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DEL.ICIO.USMystery solved. Next, we’ll take ‘Presidential Campaigns’ for $200, Alex.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There are times in politics in which the cart overtakes the horse, when the response outruns the precipitating event.
Kind of like on “Jeopardy.”
The morning in-box contained an unexplained burst from Tim Echols, who helped U.S. Rep. Paul Broun of Athens win his seat in July.
The message was devoted to Barry Fleming of Augusta, the state House Minority Whip who has decided to challenge Broun in the GOP primary next July. Echols wrote:
If Mr. Fleming becomes a competitive candidate, the financial component of his viability will come at the expense of Republican challengers seeking to oust vulnerable Democrats. Mr. Fleming’s quest against Republican Congressman Paul Broun will divert precious resources from Republican candidates for Congress in Georgia’s 8th and 12th Districts.
If Democrats Jim Marshall (CD 8) and John Barrow (CD 12) are re-elected, they and Nancy Pelosi will surely want to send a “thank you” note to Barry Fleming.
On the state level, Mr. Fleming’s candidacy, supported by Georgia House Republican leaders in Atlanta, will signal that it is open season in GOP primaries against incumbent Republican state legislators. How odd that the Georgia House GOP Whip would set the precedent that may result in the defeat of some of his colleagues.
Abandoning his leadership post in the Georgia House will also cost the Metro Augusta area.
Of course, ambition is not the friend of reason.”
So what was that all about? Turns out that The Politico had a piece Monday looking at the coming campaign for the 10th District:
“The state legislative establishment is totally behind Fleming,” said Matt Towery, CEO of InsiderAdvantage, which polls races in Georgia. “He’s already considered the presumed congressman throughout the state.”
After announcing his campaign in September, Fleming raised $270,000 in two weeks. His early cash haul has already given him a sizable cash-on-hand advantage against Broun, who reported $35,000 in his campaign account at the end of September.
Broun hasn’t yet received any contributions from other Republicans in the GOP delegation, who may remain neutral.
“Money is what everyone judges you on, and he may have missed an opportunity to look like a serious candidate, but I don’t think that [opportunity is] lost,” said one Georgia-based GOP consultant.
Broun said he is just beginning to put together a fundraising team and has been busy organizing and staffing his offices and establishing constituent services.
Comments
By Holly
November 21, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
Hm. I wonder if Matt Towery really found people to say that, or if that’s just his personal opinion?
I think Barry would be surprised to find anyone calling him the “presumed Congessman.” After talking to him, he sounds like he’s prepared for a tough fight and doesn’t seem to be taking anything for granted.
I find Mr. Towery’s comments more than a little presumptuous.
By Tim
November 21, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
It sounds like Rep. Broun ought to be meeting with lots of people and asking for money!