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DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia’s Republican delegation lines up behind Broun
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You may be witnessing the first repercussion of the folly that was the 2008 session of the General Assembly.
This morning, the campaign for U.S. Rep. Paul Broun (R-Athens) put out a note announcing that Georgia’s six other Republican congressmen have endorsed Broun over his primary challenger, state Rep. Barry Fleming of Harlem.
Those U.S. House members would be Nathan Deal, Phil Gingrey, Jack Kingston, John Linder, Tom Price, and Lynn Westmoreland.
The Georgia half-dozen named themselves as hosts of a Tuesday fund-raising event for Broun in Washington. Some of them even showed up.
This is a second piece of good news for Broun, whose political career hangs on the thread of his surprise victory last summer in the special election to replace the late Charlie Norwood of Augusta.
Last week, state Sen. Nancy Schaefer (R-Turnerville) withdrew from the 10th District primary, citing her husband’s health.
But the endorsement of Broun by Georgia’s congressional delegation is far more significant.
Tim Echols, a spokesman for Broun, attempted to characterize the support as a case of the GOP establishment lining up against Glenn Richardson, who is quickly becoming known as the Wild Man From Paulding County. Fleming is the House majority whip, and a part of Richardson’s leadership team.
“In the run-up this campaign, Mr. Fleming has relied on his mentor, the very controversial speaker of the Georgia House, who is known for stinging attacks on fellow Republicans - particularly Governor [Sonny] Perdue and Lt. Gov. [Casey] Cagle,” Echols said. “So it is a contrast to see how Congressman Broun works so closely with his fellow Georgia Republicans and enjoys their trust.”
The Fleming campaign noted that, last year, Broun was running against Georgia’s Republican hierarchy, which had endorsed Jim Whitehead of Augusta.
“Paul Broun has worked very hard to become part of the establishment of Washington D.C., and Tuesday he was enshrined at the Capitol Hill Club,” said campaign manager Cam Kirbo. He accused Broun of “seeking cover behind the backs of his colleagues.”
To say that the congressional endorsement of Broun is a slap at Richardson probably goes too far. For one thing, the six can lean on Washington comraderie as an excuse. To support someone you work with is no crime.
A spokesman for Kingston noted that his boss is originally from Athens, and knows Broun well. “There’s definitely a relationship there,” said Chris Crawford.
But the fact that the congressmen are lending their support without apparent regard for Richardson’s clout remains significant. The House speaker — if he survives until 2011 — will have a large say in redrawing new congressional district lines after the next census.
Nor is it unimportant that Broun’s supporters now include Westmoreland. The Coweta County congressman is the former state House minority leader. He and Richardson — not to mention Fleming — share the same political base.
The other thought to keep in mind is the precarious position that Republicans in the U.S. House could find themselves in this November.
One Democrat, Bobby Saxon, has already announced for the east Georgia seat.
The backing of Broun by his Georgia colleagues could be a byproduct of GOP strategery in Washington — the belief that the (i) next to Broun’s name may be a safer bet than sweeping the deck clean and starting fresh.
Broun’s chief problem remains financial. According to just-released campaign finance disclosures, the Republican incumbent has $116,396 in cash on hand, but a debt of $198,579 left from his 2007 race. He’s loaned himself a total of $209,000.
Tuesday’s fund-raiser was aimed at tamping down Broun’s debt.
Fleming, despite his status as a challenger, is in a far better position, reporting $595,513 in cash on hand, and no debt.
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