Archive for October, 2010

Augusta was a hot spot this week for Republicans hoping to mark big wins next Tuesday. The Augusta Chronicle reports candidates from the top of the ticket on down discussed jobs,  “but mostly the importance of turning the entire state of Geogia red.”

“We’re going to take Georgia and America back,” said Congressman Paul Broun at the Republican Georgia Bus Tour. “I believe very firmly that every single constitutional office in the state of Georgia is going to be Republican after this election.”

On the jobs front, metro Atlanta’s unemployment rate dipped a little last month. See the article here.

Continue reading Georgia Republicans seeing red next Tuesday »

The cows now immortalized in Roy Barnes’ campaign for governor have become a political hot potato: Is that beef legal?

On his spread in Marietta, Barnes has two heifers, Molly and Polly, that were seen recently in a light-hearted campaign commercial. The Democratic former governor, seeking a return to the office in Tuesday’s general election, also had a campaign event last week to introduce the “new additions to their family:” newborn calves Tiger and Frisky.

Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Roy Barnes holds a press conference to prove that he owns cows Friday, Oct. 22, 2010 in Marietta. According to Barnes, he owns 20 head, including calf Frisky, left, and Molly. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

But now Barnes faces an inquiry with the city of Marietta as to whether those cows are legally grazing on his land. The dispute centers on city zoning laws, which says, in part, that “no livestock shall be kept on a lot containing less than 5 acres.” It’s unclear whether Barnes’ …

Continue reading Where’s the beef? Dispute broiling over Barnes’ cows »

Georgia state lawmakers are looking west to Arizona for ideas as they seek to crackdown on illegal immigration here.

Meeting at the state Capitol on Thursday for the first time, a Republican-controlled legislative committee discussed Arizona’s tough new laws aimed at the thorny problem. The panel — which is seeking to draft a comprehensive immigration bill before the next state legislative session starts in January – also received a report comparing Georgia and Arizona’s laws on the issue.

“I am not sure we will adopt Arizona’s law, but we will come up with our own,” said Sen. Jack Murphy, R-Cumming, co-chairman of the Joint House and Senate Study Committee on Immigration Reform. “It would probably be something similar, but I am not exactly sure how it would mirror theirs exactly. But I’m sure that some of the same language would be in there.”

In April, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law the nation’s toughest legislation against illegal immigration. …

Continue reading Georgia looks west, seeking to stop illegal immigration »

The most recent series of polling in the race for governor in Georgia show the contest most likely headed to a runoff.

If Democrat Roy Barnes, Republican Nathan Deal or Libertarian John Monds fail to get a majority of the vote on Tuesday, then the top two finishers will face off again on Nov. 30 in a runoff election.

For many, the idea of a runoff is akin to getting a triple root canal. But for others, primarily Barnes and Monds, a runoff could mean they’re hopes remain alive.

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How about you? Are you rooting for another trip to the polls the Tuesday after Thanksgiving? Or are you hoping all this is over on Tuesday?

Sound off below, and if you’re willing to be interviewed for a story on the topic, e-mail asheinin@ajc.com with your name, age, your …

Continue reading Rooting for a runoff? Or dreading a post-Thanksgiving election? »

Politics as usual or over the top? Get Schooled blogger Maureen Downey reports Democrat Joe Martin, who is running for state schools superintendent,  is unhappy with a flyer being sent out by his GOP opponent John Barge.

The flyer calls Martin “Obama Liberal Joe Martin” and an “Unqualified Radical Liberal” and charges that Martin has spent no time working in public schools.

“This flyer is a throw-back to the hard-nosed tactics of attacking one’s opponent by hurling epithets and playing to fears, ” says Martin in a mass e-mail.

To me, it seems that Barge is playing to the audience dissatisfied with President Obama, as are most Republican candidates this election season. The flyer seems like typical Georgia politics.

Continue reading Joe Martin protests GOP flyer attacking him as ‘radical liberal’ »

Follow the latest tweets from Georgia’s campaign trail @ajcgaelections

You’ve already heard about the large number of Georgians turning out to vote early as Nov. 2 nears.

Just in case you want to get in on the action before this Friday’s deadline but don’t know where to go, the secretary of state’s office has a tool that allows you to find early voting sites, which aren’t necessarily the same as your regular polling place. Just click here to start.

Continue reading Find your polling place for early voting in Georgia »

Follow the latest tweets from Georgia’s campaign trail @ajcgaelections

Ralph Reed’s Faith and Freedom coalition is dipping for the first time into Georgia politics. Reed’s comeback organization has launched a $500,000 radio ad campaign targeting 18 House and Senate races.

In Georgia, the Faith and Freedom Coalition will join Republicans in the effort to unseat U.S. Reps. Jim Marshall, D-Macon, and Sanford Bishop, D-Albany. Listen to the anti-Marshall ad here – “It’s us versus them.” And the anti-Bishop ad here: “Bishop doesn’t get it.”

Get an insider’s take on Georgia’s political scene from Jim Galloway’s Political Insider blog

Continue reading Ralph Reed buying radio ads targeting Georgia races »

Follow the latest tweets from Georgia’s campaign trail @ajcgaelections

Another poll, another indication that the Georgia gubernatorial race may be headed for a runoff. The latest InsiderAdvantage/Channel 2 poll has Republican Nathan Deal up 6 percentage points over Democrat Roy Barnes:

– Republican Nathan Deal, 47 percent

– Democrat Roy Barnes, 41 percent

– Libertarian John Monds, 5 percent

– And undecided, 7 percent.

Channel 2 Action News said 2,119 voters were polled with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Continue reading InsiderAdvantage/Channel 2 poll suggests possible Deal-Barnes runoff »

Follow the latest tweets from Georgia’s campaign trail @ajcgaelections

Washington political blogger Jamie Dupree is providing a state-by-state look at congressional races as  the Nov. 2 election nears, and here are his observations about two key races in Georgia:

GEORGIA – This state has had little change in its congressional delegation in recent years, but this year could be different, as Republicans hope to take two seats from the Democrats.  In GA-8, Rep. Jim Marshall has been a frequent target of the GOP, but he always finds a way to win his conservative district that features Macon and central Georgia.  This time, Republicans think Marshall is already toast, pointing at a poll last week that had him trailing by double digits.

The other district in the sights of Republicans is GA-2 in southwest Georgia, where Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) has been in this seat since Bill Clinton’s victory in 1992.  Republicans often talk about how they are going to knock out Bishop as …

Continue reading Update: GOP seeking Daily Double with wins over Reps. Jim Marshall and Sanford Bishop »

Follow the latest tweets from Georgia’s campaign trail @ajcgaelections

Get Schooled blogger Maureen Downey has obtained a statement from DeKalb school board candidate Corey E. Wilson on a 2006 arrest on charges of domestic violence:

“I have worked to address the real issues that impact our children in the DeKalb County School System: improving our schools; and supporting our teachers. I encourage everyone to look at my complete record and focus on the big issues. Let me be clear. I have been in love with my wife since we were teenagers, and I still love her. After recently celebrating our 12-year wedding anniversary, I am committed to my family, this school board district, and winning this race. I have a history of community service that speaks for itself. Look at the lump sum of my achievements and not a just few acts.”

The AJC’s Megan Matteucci reports Wilson isn’t the only one running for the school board who has an arrest record.

Continue reading DeKalb school board candidate addresses 2006 domestic violence arrest »