As the political silly … that is, primary … season draws (some would say, mercifully) to a close, we thought we’d take a moment to savor some of the more bizarre, improbable, caustic and baffling moments of this entertaining campaign cycle.
Note: Astute readers will notice a preponderance of Republicans in the following catalogue. That’s not because Democrats are any smarter. If they were, they’d figure out how to win office in Georgia, and there would be more Democratic primary battles, creating more opportunities for gaffes.
You first, Jack
Jack Kingston, the 1st District GOP congressman, now running for the U.S. Senate, was caught on video telling a Jackson County crowd in December that poor children should have to pay a small fee or perform janitorial work in return for their school lunches. " … maybe sweep the floor in the cafeteria," was the operative line. Some months later, a Savannah television station tallied the tens of thousands of dollars in meals Kingston and his staff had charged to taxpayers, contributors and countries he visited. Free lunch, indeed.
Well, think about it: His name isn’t Fastinski
Brian Slowinski, a Republican running in the 10th Congressional District, released a music video May 6 that almost defies description. It features thrumming electric guitars and his own, um, odd vocal stylings over shots of him working the heavy bag and tossing effigies of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton off the steps of of the national Capitol. Sample lyric: "Democrats and deficits aren't for me," and "Slowinski! Slowinski! Slowinski! Republican fighter for me!"
Now that you mention it, it is sort of hard to believe
“It’s Vernon Jones. That’s right, Vernon Jones. Listen, you’re not going to believe this. (Dramatic pause.) I am now running for sheriff.” That’s the recorded phone call DeKalb County voters have received as the former county CEO — and failed candidate for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House — seeks to become DeKalb’s new sheriff. Jones, who’s been campaigning in a 10-gallon Stetson, is making his bid in the face of a recommendation from a special grand jury that his tenure as CEO be investigated for evidence of bid-rigging. Jones has denied any wrongdoing.
Jean-Claude Van Collins, R-Ga.
This one was actually kinda epic. In November, actor Jean-Claude Van Damme was featured in a Volvo truck ad performing an amazing split on two moving trucks. A month later, Mike Collins, another Republican running in the 10th District, released a (sort of) similar video in which he (sort of) performs the same stunt.
His college major was tone-deafness
Veteran business executive David Perdue, another GOP Senate hopeful, gave a speech to the Bibb County GOP in January in which he appeared to criticize primary opponent Karen Handel for not having a college degree. When a video of the speech was released in April, that comment led to a backlash against Perdue — abetted by ads from the Handel campaign — and gave Handel a boost in the polls. Eight days later, Perdue apologized.
You want a debate? We’ll give you a debate
Republican gubernatorial hopeful David Pennington promised a "major announcement" back in April. When the media horde assembled in the state Capitol for his revelation, the former Dalton mayor revealed a hand-lettered sign demanding that Gov. Nathan Deal debate him or drop out of the race. That was strange enough, but then Pennington spotted Randy Evans, Deal's campaign attorney and one of the top GOP lawyers in the nation, looking on. Pennington made a reference to Evans, and that was all it took. Evans began peppering Pennington with questions about a his financial dealings, challenging him to unseal federal bankruptcy court records related to a company he once ran. Definitely one of the more bizarre moments of the campaign season.
It’s the thought that counts, no?
State Sen. Jason Carter, D-Atlanta, presumptive Democratic nominee for governor, gave a passionate speech during the legislative session against a bill that would create a new city of Lakeside. But when the “yeas” and “nays” were to be counted, Carter was absent from the Senate chamber and, thus, did not back up his speech with his vote. His absence was noted by the campaign of incumbent Republican Gov. Nathan Deal, and spokeswoman Jen Talaber tweaked Carter about it on Twitter. Carter responded that he “recorded a no vote with the senate secretary. Didn’t refuse to vote.” Just one problem: A senator is surely free to tell the Senate secretary how he or she would have voted, but that carries no official weight and doesn’t change the tally.
That’s one way to get on the no-fly list
Down in the 1st Congressional District Republican primary, a video surfaced earlier this month of Savannah surgeon Bob Johnson airing some rather pointed views about airport security screenings by the Transporation Secruity Administration. He began his February comments with a small disclaimer: " … now, this is going to seem outrageous … " He wasn't kidding. "I'd rather see another terrorist attack — truly I would — than to give up my liberty as an American citizen," Johnson continued. "Give me liberty or give me death. Isn't that what Patrick Henry said at the founding of our Republican — or, republic?" Johnson later apologized for the remarks.
$100,000 + $5,000 = priceless theater
Ray Boyd, who ran an abortive campaign for governor in 2010, first as a Republican and then as an independent, has made a memorable return to state politics over the past few months. The Monroe County millionaire has made it his mission to replace House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, with Gilmer County High School wrestling coach Sam Snider. Earlier this month, Boyd announced that he would hold a news conference in Ellijay, in Ralston’s district, to discuss a grave threat to American democracy. He wouldn’t say what it was about, but promised to pay $100,000 to anyone who could prove that what he said wasn’t true. Then he upped the ante, promising to give $5,000 in cash to one lucky person just for showing up. Well, Boyd was true to his word. At the May 10 event, he railed against electronic voting machines and displayed a briefcase containing $100,000 cash. No one attempted to claim it by proving him wrong, but Snider’s father did walk away with the five grand.
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