! I can’t understand why a soul would vote for her. She would never recognize a constituent for having to turn away from the mirror. Gazing at herself, of course, warrants much more attention than that of her constituency. Her endorsement could hurt Hecht.

(I voted for the other African-American in the race. He, at least, was real and honest and looked at the voters squarely on!)

By Jake Taylor

July 24, 2006 5:16 PM | Link to this

Steen garnered 64,000 votes acreoss Georgia with littlew or no resources - It seems that if Hecht puts some of his considerable resources behind this endorsement that her endorsement shoulod at leats replicate that number? Picking up the endorsement of the only other major candidate in the race and a current State Senator should provide an enormous boost to his campaign. The key in run-offs is turning out people who voted for you in the primary and it now sounds like two candidates are doing that on behalf of Greg Hecht. Congratulations Mr. Hecht!

By Laura

July 24, 2006 5:38 PM | Link to this

Give ‘em Hecht, Steen!!!

This is GREAT news. I believe that if Democrats want to stand a chance in Novemeber, we need Greg Hecht as the nominee. I don’t believe Jim, while I like him, has a chance against Casey Cagle in November.

By Philly

July 24, 2006 6:53 PM | Link to this

I was a Reed supporter and I can tell you that if Democrats were smart they would nominate Hecht. He would garner support of ticked off Reed supporters and would defeat Cagle.

Cagle has his ethical lapses.

If Martin is nominated, I will just abstain from voting on Lt. Governor.

Many Republicans in Dekalb that crossed over and voted for Hank will vote for Hecht.

By deegee

July 24, 2006 8:50 PM | Link to this

Seriously, is anyone taking political strategy advice from a Reed supporter?

By GiveEmHecht

July 24, 2006 9:21 PM | Link to this

I still want to hear from Martin supporters about why they’re willing to defend Martin’s lack of action to protect kids under his care at DFACS. Until that is answered Greg Hecht remains the only candidate in the race with a record of protecting Georgia families. 72 kids died while Jim Martin was the head of DFACS. 72. Each one a tragedy. 72 kids….. And this guy wants to be Lt. Gov??

By DemSwingVoter

July 24, 2006 9:24 PM | Link to this

Okay, maybe I’m not taking political advice from a Reed supporter. But it is worth debating who the best candidate to beat up on Cagle is. No one argues that Cagle whooped up on Reed on television. Do we really think Martin is going to attract female swing voters with his record defending rapists?

By Reagan Conservative

July 24, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this

I can tell you as a upset Reed supporter that I could see myself voting for Hecht. I could not for Martin. I would just abstain. If you Dems want to attract the disgruntled conservatives then Hecht is your man. He is seen as more moderate/conservative and Martin is a liberal.

Liberal is a dirty word in Georgia politics.

By Zathras

July 24, 2006 10:27 PM | Link to this

Frankly, now that the Georgia Republican Party has decided not to put forward a statewide candidate with a nationwide reputation for corruption, the Lt. Gov.’s race is back into “so what?” territory where it belongs.

In most states the Lt. Gov. has a very limited role unless the Governor dies or is incapacitated. When Georgia was a one-party state it may have made sense for the state to do things differently, but it doesn’t any more. The race for Governor is now the only one that matters.

By Rome, GA

July 24, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

I’d say that Shirley Franklin’s endorsement of Jim Martin carries a lot more weight than Steen Miles’ endorsement of Hecht.

By Former Staunch Republican

July 25, 2006 12:00 AM | Link to this

Casey lied, Casey lied, Casey lied. I don’t see how I or other Reed voters can vote for him! I like both Dems…can’t vote in the run-off, but I sure can in Nov.

By Philly

July 25, 2006 6:07 AM | Link to this

I will not vote for Cagle. He used his office to become rich.

Former, what is funny is that the Cagle people think by the time November rolls around we will forget out anger and vote for Cagle. Boy will they be in for a big suprise.

Cagle will have problems raising money now. I think the GOP State Senators without opposition will trick donors into donating to them and then turn around and donate that money to Cagle. That is how sleazy they all are. Watch for that to happen.

By Tony

July 25, 2006 8:32 AM | Link to this

Philly,

Are you still around being hateful and bitter? I guess you must have renounced being a Christian because I’ve never known one to be so bitter and angry over someone. I guess you don’t share Reed’s values after all or do you? You really remind me of a spoiled 5 year old that didn’t get their way. If all you want to do is live in the past and be filled with so much hate and anger, more power to you. Sit on the sidelines. Or even vote for someone who is so far from values on the Right. You’re beginning to convince me you’re a closet Dem from the beginning. All you do is trash Republicans and your values are definitely not Christian. So what does that leave us with? So vote Dem in November. Your values are clearly closer to theirs anyway. Grow up.

By Tony

July 25, 2006 8:36 AM | Link to this

Oh and as far as raising money, I guess you’re so far out of touch you never knew that state Senators always raise money and pass it through to others. But as a Reed supporter you should have no problems with sending money through third parties to get to the end result. Reed did it. As Reed lied and said Cagle said “Everybody’s doing it!”

I guess all of that out of state money will have to stay home now. But all of that gated community and Buckhead money Ralphie got will now have to come out for the real winner - Cagle. Those people thought they could buy into Ralph’s operation. They’ll try to buy into Cagle’s but he won’t be sold.

By are you forgetting

July 25, 2006 8:44 AM | Link to this

Is anyone forgetting the dirty lies that Hecht has told, the intentional distortions, etc. about Mr. Martin?

I used to respect Hecht, but I don’t anymore. I don’t like Ralph Reed—but he is a choir boy compared to Hecht. If you support Hecht, I hope I never hear you criticizing the Bush campaign for what it did to McCain in South Carolina. I hope I never hear you complaining about what Saxby supposedly did to Cleland. Because what Hecht did was a lot lower and had even less basis in the truth.

By Jimbo

July 25, 2006 9:11 AM | Link to this

Tony, it sounds like you are describing Bill Simon to me. Who are YOU to criticize someone for not supporting the nominee? You said you would not support Reed so what is the difference? Cagle is pretty crooked in my book.

My money will got to the Democratic nominee. Cagle won’t have the money he had now that Reed is not in the picture. He will be hung out to dry.

There is a movement called ABC which stands for Anybody But Cagle . It will gain traction and a message will be sent that the kind of campaign Cagle ran will not be tolerated.

I seriously doubt Reed supporters will donate to Cagle now. There are other candidates such as Karen Handel, Gary Black and Sonny Perdue and other deserving GOP nominees.

By MartinFailedToProtectKids

July 25, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this

To the person slamming Hecht — I know you think the accusations weren’t true, but if you take the time to LOOK at the mail pieces, you’ll see that everything is very neatly and very precisely documented in a “check the facts box.” Hecht isn’t asking you to take his word for the true story that Jim Martin was in charge of DFACS and that 72 kids died while he was in charge - all the while he did NOTHING to protect them — the documentation is there. The websites are there. The AJC stories are there. This isn’t a new story. Hecht didn’t make it up. Don’t blame him for bringing up a really important part of this match up. Jim Martin, when confronted with difficult situations, goes “frozen.” He’d rather go along to get along, and because of it children died. 72 kids died. How can you ignore that? And the fact that people are blaming Hecht for this story is ludicrious.

By Get A Clue -

July 25, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this

I have known Jim Martin and his family for a decade. He’s a great guy. A great neighbor. He was a great state Rep.

But what he did at the Department of Health and Human Services was sub-human. To refuse to step in and protect a two year old little boy that was being slowly tortured to death by his family - while Martin knew about it - is criminal. Seriously. Criminal.

I will be voting for Hecht on Aug. 8.

By Quinton Washington

July 25, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this

As I wrote on another posting, Jeffrey Bramlett, an attorney who worked with children’s advocates to sue the state over its child protection practices, has publicly defended Jim Martin’s record as DHR commissioner. Mr. Bramlett knows more than just about anyone regarding what Jim did for children as DHR commissioner.

In a letter dated July 14, 2006, Mr. Bramlett wrote:

“I personally collected and examined all the available evidence of child deaths attributable to DFCS’ deficient child protection activities. Based on my personal knowledge, I can assure every Georgia voter that nothing in Mr. Martin’s performance as the public servant charged with the daunting and ultimate public responsibility to protect Georgia’s foster children should give you the slightest pause in offering Mr. Martin your vote, your enthusiastic support, and your appreciation for his distinguished public service.�

Read Jeffrey Bramlett’s letter in its entirety

By QuintonShouldBAshamed

July 25, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this

Gee, a political insider who’s a friend of Jim Martin’s cleared the top dog of all responsiblity for the deaths of 72 children while Jim Martin was head of DFACS? I’m shocked.

So what’s the explanation, Quinton. He knew about them, but couldn’t possibly have done anything to prevent case workers from returning a two year old to a home SEVEN TIMES where he was being beaten, because Jim is powerless. Or he DIDN’T know about it because he was out of touch and powerless.

Which is it, Quinton??

And since when is it a good idea for a paid staffer of a political campaign to blog in defense of a candidate without disclosing that they are getting PAID to defend the candidate??

72 kids died, Quinton. How can you be a part of the coverup??

By MartinsStaffShouldStayOut

July 25, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this

Jim Martin has has his campaign staff blogging about why he isn’t responsible for the children that died? That’s a little creepy, if you ask me.

By Quinton Washington

July 25, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

Dear QuintonShouldBAshamed and MartinsStaffShouldStayOut,

I work for Jim Martin, but Jeffrey Bramlett does not. I want the public to hear directly from an attorney who has done more than most to investigate the problems with DFCS. Jeffrey Bramlett says Jim Martin did an excellent job in a tough position, and it is important for the people of Georgia to hear that from him.

What are your real names, QuintonShouldBAshamed and MartinsStaffShouldStayOut? Who do you work for? Jim is a stand-up guy and I am proud to say who I am. Why aren’t you?

By QuintonShouldBeAshamed

July 25, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this

I assume you’re talking to me. And I didn’t put who I work for because I’m not a paid political operative like you. There’s no conflict of interest in MY post.

I’m a regular Georgian who enjoys following politics. I work fulltime, 50 hours a week, at a shipping company in Gwinnett County to help put food on the table for my family. I don’t get paid to sit in a cushy Midtown office and post to blogs about my boss. I post at home, on my spare time, or at lunch. What about you?

I’ll also tell you this: If you’re so proud of Jim Martin you need to convince him to deal with this issue and not hide behind lawyers and paid political operatives. He needs to talk about what went wrong when he was head of DFACS. He needs to talk about why 72 kids died when he headed up that agency.

You’re just trying to shoot the messenger. The issue is Jim Martin’s inability to protect our families.

As the mother of two amazing children about the same age as some of the boys and girls who died because Jim Martin either wasn’t able to, or didn’t want to, protect them, I’m still waiting for an answer.

Exactly what happened, Quinton?

As a supervoter in the fourth best performing Democratic County in the state you can bet I’ll continue to follow this issue into the run-off. And if your campaign continues to duck and weave and avoid I’ll make sure my neighbors know exactly what kind of campaign Jim Martin is really running.

By BCEDem2005

July 25, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

Okay, THAT’S funny!

Jim Martin’s staff is now taking swings at Democratic supervoters in Gwinnett County!

But I do have to say that I followed this thread because I was curious about the whole Hecht v. Martin endorsement thing.

But now I’m really intrigued about the alleged deaths of these children.

When exactly did this happen? Does anybody know?

By Rawena

July 25, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this

If this race gets as mean-spirited and nasty as did the Republinazi race of LtG, I for one, will vote for the Libertarian in November.

Enough already!

By George Clements

July 25, 2006 1:43 PM | Link to this

If I were Jim Martin, I would either fire Quinton Washington and his colleague, Will Martin, or else ban them from posting any more comments on this blog or any other. Those of you following this blog ought to check Will Martin’s postings on the “A race that has stirred surprising passions” and you will see a pattern. Don’t address the issues, but rather attack (or be condescending to) the person raising the questions. If the blog readers are key voters in what will be a slim turnout for the runoff, Jim Martin is losing support with every posting by his staff.

Jim Martin: I urge you to take control of this problem before Quinton and Will irrirate the heck out of everybody.

By AthensNative

July 25, 2006 2:00 PM | Link to this

Wow, this has taken a bizarre turn.

Maybe I’m just naive, but I just always assumed that political campaigns were a little above jumping into a forum seemingly intended for AJC readers.

And it DOES make me suspicious about what Jim Martin is hiding to have his staff spend their day refuting the allegations Greg Hecht has made.

And at the invitation of another poster I did go do a Google search for AJC articles on this issue, and I hate to admit it but there does seem to be fire where there is smoke.

By QuintonShouldBeAshamed

July 25, 2006 2:26 PM | Link to this

Exactly.

I did the same Google search and what really rocked me was how Martin never even seemed BOTHERED that those kids were dying.

“Kids die all the time in Georgia.”

Are you kidding me??

By Tony

July 25, 2006 3:10 PM | Link to this

Jimbo,

Sounds like you are reliving the GOP Chair race in 2000. ABC? Give me a break. Clearly a few crybabies have nothing better to do with their time than to prove themselves complete hypocrites. They slam Cagle for ethics but supported off the edge of a cliff someone who clearly has more ethics issues than Bill Clinton. Let me see Jimbo…your guy accused Cagle multiple times of breaking federal and state laws but I just don’t see where the proof is. Again, I guess it’s OK for idiots like you to proclaim ethics but ignore something called bearing false witness. Surely those who live in glass houses like Reed shouldn’t have thrown those stones. How can someone so “squeaky clean” like Reed accuse anyone of breaking the law but yet offer no proof?

So you and your lying, hypocritical nuts go right ahead and vote for those who support feminism and abortion. By doing so, you have truly shown how ethical you truly are. I guess you can’t even heed the words of your master Reed. True ethics-lacking Reed followers. Like Reed like followers….talk ethics, act without.

By MartinFailedToProtectKids

July 25, 2006 3:16 PM | Link to this

For are you forgetting:

What Hecht “did” to Martin was bring up a factual story.

I can’t believe you aren’t even willing to do the basic research yourself before jumping all over somebody.

Jim Martin was in charge of protecting Georgia’s most fragile population: children taken away from abusive homes, or those without homes. And while he did a record number of children died.

How can you sit there and say that is political pandering? It’s literally a matter of life and death.

By Jimbo

July 26, 2006 7:26 AM | Link to this

Tony, let me get this straight. It is ok for you not to support the nominee if i t were Reed but it is not acceptible for Reed supporters not to support Cagle. Your hypocrisy know no bounds.

By Tony

July 26, 2006 8:05 AM | Link to this

So you basically divert questions to you by attacking me. True Reed tactics. You and Debbie must be related. I’ll add you to my ever-growing list of Reed people incapable of answering simple questions.

I’m not asking you to support Cagle or the nominee. I’m merely pointing out you and other Reed people espouse to be Christians but then spout off hate against Cagle. Everything that comes out of your mouth is quite hypocritical. Anyone who claims to be a Christian conservative would not be saying the things you are and would not even think of voting for a Democrat. The difference between what I said and you said is that YOU said you’d vote for a liberal Democrat. I didn’t. So no…no hypocrisy on my part but plenty on yours.

By George Clements

July 26, 2006 1:24 PM | Link to this

For those of you checking on these blogs, at least 24 hours has gone by without one of Jim Martin’s staff people irritating potential supporters with another ludicrous posting. I presume this means that the candidate has taken control over this part of his campaign. That’s good, but the key issue still has not been answered, namely why doesn’t Martin publicly refute, point by point, the charges that Hecht originally made. The longer this festers, the more it appears that there was some validity to what was originally brought forward by Hecht. Well, Jim Martin, this certainly is an unusual way to manage a runoff campaign. If you do somehow slip by Hecht in August, you will face the same issues in the fall with Cagle.

By Mike C.

July 26, 2006 1:39 PM | Link to this

With too few runoffs to keep me busy I started doing some research in the Lt. Gov’s race between Martin and Hecht.

I actually really like Greg Hecht’s plans for reducing gas consumption and class sizes.

Go to www.greghecht.com for the full plan.

More detail than we normally get from Democratic candidates in Georgia.

By suzanne thornton

July 27, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

What Lies= Hecht’s hecklers blame, shame game is just that- blame someone, and shame someone to get votes. What about Hecht’s record?* If you read the FULL info- you would find that HECHT LIES, and BUTCHERED the content of Martin’s words.* It is true HECHT does not support woman’s right to chooce because he voted to limit that. Its true Hecht does NOT SUPPORT Disability rights-his office is not accessiable and its the law dude! Do I have to tell you which page and paragraph- I can because I READ every article in AJC archive about Hecht and Martin. (over 375 articles). I researched EVERY bill each introduced, voted on, etc. You can just accept Hecht’s hecklers BS who don’t have the balls or guts to say their real name. Or read. Learn. Open your mind to the facts-Jim Martin tried to help DHR/DFCS- sadly it has gotten WORSE. Read the reports at DHR- Cild abuse and death statistic. Maybe Hecht ONE intern or all the expensive consultants (J. Trippi, Golden Broom Counsulting, and several others.) Why not put your money were your ( Hecht & hecklers) mouth is-you offer no solutions, just blame shame and rename game. Get A Life guys-post after u read all the AJC, google, and dogpile stuff about Hecht and Martin- then we can have an honest debate, not just uneducated opinions by people who did not look at all the facts.

By Elisabeth Huhn

July 27, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this

Right on! This crap from Hecht’s people is just that- Martin did not kill those kids. Period.All the advocates for children agreed that: there was never enough funding for adequate services, not enough workers (they pay awful-you can work at McD and get more money and benefits), and Purdue’s replacement one quality was she was a foster parent. Duh, how people have been shifted from those positions? Lets get REAL- talk solutions- JIM MARTIN is the best PERSON for the job. I have known him a long time-he is the most honest, reliable person I ever have known. NO, I don’t work for the campaign. Yes- I am voting Jim Martin and calling all my friends and family to do the same.

By Donna Jo Phillips

July 27, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

Hecht Cowards! Show your name or shut up. I guess those Hechters don’t believe the stuff they say. At least others who support Martin had the guts to say their names. BTW- AJC OP said today: …”Martin is a decent man & commands the respect of both Dem.& Rep. proved by his tenure as DHR Comm…it’s disappointing to see Hecht resort in this race to wild exaggerations and gross distortions of Martin’s record. It’s time for a little more common decency, and Martin has demonstrated that he can provide it.” Umm NEED I SAY MORE? Miles won’t help Hecht-he already sunk too low-and will take others with him.

By Bo_Dawg ( Nina Fossberg)

July 27, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this

Hecht Cowards! Show your name or shut up. I guess those Hechters don’t believe the stuff they say. At least others who support Martin had the guts to say their names. BTW- AJC OP said today: …”Martin is a decent man & commands the respect of both Dem.& Rep. proved by his tenure as DHR Comm…it’s disappointing to see Hecht resort in this race to wild exaggerations and gross distortions of Martin’s record. It’s time for a little more common decency, and Martin has demonstrated that he can provide it.” Umm NEED I SAY MORE? Miles won’t help Hecht-he already sunk too low-and will take others with him.

By Bo_Dawg ( Nina Fossberg)

July 27, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

Crude I pasted the previous comments and my comments didn’t show up. Darn. I said that being Deaf/hard of hearing- I see Martin improving MY LIFE-his record now, and past. He even had captioning on his ad. HELLO! If Hecht or hecklers support issue-its all talk no action. If you believe disabled rights- then do it. My friend E cant go to Hecht’s campaign to see the supposed list of 300 endorsers. No Ramp, and where is the handicap parking? You gotta see it thru. Not just do it for election. My other friend, JG, sees the Hecht family at temple- yet Greg Hecht said he taught ( note did , not now) Sunday School. Did he ever participate in the Temple? Why is he embarrassed. I am proud of Jewish Hertiage, why aren’t you Greg Hecht? Point what? he’s a con man-do as I say,not as I do. That bull didn’t work with my foster parents, and won’t do for an election. VOTE JIM MARTIN. Deafies-sign for Jim!