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Friday, January 4, 2008
A case for history repeating itself
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In early 1992, Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton couldn’t find a victory in Iowa or New Hampshire.
Fortunately, his political advisor was James Carville, who had seen Zell Miller into the Georgia governor’s office two years earlier. The state’s primary was conveniently moved a week ahead of Super Tuesday.
Bill Clinton won Georgia, then claimed frontrunner status the next week as “the comeback kid.”
If Hillary Clinton performs poorly in New Hampshire next week, Georgia — not South Carolina — could become the place where a Clinton again must rescue herself.
Her people understand this. See below the list of Georgia supporters the Clinton campaign put out this morning.
Obama’s people are also familiar with the Clinton track record in Georgia, and are preparing accordingly.
We’ve just found out they’re negotiating leases on seven more offices statewide — in Savannah, Augusta, Athens, Macon, Albany, Columbus and Decatur. The Obama office in Atlanta has been operating since this fall.
Clinton’s Atlanta office just opened.
Jones: In the Senate race to the end
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones said he’s in the 2008 U.S. Senate race to stay and has absolutely no plans to run for the House against fellow Democrat Rep. Hank Johnson, the freshman congressman.
“I have - or had - no intention of running for the United States Congress,” Jones told us a few minutes ago.
“Let me be clear,” he said, “Hank Johnson, in my opinion, is doing a fine job as the representative of the [Fourth] District so far. … I consider him a friend.”
It was Jones’ first public comment on rumors that have been circulating for weeks that he was about to drop out of his race against incumbent Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss and challenge Johnson instead.
Jones said the rumors may have been fueled by Republicans or by DeKalb County Democrats who have been bashing Johnson for siding with a Republican in the fight over a seat on the Democratically dominated county commission.
“There are folks who probably believe I can win this race and they probably want me to get out of it,” Jones said.
Jones’ run against Chambliss has been portrayed as a long shot, even by fellow Democrats, while Johnson’s House seat looks much more winnable.
But Jones insists that the public’s desire for real change in Washington coupled with his right-of-center proposals on immigration and budget matters will win over the red state’s voters.
“I saw this coming a while back,” he said. “This country wants to go in a different direction.”
UPDATE: Just after we talked to Jones, we received a statement from Johnson, offering his first public utterance about the rumors of a Johnson-Jones showdown.
Here’s what Johnson had to say:
“Vernon is serious about his Senate bid and I am confident that he will perform admirably. I serve on one of his fundraising committees, I appreciate his continued support, and I look forward to working with him in Washington.”
And so, another really good political rumor bites the dust. But don’t fret. Election day is 11 months away, plenty of time for a few more.
Clinton campaign rolls out its Georgia list of supporters
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If your campaign has lost its inevitability cloak, and the other guy has picked it up, what do you do as the campaign heads South?
If you’re Hillary Clinton, you roll out your network of support. Fast.
The Clinton campaign just put out a list of 125 Democratic heavyweights in Georgia who have signed on.
From Hank Aaron — not a surprise since brother-in-law U.S. Rep. David Scott had already endorsed her — to younger African-Americans like state Rep. Billy Mitchell of Stone Mountain and Kwanza Hall, the Atlanta city council member.
Andrew Young does not appear on the list, but his brother Walter does. Some prominent names in Atlanta’s gay and lesbian community are also included. See the entire list on the jump.
NEWLY-ANNOUNCED MEMBERS OF HILLARY’S GEORGIA LEADERSHIP:
Hank & Billie Aaron, Baseball Hall of Fame Recipient and Automobile Dealer; Atlanta
Modupe Aina Akinpelu, Community Activist; Decatur
Donna Aker, Community Activist; Loganville
Elaine Alexander, Community Activist; Atlanta
Banke Ayedun, Community Activist; Augusta
Lisa Baker, Chief of Staff for the Atlanta City Council; Atlanta
Dewana Ball; IT Consultant; Lithonia
Vivian Creighton Bishop, Chair of Congressional Spouses; Cairo
Danielle Blackwell, Community Activist; Cairo
Ken Britt, Attorney; Atlanta
Ruth Bullard, Retired Community Activist; Cumming
Dr. Constance Burkes, Educator; Albany
Shirley Chancey, Community Activist; Atlanta
Luanne Clarke, Attorney; Atlanta
Dr. Bill Cleveland, Nephrologist; Atlanta
Hon. Terry Coleman, Former Speaker of the House; Easton
Michael & Donna Coles, Democratic Activists; Atlanta
Miranda Compton, Community Activist; Athens
Dr. Larry Cooper, Retired Surgeon; Atlanta
Beth Cope, Media Relations Consultant; Atlanta
Donna Cummins, Community Activist; Decatur
Samara Cummins, Community Activist; Decatur
Anne Darby, Community Activist; Athens
Stephanie Davis, Event Planner; Atlanta
Deborah DeMarchis, Nurse; Savannah
Lawrie Demorest, Attorney; Decatur
Terence Dicks, Democratic Activist; Augusta
Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., Former President, 100 Black Men; Atlanta
Linda Edmonds, Democratic Activist; Decatur
Dr. Chris Edwards, Surgeon; Atlanta
Susan Evans, Community Activist; Hampton
Hon. Anne Fauver, Atlanta City Council Member; Atlanta
Lisa Favors, IT Specialist; Atlanta
Hon. Henry Ficklin, Former Macon City Council Member, Macon
Mischelle Fortson, Community Activist; Fortson
Will Fowlkes, Communications/IT Manager; Marietta
Brenda Foye Cornelius, Public Affairs Consultant; Decatur
Hon. Pat Gardner, State Representative; Atlanta
Gordon Giffin, Former United States Ambassador, Attorney; Atlanta
Melanie Goux, Graphic Designer; Atlanta
Gloria Greenbaum, Democratic Activist; Augusta
Dorothea Dawkins-Haigler, Pastor; Lithonia
Dr. Alda Underwood Hall, Dentist; Stone Mountain
Gunner Hall, Media Consultant; Savannah
Hon. Kwanza Hall, Atlanta City Council Member; Atlanta
Beth Stone Hand, Mediator; Cumming
Judy Hanenkrat, Event Planner; Atlanta
Carlotta Harrell, Democratic Activist; Jonesboro
Debbie Hatmaker, Community Activist; Bishop
Lisa Hawkins, Attorney; Atlanta
Gail Hicklin, Community Activist; Jonesboro
Darryl Hicks, Chief of Staff/County Commission Chair; Fayetteville
Hon. Betty Hill, Former County Commission Chair; Sparta
Hon. Carolyn Hughley, State Representative; Columbus
Betty H. Hunt, Community Activist; Moultrie
Lindsey Hunt, Community Activist; Atlanta
Hon. Edna Jackson, Savannah Mayor Pro-Tem; Savannah
Valerie Jackson, Former First Lady of Atlanta and Radio Personality; Atlanta
Hon. Carol Jackson, Former State Senator; Cleveland
Brooke Jackson Edmond, Atlanta Entrepreneur; Daughter of Former Mayor
Carol Jackson, Former Banker; Atlanta
Pamela Jackson, Community Activist; Albany
Stacii Johnson, Businesswoman; Atlanta
Coco Johnson, Event Planner; Atlanta
Gordon & Judie Kenna, Democratic Activist; Atlanta
Rev. Dr. Barbara King, Pastor; Atlanta
LeAnne Lawton-Tancred, Community Activist; Powder Springs
Hon. Liane Levetan, Former CEO; Dekalb
Hon. Elaine Lucas, Macon City Council Member; Macon
Keith Mason, Attorney; Atlanta
Dyan Matthews, Chief of Staff County Commission; College Park
Dr. Calvin & Sarita McLarin, Community Activists; Atlanta
Jeffrey Meeks, Democratic Activist; Lithonia
Hon. Billy Mitchell, State Representative; Stone Mountain
Barbara Mitchell, Community Activist; Albany
Gloria Moore, Community Activist; Atlanta
Nancy Moynihan, Community Activist; Atlanta
Linda Muir, Attorney; Atlanta
Joan Neal, Community Activist; Fayetteville
Claude Nogess, Democratic Activist; Snellville
Rachelle O’Neil, Community Activist; Atlanta
Hon. Mary Margaret Oliver, State Representative; Decatur
Erin O’Neil, Graduate Student/Activist; Atlanta
Susan Pennington, Community Activist; Atlanta
Brian Poe, Attorney; College Park
Rhonda Prather, Community Activist; Smyrna
Tina Ann Price, Community Activist; Atlanta
Terri Provancher, Community Activist; Rossville
Pat Pullar, Democratic Activist; Ellenwood
Anna Purcella-Doll, Teacher; Cumming
Hon. Nikki Randall, State Representative; Macon
Aayesha Reese, Community Activist; Lithonia
Helen Richter, Nurse; Atlanta
Loretta Ross, Community Activist; Atlanta
Paul Rosser, Retired Military, Retired Architect; Atlanta
Herman J. Russell, Sr., Developer; Atlanta
Dr. Donya L. Sartor, Educator; Jonesboro
Michelle Schurig, Community Activist; Atlanta
Janet Seelen, Community Activist; Hawkinsville
Temi Silver, Democratic Activist; Atlanta
Paige Colwell Swartz, Community Activist; Blairsville
Daisy Taste, Community Activist; Atlanta
Mary Rose Taylor, Community Activist; Atlanta
Carol Thompson, Community Activist; Warner Robins
Terrez Thompson, Corporate Executive; Atlanta
Allen Thornell , Media Consultant; Decatur
Suzie Tindall, Retired Physician; Decatur
Angela Trigg, Website Developer; Atlanta
Lila Vaughn, President, 100 Black Women; Atlanta
Sonny Walker, Former President, 100 Black Men; Atlanta
Angela Walton, Democratic Activist; Atlanta
Charmaine Ward, Corporate Executive; Atlanta
Sandra Ward, Judge; Atlanta
Hon. Coach Williams, State Representative; Stone Mountain
Franklin Williams, Real Estate Management; Augusta
Keath Williams, Community Activist; Stone Mountain
Rev. Jasper Williams, Pastor; Atlanta
Cheryl Williams, Democratic Activist; Duluth
Keith Wilson, Political Consultant; Atlanta
Hon. Cathy Woolard, Former Atlanta City Council President; Decatur
Carolyn Young, Community Activist; Atlanta
Dr. Walter Young, Dentist; Atlanta
Joe Stauffer, Teacher, Jasper
This Giuliani ad gives you a glimpse of what’s to come
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you watched Fox News as the Iowa results came in, you might have caught a glimpse of what’s headed Georgia’s way in the month-long run-up to its presidential primary.
The Rudy Giuliani campaign put up this ad, the second to hit the state as part of a national cable buy, according to Giuliani spokesman Elliott Bundy.
It’s intended to scare the bejeezus out of you — but it’s very topical, incorporating the Bhutto assassination. (Hat tip to Peach Pundit.)
Tidbits from around the Capitol
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just a few snippets to keep you ahead of the traditional news cycle:
— Phil Kent, spokesman for Americans for Immigration Control, points us to a Rasmussen poll that shows Republican use of immigration as the issue that kept them from losing even more ground to Democrats in 2007.
Which is why he’s predicting that the coming session of the Legislature will see the return of a bill by state Sen. John Wiles (R-Kennesaw) to toughen penalties for driving with out a license. The measure was vetoed by Gov. Sonny Perdue last year.
Also, Kent predicts a bill barring municipalities from establishing themselves as “sanctuary cities.” Not that this is an issue in Georgia. But it has become part of the debate in the Republican presidential contest.
— Secretary of State Karen Handel will be in the audience next Wednesday when the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments over an Indiana law requiring voters to present a photo ID at the polls.
The Indiana statute is very much like Georgia’s. Last month, Handel filed an amicus brief in support of it.
— On Sunday, state Court of Appeals Judge Charlie Mikell heads to MD Anderson Clinic in Houston, Texas for treatment of multiple myeloma. The cancer had been in remission.
Mikell announced his re-election campaign two months ago. “Through the wonders of modern communications and the support of my colleagues,” the judge said he’d be able to keep up with both his campaign and his judicial responsibilities.
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Because of Iowa: A bit of bragging, and hefty price increases
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A victory in Iowa gets you two things.
First is the right to crow, at least for a night. We got a late night call from Kirk Dornbush, a Barack Obama enthusiast in Atlanta, who began the conversation not with “Hello” or “Good evening” but with this pronouncement:
“Barack Obama is the Ronald Reagan of the Democratic party.”
We’ll let you debate that one.
The second result of an Iowa win is rampant inflation.
Within minutes of being announced the winner of the Iowa caucuses by CNN, the Georgia chapter of the Mike Huckabee issued a communication reminding the world that Huckabee would be in Atlanta on Jan. 22 for participate in an anti-abortion rally and parade.
We already knew that. But added to the schedule is a 7:15 a.m. fund-raiser — yes, that time is correct — that will run to $1,000 a head. A photo with Huckabee will cost you $2,300.
Only three months ago, $50 would have gotten you into any Huckabee event, plus a free car wash from the candidate.
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