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Friday, February 29, 2008
Chapman has a defender on the Jekyll Island Authority
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You know that on Thursday, the Senate Economic Development Committee killed three bills sponsored by state Sen. Jeff Chapman (R-Brunswick) intended to upend current redevelopment plans for Jekyll Island.
In the process, two members of the Jekyll Island Authority — chairman Ben Porter and board member Steve Croy — accused the senator of using lies to make his case. See the details here.
This afternoon, we got this note from Ed Boshears, a third member of the Jekyll Island Authority, indicating some sharp division among members of that board:
“I want to make it clear that I have not accused Sen. Chapman of lying and I do not think he is lying.
“There is a difference of opinion about the interpretation of certain figures concerning Jekyll. Chapman may or may not be right in what he is saying. If Porter and Croy want to make shrill, hysterical accusations that Chapman is lying, then they need to provide proof and the only way to do that is to have an outside independent agency do an evaluation of the figures.
“We are taught as attorneys never to accuse anybody of lying unless you are prepared to prove it. Porter and Croy cannot prove that he is lying and they know it.
“As the dean of my law school used to say, ‘Figures don’t lie but liars can figure.’ I did not learn how true that maxim is until I got on the Jekyll Authority Board. Porter and Croy’s statements are grossly irresponsible and I do not want anybody to think that I agree with or condone their behavior.”
Look who’s not sponsoring McCain’s ATM stop in Buckhead
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Republican presumptive nominee John McCain comes to town on March 6 for a $1,000-a-head Buckhead fund-raiser. Here’s the invitation, and here’s the detailed article.
It’s worth noting which GOP members of Congress are not on the list of hosts.
So far as we know, U.S. Rep. John Linder’s the only one absent who has a decent excuse. His candidate’s still in the race.
DOT to ax 150 road projects next week
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’re picking up word that the state Department of Transportation, in an effort to reconcile the reality of funding with an overpromised list of projects, is preparing to issue stop-work orders on 150 current road projects contained within 70 contracts.
Which projects, we don’t know. Letters are to go out next week. About half of the 35 contracts could be renegotiated, but the others will be dropped entirely.
We’re told to anticipate a drop in annual funding for the Fast Forward program — Gov. Sonny Perdue’s top-shelf transportation program — from $2.7 billion to $1.1 billion.
Since roads are a big part of politics, the cuts are likely to spur legislative efforts to come up with more cash to relieve traffic congestion in metro Atlanta and elsewhere. Both the House and Senate are mulling over different approaches that involve a 1 percent sales tax.
Shortly after taking the job of DOT commissioner last year, Gena Abraham said her initial investigations found that her inherited staff couldn’t tell her how many projects the agency had. She also confirmed that the department needed $7 billion more over six years to cope with commitments it had made.
Obama without a lapel pin is unpatriotic, but Kingston without one is a fashion statement
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A cardinal rule of politics: When attacking your opponent for failing to wrap himself in the flag, first make sure the banner in question is fastened securely around your own shoulders.
U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Savannah) caused a stir last week when he questioned the patriotism of Obamas on “Real Time with Bill Maher” on HBO — Michelle for her statement about pride, and Barack for his supposed refusal to say the Pledge of Allegiance and wear an American flag lapel pin.
Kingston has dropped the Pledge of Allegiance accusation. But he was on MSNBC’s “Live with Dan Abrams” on Thursday, hammering on that lapel pin.
Said Kingston: “Everybody wears ‘em, from a mayor to a county commissioner to members of Congress to the president. And it’s curious that suddenly there’s a guy who doesn’t want to do it….”
Abrams: “Congressman, first let me ask you, you’re not wearing a lapel pin, are you?”
Kingston: “I will wear one and I have worn one. But I’m not making a statement about it.”
Abrams: “But you see my point? I had no idea you were going to show up without a lapel pin, but it seems kind of absurd that you’re saying that Barack Obama’s patriotism should be questioned because he’s not wearing a lapel pin, and then you come on the show not wearing one.”
Kingston: “Well, Dan, I don’t follow that at all. I’m saying I will be glad to wear one. I have worn one and I do wear one. But Barack Obama says he won’t wear one. That’s a completely different thing.”
The Savannah congressman declared that his comments shouldn’t be characterized as attacks. They were just “a little banter back and forth.”
Hat tip to aTypical Joe for this one.
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