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DEL.ICIO.USAn admirable rate of exchange: A single Tom Price = seven GOP House members
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This morning on WGAU (1340AM) in Athens, U.S. Rep. Tom Price waxed eloquently on Monday’s fund-raiser in Atlanta for John McCain, on Sam Nunn as veep, and Bob Barr.
Listen here to the sound clip sent by host Tim Bryant.
Of Georgia’s seven GOP House members, Price was the only one to attend the McCain event. And while McCain was a first choice for none of them, Price said talk about the scarcity of congressmen on Monday was “much ado about nothing.”
After all, U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss were there, Price said. And this is August — when congressmen have scheduled family vacations and must tend to their own campaigns. Then there’s that nascent revolt that House Republicans are tending in Washington.
So much to do, and so little time.
“I was proud to carry the mantle for all seven Republican congressmen from the state of Georgia — who are all supporting McCain in his bid,” Price said.
The Roswell congressman used some interesting phraseology at the end of his comments on Nunn, whom he recommended that Democrats hire as Barack Obama’s running mate. Said Price:
“I think in the end this election is about who’s at the top of the ticket. And I believe that the individual on the Republican side, Senator McCain, demonstrates the kind of enthusiastic support of American principles and of American vision — he’s not impressed with himself, but he’s impressed with the challenge that we have in leading the nation.”
The emphasis on “American” in the above quote is Price’s own.
Photo credit: Associated Press
Comments
By Un-Represented
August 19, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Dr. Tom Price has a net worth of more than $11 million, and he makes no bones about representing his own kind. The working and middle-class people of the Sixth district are not his constituents, and he’ll tell you as much himself. His fellow silver-spoons matter, and the rest of us do not. He supports John McCain because John McCain cares about preserving a way of life for the special, privileged few, like the uber-rich heiress he left his wife for. If you don’t pull in at least $250K a year, the Republican party appreciates your vote, and they’ll even tell you what you want to hear in order to secure it! But make no mistake: you do NOT matter.
By Joeventures
August 19, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
It’s nice to know that Tom Price thinks that not all Americans are, you know, Americans.
By Joeventures
August 19, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
It’s nice to know that Tom Price thinks that not all Americans are, you know, Americans.
By The Snark
August 19, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Mr. Price tries to build himself up by accusing people from the other party of not being American. Somewhere, Tail Gunner Joe McCarthy is grinning and shaking his head at how many times people will fall for the same stupid trick.
Will someone please remind me of what, exactly, Mr. Price has done for the American people during his time in office?
And as for Sen. McCain not being “impressed with himself” … Price obviously wasn’t in the meeting when McCain roared at his Senate collegues “F* you, I know more than anyone in this room!” (Go ahead … look it up!)
By Wake UP North Atlanta
August 19, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
People around the country would assume after hearing Tom Price that North Atlanta is full of white trash nativist rednecks. If you don’t mind people having that perception keep voting for Price.
I guess if you disagree with Price you’re not a real American.
By Did McCain really say
August 19, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
that being rich means having an annual income of at least 5 million dollars.
By Gary
August 19, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
Yeah North Atlanta needs to wake up because we don’t agree with those who call themselves poor because they cannot seem to get out and make something of themselves and constantly wait around on the government to do it. Get real people, the government is not the answer, the individual is. If you want a job, well get out and find one, if you don’t make enough money to support your family and keep your home well get a better job or get two jobs. Its simple, do things for yourselves and quit depending on the damn government because they won’t help you and could care less. Also why all the crap about being nativist? Is there something wrong with being an American and saying you are proud of being one? By the comments of those on the left and their loud minority it seems being an American is evil. It also seems that having a different opinion is wrong too. To those of you who are not in Mr Price’s district, get over it and worry about your own Congressman.
By Gary
August 19, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Oh, and another thing. Your sir (Galloway) show your true bias colors when you put extra emphasis on the word American in Dr Price’s quotes. “Senator McCain, demonstrates the kind of enthusiastic support of American principles and of American vision”
Please explain to me how that quote is different than any other politician (National, State, and Local; Republican or Democrat) using the word American when describing their stance on the issues and what kind of representative they would make? I sure as heck don’t see any difference and believe it is just you showing your true liberal colors and invoking any kind of anti-GOP talk on these message boards. Well sir, your little rant on Congressman Price will surely not get his challenger elected. Why don’t you guys stick to reporting and let the readers decide. No wonder the AJC is bleeding money. Who would want to pay 75 cents for a paper when all you read is liberal points of view.
And to the rest of you. What is with the wealth envy? Is there something wrong for someone succeeding in life? Is there something wrong for going the extra mile and achieving something? Tom Price is a successful doctor and has earned his net worth. If you don’t like it tough, get out and do something yourself and maybe you might just earn wealth too. Its called the American Dream. Time to live it instead of waiting on the government to give it to you. And don’t give me this crap about the middle class either. I am middle class and I seem to be doing just fine. Not everyone in the middle class is hurting like the politicians make you believe. Some (myself included) are out there living their American dream and are succeeding in life.
By Un-Represented
August 19, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
Nice try Gary, but Dr. Price is now receiving a paycheck to represent his constituency. ALL of us who pay taxes should be very clear as to exactly what he does and whom he represents to receive that check, and all the privileges and entitlements of his office, including life-long most excellent health care benefits that many of us do not have. If wealthy people want to ignore the working people of this country, they should stick to the private sector, and not pretend to represent others.
Likewise, a poor man elected to office should represent the interests of his moneyed constituents as well as the working class — oh wait.. without money for prime-time TV, or generous rich friends to whom you’ll owe favors, you can’t get elected in America. Nevermind.
By Crystal
August 19, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Name a poor man elected to office?
By Democratic Debutante
August 19, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Tom Price attended because he thinks this election is a cake walk — the other 11 are smarter and know they are going to have to fight to retain any seats that are opposed this time and in the next round in two years. None of them want to be linked to a loser.
Price could profit from their example. Instead of waving the flag, he would be better off to distance himself from a candidate who complains to the Russians, ” …Countries just don’t invade other Countries…” proving that he has been MIA as a Senator for some years, at least mentally.
Price has a challenge in the 6th this year, a Viet Nam veteran, successful business man, ALPA member, former Delta pilot, Bill Jones. Bill is in this to win and has the credentials. Mr. Moneybags Price with his love of greasy lobbyists and his utter disregard for our children, veterans and the elderly had better watch out. This time he will not get away with wrapping himself in the flag he never carried.
Look around you, when has Tom Price ever been anything but a mouthpiece for George Bush? When has he ever supported working people, veterans or retired persons? He many not have been the architect of the budget tailspin we are in; but, he did fiddle while Washington burned. He has fiddled around too much and we need better leadership, our kids need it and our elderly deserve it and have earned it.
D.Deb
By Gary
August 19, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Well despite what you think Un-Rep, Tom Price does represent me well and I am not a wealthy big money donor. He shares my same beliefs and I have had the distinguished opportunity to talk with him and he is a very smart man. It is ok for you to disagree with him and wish to see another congressman take over. However all I see is your disdain for him because he is wealthy and a Republican.
By Oscar Lewis
August 20, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Price is an amazing fraud.
He recently claimed that China was drilling for oil off of the coast of Florida.
A couple of years ago he claimed that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and that those WMD had been moved out of the country prior to the war.
He also claims that offshore drilling will affect the price of gas. What’s to keep OPEC from decreasing oil production by the same amount that we attempt to increase it?
He’ll probably get re-elected. That sucks.
By Sixth Voter
August 20, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
Price also claims that the NUMBER ONE problem in the 6th district is illegal immigration. Having lived there many years, I don’t see it, but it must be true because every month or so he sends me expensive, high-gloss, full-color, taxpayer-funded mailings about it, with his own photograph always featured prominently. But I’m sure his campaign flyers are paid for by his friends, right?
By Gary
August 21, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Oscar, For starters China has a contract with Cuba to drill for oil off their coast, which just so happens to be the southern coast of Florida as well so Price was not wrong about that. Saddam Hussein did have WMDs, that is why he had all those UN sanctions against him and the whole world as of 2002 agreed he had these weapons. So Price was going with what others and evidence was saying at the time. It also doesn’t add up because Price was a State Senator at the time of the Iraq war. Offshore drilling will increase the domestic oil supply for the U.S. which in turn lessens the amount of foreign oil the U.S. has to purchase and thus decreases the price of oil. This fact was proven in the early 1980s when domestic production increased, prices fell dramatically. If the President signed an energy bill tomorrow that greatly increases domestic drilling, then speculation markets will start selling oil futures like crazy and thus brings down oil prices because the concern about future supplies will be no more. So yes Price is right (haha, thats a good one) when he says that it will lower gas prices.
Sixth Voter, illegal immigration may not be a concern to you, but Price’s district covers much, if not all of Cherokee County. Cherokee County, as any resident in the county knows(and that would include me), does have a bad illegal immigration problem. Just look at Woodstock, Holly Springs, and Canton. They are overrun with illegal immigrants and no one to enforce the problem because the Federal Government won’t take care of it. So again, Price is right when he says that illegal immigration is a problem within the 6th district. Also those mailers are funded because they come from his official office as Congressmen must keep constituents informed on issues. And yes campaign flyers are paid for by his campaign, not taxpayers.
Price is one of those Congressmen who doesn’t get much spotlight so I know the real reason why the AJC and some people on this blog continue to berate him and it has to do with the party he is affiliated with. Any GOP congressman is corrupt and all Democrats are angels. Give me a break. The reason the 6th district has elected him to landslide victories and will do so again this year is because his top three priorities reasonate with the voters: 1) Energy independence 2) Water resource solutions and 3) Illegal Immigration reform. If there is a real problem with Dr Price then we would have seen it by now and he would have lost or at least had a competitive race in 2006. None of those happened.