The video from Saturday's 12th District congressional debate between Democratic incumbent John Barrow and Republican Rick Allen was posted last night.
As you can see, the oddest thing about it was the fact that the two candidates argued across the cardboard sign announcing the sponsor of the event – the Islamic Society of Augusta.
It didn't come off without a hitch or two. The venue of the event was changed, with only a few days’ notice, from the Islamic Community Center to the Evans Government Complex. And the Columbia County News-Time withdrew as an event sponsor – on the orders of Morris Communications Co., the parent company of the Augusta Chronicle.
The final question posed to Barrow was something along the lines of, What are you doing to prevent Islamiphobia in the United States? His answer:
"And I think, frankly, that the manner by which we came here today reflects a concern that some folks have about the way in which folks are treated in this country. I wanted to respond to the opportunity to debate no matter who extended the invitation, and I did."
Asked the same question, Allen appeared to endorse the move to out of the Islamic Center:
"Now, I detest what is going on in the Middle East, and I know it turns your stomach, too. And it must be stopped. What I want, from everyone who is a citizen in this country, is to speak out – and to speak out heartily – against it. That's what I want to see from every religion. We must stop this radicalism."
Afterwards, News-Time publisher Steve Crawford, despite his newspaper's withdrawal as a sponsor of the event, wrote a column that included the following:
There is one person, however, who was dragged through the dirt needlessly, and who acquitted himself by showing exemplary character and dignity throughout the entire debacle.
That person is Dr. Hossam Fadel, of the Islamic Society of Augusta.
I'd never met him before last month, when he came to my office seeking help with putting on a political forum. He sought to bring the Congressional candidates to the Augusta area to talk about the issues and answer questions in a place where everyone was welcome. I told him that if he could get the candidates to agree, I would surely help.
For his efforts, however, Dr. Fadel, his organization and his religion have been subjected all manner of insults, innuendo and poisonous commentary.
For what?
His great sin was that he had the temerity to want to take part in the American political process, to promote public engagement and free discussion of the issues -- the sort of civic-minded activity that should be applauded. Instead, he was met with derision and cynicism.
***
While we're on the topic of Augusta, state senator-elect Harold Jones II sends word that the Augusta-Richmond County Board of Elections on Monday night approved early Sunday voting for this year's balloting.
L.C. Myles, the board secretary said, "Part of our mission here is to ensure that we get as many people to the polls as possible."
Executive Director Lynn Bailey added that the new room can hold up to 20 voting machines.
***
Mitt Romney is coming to town on Wednesday to hold fundraisers for two high-profile Republicans.
The former GOP presidential contender is hosting a luncheon for David Perdue's Senate campaign and swinging by the Varsity to boost Attorney General Sam Olens, who supported him in the 2012 race.
We're told he won't be coordinating an event for Gov. Nathan Deal, an outspoken supporter of Newt Gingrich in that contest.
***
Maybe you didn't ask them, but Emory University thought you might want to hear what its political scientists -- Merle Black, Alan Abramowitz and Andra Gillespie – had to say about the strengths and weaknesses of David Perdue and Michelle Nunn, the Republican and Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate, respectively:
***
Republicans are turning up the heat on Jason Carter. The Republican Governors Association's TV ad onslaught continues to pummel the Democrat. And now, this mailer from the Georgia Republican Party is targeting his "reckless, job-killing policies."
The mailer refers voters to a micro-site that tries to tie the Democrat to President Barack Obama and criticizes his voting record in the state Senate.
How does the state party get away with spending on behalf of Gov. Nathan Deal? With this barely visible line that makes it an expenditure on a group of Republicans: "Please for for Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Secretary of State Brian Kemp and Attorney General Sam Olens."
***
In Atlanta magazine, Rebecca Burns has a darn good, but lengthy, profile on Jason Carter, the Democratic candidate for governor.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson will visit the Brunswick area on Thursday for a look at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center there.
According to a news release, Johnson will be joined by U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and will give a speech about the importance of the training center.
The facility was the site of a 2007 visit by President George W. Bush when he was trying unsuccessfully to push an immigration reform bill through the Senate.
***
Republican Senate hopeful David Perdue released his latest ad Monday, featuring President Barack Obama and Democrat Michelle Nunn's well-worn quote from her primary debate that "I defer to the president's judgment."
Perdue then returns direct to camera, as he has done throughout the race, proclaiming that "Washington is addicted to spending" and vowing to help turn it around.
***
We have the spending numbers in for the pro-Michelle Nunn Super PAC Georgians Together: the group spent $400,000 on TV time for its first ad, and a low-budget $9,855 on producing the spot.
***
WSAV-Savannah interviewed Michelle Nunn late last week about the fraud allegations against the Democrats' New Georgia Project.
Nunn backed her friends Stacey Abrams and Rev. Raphael Warnock -- and like them raised the specter of voter suppression, without directly accusing Secretary of State Brian Kemp of doing so. Her remarks, circulated today by the Georgia GOP, via ZPolitics:
"Even Brian Kemp has said that this is minor, this is not indicative of any broad effort. And that really, all of us, I believe should be focused on how do we get more people involved, not how do we distort or suppress the vote."
***
Residents who live around Fort Benning get announcements that most of us don't. From a military spokesman, via the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer:
"Community members should expect to hear noise from the fast-moving, low-flying aircraft and the use of 500-pound bombs. In addition, citizens will see significant flare signatures over the course of the training."
About the Author
