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DEL.ICIO.USMeet Sonny Perdue: First-time caller, long-time listener
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At 680 The Fan, WCNN-AM, they rarely delve into politics.
But the station couldn’t resist that letter in the Journal-Constitution from Gov. Sonny Perdue, ripping the AJC for ripping the Georgia Bulldogs with a headline after the ‘Dogs 51-33 collapse to Tennessee.
And we all know how Perdue loves to chat on radio talk shows.
Yes, we realize that some of you doubters may be asking the following question: Is a radio frequency committed to dissecting and fragging every single move in professional and college sports — is this really the place to argue that a general circulation newspaper should focus on preserving fragile egos and exert itself in nothing but gentle nudges toward the good and decent?
Your answer to this question is belated, and thus does not matter.
On Tuesday, the governor was booked for a call on the afternoon show hosted by former Georgia Bulldog quarterback Buck Belue and seven-year veteran John Kincade. Here’s what happened, after Perdue said hello.
KINCADE: I tell you, I woke up this morning and I read this stuff in the AJC, and I was a little chinked, I gotta tell you. And it’s good we can have a little dialogue here.
‘Cause I’m looking at it, and I say — [I’m] a fine supporter of my seated governor, and I want to see you back in there again to continue your good work — but I wasn’t pleased with the note you hammered out to the AJC.
PERDUE: Why’s that?
KINCADE: Because I think that you’ve got better things to worry about, and it’s not the governor’s job to tell the AJC what headline should be in the sports section.
PERDUE: I wrote that letter as a citizen. The paper’s the one making a big deal out of it. I wrote what I felt. I exercised my free speech —
KINCADE: Aw, Governor —
PERDUE: That’s the great thing about America —
KINCADE: Governor, you know if you send in a note to the AJC, as the seated governor in this state, it’s not going to be handled as a private citizen. I know that you can say that to me, but that is going to get front page news because you’re the governor.
PERDUE:I signed it ‘Sonny Perdue, Bonaire, Ga.’
KINCADE: Yeah, I understand that, how you signed it, Governor. But this sounds like it goes much deeper than a sports headline about the Georgia Bulldogs. This sounds like a personal feud that you’ve got with the AJC.
PERDUE: Let me tell you what it stems from. It stems from whether a major paper in the state — I think you read the letter — whether it’s the front page or the business page, and now the sports page — what I said was, they celebrate our losses, and cancel our victories.
And that’s from all over, that’s anything in Georgia — and somebody needs to speak up on it….
KINCADE: Now, Governor, though, have I seen you speak up about Georgia having the worst graduation rates in the SEC in football and basketball
PERDUE: Yeah —
KINCADE: And Georgia’s academic scandals and Georgia’s arrest reports out of the football program —
PERDUE: We’re putting graduation coaches in there so we can help these kids graduate from high school.
KINCADE: No, I’m talking about Georgia, the Georgia football team.
PERDUE: If you’ve been to the Board of Regents, you’ve heard me speak up about the completion rates of all of our students at our universities. I’m concerned about that.
KINCAIDE: What about the arrests within the football program, the academic scandals within the football program?
PERDUE: Now you’re starting to sound like the AJC.
KINCADE: No, I’m just sayin’…..
PERDUE: That’s what they say. Is this the editorial board of the AJC I’m talking to?
KINCADE: No, Governor —
BUCK BELUE: That’s my partner, and I’ve got him five days a week, four hours a day, Governor.
KINCADE: What I am is an objective mind.
PERDUE: Turn his mike off, Buck.
BELUE: Well, we’re doing a road show. I’m not able to do that right now.
KINCADE: Come on, Governor, I’m an objective guy.
BELUE: I’m guessing, Governor, it’s been brewing a long time, and this sort of set you off with the coverage after Saturday night.
PERDUE: It was the final straw, when I got up Sunday morning and read the paper. They’ve been writing it all week. [Garbled] It might have been the final straw for Tech. I’m a supporter of our teams.
I get chafed when the Braves, who’ve won 15 in a row, and when you don’t win one, you think the whole world is coming apart, from the AJC sports writers. And that’s just not right.
I believe we ought to celebrate these kinds of things. They’ve done it to Tech, they’ve done it to the Braves, they’ve done it to the ‘Dogs — all of these things. I’m just fed up with it.
[SHORT BREAK]
KINCADE: Governor, do you ever have a chance to talk football with the president?
PERDUE: I do, I talked to him about it today. I told him, you need to come to the game. And he said, you know, everybody would be magged, at the game, so I have to enjoy it vicariously through watching all you guys.
KINCADE: Now, Governor, one of the things you said in your note — you said other cities celebrate the successes and mourn the losses of local businesses, individuals and sports teams. I gotta tell you, growing up in Philadelphia, that’s not the case about the sports teams.
New York papers, Boston papers, Chicago papers, major markets — when their teams do poorly, pro or college — they’re getting killed.
I went to the worst Division 1 program ever, Temple University, and if you read the Philadelphia paper coverage, it’s miserable about that program. They kill them, every time they can.
PERDUE: Hey, Kincade. I think we’re getting a diagnosis here. You grew up in Philadelphia?
KINCADE: Yes, sir.
PERDUE: Okay. That explains a lot of things.
BELUE: Governor, we’re really pulling for you in the campaign going on. That opponent has already taken some negative shots at you.
Well, we expected that. We’re going to get some blocking in the back, and some clips, and those kinds of things, but we’ll be standing there at the end. I want to thank you guys for having me on today. [Hangs up]
BELUE: I think you irritated him a bit.
KINCADE: I’m sorry, I’m just not on the P.R. team.
Here’s a prediction. At least until Nov. 8, the governor will stick to television. He’s got the money for it.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By GodHatesTrash
October 10, 2006 6:26 PM | Link to this
Sonny Perdoofus is pure trash - stumpbroke inbred south Georgia siter-humpin’ trash. Thanks for reminding your listeners, Kincade.
By Mark
October 10, 2006 7:43 PM | Link to this
Smokey’s still humping ugah, sonny’s still next in line, and uga’s still a cheating school for jocks. Yo Sonny, were you one of the cheating jocks in the 80’s at uga that Jan Kemp was complaining about? and you are a vet today, let me guess, courtesy of the uga vet school? You won’t be treating my animals, ever.
By Chris
October 10, 2006 7:44 PM | Link to this
Sonny is a joke. He says $100,000 on his taxes through a bs law he has passed through at the last second in the legislative session. He then gets furious with the AJC because they report on it. What a joke.
By David Franklin
October 10, 2006 7:47 PM | Link to this
Governor Sonny Perdue and Lt. Governor Mark Taylor—and all other politicos who claim to be Christian—-show me your faith by what you do and not by what you say—Epistle of James —New Testament!
By David Franklin
October 10, 2006 8:00 PM | Link to this
“Guvner” Sonny—if this is indeed a “Christian nation” as you proclaimed from Jerry Falwell’s pulpit—then get down on your KNEES along with me asking Jesus Christ to forgive this Godless society in general called the United States of America—read our “GODLESS CONSTITUTION ” for confirmation if you don’t believe me! And people wonder how the Republican party and other obvious others has gotten us in this “sin den of iniquity” we are in in Iraq and Mark Foley!
By David Franklin
October 10, 2006 8:08 PM | Link to this
There is “every seed bearing herb that I can think of which God says in Genesis One that is good” that vast majorities of Americans could get their Godly hands on in Towns County if only the Godless Government of the United States of America would legalize it. Yeah, you heard me—isn’t it amazing the things God has given us medicinally that the DEVIL and MAN have turned into crime by the Almighty maker of heaven and earth! Don’t try and weasle out of that you hypocrites!
By mark
October 10, 2006 8:12 PM | Link to this
Sonny, please answer yes or no - Was Jan Kemp ever your tutor at uga?
By NORML
October 10, 2006 8:28 PM | Link to this
“WOW DAVID FRANKLIN THANK YOU” it is about time that Christians come to their senses. Is the Holy Scripture “CORRECT” or “WRONG”—tell that to glaucoma and chemo patients around the country and now those with dementia! Smoke a rope!
By willie n --can' be too open
October 10, 2006 8:37 PM | Link to this
OHHHHHHH YEAHHHHHHH! “David Franklin and NORML” I’ll meditate on my log for a while on that scripture I know so well. Just what I have been saying all along! Thanks God for agreeing.
By Anne Addison
October 10, 2006 8:45 PM | Link to this
As a registered nurse all the above talk of legalization of marijuana is indeed justifiable by the medical community. So why have so many people been reluctant to speak out for the truth and medicine? Thank God for Christians and NORML who speak the truth and not pot-bootleggers who enjoy sales without taxes. Keep this NORML wagon rolling and to hell with football!
By dieter
October 10, 2006 8:51 PM | Link to this
yeah man I love the dawgs too but I love my pot evenmore. more power to these straightheaded people in NoRMLl but i don’t want to have to pay tax for god’s weed! it’s free in the blue “Grass” state of kentucky my ole kentuck home. just wander a few feet off the interstate.
By David Franklin
October 10, 2006 8:54 PM | Link to this
Please keep this Christian support coming as we rectify the laws of man to place them in accord with God’s description—“and all was good”!
By Christian witness
October 10, 2006 9:00 PM | Link to this
If these are Christians defending “Pot” I would imagine what they would do with “alcohol”. You are headed straight to hell with Willie Nelson’s long hair and guitar in a bucket. His back taxes included. Jesus turned the water into grape juice NOT “WINE” you sinners…….Wake up to the Good News……
By straight
October 10, 2006 9:03 PM | Link to this
To hell with these perverts and acid headed freaks let’s talk FOOTBALL and Sonny Perdue’s a* if he has one beyond his face.
By hemp
October 10, 2006 9:08 PM | Link to this
No I like this dialogue on pot—it is long overdue as there is nothing wrong with it and all is right with it. I agree let’s smoke a rope
By Old Testament
October 10, 2006 9:15 PM | Link to this
Yes the Old Testament “IS CORRECT”—all seed bearing plants were pronounced by God to be “Good”—that’s reefer included you FUNdamMentalists.
By David Franklin
October 10, 2006 9:24 PM | Link to this
The United States Government must be won over to the therupeutic values of cannibis—us popping our gums will do no good until America is convinced of the nectar from God—and it soon will be! God made NO MISTAKES in Genesis— and the world —not just America is realizing it!
By John Gleason
October 10, 2006 9:26 PM | Link to this
Dear David Franklin—is that why God is killing me with lung cancer by way of cigarette tobacco for 40 years as you say all he did is good?
By Meltdown
October 10, 2006 9:30 PM | Link to this
…and you may see me tonight, with an illegal smile, it don’t cost very much, and it lasts a long while… And now to Sonny’s half-wit screed. I’d say this is the start of the “bash Atlanta” phase of his campaign. His redneck white trash consultants have no doubt advised him that to secure the Wallace vote he’ll have to go after pointy headed intellectuals (anyone who can read above an 8th grade level) and liberals (anyone who thinks hanging black voters is wrong). This will be a sure-fired hit in some quarters, especially among those who think colleges should be ranked by their football teams. I doubt you’ll hear much about ATL being the economic engine that pulled this otherwise benighted state out of the 19th century.
By pure bull
October 10, 2006 9:31 PM | Link to this
ALL THIS CRAP IS PURE BULL#### BY A GROUP OF PUTRID DRUGGIES—BURN IN HELL!
By David Franklin
October 10, 2006 9:33 PM | Link to this
John Gleason—please distinguish between use and abuse!
By Meltdown
October 10, 2006 9:48 PM | Link to this
John - sorry about your cancer. It isn’t God who’s killing you - that would be the tobacco companies. A pack and a half a day is good for 16,000 millirem/yr, 8X the limit for nuclear workers and 32X what you get for being an Earthling. Tobacco has an affinity for polonium, which occurs from the breakdown of natural uranium and is found in apatic fertilizers. These fertilizers came into heavy use in the 50’s, which is why there used to be so many 80-90 year old smokers around to set a bad example. The tobacco companies just came up with an efficient way to make you pay for the priveledge of volatilizing this nasty alpha emitter and delivering it to your lungs. No wonder they want tort reform so badly.
By Leonidas Polk
October 11, 2006 12:13 AM | Link to this
Perdue and the guy who thinks he’s God, Michael Adams, were sitting together at the game. They were probably talking about the AJC having the audacity to report GA’s 9% graduation rate for basketballers. They’d likely prefer their own version of things being disseminated by the media, kind of like Lenin and Stalin.
By Hunter
October 11, 2006 7:01 AM | Link to this
Id love to see Dr. Michael Adams in a live forum with the GaTech President and Sonny…now wouldnt that be fun…Michael Adams ROCKS !!! Folks if you havent read the Adams essays about GaTech, its loads of p** fun!
Leonidas Polk, wasnt he a Revolutionary general? there’s a village in NC named for him…
Support the FAIRTAX!
By Eric
October 11, 2006 7:33 AM | Link to this
David Franklin = Fred Phelps?
By David Franklin
October 11, 2006 8:01 AM | Link to this
ERIC— No Phelps here—I could care less who my neighbor marries—same sex or different sex—for there is “neither male nor female in Jesus Christ”—and a same/sex marriage would not effect my marriage with my wife whatsoever—just might enliven the conversational fun at the dinner table!
By The Sarccastik Anomaly
October 11, 2006 8:11 AM | Link to this
It just sounds to me that the Sonny Do list is not big enough for him to worry about what a little AJC article writes about. I would not want a local paper to “sugarcoat” a beat down, even if it’s my favorite team or a team I hate (like the Bulldogs, I live in a YellowJacket household).
By Bob Herndon
October 11, 2006 8:29 AM | Link to this
Gov. Perdue, After the election will you be visibly rooting for GA Bulldogs at the Annual Tech-GA game. We would love to see you out there in Red and White on the sidelines!!!!! Football is way more important than politics here in GA, look at the #s of people who participate, who could imagine 70,000 people EVER going to a political event. I think every politician should pick their team and stand by them.
By Ed
October 11, 2006 8:38 AM | Link to this
The AJC failed to give you the whole story. They forgot to mention all the people that called in and gave their opinions of our heralded newspaper. Let me give some of the sound bites. “Liberal bedwetting rag”, “Bad sports columnists”, “leftist rag.” If you are going to slam Sonny on this $100,000 why don’t you research the whole story. I would be interested to know if any democrats voted for the tax break and if any democrat got a tax break. Why don’t you publish how much money he did pay in taxes. I would think it’s more than most people make in a year. Let’s look into Taylor’s taxes and how he earns his money. Now that Sonny called the AJC out we’ll have to go somewhere else for objective reporting.
By Tired of BS
October 11, 2006 8:51 AM | Link to this
I’m so tired of this eternal Cheerleader BS. If you team gets whooped they got whooped - deal with it!
You know the same crowd that cries about being too “harsh” and local citizens and sports teams is the same crowd that despise everything “PC”, touts personal responsibility, etc. etc.
Look at how the NY media bashed the yankees, A-Rod, and Torrey. Look at how the AJC handles Cox - with friggin kid gloves. That’s why the Braves managed one world series and the Yankees FIVE.
Up North, we don’t cheerlead failures, and say “aw, shucks - I know we’ll get em next year.” We place HIGH expectations and sports teams and SCHOOLING. Unlike Sonny who lauds about Georgia moving up in SAT scores when there was no actual improvement - just the fact that a few states manged to do worse!
This feel-good mentality is a smokescreen that weakens the fabric of our society and is killing our country.
By Craig
October 11, 2006 9:30 AM | Link to this
Well Governor, what headline would you give this? Would you rather a paper kiss up and sugar coat a beating? I guess the Rodney King headline would be “LAPD Gets Up Close and Personal With Local”? Give me a break. It’s a free press. No one asked you to keep reading that paper either. If you are so bothered by this, why not use that campaign war chest and buy up the paper and have it print everything you want it to print?
By Louann
October 11, 2006 9:44 AM | Link to this
I was interested in the Buck & Kincaid interview until Buck decided to make it a political support statement. That’s probably why I find myself listening to the 2 Live Stews more and more. Kincaid was trying to make some valid points esp about how it sounds like a personal issue with Perdue. BTW, what’s the latest on the flag vote? Didn’t Sonny make a promise to get himself elected?
By Jarrod
October 11, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this
HEY YA’ALL - Why is it the Press can never nail politicians to the wall for what they have done and say without it being touted as something personal or partisan? I think this was a great interview - Sonny insulted the state of Philadelphia. Did you get that?
It would be great to see more of this kind of interview with the media and elected officials. THEY NEVER GET HELD ACCOUNTABLE -
I AM SICK OF THE SPINS - AMERICAN PEOPLE get a clue about spinning and find sites and info and news that is about the facts and not about the spin. No spin zone my a* - fair and balanced - been proven not to be even close - liberal media a myth purported by the right so many years, ya ll believe the spin. Do the research, find the facts - we are still supposed to be free to dissent with government - that’s what makes us different than dictatorships. We have the right and freedom to say we disagree with our government without retribution, without imprisonment, without a doubt. Or we used to before this President and this administration.
By Huh
October 11, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
Who is the Governor of the State of Philadelphia?
By Bo
October 11, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this
Chris, you don’t know what your talking about. Check out the facts about the tax which you could use if you had the brain or money. Sonny did what anyone would do and what anyone can do. Check out the Big Boy and his father’s land deals. The Governor don’t make the laws.