Political Insider

“I believe Chambliss was espousing the company line in an effort to discredit and blunt Mr. Graham’s testimony,” the attorney, Philip Hilder, said Wednesday.

Chambliss denied that, saying he spoke on behalf of the families of the 13 people killed as a result of the Feb. 7 explosions and fire at the Port Wentworth refinery……

Hilder said he thinks Imperial suggested questions for Chambliss to ask Graham and accused the senator of a “cheap shot” against his client.

“He’s more interested in discrediting Mr. Graham than discovering the facts, and I think he’s the one who’s being insincere,” Hilder said.

Chambliss rejected Hilder’s claims.

“I ask my own questions,” the senator said. “That’s what lawyers are paid to say.”

But half of McCain’s cash, $220,613, has gone to three people, all of whom are fundraising consultants.

In the most recent financial disclosure reports released last week, McCain lists 13 Georgia-related expenses for June, which total $46,723.

Almost all of the payments were related to a Savannah campaign stop in May. McCain hasn’t hired any full-time field staff in Georgia and he’s not running any commercials on television there.

Obama listed 22 Georgia payments in his June financial disclosure form totaling $11,503. Of them, 13 were staff payroll costs. Since June 20, he’s aired $1.6 million in positive, biographical advertisements on Georgia stations, according to Evan Tracey, founder of the Campaign Media Analysis Group.

“We believe Jim Martin, candidate for the U.S. Senate, and consistent Democrat, meets that standard, and shares that vision. We cannot afford to send to the Senate a zig-zag, so-called conservative Bush supporter who by his own admission, not only voted for Bush one time, but after having an opportunity to review his leadership for a quadrennium, voted for him a second time.

“We believe that Jim Martin brings a consistency. He readily pledged to support whoever the party nominates for Senate, while his opponent was hesitant. Reticent. Which is characteristic of his zig-zag, inconsistent, so-called conservative, Bush look-alike, be-alike, wannabe position and posture.

Earlier this month, sources said that Broun’s MRA was so low that the lawmaker would have to cut staff. At the time, Broun’s office said it was unaware of any possible cuts…..

Jeff Ventura, a spokesman for the House Chief Administrative Officer, said, “Although we have seen MRAs dip this low before, what makes this situation unique is that it went so low so early in the calendar year.”

What upsets Goldman is the way John McCain treated ultimate fighting.

Yes, ultimate fighting—that no-holds-barred hybrid of boxing, wrestling, and martial arts immortalized in the hit movie Fight Club. Ultimate fighting sprang up in the early 1990s with a flurry of neck chops, spleen blows, and roundhouses to the face.

According to the latest report with the Federal Election Commission, Barr’s campaign had just $69,000 cash on hand at the end of June, and he raised just under $200,000 last month.

Verney, who managed Ross Perot’s 1992 and 1996 presidential campaigns, wrote that Barr’s candidacy also presents a unique opportunity.

“All you have to do is just fly into Atlanta, and you see subdivision after subdivision that’s undeveloped or partially developed.

“I’ve heard from not just contractors, but from carpenters and plumbers and air-conditioning people. They’re just out of work. They’re just sitting and waiting for this market to turn. And I just think that we as policy-makers have an obligation to try and do what we can do to help make the market turn.

In a speech to 150 on the University of Georgia campus, Nader accused Obama, poised to be the first black presidential nominee of a major party, binding himself with ties to major U.S. corporations.

“I don’t want him to talk black. I want him to talk justice,” the 74-year-old independent presidential candidate said. “What’s the point of this country being on the verge of electing an African-American president , after all these years — and then have it mean nothing?

“Now they’re bypassing, undermining parental authority in the most insidious ways, selling junk food, junk drink — huge expansion of childhood obesity, diabetes, hypertension — and junk programming. Violent, vicious, sadistic programming that they’re now involving youngsters [in] through interactive video.

“The most vicious type of exploitation of children, for profit, by these corporations, whose heads get invited to the White House, for White House dinners. These are electronic child molestors.

“And we let them get away with it? Undermining parental authority, turning these kids into nags? That’s what advertising does….

“Where’s their shame? What have they done to us? We’ve become Pavlovian specimens, starting at age 3, 6, 10, 12. Looking at screens. It’s now 60 hours a week, pre-teens and teenagers are looking at screens. Television, Internet, inter — you know, computer screens — and the video games.

“What does that do to attention spans? Socialization?

“It was unfortunate. I had not had any conversation with either of the candidates - either of the three candidates - in there regarding any kind of endorsements, and some people felt I had chosen sides and it was not the case and it’s not the case today,” he said.

“Mr. Broun continued to bash the Democrats the whole time — in practically every one of his pieces back there….

“He has continuously voted against programs or funding for things that would benefit people in this district, such as the SCHIP, the PeachCare program, funding for the Phil Campbell Ag Center, and funding for veterans.

Nader: No. Georgia’s one of the worst obstructive states in the country, as some litigation in Georgia has tried to point out from time to time.

Insider: If you’re not going to be on the ballot, what’s the purpose of the Athens meeting?

Nader: The write-in. It is a fund-raiser, actually. There are actually only two states that say write-ins are not counted at all. That’s Oklahoma and Oregon.

For him, nuclear power is still on the table — which is very insensitive, given that some of his major backers are nuclear power executives in Chicago.

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The trials and tribulations of Clayton County

Thursday, July 24, 2008, 07:00 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thomas Wheatley of Creative Loafing has an extensive look at Clayton County’s troubled transition from majority-white rule to majority black.

Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell, the former Atlanta police chief, figures prominently into a piece that focuses on the problem posed by those seeking a quick route to power.

Here’s a tidbit:

“We came out of an era as separate but unequal, creating greed among ourselves,” Bell says. He references the fact that Africans once sold rival tribesmen into slavery. “Remember who sold who into slavery. We are no different now than we were then, just a bit more sophisticated. Isn’t it ironic amongst our own community, [people] came out and said, ‘They got theirs, and now I want mine.’ And they want it without the effort that goes with it.”

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‘Wall Street got drunk,’ says Bush — at a private fund-raiser, much like the one in Atlanta

Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 04:52 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Last Friday, President Bush was at a private fund-raiser in Houston to benefit a Republican challenger against U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson, a Democrat.

The circumstances were very much like Bush’s visit to Atlanta on Tuesday. The press was barred. Video cameras were ordered turned off.

But someone pushed the button on the video function of a mobile phone, then posted the results on YouTube.

Said Bush:

“There’s no question about it. Wall Street got drunk. That’s one of the reasons I asked you to turn off the TV cameras. It got drunk and now it’s got a hangover. The question is, how long will it sober up and not try to do all these fancy financial instruments?”

On Wednesday, a day after the president’s in-an-out trip to Atlanta, White House press secretary Dana Perino was asked if a pool reporter might be allowed to listen to what the president says in such circumstances, or whether the White House might provide a transcript.

According to The Hill newspaper:

Perino noted that she inherited that policy, and she said she does not expect it to change.

Perino said all public figures have to be “guarded” in their remarks in the era of YouTube and other technological advances, and it’s important that the president be afforded opportunities, including off-the-record talks with reporters, where he can speak candidly.

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Kudzu Vine lands a Senate debate between Jones, Martin

Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 04:14 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia politics is about to advance one step deeper into the Internet.

David McLaughlin, host of the Kudzu Vine, said he’s landed the two remaining Democrats in the U.S. Senate race for a 7 p.m. Sunday forum — the first high-profile debate that I know of to be conducted wholly on the Internet.

This is where you’ll need to click to listen in.

The Democratic-oriented Kudzu Vine operates via the platform offered by www.blogtalkradio.com. Participants will be sitting at home — or wherever they choose to be — while McLaughlin directs the program from his computer in Rome.

Vernon Jones and Jim Martin, the two surviving Democrats, won’t confront each other. But a panel that includes McLaughlin and former Democratic candidate Josh Lanier will pose questions.

Kudzu Vine has already made an impact in the Senate race. This is the site where, one year ago, Jones acknowledged that he had voted twice for George W. Bush — which Martin has highlighted in his campaign.

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Broun burns through much of his yearly congressional budget

Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 01:58 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

U.S. Rep. Paul Broun lives a charmed life. Only after his thumping of Barry Fleming in the Republican party does Roll Call, the D.C. newspaper that covers Congress, report that the Georgia rep has spent two-thirds of his office budget in the first six months.

My colleague Julia Malone in Washington has been sorting out the details. Click here to read.

Election-year franking is what caused the budget drain. Broun’s office just put out this statement:

“Congressman Broun has put a priority on communicating with constituents. Those official communications have all been done in compliance with the rules of the House and were all approved for timely distribution by the bi-partisan U.S. House of Representatives Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards.”

Broun still faces Democratic opposition — Bobby Saxon, an Iraq war vet — in his fight to retain his 10th District congressional seat. Frankly, when we called a few Washington contacts, they said that Broun’s 71 percent margin in the GOP primary would cause national Democrats to put their money elsewhere this fall.

But Broun’s not making that decision any easier for them.

Photo credit: Rick McKay/Washington bureau

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Reading other people’s mail

Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 09:12 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

New Yorker magazine has a quick piece on a fellow named Guru Raj, who four years ago — while watching the Democratic National Convention in his parents’ Norcross, Ga., basement — set up a Gmail account in the name of the “young senator from Illinois” he’d just seen on TV.

Here’s a snippet:

“I just thought it would be kind of funny to create an e-mail address based on a random senator whose name no one could spell.”

In the fall of 2006, he received, for the first time, a message intended for the Senator. By February, 2007, when Obama formally announced his candidacy, Raj was daily receiving dozens of misdirected notes from all over the world.

One more thing about the piece: It was written by Charles Bethea, who lives in New Mexico — but whose mother is Sally Bethea, executive director of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.

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Details from the fund-raising side of the Bush visit

Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 07:05 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

As stated below, reporters were barred from the $1,000-a-head fund-raiser for Rick Goddard, the retired Air Force major general, that featured President Bush.

But Goddard spokesman Tim Baker said attendees, in addition to Gov. Sonny Perdue, included Secretary of State Karen Handel, former congressman Mac Collins, state Public Service Commissioner Angela Spier, state GOP party chairman Sue Everhart, and Alec Poitevint, who heads up the presidential campaign of John McCain in Georgia.

Close to 200 purchased tickets for the fund-raiser, held at the Buckhead home of Harrison Merrill, a local developer. Baker said Bush spoke for 40 minutes, praising Goddard, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss — who is up for re-election but did not attend — and McCain.

But after shaking hands for only 10 minutes, Bush left the event 40 minutes ahead of schedule, as a line of heavy thunderstorms approached Dobbins Air Reserve Base, where Air Force One was parked.

Bush’s early exit forced the shutdown of northbound I-75 at 5:30 p.m., during the height of rush-hour traffic leaving downtown Atlanta. All told, the president spent just over 100 minutes on the ground.

Goddard, of course, is running against U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall of Macon. And Marshall’s spokesman, Douglas Moore, indicated the Democrat is likely to use the cost of the Bush visit — which Moore pegged a “hundreds of thousands of dollars” — as a campaign issue.

Baker said the Goddard campaign would write a $40,000 check to cover the cost of the Bush visit, a price that he said was grounded in federal law.

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President Bush leaves Atlanta early

Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 05:01 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Faced with a line of heavy thundershowers bearing down from Alabama, the advance team for President Bush just gave the orders for an early return to Dobbins Air Reserve Base for his trip home.

The press entourage has been piled into their vans, air-conditioners running.

By 5:55 p.m. Air Force One had lifted off.

Here’s the story so far:

President Bush arrived at Dobbins Air Reserve Base at 3:47 p.m., stepped off at 3:56 p.m.

As greeting committees for presidents go, this was relatively low grade. Top official was Cobb County Sheriff Neil Warren. Next in line was Lou Brissie of South Carolina, a former pro pitcher from the 1940s and early ‘50s. Bush spent several minutes with him.

See post below.

Bush also posed with Sherri Goggin of Athens, who founded the volunteer group Bundles of Joy, which distributes gift packages to premature babies.

A 15-car parade left the base at precisely 4 p.m., taking Delk Road to I-75, which was a ghost of its usual self, even south bound. Then to West Paces Ferry Road to the residence of Harrison Merrill, a developer who specializes in restoring landmark buildings.

Bush went to the Dumbarton Road residence of Merrill for the fund-raiser intended to benefit Republican Rick Goddard, a retired Air Force major general who is challenging U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall of Macon, a Democrat.

Efforts to contact Goddard’s spokesman on Tuesday have failed to meet with any success.

Reporters were sequestered in a nearby house and saw nothing of the event itself, nor the people who attended. A spokesman for the governor confirmed that Sonny Perdue did attend.

The journalistic benefit of this experience has thus far been limited to the thrill of a rush-hour drive down an empty I-75.

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The hands Bush will shake this afternoon

Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 11:51 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It has become a tradition, whenever any president comes to town, to allow the occupant of the White House to shake the best hands a community has to offer, in hopes that a little outside-the-Beltway virtue might rub off on the great man.

When he touches down this afternoon, President Bush will greet volunteer Sherri Goggin of Athens, who founded Bundles of Joy, which gives gift bags to children born prematurely.

Bush will also shake hands with 84-year-old Lou Brissie of North Augusta, S.C., for his work with Alpharetta-based Second Wind Dreams, a group dedicated to fulfilling the long-deferred wishes of the elderly — whether going to a first ball game or meeting a celebrity.

Interesting story about Brissie, who’s on his way to Atlanta even as this is being written.

In the early 1940s, Brissie was a rising minor-league lefty who had attracted the attention of Connie Mack and the Philadelphia Athletics. But there was school to finish, and then a war.

Brissie joined the U.S. Army in 1942. He and the 88th Infantry found themselves in Italy, two years later, where Brissie had five inches of his left leg shattered by an artillery shell. That was the end of war for Brissie, who spent the next three years recuperating.

Brissie rehabilitated himself, and three years later began a career in the majors that stretched to 1953 — first with the A’s and then with the Cleveland Indians.

On opening day in 1948, in the sixth inning against the Red Sox, Ted Williams drove a pitch into the protective plate that Brissie wore over his war wound, sending the lefty to the hospital. Legend has it that, while on the ground, Brissie said, “Dammit, Ted, pull the ball!”

“I did say that,” Brissie said over his cell phone. “But there was more.”

In July, Brissie faced Williams again. This time, Williams sent a pitch into the bleachers and began his trot around the bases. The pitcher turned his back to home plate and hollered to Williams, “I didn’t mean for you to pull it that far.”

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Keen: Richardson is a lock to keep speaker’s job

Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 10:48 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Travis Fain at the Macon Telegraph has a piece today in which House Majority Leader Jerry Keen expresses high confidence that Speaker Glenn Richardson will survive a challenge to his leadership later this fall.

Wrote Fain:

“I will vote for Glenn Richardson again as speaker, and I’ll tell you why,” Keen told the lunch-time crowd. “Public relations notwithstanding, he’s done an outstanding job. … Most, if not all, of the major legislation we’ve passed up there in the last four years since he’s been speaker would not have been possible (without him).

State Rep. David Ralston, a Republican committee chairman from Blue Ridge, announced his bid for the speaker’s chair last week.

Ralston hasn’t said much since then, but there is something to ponder about his candidacy. Given the tension between Richardson and members of the now-disbanded 216 Group, over a constitutional amendment to declare that life begins at conception, one expected opposition to rise from the most conservative wing of the party.

But Ralston comes from the middle of the Republican pack, and had nothing to do with the 216 group.

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‘Sorry, not this time,’ Chambliss told Cheney on Medicare

Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 10:21 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Last week, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss was all over TV, as part of a bipartisan “Gang of Ten” effort to attack the high cost of gasoline.

Before that, Chambliss (like his Georgia colleague Johnny Isakson) switched his vote to give a veto-proof majority to legislation that killed a 10.6 percent pay cut for doctors treating Medicare patients.

What’s going on? Turns out even a candidate with $4 million in the bank wants to play his November re-election in conservative fashion. (Click here to see this morning’s post on a new Rassmussen poll.)

This morning’s Politico.com has this:

Republican Senate leaders — terrified by the prospect of losing five or more seats in November — have freed their members to vote however they need to vote to get reelected, even if that means bucking the president or the party’s leadership….

“I said, ‘Dick, I’m beyond that,’” Chambliss said. Cheney’s “my good friend and my hunting buddy, but my mind was made up.” Asked whether Republican Senate leaders had whipped the Medicare vote, Chambliss said he hadn’t been pressured.

Photo credit: Jenni Girtman/AJC

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McKinney and Barr: Not an alliance, but a ‘mutual reaching’

Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 08:49 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

While this is slightly dated, Newsweek has posted a sometimes-testy interview with Green Party presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney, who says she’s shooting for 5 percent of the popular vote in November.

The former Georgia congresswoman is at her most interesting when she addresses a former colleague:

Q: There are quite a few prominent third-party candidates running this year, including your former fellow Congressman from Georgia, Bob Barr, over at the Libertarian Party. Is he basically the conservative version of you?

It means that where there is the possibility of having discussions, then I wouldn’t turn down discussions. There’s nothing afoot, if that’s what you mean. I would take it issue by issue, and see what the future brings.

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Rassmussen: When it comes to women voters, Martin holds an ever-so-slight lead over Chambliss

Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 08:17 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Rassmussen Reports has a poll out indicating that, even in run-off mode, the U.S. Senate race in Georgia is a relatively static affair:

Senator Saxby Chambliss leads Democratic challengers Vernon Jones 59% to 29% and Jim Martin 51% to 40% in the Peach State.

Last month, the incumbent led Jones 57% to 30%, while topping Martin 52% to 39%.

But Rassmussen does provide grist for Martin’s argument that he’d give the Republican incumbent a better run for the $4 million that Chambliss is ready to spend. Martin, it appears, leads — just barely — among Georgia women:

Against Jones, Chambliss is supported by 96% of Republicans in Georgia and 19% of Democrats.

Against Martin, he leads 56% to 33%. While the incumbent leads Jones by double-digits among both men and women, he trails Martin 45% to 43% among women. He leads Martin 62% to 32% among men.

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Oops. You’re not supposed to print ‘Jones for Senate’ on county tickets?

Monday, July 21, 2008, 05:28 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

If you went to the DeKalb County Blues & Jazz Festival last weekend, maybe you looked closely at your ticket stub, and maybe you didn’t.

But a close examination of some small, near-subliminal type on the ticket, produced at county expense, would have offered you this bit of political advice: “VOTE Vernon Jones for GA Senate.”

See an enlarged version of one ticket by clicking here.

A phone call to DeKalb County produced a slightly chagrined spokeswoman, Kristie Swink, and this statement:

“DeKalb County nor the Chief Executive Officer authorized, gave permission or had any conversations regarding endorsement of any candidate through ticket sales during the DeKalb County Blues & Jazz Festival.”

In other words, they don’t know how that line got on tickets. “We understand that, as a government entity, we can’t endorse candidates,” Swink said.

But through a company attorney, the county-hired printer of the event’s tickets — Ticketannex.com — copped to inserting the political advertisement onto tickets for the jazz event.

“They thought they were doing [Jones] a favor. They didn’t know,” said attorney Marvin S. Arrington Jr., son of the judge. Arrington couldn’t say how many tickets carried the message, but thousands were printed.

More formally, Arrington said this on behalf of the ticket company:

“We wholeheartedly support Vernon Jones as the next U.S. senator from Georgia. We think he will make a great U.S. Senator. We apologize to Dekalb County and to Vernon Jones for any confusion that our actions may have caused.”

The company, by the way, has a vote-for-Jones banner on its web site, though it hasn’t yet been updated to reflect the August run-off.

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Traffic alert: With Bush coming, rethink that trip up or down I-75

Monday, July 21, 2008, 03:42 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

If you travel the northwest Atlanta corridor of I-75 of an evening, plan on a late trip home Tuesday.

President Bush and all his entourage will be spending a couple hours in the area during the late afternoon. Bush is the headliner at a fund-raiser for 8th District congressional candidate Rick Goddard, who’s challenging Democratic incumbent Jim Marshall of Macon in November.

The White House is mum about the destination, but the location is well-known in Republican circles. Which means the Insider knows it, too. Pack a sleeping bag.

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‘The other guy’s worse:’ A kind word, in a back-handed sort of way, from a top evangelical leader

Monday, July 21, 2008, 11:47 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Conservative Christian leader James Dobson softened his stance against Republican presidential hopeful John McCain on Monday, saying he could reverse his position and endorse the Arizona senator despite the candidate’s support of embryonic stem cell research and opposition to a constitutional ban on gay marriage.

“Elections always involve imperfect candidates. You always have to choose between two flawed individuals,” Dobson said. “While I am not endorsing John McCain, the possibility is there that I might.”

The most positive thing that Dobson had to say about McCain was that the Arizona senator and he were on the same page when it came to the “Muslim threat.”

Dobson, founder of the Colorado-based Focus on the Family, made his comments in a 28-minute program posted on the Internet today. Click here to listen.

The program was financed by Focus on the Family’s political action organization, and recorded in a studio at Southern Baptist Convention headquarters in Nashville.

Appearing with Dobson was Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dobson acknowledged previous statements that he would not vote for McCain.

“I’ve expressed my strong disagreement with Senator McCain on three or four occasions which continue to be reported regularly in the news, as though it was said yesterday,” Dobson said. “My disagreement involved some issues that are now generally known. One being I criticize his continuing support for federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. That bothers me a lot. It leads to killing of babies, very tiny babies, but they are human beings, and cloning — and other things, [McCain’s] unwillingness to vote for the marriage protection amendment, and saying the states could protect the institution of marriage.”

That said, Dobson spoke of “the need to rethink some of my views regarding Senator McCain. And that thinking has taken place and continues to do so. This has been the most difficult moral dilemma for me…

But Dobson said McCain comes closer to his views than Obama “by a wide margin. There’s no doubt in my mind as to whose policy will result in more babies being killed….”

While Dobson spoke of Obama’s position on abortion, the evangelical leader gave more attention to the Democrat’s position on gay rights, accusing Obama of supporting “the full normalization of homosexuality.”

“It just takes my breath away that a presidential candidate could come along and be so far from the mainstream,” Dobson said.

Photo credit: Associated Press

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Nader comes to Georgia, looking for its treasure trove of left-of-Democrat votes

Monday, July 21, 2008, 07:51 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Ralph Nader treads into the third-party territory of Bob Barr on Friday for a rally and press conference in Athens. It’s a 5 p.m. gig at Master’s Hall on the University of Georgia campus.

Those who attend the rally, as opposed to the press conference, will be guilted into a “suggested contribution” of $10, or $5 with a student ID.

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Richardson challenged

Friday, July 18, 2008, 05:15 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

State Rep. David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) said Friday he will challenge House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) for the chamber’s top post.

“I think Georgians are very frustrated with our inability to get things done,” said Ralston. “Unless there’s some new leadership, I’m not optimistic that those things — transportation, trauma care, a property tax reform plan that we all agree on — will get done.

“I think what we’re going to have to do is tone down the rhetoric and instill a spirit of cooperation with others involved in the process,” said Ralston. “I don’t think that confrontation has been productive.”

Some Republicans blame Richardson’s combative style for the 2008 General Assembly’s failure to pass key legislation.

Richardson’s spokeswoman Clelia Davis gave this response in an email: “Speaker Richardson is focused on the job he was elected to do. He is working with our caucus members to protect our Republican majority in the House and with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to elect John McCain as our next President as we face one of the most pivotal elections in our nation’s history.”

—Ben Smith

Jim Galloway is out of town, but will return Monday. 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.

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Bush here Tuesday

Friday, July 18, 2008, 03:27 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

President George W. Bush will be in Georgia on Tuesday for a private fund raiser, the White House confirmed Friday.

Bush will help raise money for Rick Goddard, the Republican challenger to Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall for Georgia’s 8th congressional district.

No other details were immediately available.

—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.

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Martin jumps gun on Lanier release

Thursday, July 17, 2008, 04:43 PM

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.

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Perdue expects more need for state services, end to major tax cut consideration

Thursday, July 17, 2008, 03:56 PM

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.

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Lanier won’t endorse; will back nominee

Thursday, July 17, 2008, 12:26 PM

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.

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Martin picks up another endorsement

Thursday, July 17, 2008, 10:31 AM

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.

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A passing

Thursday, July 17, 2008, 10:27 AM

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

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Cardwell endorses Martin

Wednesday, July 16, 2008, 12:07 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former WSB-TV reporter Dale Cardwell, who finished third in Tuesday’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary, has endorsed Jim Martin in the runoff.

Martin, a former state lawmaker, finished second in the primary to DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones.

Cardwell told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Martin “is an honorable man who has a lengthy record of serving Georgians” and encourages his supporters to back Martin in the Aug. 5 runoff.

“He represents our best opportunity to defeat Saxby Chambliss in November,” Cardwell said of the Republican incumbent.

Cardwell’s 78,000 votes are more than two-and-a-half times the 29,000-vote difference between Jones’ first place finish and Martin’s second.

The challenge for Martin, and for Jones, will be to persuade their voters to return to the polls for the runoff. Messages left with Atlanta businessman Rand Knight, who finished fourth on Tuesday, and with retired businessman Josh Lanier, who finished fifth, were not immediately returned Wednesday.

In an interview, Cardwell also challenged the media “to do its job” and “compare the backgrounds, the criminal backgrounds and the public-record background of these two men and do their job, because t hey didn’t do their job before today.”

Jones and Cardwell have been adversaries for years, dating to Cardwell’s time as a reporter. Cardwell often aired stories that were highly critical of Jones and his administration.

When Cardwell qualified for the Senate race in April, he accused Jones of having been to jail “a couple of times,” of pointing a gun at a woman and for being accused of passing a bad check.

There is no official record that suggest Jones was ever behind bars in DeKalb County. He has had a warrant taken out for bouncing a $7 check. He was also the subject of an arrest warrant, later dismissed, for allegedly pointing a gun at a Doraville woman.

Cardwell also recounted the circumstances of a 2005 rape accusation against Jones — which was withdrawn, though the woman never recanted.

Jones on Wednesday dismissed Cardwell’s complaints, and Cardwell himself.

“Dale Cardwell is irrelevant, and is the type of reporter that would stain the good name of all of the Duke Lacrosse players,” Jones said.

Jones more directly refuted Cardwell’s complaints in the past.

“Every one of those so-called controversies that you guys have reported have turned out to be baseless and reckless and erroneous and just false, ” Jones said when he qualified for the campaign in April.

Cardwell’s choice of Martin, however, is also sure to raise questions. During the primary campaign, Cardwell was often critical of Martin’s tenure as director of the state Department of Human Affairs and slammed Martin’s willingness to accept campaign contributions from special-interest groups.

On his campaign Web site, Cardwell calls Martin a “‘convenient-crat,’ who found the courage to enter the race only after a handful of political ‘insiders’ promised they’d deliver him bucketfuls of special interest ‘PAC’ contributions; contributions Dale Cardwell and Barack Obama have refused because special interests have paralyzed Washington and control most of our elected officials.”

—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.

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Incumbents cruising early

Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 08:10 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Election returns for Georgia’s five contested U.S. House primary elections are just starting to trickle in.

With only a handful of precincts counted, Democratic incumbents John Barrow and Jim Marshall, and GOP incumbent Paul Broun, have jumped to huge leads over their respective opponents: Regina Thomas, Robert Nowak and Barry Fleming. Very early returns show each of three incumbents taking 3 of every 4 votes cast.

There are no results yet for the fifth and 13th congressional districts. In the fifth, incumbent John Lewis is opposed by Markel Hutchins and “Able” Mable Thomas. In the 13th, incumbent David Scott faces Donzella James.

—Ben Smith

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.

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First box boosts Martin

Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 07:23 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The first numbers are trickling in in the Democratic U.S. Senate race and Jim Martin holds an early edge.

Of course, Martin got all of 41 votes in White County, the first to report results to the Secretary of State. Still, that’s better than Vernon Jones’ 9 votes, Dale Cardwell’s 24, Rand Knight’s 13 and Josh Lanier’s 4.

We’ve got a long way to go before this means anything. But still, at least now we’re talking about actual votes.

—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.

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Knight: ‘We’ve got a shot’

Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 06:14 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Political newcomer Rand Knight is juggling phone lines this evening as he and four other candidates await the 7 p.m. closing of polls in their bid for the Democratic U.S. Senate race.

News, like turnout, has been light. But the 36-year-old Atlanta businessman is feeling positive.

“We’re feeling good,” he said. “We did this whole thing on less than a quarter million bucks. We did no statewide advertising, no direct mailing, we had the biggest endorsements in Democratic politics, and we got a shot.”

The endorsements from major labor unions, including the state teacher’s association, are, indeed, significant. Whether they’re enough to get Knight into the expected runoff … well, we’ll start finding out in about 40 minutes.

—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.

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Things to watch today

Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 03:17 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

With about two-and-a-half hours to go before polls close, there are more uncertainties in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary than otherwise, but one thing appears certain: turnout is low, low, low.

With that in mind, here are a few things to watch and contemplate as we approach 7 p.m. and the closing of the polls.

1. Who does low turnout benefit? Dale Cardwell isn’t sure. The former WSB-TV newsman hopes its him. Atlanta businessman Rand Knight’s campaign reported earlier Tuesday that turnout was mighty slow in DeKalb County, which would seem to bode badly for that county’s CEO, Vernon Jones.

Big turnout in DeKalb would surely benefit Jones, right? Those voters are used to selecting Jones. Keep an eye on those DeKalb boxes, which in many precincts will also include results in the 5th District U.S. House race where incumbent Democrat John Lewis has two challengers.

2. Old guard vs. new Whether they admit it or not, the consensus around the state is that the traditional leaders of the state Democratic Party recruited former lawmaker Jim Martin to run in this Senate primary.

While Martin has raised the most money (much of which came from that old guard or their counterparts in Washington), he has in no way run away with this campaign. If he fails to win today, or makes it to the runoff only to get beat, what does that say about the traditional party infrastructure?

With the Barack Obama campaign bringing thousands of new voters into the Democratic fold, it might signal that the old way is out.

3. What does Jones do in North Georgia? Vernon Jones’ fate in the most conservative region of the state could be a barometer for November. If whites in North Georgia vote for Jones, who is black, is could signal that Obama could expect the same in November.

It’s not a perfect comparison, because those whites could just as easily go vote for Republican John McCain in November, but it would signal a willingness to vote outside their race, which is significant.

4. Do endorsements matter? Rand Knight won the major endorsements from labor, including the state teacher’s union.

If those educators and union members turnout for him, the 36-year-old Knight could stage something of an upset. To come from nowhere a few months ago and turn this race on its ear would be quite something.

5. Does Obama mean anything today? Obama’s campaign sent out a blast e-mail Tuesday to Georgia supporters, reminding them to go vote. Oh, and also to volunteer for his campaign, or donate to his campaign.

No one has aligned themselves more closely in this race than Jones, courtesy of the mail piece he put out that was digitally altered to put Jones and Obama together.

While Jones’ opponents, many in the media and Obama himself have criticized Jones for it, will average voters love it, or hate it? Will they accept Obama’s statement that it was unauthorized, and hold it against Jones, or will they take Jones’ word that it was a celebration of Obama’s candidacy?

With turnout this low, that kind of thing can make a difference.

—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.

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Chambliss, Conrad tout energy remedy

Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 03:00 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

While five Democrats campaign for a shot at replacing him, incumbent U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) is in Washington and, at least for today, working across the aisle.

Our Cox Washington colleague Julia Malone sends us this update:

“In an attempt to bring the fueding parties together to wean the nation off foreign oil, Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss and Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad on Tuesday said they both want more offshore exploration and more conservation.

“The conservative Chambliss, of Georgia, and the liberal-leaning Conrad of North Dakota spoke on CNN about their “gang of 10” senators, including five from each party, who have been meeting together to find a solution to the energy problem.”

You can read the full item here.

—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.

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A three-way race for mayor?

Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 12:40 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Backers of attorney Jesse Spikes’ bid for Atlanta mayor are pointing to recently released campaign finance reports as proof that there are three legitimate challengers for the job.

Spikes, an attorney with McKenna Long, raised nearly $140,000 in the most recent reporting period and has $144,000 cash on hand. That trails money leader Lisa Borders, the president of Atlanta City Council, who raised $187,000 this period and has $232,000 on hand. State Sen. Kasim Reed has raised $197,000 this quarter and has $188,000 on hand.

But Spikes’ haul shows he has legitimate support in what should be a competitive race leading up to the 2009 election.

—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.

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Handel moves to correct Powell errors

Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 12:34 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Staffers with Secretary of State Karen Handel’s office say they acted quickly Tuesday morning when they learned that some polling places were posting signs saying Public Service Commission candidate Jim Powell had been disqualified.

Staffers said they heard about the postings 21 minutes after the polls opened and that they immediately sent out a notice to county elections officials directing them to remove any postings saying Powell’s votes wouldn’t be counted. Follow-up calls were made to county elections officials who didn’t open the email directives, Handel staffers said.

However, Democratic officials say the signs were still up a few hours into polling Tuesday.

The confusion came after Handel ruled that Powell didn’t live in the district he was hoping to represent on the PSC. She directed election officials to post a notice saying Powell was disqualified and that votes for the Democratic candidate wouldn’t be counted. However, a Fulton County judge stayed that ruling late Monday.

Democrats are sore because Handel, a Republican, recently disqualified three Democratic candidates, saying they didn’t meet residency requirements.

Democratic Party spokesman Martin Matheny said of the Powell incident, “The whole thing stinks of the worst kind of politics.”

—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.

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Georgia lottery sets record

Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 09:52 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A struggling economy hasn’t kept Georgians from buying lottery tickets.

The Georgia Lottery announced Tuesday that sales for fiscal 2008, which ended June 30, were just under $3.52 billion, a record in the 15-year history of the games.

That’s more than $97.6 million ahead of last year’s record sales.

The Georgia Lottery transferred $858 million of that to the state for education programs, surpassing last year’s record transfer by more than $4.8 million.

Lottery proceeds pay for the HOPE college scholarship program and pre-kindergarten classes for four-year-olds.

The rest of the sales money goes back into prizes and pays for advertising and administrative costs associated with running the lottery.

Gov. Sonny Perdue joined lottery officials at a news conference Tuesday morning announcing the sales and the fact that $10 billion has now been transferred from the lottery to the state for education programs over the past 15 years.

“The Georgia Lottery Corporation has a success formula that works and delivers results for Georgia’s students and families,” said Lottery Corp. CEO Margaret DeFrancisco. “Lottery-funded HOPE Scholarships and pre-K programs have made a fundamental difference in the lives of so many Georgians. The transfer of our $10 billionth dollar to education is a tremendous accomplishment that we can all celebrate.”

—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.

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Dems say Powell’s status hard to discover

Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 09:39 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Fulton County judge kept Jim Powell’s Public Service Commission candidacy alive Monday, but Democrats say you wouldn’t know it at some polling places.

Democrats say polling places in Bibb, Gwinnett and DeKalb County had signs this morning saying Powell, a Democrat, had been disqualified from the race.

Secretary of State Karen Handel, a Republican, decided Powell didn’t meet residency requirements for the PSC district he was seeking. Handel said Powell received a homestead exemption for a home in Cobb County, which is outside of the far North Georgia district he was hoping to represent. Handel ordered signs be put up stating votes for Powell wouldn’t count.

A judge stayed that ruling Monday, but apparently not all the poll workers got the message.

—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.

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Send your updates!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 09:33 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It’s a beautiful primary morning in Atlanta and in about 10 hours we’ll start getting election results.

If you’re out and about, whether it be to vote or to canvass for your candidate, or just riding around, drop us a line at asheinin@ajc.com. Or go into the comments section and let us know.

Thanks, and happy voting.

—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.

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Nunn with Obama in Indiana

Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 09:25 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia will join Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama in Indiana on Wednesday for a summit on national security.

It is believed to be one of the first, if not the first, joint appearance between Nunn and the man who could make him the vice presidential nominee.

Nunn is believed to be on Obama’s list of potential running mates and his presence in a key swing state on Wednesday will surely bolster that speculation. Nunn is an expert in foreign affairs, an area that could be a weakness for Obama in a general election match-up with Republican John McCain.

The event Wednesday is at Purdue University, and is Obama’s first trip to the state since claiming the nomination. U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana will join Nunn and Obama on the visit and it must be noted that Bayh, too, has been mentioned as a potential vice presidential nominee.

—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.

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Update: Powell back on the ballot

Monday, July 14, 2008, 05:12 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Insider just got word that Jim Powell will be on the ballot as a PSC candidate Tuesday after all.

We hear Fulton County Superior Court Judge John Goger granted Powell a stay after Secretary of State Karen Handel declared that Powell didn’t meet residency requirements.

Handel said Powell claimed a homestead exemption on a house in Cobb County, which is outside the Public Service Commission district he is hoping to represent.

Powell was one of three Democrats who Handel, a Republican, kicked off the ballot Monday, saying each didn’t meet residency requirements.

—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.

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McCain camp works to rally Georgia

Monday, July 14, 2008, 03:27 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Republican John McCain announced the statewide leadership team for his presidential bid Monday in a raucous event at the Georgia Capitol.

While the Arizona senator himself was not there, the event, and three similar ones held around the state, showcased the GOP nominee-in-waiting for the first time since McCain claimed the party mantle.

More than 100 supporters gathered on the north steps inside the Capitol as Alec Poitevint, the Republican activist who chaired McCain’s primary campaign here, announced the state campaign chairs. Joining him as co-chairs of the general election campaign are Gov. Sonny Perdue and U.S. Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson. Perdue and Isakson both spoke at Monday’s event.

Here’s the rest of the leadership team: Honorary vice chairs: Lt. Governor Casey Cagle Speaker Glenn Richardson Speaker Pro-Tem Mark Burkhalter Senate President Pro-Tem Eric Johnson Former Sen. Mack Mattingly Former Sen. David Gambrell Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox Public Service Commissioner Bobby Baker Public Service Commissioner Chuck Eaton Public Service Commissioner Doug Everett Public Service Commissioner Angela Speir Public Service Commissioner Stan Wise U.S. Rep. Paul Broun U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey U..S. Rep. Jack Kingston U.S. Rep. John Linder U.S. Rep. Tom Price U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland

Vice chairman: State Sen. Jeff Mullis

State advisory committee: Tony Campbell Marty Klein Steve Croy Joel McElhannon Edens Davis Nolan Murrah Shawn Davis Scott Rials Derrick Dickey John Sours Leigh Ann Gillis Jay Walker

State steering committee: Gloria Alday Dave McCleary Johnny Blankenship Mansell McCord
Linton Broome Joe Montero, Jr Esther Clark Rufus Montgomery Don Cole Toria Morgan Dennis Coxwell Wayne Mosley Rob Doll John Padgett Randy Evans Rick Richardson Sue Everhart Larry Reynolds Cameron Fash Millie Rogers Art Gunter Dawn Strickland Bert Guy Sandra Thompson Kevin Harris BJ Van Gundy Linda Herren John Watson Anne Lewis Lane Watts Bob Mayzes John White John McCane

Volunteer coordinators: Dan Regenstein Vincent Russo Martin Sullivan, Jr.

— 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.

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Obama pops up in more campaign lit

Monday, July 14, 2008, 02:52 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It appears U.S. Senate candidate Vernon Jones is not the only one aligning himself in campaign materials with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell, who is running for a second term, said he used a photograph of him and Barack Obama on his campaign literature for to show his support for the Democratic presidential nominee.

Bell told the AJC’s Megan Matteucci on Monday that the photograph was taken at an Obama fund raiser sponsored by Obama backer Gene Duffy earlier this year.

“I didn’t ask him to support me. This is in support of him,” Bell said. “The effort I was trying to make is to show how far I am willing to reach - and can reach - to assist the people of Clayton County.”

Bell said he requested permission to use the picture from the fund-raiser hosts and the photographer, who works for Mayor Shirley Franklin.

“We agonized over it a long time,” Bell said. “I didn’t want to appear like I’m using him.”

Lee Scott, who is running against Bell for chairman, and his wife Jewel Scott have also promised any one who helps with their campaign a T-shirt featuring the Scotts, Obama and Vernon Jones. District attorney Jewel Scott is running for re-election in Clayton.

DeKalb CEO candidate Stan Watson, too, has posted photographs of himself with potential first-lady Michelle Obama, as well as U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) to his campaign Web site. Watson, too, has used the photo in a campaign door-hanger.

And then there’s Sharon Barnes-Sutton, a Democratic candidate for DeKalb County Commission. A reader in Decatur sent in a copy of a mailer he said he received over the weekend that features Barnes-Sutton in a series of photos with prominent politicians, including Obama.

But Jones, the sitting DeKalb CEO who is in a five-way primary Tuesday for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination, has caught heat because the photo he is using was doctored. In the photo, Jones appears to be standing next to Obama, both holding microphones. It is actually two or more photos digitally merged together.

Jones has said the only ones who have a problem with what he did are the “liberal media and my opponents.” But Obama, too, should be added to that list, as the candidate told the AJC last week that it was “unusual” for a U.S. Senate candidate to do something like that. Obama also emphasized that he has not endorsed Jones or anyone else in the race.

— Aaron Gould Sheinin and Megan Matteucci

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.

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Perdue: Guns should be OK at airport

Monday, July 14, 2008, 01:07 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Gov. Sonny Perdue said Monday that he believes guns should be allowed in the non-secure areas of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

A new state law that went into effect July allows individuals who pass background checks to carry concealed weapons on public transportation, in state parks and restaurants that serve alcohol.

But the question of whether that extends to parts of the airport is the subject of a federal lawsuit. Perdue on Monday said he has not asked for a legal opinion on the issue, but that his “lay opinion” would be that guns would be allowed in the airport’s parking lots, atrium and all areas before the security gates. Guns would still not be allowed in the boarding gates or terminals, which require security screening, he said.

Asked whether it was his opinion that it was a good idea to allow guns at the airport, Perude said yes.

“If my wife wanted to carry a gun, if she was going from the parking lot, walking from one of those far parking lots to pick up a grandchild or something like that, I think that’s a good idea, yes,” he said.

The gun rights group GeorgiaCarry.org is suing the city of Atlanta and its airport over restrictions on firearms in the terminal. They’ve asked a federal judge for a temporary order stopping officials from arresting anyone caught with a weapon. A hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Aug. 11.

The day the new gun law took effect, airport officials threatened to arrest a state legislator who had announced he planned to bring a handgun to the airport when he went there to pick up visitors. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport General Manager Ben DeCosta said guns in the airport would violate another state law that bans firearms at “public gatherings, ” and said they would have police arrest anyone bringing a firearm to the airport.

In the request for a temporary restraining order, attorney John Monroe said state Rep. Tim Bearden’s Fourth Amendment protection from illegal searches and seizures would be violated if he were arrested for exercising his Second Amendment right to carry a gun inside nonsecured areas of the airport.

The motion for a temporary restraining order said Bearden, a Villa Rica Republican, would be harmed if the airport carried out its threat to arrest him while the airport would not suffer harm waiting until there is a decision on the suit.

—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.

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James plans ‘victory’ party

Monday, July 14, 2008, 12:17 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Political candidates always say they’re going to win. Rarely do they swear themselves into office before the voting starts.

Donzella James did just that Monday. The subject line in an 11th e-mail blast to supporters stated “Join Congresswoman Donzella James for a Victory Celebration.”

Those are strong words for a Democratic challenger running without a lot of money and who got thumped 2-1 two years ago by the same incumbent, David Scott.

“Because of you we will prevail, because of you we will have the opportunity to have our voices heard on a national level and bring Service and Integrity back to our community,” James stated in her e-mail.

— Ben Smith

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.

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Handel boots three from ballot

Monday, July 14, 2008, 12:05 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Secretary of State Karen Handel concluded Keith Gross, the lone Democrat facing party-swiching Republican Rep. Mike Jacobs of Atlanta, doesn’t meet residency requirements and shouldn’t be on the ballot.

Handel’s office said notices will be placed at polling places in House District 80 on Tuesday letting voters know that ballots cast for Gross won’t be counted.

Handel’s decision leaves the Democrats without an opponent against Jacobs, who won re-election in 2006 as a Democrat and then switched parties. Michelle Conlon has signed up to challenge Jacobs in the November general election as an independent.

In booting Gross, Handel, a Republican, was following the findings of an administrative law judge.

Handel also tossed Eric Underwood from the Atlanta Democratic primary race he was running against state Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta). Handel said Underwood didn’t own property or pay rent in the district. Notices at polling places in state Senate 36, which includes the Grant Park and Ormewood Park areas, will note his disqualification and say that votes for Underwood won’t count.

Orrock still faces opposition from tax advisor and financial planner Andre Jamal Jerry. Handel also disqualified James Powell in one of the Public Service Commission races, saying at the time he signed up for the contest, he was receiving a homestead exemption for a house he lived in outside of the district.

— 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.

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McCain camp to unveil Georgia team

Monday, July 14, 2008, 11:22 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

John McCain’s campaign in Georgia is beginning to show signs of life.

In about an hour, some of Georgia’s top Republicans will gather at the Capitol in Atlanta to unveil McCain’s statewide leadership team. There are also similar events today in Columbus, Savannah and Macon.

Coming to the Gold Dome to tout the presidential hopeful’s Georgia bid are Gov. Sonny Perdue, U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson and state GOP chairwoman Sue Everhart.

While naming a statewide leadership team doesn’t rank up there with, say, a personal visit from the candidate or opening a Georgia headquarters or buying airtime on Georgia television stations, today’s events are still important.

To this point, McCain’s campaign has been virtually non-existent in the state, while Democrat Barack Obama has been here personally, he’s running TV ads here, he has 75 paid staff on the ground and hundreds of trained volunteers.

While turning Georgia from red to blue is very much a difficult challenge for Obama, many observers believe McCain cannot afford to ignore Georgia. And given the somewhat tepid reception McCain has received from some Georgia conservatives, having these heavy hitters make a public declaration of action is vital.

— 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.

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The personal side of the Dunwoody fight

Sunday, July 13, 2008, 02:46 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

According to his wife, Albert Chambers has come to realize the dangers of angry, late-night phone calls.

“It wasn’t the smartest thing to do. He knows that — now,” said state Rep. Jill Chambers (R-Atlanta).

The fight over the city of Dunwoody, which takes a significant step toward resolution on Tuesday, has sparked an epic feud among Republicans.

While never under wraps, the Hatfield-McCoy routine took a very public turn last week when two GOP lawmakers pushing the Dunwoody initiative, Rep. Fran Millar and Sen. Dan Weber, showed off lengthy voice-mails left by Albert Chambers — whose wife is the most outspoken Republican opponent of the city.

The spouse complained of slanders heaped on Jill Chambers that required revenge. “I am not responsible for what happens. But it will all be legal. Everything will be legal,” Albert Chambers promised.

The Dunwoody clash has built over three years, driven by ideology and personality.

The creation of a city of Sandy Springs in 2005 caused no such divide among Republicans. Democratic opposition over three decades had made it a cause celebre. Citihood became a priority of the GOP takeover.

Advocates of the city of Dunwoody insist the same formula applies. That Dunwoody, too, needs a government more answerable to residents.

But many Republicans in the state Capitol — of high rank — have had trouble squaring the numerous new cities that have followed Sandy Springs with their own calls for less government and lower property taxes.

Chambers is part of the latter group, and this is where personality comes in. She is a cheerfully caustic woman who thrives on confrontation. Dunwoody proponents accuse her of misleading statements, and an alliance with DeKalb County government.

She accuses Dunwoody organizers of being less than forthcoming about the costs of incorporation. Last month, Chambers paid for a round of robo-calls encouraging voters to attend a seminar to “hear the truth about Dunwoody.”

Chambers’ District 81 includes only a small slice of the city that might be. Most of the calls went to voters in Millar’s district. Millar, himself the owner of an acid-tipped tongue, took Chambers’ words as an accusation that he had been passing falsehoods.

Millar has complained to House leaders about Chambers’ “shenanigans” — and has expressed disappointment that the powers inside the state Capitol haven’t stepped in. They may yet get their chance. The general election season begins Wednesday.

Chambers’ north Atlanta district leans Democratic, and she’ll have opposition in November.

One of two Democrats on the District 81 ballot on Tuesday is a protege of Bobby Kahn, the former chairman of the Democratic party. Many Dunwoody advocates, who by-and-large are Republicans, talk of lending aid to Chambers’ opponent. Asked if he will be one of them, Millar said this:

“I’m not going to be donating funds to her opposition, okay? But if she doesn’t make it back, I’m not going to shed any tears.”

Dunwoody may or may not become Georgia’s 536th city on Tuesday. But it’s clear the fight will continue. Possibly in a courtroom. More certainly in a next-door House district.

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On Atlanta’s role in Barack Obama’s Southern strategy

Sunday, July 13, 2008, 10:17 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Interesting opinion piece in today’s Washington Post on Atlanta’s role as a mecca for African-Americans:

It’s no coincidence that Obama has visited Atlanta at least three times in the past year. The capital of the New South, Atlanta is a small town trapped inside a big city, a place firmly committed to putting the past behind it and a place where history shows through like paint under primer.

And we have the contradictions to prove it….

Photo credit: Walter Stricklin/AJC

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A last-minute charge: Chamblee says DeKalb and Jones refused to clean up property that became a killing ground

Saturday, July 12, 2008, 12:49 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

If you talk to Vernon Jones supporters, this is sure to be characterized as a July surprise, suspiciously timed to thwart his Democratic bid for the U.S. Senate:

Chamblee [city] officials say they’re dead serious about a charge that DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones deserves criticism for a recent killing there because DeKalb refused to clean up the murder site.

Chamblee Mayor Eric Clarkson and Police Chief Marc Johnson say Jones has personally been the stumbling block in getting a piece of county-owned land in the north DeKalb city cleaned up —- and now a slaying has happened in the overgrown woods. On June 24, police say 35-year-old Galdino Cruz Salinas was killed on a neglected plot of county land at the north end of the DeKalb-Peachtree Airport.

Read the rest of the AJC story here.

Look for this to be a topic during two televised, one-hour debates this weekend. The five candidates — Jones, Dale Cardwell, Rand Knight, Josh Lanier and Jim Martin — will gather at WSB-TV studios this afternoon for a confrontation that will be aired at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

The same candidates will appear live at 7 p.m. Sunday on Georgia Public Television debate sponsored by the Atlanta Press Club.

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John Lewis won’t debate? Markel Hutchins says that problem is virtually solved

Friday, July 11, 2008, 10:45 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Long-time Democratic incumbent John Lewis has refused to debate his primary rivals in the 5th District congressional race.

So one of his opponents, Markel Hutchins, has put together a 15-minute virtual YouTube debate, using vintage footage of Lewis weaved together with footage of Hutchins from a studio, and from the recent Atlanta Press Club debate that Lewis skipped.

Hutchins omits “Able” Mable Thomas, the third candidate in the Democratic race — his object is to draw Lewis into a two-man run-off.

“It’s likely that John Lewis doesn’t know what YouTube is,” said Hutchins, 31. “That’s part and parcel what this campaign is all about.”

(A spokesman pointed out that the Lewis campaign launched its own YouTube channel on July 4.)

The production values of Hutchins’ video are high. But the effort, divided into two segments below, is relatively long — and how many people will see it between now and Tuesday is open to question.

See the first take below.

And click here for the final, five-minute segment.

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Attention, citizen-journalists: We’re entering the weird weekend

Friday, July 11, 2008, 05:46 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Warm up your scanners and keep your answering machines at the ready. The weekend before any vote is ripe for surprise attacks — via e-mail, snail mail, robo-call, or even targeted radio and TV ads.

Send in your sample of the nasty stuff that’s out there. PDFs or JPGs for visuals, WAVs or MP3s for audio. And thanks for participating.

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Rand Knight endorsed by 100 Black Women; Vernon Jones targets Obama voter registration rallies

Friday, July 11, 2008, 04:53 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Notes from the U.S. Senate race:

— Other Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate continue to leach DeKalb County support from Vernon Jones.

The campaign of Rand Knight has gotten the endorsement of the Stone Mountain and Lithonia chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.

Earlier this week, Jim Martin won endorsements from DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown and state Sen. Emanuel Jones of south DeKalb.

But the above endorsements might underline a problem for Jones in his own fortress. For two terms, Jones has served as DeKalb CEO — which by act of the Legislature one of the most powerful executive positions in Georgia local government.

Regardless of performance, over eight years, a strong, ambitious executive is bound to develop opposition. Look at it this way: In most of Georgia, Jones is a newcomer, a stranger. In DeKalb, he’s essentially running for a third term. That’s tough to do, even with a winning personality.

— Barack Obama may deny any endorsement of Vernon Jones, but Jones won’t deny Obama. The Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate has invited his supporters to join him Saturday in supporting Obama-sponsored voter registration efforts at the Kensington and Doraville MARTA stations.

— You probably saw this morning’s post about an InsiderAdvantage poll that shows, for the first time, Jim Martin in the lead among Democratic candidates.

But a low turnout is likely on Tuesday, which makes such surveys a dicey matter. In strategic terms, the universe of voters becomes unpredictable — malleable to outside forces.

Rand Knight, the union-endorsed ecologist, is doing the best to shape Tuesday’s electorate.

I stopped by his barely air-conditioned headquarters on Peachtree Road last night, an old house that had been a flower shop. Knight had an old-fashioned boiler room going, with 25 paid staffers ($10 an hour) making phone calls to proven Democratic voters — who cast ballots in 2004, 2006, or the February presidential primary.

The crew has been reaching out to 5,000 voters a day for several weeks, I was told. Before 5 p.m., the emphasis is on voters over 65. After 5 p.m., they go after younger voters. All are using cell phones paid for by the campaign.

Worker reliability becomes a factor here. Those who spend five days with an ear glued to the cell are given a $25 gas card. On the 10th day, callers are given a $50 gas card, which goes up to $75 on the 15th day and $100 on the 20th.

— Just hung up with Dale Cardwell, who spent today at a funeral in Alabama. The former TV journalist said that, given today’s poll that shows a marked shift in the race, he’ll go up on TV with a limited buy in Macon and Atlanta over the weekend. But he won’t go into debt.

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Democratic attempt to oust party-switcher fizzles: Judge recommends removal of Gross from ballot

Friday, July 11, 2008, 02:23 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

An administrative judge has recommended that Keith Gross, a 24-year-old Democrat challenging state Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-Atlanta), be removed from the November ballot.

If ratified by Secretary of State Karen Handel, the decision would free Jacobs of major party opposition in his first contest as a Republican. Jacobs, who is seeking a third term, switched parties in 2007.

Update: Just before 6 p.m., Handel adopted the judge’s finding. “Prominent notices will be placed at each affected polling place advising voters of Mr. Gross’s disqualification, and all votes cast for Mr. Gross will be void and not counted,” announced the press release.

An independent candidate is attempting to win a position on the November ballot.

See the ruling here. Wrote Judge Michael Malihi:

”The preponderance of the credible evidence is that [Gross] did not establish the two-year residency requirement of the [Georgia Constitution.]

“Respondent testified that he may have obtained a Georgia driver’s license in 2005 when he actually maintained his Florida driver’s license throughout 2005 and 2006, renewed his Florida driver’s license in 2006, and maintained his Florida driver’s license until May 2007….”

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Judge turns down Democratic request to block voter ID law

Friday, July 11, 2008, 01:00 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Fulton County Superior Court Tom Campbell has denied the state Democratic party’s request to block the state’s Voter ID law.

Read the document here.

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McKinney names her veep choice — a hip-hop artist

Friday, July 11, 2008, 12:45 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Up in Chicago, former Georgia congresswoman and presumptive Green Party presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney named her running mate Thursday — hip-hop artist and activist Rosa Clemente.

My AJC colleague Jeffry Scott reports that McKinney’s got a 10-to-1 advantage in delegates over her nearest rival, so her nomination seems secure.

If nominated Saturday in Chicago, McKinney’s name will be on ballots in about 36 states — but not in Georgia, where the Green Party did not collect enough signatures, according to state law, to get on the November ballot.

Read more details here.

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WSB, InsiderAdvantage: Martin takes lead in Democratic race for U.S. Senate

Friday, July 11, 2008, 08:32 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

WSB-TV is touting an InsiderAdvantage poll that says Jim Martin’s TV campaign has given the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate a late and significant lead only days before Tuesday’s primary.

Martin, the only candidate who’s been able to afford a consistent TV campaign, is now preferred by 31 percent of those surveyed. DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones — rebuffed by Barack Obama over that flyer — drops to second place with 20 percent.

Margin of error is 5 percent.

The poll puts former WSB reporter Dale Cardwell at 11 percent; union-endorsed Rand Knight at 4 percent, and Statesboro businessman Josh Lanier at 1 percent.

A whopping 33 percent are undecided. At this point, you have to wonder whether they’ll even show up.

Meanwhile, new campaign reports show that Martin — despite those TV ads — remains the most financially liquid Democrat in the final days.

As of June 30, the former state lawmaker reported $329,954 in cash on hand — but he’s also got debts of $144,663, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Jones reported $150,366 in cash on hand, and no debt.

Rand Knight had $54,034 in the bank, but a debt of 66,828. Of the $227,893 that Knight has raised, $78,128 has come from personal loans.

Cardwell had $20,223 left — and no debt.

Lanier hasn’t raised more than $5,000, so he didn’t have to file a report, according to the Associated Press.

Oh, and that Chambliss fellow — Saxby, the Republican incumbent. He reported only $4,055,173 available for the general election race. No debt, no loans.

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Conversations after a funeral

Thursday, July 10, 2008, 04:24 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Friends gathered in Marietta late this morning for the funeral of Renate Shipp, wife of 51 years to political columnist Bill Shipp.

The eulogy was offered by George Berry, who once ran Atlanta’s airport and what was then called the state Department of Industry and Trade. Berry recounted the couple’s first meeting on a bridge in Heidelberg, West Germany in 1955 — she was a picket-waving student demonstrator, and he was an MP sent to shut the protest down.

The service was elegant, but the gathering of guests outside the funeral home took a somewhat awkward turn when former Gov. Roy Barnes ran into Dick Williams — host of WAGA’s “The Georgia Gang,” publisher of the Dunwoody Crier, and fervent advocate of a new city of Dunwoody. A vote on the issue comes up Tuesday.

Williams has been critical of DeKalb County’s hiring of Barnes to explore the possibility of a lawsuit that would block the incorporation of Dunwoody.

The former governor opened the conversation, which remained jocular throughout, by pointing out that a late, great Republican named Paul Coverdell often decried the vast number of governments that Georgians choose to afflict themselves with — 159 counties and 535 cities is the current count.

Williams responded by marveling over the governor’s $533.33-an-hour retainer, paid for by DeKalb County. What’s the 33 cents for? the TV host asked.

The governor replied that his usual rate is $710 an hour. The odd number, Barnes said, is the result of a government discount he offers — which would be 25 percent, according to the calculator on this computer.

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Lesson No. 9 from ‘How to Run for Governor:” Become a radio talk show host, even if it’s just for a day

Thursday, July 10, 2008, 03:03 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle will be subbing for Martha Zoller on WDUN (550AM) this Friday, in a “special broadcast” from the ever-expanding shores of Lake Lanier.

The topic will be the drought and — most probably — those darned people at the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Guests lined up for the broadcast include U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, and — wonder of wonders —House Speaker Glenn Richardson.

Apparently, Richardson promised not to kick sand in the lieutenant governor’s face.

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John Lewis: ‘Come walk in my shoes’

Thursday, July 10, 2008, 02:37 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

U.S. Rep. John Lewis has cut loose a 60-second radio ad in the final days of his Democratic primary battle.

Technically, it’s an ad. It sounds much like a mini-sermon — and from the tone and content appears aimed at African-American voters on the southern side of his 5th District rather than the Buckhead end. (A staffer has confirmed that the ad is airing primarily on black radio in metro Atlanta.)

This ad is very much a forceful attempt by Lewis to show average voters that he identifies with them.

Listen to it here. Says Lewis:

“Come walk in my shoes and see how we’ll change America. But there’s still a lot of work to be done. We must end the war and bring our young men and young women home. Health care is a right, not a privilege.

“I brought hundreds of millions of dollars to the 5th District, and we need more….”

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Audio: The Dunwoody fight and the message from Albert Chambers

Thursday, July 10, 2008, 08:45 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It’s no secret that the fight over a city of Dunwoody has resulted in a furious intra-Republican feud between state Reps. Fran Millar — an advocate of incorporation — and Jill Chambers, an opponent.

This week, Chambers’ husband Albert, left a phone message on the answering machine of state Sen. Dan Weber, a Millar ally. Listen to it here.

Said Albert Chambers:

“You people will pay, regardless of what I have to do. You will have no idea — you will not be a happy man when I am done. I will do everything I can do, everything in my power, to make sure the state Legislature — everybody in the House of Representatives and Senate — knows what went on with defacing my family and doing what y’all did to make the city of Dunwoody come true. You’ve messed with the wrong guy. I hate you people….

“Y’all have made me very, very, very angry. And I am not responsible for what happens. But it will all be legal. Everything will be legal,” he promised.

Millar and Weber view the message as a threat — and on Wednesday attempted to bring it to the attention of DeKalb County police.

Read the story here.

DeKalb police officials told the legislators they should take their complaint to the district attorney’s office instead — the department wanted no part of what it sees as a political fight. The lawmakers are expected to try again today.

But click on that link above and judge for yourself.

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Martin picks up endorsement from South DeKalb senator

Wednesday, July 9, 2008, 04:19 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For the second consecutive day, U.S. Senate candidate Jim Martin has sliced into the home turf of Democratic rival Vernon Jones, picking the endorsement of a prominent South DeKalb legislator.

In a telephone interview this afternoon, state Sen. Emanuel Jones was careful not to mention the name of Vernon Jones, the DeKalb County CEO.

But Emanuel Jones said Martin “has the termperament, he has the acumen, he has the experience.

“[Martin is] the type of person I would trust with my wife or my wallet,” Jones said. “He just has that integrity that’s crucial to the U.S. Senate.”

Interesting phrasing, that.

On Tuesday, DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown endorsed Martin.

The rap on Martin, a longtime party stalwart who came late to the race, has been his inability to pick up support among African-American leaders. But both Jones and Brown are black.

More important, the two have hefty networks in DeKalb, which is likely to provide more Democratic voters than any other county in the state on July 15. Brown is elected countywide, and Jones’ district includes both south DeKalb and a large swath of Clayton County.

The larger question, of course, is whether Brown and Emanuel Jones represent a crack in Vernon Jones’ base of support.

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Nunn: Open service for gays to come ‘eventually’

Wednesday, July 9, 2008, 03:43 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Last week, just before the Fourth of July, former Georgia senator Sam Nunn appeared with former secretary of state Colin Powell at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado.

In a videotaped forum, the pair talked of many things — Iraq, Iran, and China.

Nunn was asked about the possibility that he might be asked to serve as a Democratic running mate with Barack Obama. Powell was asked whether he’d endorse Obama — or Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

But one detailed exchange, largely overlooked, concerned the issue of gays in the military.

Both Powell and Nunn were pivotal figures in the 1993 adoption of the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Last month, Nunn said the policy, which requires homosexuals to keep their sexual preferences under wraps, was ripe for review. In Aspen, Nunn predicted the policy’s ultimate end.

Nunn said:

“If you’re going to have open service by gays and lesbians — and I think we will eventually have that, the question’s timing. But if you’re going to have that, you have to have a very carefully calibrated set of rules.

“I think it’s appropriate to review it now. We certainly are having a lot of people who are getting out because of it. But on the other hand, there are an awful lot of people that may be affected the other way.

Powell would not go so far as Nunn, but admitted that “the country has changed enormously in 15 years.”

See for yourself below:

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The Georgiacarry.org lawsuit against Atlanta and its airport

Wednesday, July 9, 2008, 01:22 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

You already know that Georgiacarry.org has filed a federal lawsuit against Atlanta and its airport, seeking a restraining order that would block officials from carrying out threats to arrest anyone caught packing in the non-secured areas of Hartsfield-Jackson.

Read the story here.

But if you want a look at the lawsuit itself, click here.

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Senate leadership lines up behind Chapman — despite his Jekyll Island stand

Wednesday, July 9, 2008, 11:55 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

State Sen. Jeff Chapman (R-Brunswick) has bent some noses over his attempts to modify redevelopment plans for Jekyll Island.

It hasn’t helped that the island developers in question are major Republican donors. There’s word that Chapman had a confrontation or two with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle himself during this last legislative session.

Chapman’s stand on Jekyll Island has earned him opposition in next Tuesday’s GOP primary. He’s opposed by local developer Terry Carter.

But it looks like the Senate leadership is lining up behind Chapman. A YouTube video has just been posted, of Majority Leader Tommie Williams’ endorsement of Chapman.

“He’s for the little guy. Almost every bill he considers — he’s not considering whether a major corporation is going to profit. He’s considering just what it means to the poor guy out there that’s working 9 to 5,’ Williams says.

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‘Beautiful words’ and the ‘Summer of Love’

Wednesday, July 9, 2008, 11:27 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Because everyone’s talking about it, below is a link to the “Summer of Love” ad put up by Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

The McCain campaign isn’t buying any time on Georgia TV stations for it, but you might see it through some network cable purchases.

This is the active phrase:

“Beautiful words cannot make our lives better. But a man who has always put his country and her people before self, before politics, can.”

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Gingrich on Jindal: A case for choosing the new governor of Louisiana as McCain’s running mate

Wednesday, July 9, 2008, 07:49 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

In a piece posted at Human Events, Newt Gingrich makes the case for Bobby Jindal, the new governor of Louisiana, as a running mate for Republican presidential candidate John McCain:

”He is the most transformational young governor in America today. The principles that motivate his Louisiana Revolution are the same pro-innovation, pro-competition, anti-bureaucracy and anti- big government principles that I urge each week in this newsletter - the same principles that are so desperately needed in Washington, D.C.”

On the Democratic side, several of you have pointed to this Newsweek column by Jonathan Alter, who makes an argument for former Georgia senator Sam Nunn:

Selecting Nunn would be a defensive move but not a weak one. That’s because the choice would have its own doubling down effect, reinforcing Obama’s support for ending the war in the context of greater support for veterans and the military, and for shifting the Pentagon’s emphasis in the Middle East from Iraq to Afghanistan.

And Nunn might offer a bit more boldness than those who covered him in the Senate may remember. When asked about the U.S. embargo against Cuba, he said: “To show that I’m not running for anything, the policy is counter-productive and should have been changed long ago. It’s biggest beneficiary is Castro.”

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State GOP has $1.4 mill on hand to begin general election season; 2010 gubernatorial hopefuls spread the cash around

Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 03:57 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The state GOP has $1.4 million in cash to begin the general election season next week.

My AJC colleague James Salzer says the Georgia Republican party reports collecting $766,000 since March 31. Much of the money has come from elected officials and their political action committees.

Among the big contributors: The state Senate PAC ($60,000); Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens, who is considered a possible gubernatorial hopeful in 2010 ($10,000); state House Health and Human Services Chairwoman Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta) ($20,000); and House Higher Education Chairman Bill Hembree (R-Winston) ($10,000).

Updated: Late Tuesday, the state Democratic party reported raising $307,000 over the past three months, and ended June with $485,000 on hand.

Among other financial notations:

— Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, a candidate for governor in 2010, put out the word this week that he’s donating $26,750 to the state legislative campaigns of Republican incumbents and hopefuls with opposition this fall, Salzer reports.

However, another likely GOP gubernatorial candidate, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, is writing checks too. He’s given $2,300 each to state senators with primary opposition, Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) and Dan Moody (R-Dunwoody).

He also wrote a $1,000 check to Steve Gooch, a friend who is running against one of House Speaker Glenn Richardson’s committee chairmen, Amos Amerson.

Oxendine and Cagle can afford the largesse. Under state law, they can’t spend the money they’ve raised for their current offices on their race for governor. At the end of 2007, Oxendine had $925,000 left in his insurance commissioner’s campaign account, and Cagle had $501,000 in his lieutenant governor’s warchest.

— Also, Jon Flack at Tondee’s Tavern is honing in on the top lines of financial reports filed by Georgia congressional candidates.

Most interesting is that U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall has $1.3 million, while Republican challenger Rick Goddard boasts $459,000. And in the 10th District primary, Republican incumbent Paul Broun of Athens is still at a financial disadvantage to challenger Barry Fleming of Harlem.

Brown has $202,000 to Fleming’s $344,000.

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The Barr effect: Zogby says he’s the difference between Obama and McCain

Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 02:53 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A national Zogby poll of tens of thousands of voters is stirring talk about the impact of Libertarian candidate Bob Barr on the presidential race.

The massive survey was released Sunday. It puts Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama at 44 percent. Republican John McCain at 38 percent, and Barr at 6 percent — exactly the margin between the two candidates for the major parties.

On MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” today, McCain was asked specifically about the Barr effect. Here’s what McCain said:

“I’m confident that at the end of the day, Republicans and Democrats and Libertarians and vegetarians will vote for me. We’ve got a lot of work to do. I’m the underdog…..I’m confident we’re going to win, but I have no illusions about the challenges we face.”

The entire interview is below:

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Obama on faith-based programs, gun rights, and Iraq: ‘I’m not flip-flopping’

Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 11:52 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

When he wasn’t talking about the economy this morning, Democratic presidential presumptive Barack Obama was rebuffing Republican charges of flip-flopping.

Obama told the crowd at McEachern High School that he’d long been in favor of involving people of faith in politics and in government programs — so long as they respect the line between church and state.

And yes, he did endorse the U.S. Supreme Court decision last month that declared firearm ownership to be an individual right. “I also recognize that we need to make sure we have decent controls over the use of illegal firearms in our county. Those two positions aren’t contradictory,” he said.

But Obama saved his biggest explanation for the war in Iraq. Listen to his comment on the topic here.

Obama’s grip on the Democratic base can be attributed in part to his opposition to the war from the start.

But, he emphasized:

“I have also consistently said that once we were in, we had to be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. You’ve got to make sure that our troops are safe. You’ve got to make sure the country doesn’t collapse.

“Now, assuming I take office in January, then that means we would still have our troops there for about two more years from now. There’s nothing rushed about that. At that point we will have been there for seven years. So when I hear John McCain saying we can’t surrender…Nobody’s talking about surrender. We’re talking about common-sense. We can’t be there forever.”

The Obama speech in Cobb was broadcast live by CNN. And Republicans quickly charged that Obama said something “dramatically different” a week ago in an interview with the Military Times:

“If current trends continue and we’re in a position where we continue to see reductions in violence and stabilizations and continue to see some improvements on the part of the Iraqi army and Iraqi police, then you know my hope would be that we could draw down in a deliberate fashion in consultation with the Iraqi government, at a pace that is determined in consultation with General Petraeus and the other commanders on the ground and it strikes me that that’s something we can begin relatively soon after inauguration.

“If on the other hand you’ve got a deteriorating situation for some reason then that’s going to have to be taken into account.”

Below is a YouTube link to a substantive portion of the Military Times interview, which includes the quotes cited by the GOP above. You’ll note that the opening phraseology tracks very closely to what Obama said in Cobb.

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Audio from Barack Obama’s appearance in Cobb County

Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 10:49 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Here’s the audio from Barack Obama’s speech at McEachern High School. It runs about 20 minutes or so.

A question-and-answer session followed.

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Barack Obama arrives in west Cobb

Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 09:47 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

He’s just started speaking. Main theme: “I want to put the American Dream in the reach of every American.”

U.S. Reps. Hank Johnson and Sanford Bishop are here as well. Obama had kind words for U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who came late to the Obama campaign. “I’m proud of him.”

U.S. Rep. John Conyers of Michigan is here as well. Don’t know what that’s about.

The Insider will post the sound ASAP.

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Macon Telegraph endorses Dale Cardwell in U.S. Senate race

Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 09:26 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former TV journalist Dale Cardwell just got the endorsement of the Macon Telegraph in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate:

While [Jim] Martin has the most experience in a governmental setting - with the direction our government is headed - that’s not a plus for him. And while his name recognition and experience may lead him to the nomination, we have to go with our gut feeling and try a different path.

The balloting was close, but we endorse Dale Cardwell for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.

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Notes from the Barack Obama rally: Building data banks, arranging the scenery

Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 09:16 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A few notes from the Barack Obama rally:

— Jacob Klein, the Obama field organizer for Atlanta’s northwest suburbs, just finished a spiel aimed at turning 2,500 or so spectators into a data bank.

Klein asked everyone in the McEachern High gym to grab their cell phones and send a text message to an address he announced from the podium.

All those messages, presumably, were captured. The organizer promised occasional text messages from the campaign. But not too many. Spam annoys even Obamites.

— The crowd here is 80 percent African-American, perhaps more. But as we’ve come to expect, the people posted behind the presidential candidate are a more careful mix. Right now, there are 37 in the three risers. Of them, 17 are white.

— Who’s here? U.S. Rep. David Scott, whose congressional district is the closest Democratic one. And his primary opponent, Donzella James. House Minority Leader DuBose Porter, who has gubernatorial aspirations. Former state party chairman Calvin Smyre. State Rep. Doug Stoner of Smyrna, who inhabits a neighboring Democratic district. And state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.

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Waiting for Obama in a not-so-Republican pocket of Cobb County

Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 08:35 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Insider’s back from a busman’s holiday in D.C., and in the gym of McEachern High School, waiting for Democratic presumptive Barack Obama to come greet a crowd that’s growing and growing and growing.

The school parking lot was already filled at 7 a.m., and a stream of people were already making the trek from the nearby Kroger’s.

This is the district of state Rep. Earl Ehrhart, the Republican chairman of the House Rules Committee. And there are plenty of Republican votes here. Four years ago, President Bush made an appearance at another Cobb County high school only five miles or so away.

But to call this firm GOP territory would be to ignore the changes in Cobb that have occurred over the last few years.

The crowd that’s assembling here is largely black. This may speak to the drawing power of Obama, or the method of ticket distribution. But it’s not a geographic anomaly.

McEachern and its ornate west Cobb campus (the public school has a private endowment) has 2,466 students. Only a few years ago, it was majority white. Now, white students comprise only 34 percent of the enrollment. Over half, 54 percent, are African-American. The remainder are primarily Hispanic.

“The demographics have changed rapidly in the last eight to 10 years,” said Cobb school board chairman Betty Gray, who has a seat near the front row of the Obama rally. (Yes, she is a Democrat, and, yes, she has primary opposition.)

“Certain clusters of schools have come to represent change. Change has come quickly, and we’ve assimilated as necessary,” she said.

David Wilkerson, chairman of the Cobb County Democratic party, is here as well — making good friends by doling out what tickets he has at his disposal.

Wilkerson said the Obama campaign is searching out office space in Cobb. Probably south Cobb, but perhaps north Cobb.

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Obama tackles Buckhead

Monday, July 7, 2008, 07:31 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is in Buckhead, an hour behind schedule, but preparing for a high-dollar fund raiser at banquet hall 103 West.

Obama’s plane, his second of the day, landed at Atlantic at Hartsfield, a private terminal, shortly before 6:30 p.m. His first plane, you might have heard, had mechanical issues en route to Charlotte and had to land in St. Louis. The candidate and his entourage switched planes and pushed on to Atlanta.

Once on the ground, the candidate, in a dark suit and pale blue tie, climbed down the rolling staircase and got into a waiting SUV. His motorcade of six cars and a bus zoomed up I-85 to the Downtown Connector and on to Buckhead. No blue lights on the interstates, but a few blocked intersections on surface streets.

The motorcade came up Moores Mill Road to West Paces Ferry, which luckily allowed us to miss the construction nightmare just two blocks away.

103 West is on West Paces Ferry, and the bus carrying the national press pool got a glimpse of some of Atlanta’s finest homes, including the Georgia governor’s mansion.

More to come.

— Aaron Gould Sheinin

Jim Galloway is on vacation. If you’ve got news, pop an e-mail to our political team: editor Susan Abramson at sabramson@ajc.com; staffers Aaron Gould Sheinin at asheinin@ajc.com; James Salzer at jsalzer@ajc.com; Ben Smith at bsmith@ajc.com; and Jim Tharpe at jtharpe@ajc.com.

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Oxendine has $460,000 in the bank

Monday, July 7, 2008, 05:47 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine will report Tuesday that he’s got almost a half-million-dollar head start on his gubernatorial rivals.

Oxendine will report having raised $472,000 over the past few months for his 2010 race for governor. He has $460,000 in the bank. No other 2010 gubernatorial candidate has begun raising money.

While that sounds like a nice chunk of change, then-state Sen. Sonny Perdue raised about twice as much in a little over a month when he got into his first governor’s race in 2001.

However, Perdue was the candidate of the Republican establishment that year. This time around, many big-money GOP donors may be waiting to see who gets into the governor’s race before deciding which horse to bet on.

• James Salzer

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Huckabee urges Georgians to back ‘second choice’

Sunday, July 6, 2008, 12:50 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The man who won the Feb. 5 Georgia GOP presidential primary has released a video urging state Republicans to back the party’s nominee for president.

And, in case you’ve forgotten, they’re not one and the same.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was in Georgia a week ago for a fund raiser for U.S. Rep. John Linder. During his stop in Duluth, he shot the video urging Georgians to back McCain, who defeated Huckabee for the Republican nomination, even though Huckabee won Georgia.

In the spot, which can be seen here, Huckabee starts off light, saying he wanted to talk about the man who was “my second choice for president.”

“It’s time for Republicans across America, and especially here in Georgia, to unite behind John McCain,” Huckabee said. “We need him as our 44th president.”

Huckabee urged his supporters to contact the McCain campaign and get involved. “Too much is on the line for our country and for our kids,” he says in the video. “And that’s why I am not only thanking you for all you have done for me but asking you to do that much and more to help Senator McCain get elected.”

— Aaron Gould Sheinin

Jim Galloway is on vacation. 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; Ben Smith at bsmith@ajc.com; and Jim Tharpe at jtharpe@ajc.com.

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Obama to hold town hall in Powder Springs

Friday, July 4, 2008, 04:00 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama will talk economic security at a town hall meeting Tuesday morning at John McEachern High School in Powder Springs.

The event is free and open to the public, although tickets are required. Doors to the event, which will be in the Paul A. Lovinggood Gymnasium.

The town hall event will follow a high-dollar fund raiser Obama will attend at 103 West in West Paces Ferry. Both are part of the campaign’s efforts to add Georgia to the blue column for the first time since 1992. The campaign said Saturday that Obama will spend the week emphasizing the economic struggles of families in a faltering economy, a message that could resonate with middle class voters.

Free tickets to the event are available at the following locations:

• George Allen Hair Salon, 103 Spring Road, Smyrna Today: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Los Portales, 4485 North Town Square, Suite 104, Powder Springs Today: Noon to 10:30 p.m. Sunday: Noon to 9:30 p.m.

— Aaron Gould Sheinin

Jim Galloway is on vacation. 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; Ben Smith at bsmith@ajc.com; and Jim Tharpe at jtharpe@ajc.com.

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McCain campaign plans Monday event

Thursday, July 3, 2008, 09:19 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Georgia campaign of Republican presidential hopeful John McCain is showing signs of life.

Supporters plan to gather Monday at an Atlanta restaurant to tout the Arizona senator’s economic policies, with a specific eye toward small businesses.

While McCain himself will not be there, the Monday event is one of the first official outings of the McCain campaign in the state.

It also happens to be the same day that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama visits the city personally, albeit for a high-dollar fund raising event in West Paces Ferry.

The McCain event begins at noon at The Atlantic Grill, 264 19th St. in Atlanta.

— Aaron Gould Sheinin

Jim Galloway is on vacation. If you’ve got news, pop an e-mail to our political team: editor Susan Abramson at sabramson@ajc.com; staffers Aaron Gould Sheinin at asheinin@ajc.com; James Salzer at jsalzer@ajc.com; Ben Smith at bsmith@ajc.com; and Jim Tharpe at jtharpe@ajc.com.

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Knight gets another education endorsement

Thursday, July 3, 2008, 03:16 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

U.S. Senate candidate Rand Knight on Wednesday got the endorsement of the National Education Association.

“I am honored to receive this endorsement,” Knight said. “I was raised by my mother, a public school teacher, who instilled in me an appreciation of both a good education and of the people who contribute to educating students every day.”

The Board of Directors of the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) recommended Knight’s candidacy to the National Education Association Fund for Children and Public Education, who approved the recommendation to endorse Rand Knight for U.S. Senate in Georgia.

Knight earlier was endorsed by the GAE and the Georgia chapter of the AFL-CIO. He is running against former legislator Jim Martin, former WSB-TV reporter Dale Cardwell, DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones and Josh Lanier of Statesboro for the Democratic nod to take on incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Moultrie and Libertarian Allen Buckley in November.

Jeff Hubbard, president of the GAE cited Knight’s commitment to strengthening public education as one of the key reasons he was endorsed.

“Rand Knight’s education positions are forward-looking and address education as a lifelong process,” Hubbard said. “Knight has made clear that education will be at the top of his list of priorities in the U.S. Senate, and he demonstrated a dedication to ensuring everyone in the United States receives the education to which they are entitled.”

— Jim Tharpe

Jim Galloway is on vacation. 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; Ben Smith at bsmith@ajc.com; and Jim Tharpe at jtharpe@ajc.com.

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Chambliss adds $800,000 to campaign

Thursday, July 3, 2008, 01:53 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

While Democrats are still trying to select their party’s nominee to run against U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss of Moultrie, Chambliss keeps adding to his campaign war chest.

Chambliss on Thursday announced that he raised over $800,000 during the pre-primary fundraising period covering April 1 through June 25.

Going in to the general election, Chambliss has over $4 million in cash-on-hand. Since 2002, Chambliss has raised $9.9 million for his re-election campaign, dwarfing the amounts raised by the five Democrats vying to run against him.

Chambliss in November will face the Democratic winner of the July 15 primary and Libertarian Allen Buckley.

“I am humbled and honored by the strong support we continue to see as we travel all over Georgia,” Chambliss said in a statement. “Everyone I talk to is excited about this race and our supporters are really gearing up for a high-energy general election. I look forward to even more opportunities to talk with Georgians during my re-election campaign.”

From April 1 through June 25, Chambliss raised $808,117.15 for his re-election campaign and closed the pre-primary reporting period with a total of $4,005,173.68 cash-on-hand.

Chambliss’ campaign said, “95 percent of the money raised was from individual donors,” of which eighty-five percent are Georgians representing 128 counties in Georgia.

Chambliss is the ranking Republican Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Senate Rules Committee. Chambliss previously represented Georgia’s 8th congressional district for four terms in the U.S.

— Jim Tharpe

Jim Galloway is on vacation. 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; Ben Smith at bsmith@ajc.com; and Jim Tharpe at jtharpe@ajc.com.

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Oxendine expects to post big money number

Thursday, July 3, 2008, 09:09 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

When Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine files his mid-year campaign report next week, the Republican says he’ll be disclosing that he’s raised more than $400,000 since announcing plans in mid-April to run for governor in 2010.

That’s he’s having success collecting campaign checks to run for governor should come as no surprise. Oxendine has set records raising money for re-election, collecting a big chunk of his take from the folks he regulates.

Oxendine said he’s only had one fund-raiser so far. “If we can raise $400,000 without trying very hard, we can raise a lot more when we start trying,” he said.

For a point of reference, Oxendine raised a little more than $200,000 in a similar amount of time in 2004 when he announced his intentions to run for lieutenant governor in 2006. Oxendine wound up deciding against making that run, but not before collecting about $500,000 in less than a year. He returned most of the money to donors.

—James Salzer

Jim Galloway is on vacation. 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; Ben Smith at bsmith@ajc.com; and Jim Tharpe at jtharpe@ajc.com.

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Poythress getting a head start on 2010

Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 11:17 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It seems like a long way off, but there’s a pretty good reason folks like retired Georgia National Guard Adjutant General David Poythress may be filing paperwork for the 2010 governor’s race already this summer.

Poythress, 64, who also served as secretary of state and labor commissioner, is expected to open a campaign account within the next month to raise money to run for governor as a Democrat.

State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, a Republican, is the only other candidate to file such paperwork for what may be a crowded 2010 race to replace Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Perdue is in his second term and can’t run for a third.

When asked how much he’ll need to compete in the governor’s race, Poythress said, “Realistically, something a little shy of $20 million.” He later added, “$20 million may be a little on the low side.”

Back in 1998, Poythress ran for governor, finishing third in the Democratic primary to Roy Barnes and Lewis Massey. He raised about $1.5 million for that race. Barnes won the general election, then spent about $20 million to win re-election in 2002, only to lose to Perdue.

—James Salzer

Jim Galloway is on vacation. 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; Ben Smith at bsmith@ajc.com; and Jim Tharpe at jtharpe@ajc.com.

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McCain, Chambliss lead in Georgia, new poll finds

Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 10:03 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A new poll from Atlanta-based Strategic Vision shows that John McCain remains the leader in the presidential race in Georgia and incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss leads all Democratic challengers.

The poll, released Tuesday, shows Republican McCain leading Democrat Barack Obama 51 percent to 43 percent, with Libertarian Bob Barr, the former Georgia congressman, getting 3 percent.

The poll of 800 likely voters has a margin of error of 3 percentage points, meaning the race could be as tight 5 points or as wide as 11.

In the race for the Democratic Senate nomination, the poll found DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones leading with 25 percent, former WSB television reporter Dale Cardwell at 22 percent, former state lawmaker Jim Martin at 17, Atlanta businessman Rand Knight with 14 percent, retired businessman Josh Lanier at 6 percent and 16 percent were undecided.

In theoretical match-ups with each potential Democratic challenger, Chambliss gets no less than 57 percent.

Click here to get the full results.

— Aaron Gould Sheinin

Jim Galloway is on vacation. 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; Ben Smith at bsmith@ajc.com; and Jim Tharpe at jtharpe@ajc.com.

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Governor’s land worth millions

Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 02:33 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Gov. Sonny Perdue filed his personal financial report for the year Tuesday afternoon and it shows the Houston County agribusinessman continues to hold an impressive land portfolio.

Perdue lists owning personal property in Houston County and in Florida near Disney World, and his businesses own land in Burke, Gordon, Peach and Washington counties in Georgia.

A check of tax commissioner records in those counties put the combined values at about $4.3 million, meaning the governor is paying a lot of property taxes these days. Many of the properties have not been revalued in the past year, including the Osceola, Fla. property that brought the governor such grief in 2006 when he was running for re-election.

Perdue bought the land from politically-connected developer Stan Thomas for $2 million in 2004, but it was only valued at $185,000 by the Osceola tax commissioner. Osceola County officials more than tripled the appraisal for tax purposes last year, and it’s now valued at $642,000.

— James Salzer

Jim Galloway is on vacation. 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; Ben Smith at bsmith@ajc.com; and Jim Tharpe at jtharpe@ajc.com.

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