Home > Political Insider > Archives > 2008 > July > 17
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Martin jumps gun on Lanier release
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just before 12:30 p.m. today we reported that Josh Lanier, who finished fifth in Tuesday’s U.S. Senate primary, had decided not to endorse either candidate still seeking the Democratic nomination.
So imagine our surprise when, at 3:25 p.m., an e-mail popped into the Insider account from the Martin campaign crowing about the “UNANIMOUS ENDORSEMENT OF U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE JIM MARTIN BY FORMER OPPONENTS.”
Lanier was surprised, too, as his position hasn’t changed.
“This is nothing more than a tiny campaign snafu,” Lanier said. “It was an honest mistake.”
Martin, who finished second in the primary, is battling DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones, who led all challengers Tuesday, in the Aug. 5 runoff. Martin has picked up the endorsement of former WSB reporter Dale Cardwell, who finished third, and Atlanta businessman Rand Knight, who finished second.
Ellery Gould, who is managing Martin’s campaign, seconded Lanier’s statement about the overly optimistic press release.
“We were a little early pulling the trigger on the Lanier thing,” Gould said. “It was a sort of a miscommunication. Josh came to our election-night party and I had a great, supportive conversation with him.
“We’re going to keep pursuing Josh and we think he’s an important part of a unified effort.”
Lanier said earlier Thursday that he would support either Martin or Jones in the general election against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss.
—Aaron Gould Sheinin
Jim Galloway is out of town, but will return soon. If you’ve got news, pop an e-mail to our political team: editor Susan Abramson at sabramson@ajc.com; staffers Aaron Sheinin at asheinin@ajc.com; James Salzer at jsalzer@ajc.com; and Ben Smith at bsmith@ajc.com.
Permalink | Comments (47) | Post your comment |
Perdue expects more need for state services, end to major tax cut consideration
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Despite the down-tick in the economy, Gov. Sonny Perdue said that the folks who work in food stamps and public health programs haven’t seen an uptick in the number of people needing services.
But he’s expecting that to change. Traditionally, food stamps, Medicaid and other programs to help the poor see an increase in the number of people needing help during a recession. Also colleges and technical schools usually get an enrollment boost because jobs are harder to find, so teens and the 20-something set stay in school. Perdue also expects the shaky state of the budget - with spending cuts likely unless the economy turns around soon - to squelch talk of a major tax reform or tax cut next year.
The original plan proposed by House Speaker Glenn Richardson last year - swapping property taxes for an enhanced state sales tax - might have been a fiscal disaster this year if it had been in place, according to critics of the plan.
Sales tax collections were down 8.6 percent during the final quarter of fiscal 2008 compared with the same period in 2007. Sales taxes are currently the second most important source of revenue for the state, just below income taxes. With the economy slowing, sales have fallen faster than income.
That is exactly the scenario that critics of Richardson’s plan warned of.
—James Salzer
Jim Galloway is out of town, but will return soon. If you’ve got news, pop an e-mail to our political team: editor Susan Abramson at sabramson@ajc.com; staffers Aaron Sheinin at asheinin@ajc.com; James Salzer at jsalzer@ajc.com; and Ben Smith at bsmith@ajc.com.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment |
Lanier won’t endorse; will back nominee
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Josh Lanier finished fifth in Tuesday’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary and said Thursday he isn’t inclined to endorse one of the two still gunning for the Aug. 5 runoff.
Lanier, a retired businessman and former Senate staffer, said he has spoken with both Vernon Jones, the DeKalb County CEO who finished first, and former state lawmaker Jim Martin, the runner-up.
“I’m standing by to be of help to whoever the Democratic nominee is,” Lanier said. “It doesn’t have any reflection on either of the guys.”
Lanier ended up with about 4 percent of the vote. Former WSB reporter Dale Cardwell, who finished third, and Atlanta businessman Rand Knight, was was fourth, have both endorsed Martin.
But Lanier is pragmatic and realizes his 4 percent isn’t likely “to make a big difference” in terms of an endorsement.
But Lanier also said he has issues he’d like to see addressed in the runoff and beyond
“I still hope to be supporting a Democrat who supports campaign reform and will be nudging Jim and Vernon on that,” Lanier said.
—Aaron Gould Sheinin
Jim Galloway is out of town, but will return soon. If you’ve got news, pop an e-mail to our political team: editor Susan Abramson at sabramson@ajc.com; staffers Aaron Sheinin at asheinin@ajc.com; James Salzer at jsalzer@ajc.com; and Ben Smith at bsmith@ajc.com.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment |
Martin picks up another endorsement
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jim Martin has picked up the endorsement of another former challenger.
Rand Knight, who finished fourth in Tuesday’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary, told the AJC on Thursday that he is endorsing Martin in the Aug. 5 runoff.
Martin, a former state lawmaker, finished second to DeKalb County CEO in Tuesday’s primary. Former WSB reporter Dale Cardwell, who finished third Tuesday, endorsed Martin on Wednesday.
There has been no word yet as to the intentions of retired businessman Josh Lanier, who finished fifth Tuesday. Lanier has not returned telephone calls seeking comment.
Jones drew about 40 percent of Tuesday’s vote, to 34 percent for Martin. Cardwell received 16 percent, Knight 5 and Lanier 4.
—Aaron Gould Sheinin
Jim Galloway is out of town, but will return soon. If you’ve got news, pop an e-mail to our political team: editor Susan Abramson at sabramson@ajc.com; staffers Aaron Sheinin at asheinin@ajc.com; James Salzer at jsalzer@ajc.com; and Ben Smith at bsmith@ajc.com.
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment |
A passing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Regular readers of the Political Insider have most likely taken notice of Jim Galloway’s absence.
Jim was on vacation for a few weeks and was back most of last week. But he then got word that his mother had suffered a stroke and a heart attack. Imogene Galloway, 80, died Wednesday.
Jim is with his family in Oklahoma. He expects to be back at work Monday.
—Aaron Gould Sheinin
