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DEL.ICIO.USSays Martin: New poll has him not in the lead, but a contender
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The first step in conducting a genuine political campaign is showing people with fat wallets that you have a legitimate shot.
Jim Martin, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, does that today with an Alan Secrest-generated poll that shows him within reach of Republican rival Casey Cagle.
The bottom line: Cagle 38 percent; Martin 34 percent; Libertarian nominee Allen Buckley at 5 percent; and 23 percent undecided. The pertinent stats: 806 polled, 3.5 percent margin of error.
While it’s unusual for a campaign to release a poll that doesn’t have the candidate in the lead, the message from Martin’s side is pretty clear. The Atlanta lawyer and veteran of the Legislature, who served a year as head of the state Department of Human Resources in the Republican administration of Sonny Perdue, has a substantive base as the general election campaign begins.
Martin’s campaign also thinks it’s worth noting that among voters who recognized both candidates, the Democrat leads Cagle 44 percent to 39 percent. The poll puts Martin’s unfavorablity rating at 11 percent, and Cagle’s at 14 percent — which would seem to indicate that Cagle wasn’t much damaged by his harsh treatment of Republican icon Ralph Reed in the primary.
The poll raises the larger question of Martin’s role in the general election campaign. Other than getting himself elected.
We put that to several people at Saturday’s annual Democratic convention, held this year in College Park, and came away with two answers. First, Martin is probably the best tool available for bringing Cathy Cox supporters back into the fold. They shared many of the same core activists.
Secondly, Martin — who hasn’t yet missed the chance to reveal that he’s served as an elder in his Presbyterian church — may become the guy who tries to peel off a layer or so of the evangelical vote that has shifted to the Republican party. In his kick-off speech on Saturday, this was Martin’s money quote:
“No Republican is going to take the values of faith patriotism and family away from me.�
It wasn’t the first time he’d used that line, and it won’t be the last.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Joe T
September 18, 2006 3:38 PM | Link to this
Anyone who has even been close to the DHR dept will not get my vote.
By Rusty
September 18, 2006 4:00 PM | Link to this
Will you support a Fair Tag vote to let the people of Georgia choose their state car/truck tags. We were promised a Fair flag vote but did not get it.
By TitletownUSA
September 19, 2006 9:08 AM | Link to this
Of the top four candidates on the ballot, Jim Martin is the most decent. He’s personable, amiable, and smart as a whip. When politicians talk about really caring for the average jane and joe, Martin is the guy that’s being sincere.
By GC
September 19, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this
Unlike Joe T, I am not a single issue voter. I have followed Martin’s career for over twenty years. As previously stated, he is smart,personable, and rates very high on the integrity radar.
I have also known Cagle for about ten years. He is also smart,compassionate, and has a demonstrated ability to work well with Democrats and Republicans alike. However, his involvement with the Sonny land deal gives me great pause. Therefore, I am right now leaning toward Martin.
By GC
September 19, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this
Unlike Joe T, I am not a single issue voter. Martin is indeed a decent, kind, smart, caring human being whose integrity rates high on the radar.
Cagle is also a decent, compassionate person with a demonstrated ability to work accross the political aisle. However, his involvement with the Sonny land deal gives me great pause. Therefore, at the moment, I am leaning toward Martin.
These are the quality of candidates that help to improve perception of our political process.
By rugby_fan
September 19, 2006 12:14 PM | Link to this
Wonder what Debbie thinks of this:
which would seem to indicate that Cagle wasn’t much damaged by his harsh treatment of Republican icon Ralph Reed in the primary.
By Debbie.......size 5
September 19, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
I’ll have to get back with you on that. Noone has told me what to think yet.
By Jonathan
September 19, 2006 4:15 PM | Link to this
Libertarian candidate, Allen Buckley, will be getting my vote.
By George Whitfield
September 19, 2006 5:30 PM | Link to this
I’m supporting Allen Buckley. He has sensible solutions to our current and future problems. Check out www.buckleyforgeorgia.com.
By david corr
September 19, 2006 5:46 PM | Link to this
Vote LIBERTARIAN! Allen Buckley is by far the best candidate for the position.
By Rome, GA
September 20, 2006 9:50 AM | Link to this
Jim Martin is one of the most honorable and decent men I’ve known in my life. I know with all my heart that he is one of the smartest people to run for public office in this state and has what it takes to work with what I assume will be a GOP-controlled legislature and should garner the respect of nearly every legislator because of his fair, centrist tendencies as an effective leeader.
By bill francisco
September 21, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this
One thing ya’ll seem to forget. If Marting gets elected what does he do? There is no job for a Democratic LT. Gov. He will have no power all he can do is sit and knit. Waste of a position on the payroll. Eric Johnson will continue to be the defacto Lt. Gov.