The resurrection of a con man in a choir-boy face
Three years ago this week, Ralph Reed took a surprisingly bad whooping here on his home turf in Georgia, in a Republican primary in which his ties to the religious right were supposed to carry him to victory.
In a race for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor — his first attempt at elective office — Reed drew just 44 percent of the vote against Casey Cagle. That performance raised a question: How could a nationally known figure such as Reed, a man who had also served as state party chair, lose by a double-digit margin to a state senator making his first bid for statewide office?
“The moderate wing of the Republican Party showed up, but the pro-Ralph side of the party went to the beach,” former state GOP chairman Rusty Paul said afterward. “It had an impact all up and down the ticket,” with social conservatives losing primaries that year to moderates.
Conservative Christian voters are known for loyalty, but in this case they had good reason to be disillusioned with the one-time Golden Boy of the Christian Coalition. Earlier that year, Reed’s close friend and business associate, lobbyist Jack Abramoff, had pleaded guilty to defrauding Indian gaming operations of millions of dollars, some of which ended up in Reed’s pockets.
Abramoff is now serving time in federal prison. And while Reed was never charged in the scam, in moral and ethical terms his behavior was reprehensible. Using millions of dollars in gambling money laundered through false fronts, Reed was paid to gin up a “grassroots coalition” to try to close casinos that competed with casinos linked to Abramoff.
In effect, Reed’s job was to run those competing casinos out of business by leveraging his credibility with religious conservatives. In Texas, for example, he was paid $4 million to “rile up our pastors” — those are Reed’s words, taken from an email subpoenaed in the case — against a casino being run by the Tigua tribe in El Paso.
In another email, Abramoff’s partner, Michael Scanlon, described how the process worked:
“Simply put, we want to bring out the wackos to vote against something and make sure the rest of the public lets the whole thing slip past them, “ Scanlon wrote. “The wackos get their information [from] the Christian right, Christian radio, e-mail, the Internet and telephone trees,” all tools that Reed excelled at deploying.
As the case broke, Reed tried to deny wrongdoing, but over time the evidence that he had manipulated and sold out the very people who had believed most in his “Christian leadership” became too great to deny. His defeat on Election Day made it clear that even here in his home state, he had forfeited any claim to a leadership role.
However, in modern American culture, fame is a self-perpetuating force — once you’ve got it, it never goes away, no matter how much you might deserve obscurity. In Reed’s case, he began to appear again on national television last fall, again cashing in on his reputation as spokesman for the very people he had defrauded.
It didn’t seem to matter that he had been publicly rejected — if some elements of the media found it useful to resurrect Reed as the leader of something or other, then a leader he must be.
But something was missing. Reed needed a title, something impressive-sounding that the cable news folks could flash on the screen beneath his name to establish his credentials.
So this spring, Reed announced creation of “The Faith and Freedom Coalition,” with himself as executive director. He markets it as the “Christian Coalition 2.0,” an updated, 21st century version of the group that made his reputation.
“This is kind of like Steve Jobs returning to Apple,” the ever humble Reed told the AJC’s Aaron Gould Sheinin.
For now, the Faith and Freedom Coalition consists of the “Steve Jobs” figure at its head, one employee and a website. But perhaps from that tiny mustard seed a mighty tree will grow. The coalition website, for example, solicits members with a touching paen to its founder:
“Dear Ralph,” it begins.
“Thank you for starting a much-needed coalition for those of us who want to stand and protect our faith and freedom. With radical liberals now in firm control of the White House and Congress, we need to join together to fight for our values in the halls of government. You can count me as the newest member of the Faith & Freedom Coalition. Please process my Membership Contribution that I’m making right now.”
Personally, I have no doubt whatsoever that Reed will rush to honor that request, should any come his way.
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371 comments Add your comment
I Report :-) You Whine :-(
July 16th, 2009
7:01 am
He’s a Jesus Freak, ew!
~~~~~
All of those senators are likely to feel serious heat if their constituents know that Judge Sotomayor has written twice the right to bear arms is not a “fundamental right.” They should get knock-kneed if their constituents grow concerned about her extremist position in favor of “eminent domain” seizures of private property. Obviously they already are under a little pressure because of her “wise Latina” remarks replete with talk about “inherent physiological differences,” the “facts I choose to see,” and the repudiation of “objectivity,” “impartiality,” and “neutrality.” And they should be already running for cover, any cover, as far away as possible, from Sotomayor’s bizarre opinion that currently incarcerated murderers and rapists have a constitutional right to vote while behind bars.-AmSpec
Come on y’all, we are the Party of No, let’s get to work.
No to the racist.
Doggone/GA
July 16th, 2009
7:04 am
If he gets any new “followers” it’s going to give a whole new definition to “conned”
FinnMcCool
July 16th, 2009
7:04 am
I even changed my affiliation to Repuiblican so I could vote against this snake in the grass.
This guy is pure evil.
USinUK
July 16th, 2009
7:10 am
“No to the racist.”
hey!!! the GOP is finally gonna say NO to Pete Sessions!! huzzah! and a hearty congratulations.
as for Ralph Reed, it just goes to show that you really can fool some of the people all of the time.
USinUK
July 16th, 2009
7:11 am
morning, all
FinnMcCool
July 16th, 2009
7:11 am
Send your money to Ralph right now or…
…you will meet the fire and the brimstone!
ByteMe
July 16th, 2009
7:14 am
The religious tried to get political and the flock got fleeced. Go figure.
Reed is just like Saxby, except his fake piousness is tuned to a higher level. Yeah, that might be a pun.
Redneck Convert
July 16th, 2009
7:15 am
Well, good Christians just can’t catch a break. I was so low I would need a stepladder to touch a snake’s belly when they put the godly Pat Swindall in prison. The libruls never stopped till they got him.
Now they’re after Ralph Reed. He got beat like a rented mule because Christians that should know better went on vacation at election time. This Casey Cagle couldn’t of held a candle to him.
I keep thinking of that half-page ad that use to show up in the AJC about 30 years ago. It was called Why Do the Heathen Rage? It blasted libruls and people that turned away from the Bible. Well, I reckon the heathens are still raging. They almost won in GA last election. And Bookman is raging too.
If Ralph Reed runs for anything he’s got my vote and the vote of real Christians in GA. All you got to do to get the redneck vote in this state is talk about Faith and Taxes and Welfare and Socialists and Those People. We’ll come out of our trailers in droves.
Have a good day everybody.
Normal
July 16th, 2009
7:20 am
Good Morning Jay, Good morning all…If Mr Reed is sucussful with his
Christian Voalition.2 then I suspect the NeoCons will become the NeoConned…This guy is so beyond belief, so it should be interesting to see who gets conned. Got Saxby?
Normal
July 16th, 2009
7:21 am
Sorry hit the “v” insyead of the “c”, but when you look at it Christian Violation isn’t bad either…
DB, Gwinnettian
July 16th, 2009
7:26 am
“Reed’s job was to run those competing casinos out of business by leveraging his credibility with religious conservatives.”
In a just world, this sentence runs in a big-type disclaimer any time that vile man’s face appears on my TeeVee.
DB, Gwinnettian
July 16th, 2009
7:28 am
He’s a Jesus Freak, ew!
No, Andy. I knew some self-ID’d Jesus Freaks back in the day when the expression wasn’t a joke. I was ok with them. Made fun of them, sure, but I knew their heart and soul belonged to a certifiably Good Guy, I wished them the best on their journey to enlightenment.
This guy is a mobbed-up sack of crap. Why can’t you disown him?
USinUK
July 16th, 2009
7:30 am
Gwinecian –
“In a just world, this sentence runs in a big-type disclaimer any time that vile man’s face appears on my TeeVee.”
please. in a just world, everytime Pete Sessions came on TV during the hearings, you’d have “DEFEATED FOR JUDIARY APPOINTMENT BECAUSE HE’S AN EFFING RACIST” or Newtie would have “HAS SCREWED AROUND ON 3 WIVES” scrolling along the bottom of the screen …
sadly, though, down the memory hole it all goes …
USinUK
July 16th, 2009
7:31 am
Gwinecian –
“Why can’t you disown him?”
there’s an R after his name
this has been an early edition of “simple answers for simple questions”
Paul
July 16th, 2009
7:32 am
So discredited has-beens see the vacuum of leadership and message in the Republican Party and they make their bid.
Good. Pretty soon we’ll recycle through them and we might, just might, have an interesting sight to watch, given the public now gives the nod (Rasmussen) to Republicans over Democrats on abortion, national security, Social Security, the economy (!) and…. ethics and corruption!
That last one’s a real ’say, what?!!?’ item.
So the Reps need a leader to package the message and capitalize on the public’s increasing shift. Reed’s just another in a diminishing pool of retreads of a blown-out ideology.
Trust me
July 16th, 2009
7:39 am
Well, he is clearly looking to resurrect his role as leader of the “Get out the Whack job Vote Coalition”. He just needs to start healing those old wounds by first asking Jesus for forgiveness. Perhaps a public display of his sorry-ness on a cable TV channel would help. Also, some air time with some notable favorites in the field. What’s that guy’s name that has been attacking Sotomayor. He’ll do for openers. Now, won’t you whack jobs open up your hearts and your purses to this re-formed man of faith. Besides, if he can deliver those much needed whack job votes, how could the party of the desperate say no.
Scooter
July 16th, 2009
7:41 am
I don’t think Reed will get very many followers. ??? Me? I wouldn’t trust him in an outhouse with a muzzle on!
Doggone/GA
July 16th, 2009
7:43 am
“Reed’s just another in a diminishing pool of retreads of a blown-out ideology”
It’s really getting to be funny how they can’t find any “new and fresh” leaders, isn’t it? They just keep recycling the same old, tired people …and ideas.
USinUK
July 16th, 2009
7:44 am
“So discredited has-beens see the vacuum of leadership and message in the Republican Party and they make their bid.”
here’s what’s so surprising to me … as anyone who was involved in politics in the 1990s remembers, the reason they did SO well at SO many levels was because the GOP really emphasized getting involved in all levels and fostering people at the lowest levels of gummint (school boards, city councils, etc). they looked at it as a farm team and a chance to really build a legacy of a strong party for years to come.
Not only did I work in politics and saw all this firsthand, I also dated a Republican who was in the middle of it all (our joke – he isn’t just A republican, he’s THE republican)
S0, what happened to their infrastructure??? what happened to the House that Newt (and Ralph, for that matter) built??
and this is a serious question, I’m actually not being snarky about it. I’d really be interested in hearing from someone in the GOP who may have some insight.
GOP is gone
July 16th, 2009
7:45 am
I am just wondering what Ralphy does to pay his bills when he is not soliciting money from or stirring up the “wackos”? Maybe he tightened his belt and has been cruising on the 4 million. Reed reeks of Haggard to me. Someone should follow him around and see if he hangs out with male prostitutes
Doggone/GA
July 16th, 2009
7:46 am
“S0, what happened to their infrastructure??? what happened to the House that Newt (and Ralph, for that matter) built??”
Apparently they couldn’t even follow the injunction in the Bible…to build their house on rock. Instead, they built it on the shifting sands of expediency. And it collapsed on them.
Joey
July 16th, 2009
7:47 am
Jay;
What you do not know about Conservatives and Republicans would fill volumes. Probably true for your knowledge of the Christian Right as well.
Consult with your peer, Bob Barr.
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
July 16th, 2009
7:50 am
I know Ralph, personally, and he is a fine man. Sure he made a mistake. Was it any worse than having a convicted felon’s wife buy the vacant buildable lot next to your home at FMV and then transfer just enough so the lot becomes unbuildable at a fraction of the true market value, absolutely not. Or was it any worse than having one’s political career launched at the home of an admitted and unrepentant terrorist, absolutely not. Or was it any worse than sitting in a Black Liberation theology church where “GD America” was the mantra, absolutely not. It seemes the liberals can forgive Obumbler his sins (not to mention his staggering ioncompetence), but not Ralph. Well, I forgive Ralph his sins, as I am surce he forgives mine and believe that his has paid the price and repented and, thus, is ready and able to assume his leadership role.
Palin/Jindahl in 2012 – change that will save us.
USinUK
July 16th, 2009
7:50 am
Joey –
“What you do not know about Conservatives and Republicans would fill volumes. Probably true for your knowledge of the Christian Right as well.”
so, enlighten us. don’t just cast aspersions – prove your point.
Normal
July 16th, 2009
7:50 am
USinUk, You asked what happened to their house and I submit the usual…greed, arrogance, the “I’m untouchable” syndrone. The very same things that will happen to the Democrats if they are not very careful. You can already see it start to manifest in Ms. Nancy…just supposin’
Trust me
July 16th, 2009
7:56 am
Ralph awaits proof of your belief in him, Wyld Byll. Small denominations, debit cards, platinum or better credit cards, cashier’s checks. Whatever floats your boat.
Doggone/GA
July 16th, 2009
7:57 am
“Was it any worse than having a convicted felon’s wife buy the vacant buildable lot next to your home at FMV and then transfer just enough so the lot becomes unbuildable at a fraction of the true market value, absolutely not”
Never let a good lie die. I’m not a bit surprised that you would defend Ralphie boy.
ByteMe
July 16th, 2009
7:58 am
USinUK: the farm team they built in the ’90’s came to fruition in the early 2000’s. And then the voting public got to see how “talented” (read: not!) that team really was, and voted them out. The problem wasn’t the team so much as the failed ideology.
Meanwhile, Howard Dean had the same idea in 2004 and made it happen for the Democrats, who have a differing ideology that people are more excited about now.
kitty
July 16th, 2009
8:01 am
If the religious right allow Reed to get back into the game again, the religious right are bigger fools than I thought. Forgiveness does not mean you have to trust a hypocrite like Reed who used the religious right “whackos” as it was put to accomplish their hypocrisy. I doubt the leopard changes his spots. It isnt’ like he has spent his recent time off working to help the poor has he? Just finding another racket to fleece the faithful.
USinUK
July 16th, 2009
8:02 am
Normal and ByteMe –
“You asked what happened to their house and I submit the usual…greed, arrogance, the “I’m untouchable” syndrone” and “The problem wasn’t the team so much as the failed ideology.”
I agree with both – and I wonder if it was exacerbated by the change to Karl Rove leading the team. He has never impressed me as a long-range planner but one who looks at the here and now.
And, Normal, I agree with you – the Dems will eventually blow themselves up (let’s face it, they created the circular firing squad, so it is only a matter of time). I think Pelosi and Reid are HORRIBLE leaders. what they lack in spine they more than make up for in ego.
kitty
July 16th, 2009
8:03 am
Poor wyld bill…apparently you are one of those “whackos” huh? Hope you enjoy getting fleeced again…because you will.
Mrs. Godzilla
July 16th, 2009
8:03 am
I scrape better than Ralph Reed off my shoes regularly.
But there are still folks who will fall for that same old……
Normal
July 16th, 2009
8:04 am
This is off subject but maybe someone will take the time to explain it to me. My Happy Meal seems to be short a few fries on this.
The Defense Bill. President Obama said he would veto the the Bill if funding for the F-22 was included. The Hate Crime Bill. I think this is a wonderful piece of legislation, but why attach it to the Defense Bill? Is it because the Democrats who still want the F-22 put the Hate Bill in to prevent the Presidents veto? I really don’t understand the inner workings of Congress and I REALLY don’t understand their definition of “comprimise”. Someone help me out, please.
FinnMcCool
July 16th, 2009
8:05 am
Wyld Byll, remember, you can say all the purty things you want to about Ralph, but money talks, my friend, and that smoke up Ralph’s legs walks.
Jay gives the name of the new Coalition so it should not be hard to find his web site.
Send your money now!
FinnMcCool
July 16th, 2009
8:06 am
Nice health care graphic!
Here’s a link to a Washington Post diagram that shows what health care changes will mean to you
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/package/health-care-reform09/what-it-means-for-you/health-care-reform-2009.html
Mrs. Godzilla
July 16th, 2009
8:08 am
Hate crimes bill was blocked at every turn by the GOP, so the Dems added it to the defense spending bill assuming that would pass without a problem. Then up pops the F22…..
Joe Matarotz
July 16th, 2009
8:09 am
I have met Ralph Reed. He’s so slimy, I’m surprised he hasn’t converted to the Democraps. I wish he would, though.
Joey
July 16th, 2009
8:12 am
USinUK:
I made a comment about one person, Jay. Not your “us”. If you identify yourself there, that is on you.
Recall our exchange a few days ago where I suggested that you make a better effort to read and comprehend.
But I will add to my comment.
What ever happened to Mark Taylor, Cathy Cox or Jim Martin. I know where Pierre Howard is, but his name could justifiably be added to the list of missing Democrat candidates of Lt. Governor and Governor.
Brad Steel
July 16th, 2009
8:15 am
he looks a lot different than he did when he was on the Brady Bunch
Normal
July 16th, 2009
8:16 am
So, Mrs. G, If the F-22 stays in, do you think he will veto it?
DB, Gwinnettian
July 16th, 2009
8:17 am
I know Ralph, personally, and he is a fine man.
Yet another nail in the the creep’s coffin. Thanks, Wyld!
Doggone/GA
July 16th, 2009
8:17 am
“He’s so slimy, I’m surprised he hasn’t converted to the Democraps. I wish he would, though”
He’s all yours, bud. Be proud of him…he’s the “new” face of the “reconned”
Bosch
July 16th, 2009
8:17 am
FinnMcCool,
I was watching Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares last night and they were helping a restaurant called “Finn McCool’s” – what’s the deal with your name? Just curious.
As I said a couple days ago [and again in Kamchak style]
(choke) Ralph Reed (choke)
What a joke. Hey I made a rhyme.
And as I said a couple days ago, Reed doesn’t seem to know that he is one of the main reasons the GOP is dead right now. His branding of the GOP as somehow “Men and Women of God” and his pull to votes by the Christian Coalitionists is why the GOP has spiraled downward. People are tired to being told how to live by these freaks, and their attempts at making their religion the law of the land.
The GOP is reviving Newt (choke) and Reed, and yes, even Palin I guess, shows how they are not connected with reality or the American peeps.
FinnMcCool
July 16th, 2009
8:19 am
I think Finn McCool is an Irish legend about a giant. Haven’t really looked into it – I just like the name.
Gandalf, the White! (!)
July 16th, 2009
8:19 am
Hate Crime laws are silly! A crime is a crime. If you beat someone up for thier sexual orientation, is that worst than because your just a bully? Not really. Enforce the laws we have. Oh, and send ALL illegals home, including Barry Obama, who may not be a citizen at all.
DB, Gwinnettian
July 16th, 2009
8:19 am
there’s an R after his name
Eh, our Whiner finds it easy enough to disown some Rs if they’re disloyal to (say) Bible Spice. Kathleen Parker and Peggy Noonan come to mind.
But a guy who helped the Mob cheat Indian tribes? He’s a-ok in Whiner’s book.
Mrs. Godzilla
July 16th, 2009
8:21 am
Yes, I think Obama will veto the bill if the F22 remains in the bill.
George American
July 16th, 2009
8:21 am
“Let he without sin cast the 1st stone.” – God
Christians will forgive Mr. Reed who was seduced away from the righteous path by Abramoff, which doesn’t sound like a very Christian name. Christians should not get involved with his type or similar con-men like Madoff, who also was not a Christian.
Christians will forgive and come to Reed’s movement for morals, freedom, and liberty. Mr. Reed will be a big help in fighting the GODLESS RADICALS that have stolen the power from the righteous.
DB, Gwinnettian
July 16th, 2009
8:22 am
I’m surprised he hasn’t converted to the Democraps. I wish he would, though.
Joe, I’m with you there. I’d love for him to show up at a local meeting. I’d really enjoy explaining things to him.
I Report :-) You Whine :-(
July 16th, 2009
8:22 am
This guy is a mobbed-up sack of crap. Why can’t you disown him?
Let he who is with out sin cast the first stone.
If only this blog topic were about corruption then perhaps I would address the corruption issue, but it has nothing to do with corruption because if it did, then we could very easily put Jack “Filthy Mouth” Murtha, Chris Dodd and a whole other slew of democrats in the docket sitting right beside Reed.
“The wackos get their information [from] the Christian right, Christian radio, e-mail, the Internet and telephone trees,” all tools that Reed excelled at deploying.
This is all about hating on the faithful, nothing more, nothing less.
For some, there is no acceptance, there is no tolerance, there is only bigotry.
I rule.
USinUK
July 16th, 2009
8:23 am
Joey –
“I made a comment about one person, Jay. Not your “us”. If you identify yourself there, that is on you.”
I hate to be the one to break it to you … but this is a blog. A blog on which dozens of people participate. If you wanted to address Jay personally, you should have sent him an e-mail. As it was, you chose to address him via the blog, involving the rest of us.
so. Englighten us. What does Jay not know/understand/comprehend about the Christian Coalition and the Religious Right – since it could fill volumes, the pickins must be easy. g’head. tell us all about it.
“What ever happened to Mark Taylor, Cathy Cox or Jim Martin”
I don’t really get your leap from Ralph to those 3, but Cathy Cox is now president of Young Harris College — don’t know what Taylor is up to — Jim Martin is an elder in his church and probably practicing law.
Scooter
July 16th, 2009
8:23 am
Finn @ 8:06,
That graphic only showed me what category I was in. ???
Trust me
July 16th, 2009
8:24 am
State Lawmakers to give up some of their pay.
Wowwwwww! Now, doesn’t that sort of news just re-new a whack job’s faith in the party. They care for the little people so much that they are willing to be docked…how much? And, when you subtract that total from the current state deficit, how much red is still left on the books in this devoutly red state. Whack jobs followed more than the tunes played by Reed. They followed the GOP whine and dine right over the cliff. Whatever happened to all those campaign promises of a better life for all of us under the ‘leadership’ of the Republican party. Then again, maybe they never Really Promised anything. Maybe all they really did was talk a good talk of hope and change and family values.
By the way, I wonder if these lawmakers cut their health care benefits or reduced their staffs or cut out tax payer contributions to their 401k’s, etc.
Gandalf, the White! (!)
July 16th, 2009
8:24 am
If one parent is an alien and one a us citizen:
Citizen had been physically present in the U.S. or its outlying possessions for 10 years, at least 5 of which were after age 14. (1)
If Barrys mom was in Kenya, as I suspect, Barry wouldn’t be a citizen. How can she have been physically present for 5 years since she was 14 if she was only 19?
FinnMcCool
July 16th, 2009
8:25 am
We don’t need a hate crimes bill, do we?
Do we also need a “I did it for the money” crime bill? or a “He was messin with my daughter” crime bill?
I Report :-) You Whine :-(
July 16th, 2009
8:25 am
George!
You rule too!
USinUK
July 16th, 2009
8:25 am
““He’s so slimy, I’m surprised he hasn’t converted to the Democraps. I wish he would, though””
nah. we Dems are godless. or haven’t you read Ann Coulters screed on the issue.
FinnMcCool
July 16th, 2009
8:26 am
Scooter, click on the category under which you currently fall.
Brad Steel
July 16th, 2009
8:26 am
Gandalf, your trolling needs a lot of work. It’s too transparent. 3rd-rate baiting.
Bosch
July 16th, 2009
8:27 am
Cathy Cox is President of Young Harris? I wonder how she deals with Screaming Zell – I wonder if he’s challenged her to a duel?
DB, Gwinnettian
July 16th, 2009
8:27 am
Gandalf goes off-topic and asks:
A crime is a crime. If you beat someone up for thier [sic] sexual orientation, is that worst [sic] than because your [sic] just a bully?
Fair question. It depends on the case, but generally a hate crime is one that is intended to terrorize more than just the individual victim, but rather a targeted group.
DB, Gwinnettian
July 16th, 2009
8:30 am
don’t know what Taylor is up to
Finishing up his book, tentatively titled CATFIGHT! How two grown people screwed the pooch and handed the Goopers another Georgia cakewalk.
USinUK
July 16th, 2009
8:30 am
Bosch –
“I wonder how she deals with Screaming Zell – I wonder if he’s challenged her to a duel?”
gah. Zell Miller. I didn’t like him when he was Lt. Gov. I liked him even less as Gov. As Senator … OY! it started with his approval of Ashcroft and went downhill from there.
I Report :-) You Whine :-(
July 16th, 2009
8:31 am
Eh, our Whiner finds it easy enough to disown some Rs if they’re disloyal to (say) Bible Spice. Kathleen Parker and Peggy Noonan come to mind.
They have sided up with the Godless Heathens, which I suspect they always were anyway.
Noonan worships the Golden Calf, Obozo.
ew
Mrs. Godzilla
July 16th, 2009
8:32 am
George American
Glad to know you’ve forgiven Bill Clinton!
and BTW us GODLESS RADICALS….are watching YOU…..
Gale
July 16th, 2009
8:33 am
The technicality will not invalidate his election, Gandalf. There would be rioting in the streets and American credibility would be lower than it was before the election.
Donovan
July 16th, 2009
8:34 am
I don’t pretend to be a Christian zealot, but I am a Christian, nevertheless. Reed has every right to run for any kind of office he chooses in the land of the free. The more important issue here is the typical denegration and character assassination from an avowed left winger known as Jay Bookman. He and his fellow Godless bunch take delight in attacking anything organized outside of their own ideology. However, they seem very comfortable with the idea of big government regulating everybody else’s life. There is a pattern of assaulting those that tend to threaten their agenda or their way of life. Does Bush, Cheney, Limbaugh, Hannity, or Palin ring a bell?
USinUK
July 16th, 2009
8:35 am
“CATFIGHT! How two grown people screwed the pooch and handed the Goopers another Georgia cakewalk.”
baaaaaaaahahahaha … thanks, Gwinecian … I needed that laugh!
(like I said – no one does circular firing squads with the panache that the Dems do!)
Mrs. Godzilla
July 16th, 2009
8:36 am
Godless?
Godless Heathens? Godless Radicals?
I see there are some here who are using God’s name in vain…..
Joey
July 16th, 2009
8:37 am
USinUk:
Once again with the reading and comprehension. I wrote “probably true with the Christian Right as well”.
I am not a Christian. Nor am I religious. Haven’t been either for more than 40 years. I admit that I do not know much about the Christian Coalition or the Religious Right. Something I doubt that you or Jay would admit.
I do know that getting reliable information about either group from Jay is not likely to happen. Jay has admitted biases, which are important to his success as a pundit. Yet they are still clear and admitted biases.
I email Jay directly on occasion. Probably more often than he would like. I have done so for about 20 years. But thanks for your advise on that.
Gandalf, the White! (!)
July 16th, 2009
8:37 am
I meant she was 18..my bad, DOB Stanley Durham 29 Nov 42, DOB of her Bastard son Barry, 4 August 91. She was 18. The man she calls the father was already married in Kenya, so the marriage was not legal. Also there is the question of if she was of age when she slept with the man. Was Barry’s dad a child molester? Interesting questions….
Trust me
July 16th, 2009
8:39 am
“Let ye who is without sin cast the first stone.” Tell Obama, or any Democrat or liberal, etc., all about it, would ya.
By the way, hypocrites don’t rule.
Scooter
July 16th, 2009
8:39 am
Thanks Finn!
Mrs. Godzilla
July 16th, 2009
8:40 am
More brightly colored charts on healthcare…..
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/after-brightly-colored-chart-failed-to-win-waxman-markey-fight-gop-brings-it-to-the-battle-over-heal.php
Gandalf, the White! (!)
July 16th, 2009
8:41 am
DB like the blacks that beat up the white family in Ohio and were held yelling “it’s our country now?”. I think the hate crime laws are setup to punish crimes against minorites, not against hate. That was a hate crime if there ever was one!
Mort Merkel
July 16th, 2009
8:42 am
He lost because four sylable alliteration tickles the air better than two sylable alliteration. Also, Reed looks like a Victor/Victoria character, which don’t go around here.
Gandalf, the White! (!)
July 16th, 2009
8:43 am
Brad Steel: sorry! just sayin’ !
Mort Merkel
July 16th, 2009
8:43 am
He lost because four sylible alliteration tickles the ear better than two sylible alliteration. Also, Reed looks like a Victor/Victoria character, which don’t go around here.
Copyleft
July 16th, 2009
8:44 am
I look forward to the day that “ties to the religious right” will guarantee defeat, rather than victory.
Even in Georgia.
It’s encouraging to see Reed starting up a new organization dedicated to the separation of church and state, though. After all, what else could “Faith and Freedom” mean? If he were trying to set up another Christian nation, it would be called “Faith AGAINST Freedom.”
Geezguys
July 16th, 2009
8:44 am
Bluntly put, most of Ralph Reed’s support died out–literally. A bunch of old geezers who would chuck money at anyone who labeled themselves a “good christian.”
The knee-jerk opposition to same-sex marriage (which built the KKristian Koalition) is a ho-hum issue. Unless you can pack the polls with a homophobic segment, it’s more of a political liability than a plus. Looking like a mouth-frothing nut costs you more votes than you’ll get from the idiot old-style right wing.
Gandalf, the White! (!)
July 16th, 2009
8:45 am
AS in when you are 50 the gubermen will no longer give you any health care? Go watch Logan’s Run. Change the Name to Barry’s Run and you have his new system. He’s the Kenyan Stalin!
Gandalf, the White! (!)
July 16th, 2009
8:47 am
Geezguys is wrong to associate homophobic with oposition to same-sex marriage. He is ignorant of the fact.
USinUK
July 16th, 2009
8:47 am
Joey –
“Once again with the reading and comprehension. I wrote “probably true with the Christian Right as well”.”
um. reading comprehension??? hellllooooooo, POT! your original statement was “What you do not know about Conservatives and Republicans would fill volumes. Probably true for your knowledge of the Christian Right as well.” Jay wrote about none of those things – he wrote about the Abramoff scandal and Reed’s new organization.
to which, I said enlighten us. and you declined.
“I admit that I do not know much about the Christian Coalition or the Religious Right. Something I doubt that you or Jay would admit.”
not a member, but boy-howdy have I seen their Lieutenants in action (Focus on the Family, Concerned Women of America, etc).
however, the issue was you saying that what Jay doesn’t know about Conservative and Republicans would fill volumes. so. what doesn’t Jay or the rest of us know???
Rightwing Troll
July 16th, 2009
8:47 am
“Christians will forgive Mr. Reed who was seduced away from the righteous path by Abramoff, which doesn’t sound like a very Christian name.”
What, uhhhh, what ever happened to personal responsibility????
““The wackos get their information [from] the Christian right, Christian radio, e-mail, the Internet and telephone trees,” all tools that Reed excelled at deploying.
This is all about hating on the faithful, nothing more, nothing less.”
Yeah, Ralphy was hating on his followers here wasn’t he??? And laughing all the way to the bank, and then back home again….
ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Wingnuts are a funny bunch…
ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Trust me
July 16th, 2009
8:48 am
I still think “American Taliban” is a more fitting name for Reed’s organization. Then again, perhaps there are issues here in the red states with trademark infringement or something.
Gandalf, the White! (!)
July 16th, 2009
8:48 am
Copyleft! Welcome! You opinion always reflects the hate of the liberal agenda! Thanks for sharing you hatred today!
Normal
July 16th, 2009
8:48 am
George American
July 16th, 2009
8:21 am
————–
George, I remember reading in the Bible that everytime Isreal was thrown into captivity, a prophet rose up and told them, nany, nany, boo, boo, then told them what to do to fix it. I know you think the GOP is old Isreal, and it is being enslaved by the DEMS, but do you really think Ol’ Ralph is Isaac? Gimme a break.
FinnMcCool
July 16th, 2009
8:50 am
CopyLeft writes: separation of church and state, though. After all, what else could “Faith and Freedom” mean?
How about “separation of people from their wallets?”
SpaceyG on Twitter
July 16th, 2009
8:51 am
The weird thing is… Reed’s novel was pretty good. He needs to put down the snake oil and work harder on finding his inner freak. Maybe if he hung out at Manuel’s more instead of the mega-church. I mean… there are plenty of ways to go about this.
I wonder how much I could charge in Finding Your Inner Freak consulting fees to Georgia Republicans? Heck, after a year or two I too could afford a McMansion and a stay-at-home-dad in Duluth.
Come to think about it, think I’ll just stick to housekeeping and book reading.
DB, Gwinnettian
July 16th, 2009
8:52 am
DB like the blacks that beat up the white family in Ohio and were held yelling “it’s our country now?”.
I am not familiar with this case. Just based on what I’m hearing, it sounds as if there might be narrow circumstances under which any assault and battery charges could be compounded by additional ones.
I’m thinking, however, that I probably know about as much of this case as you do, because generally one identifies actual perps and victims, not simply “the blacks” and “the white family” when recounting such incidents.
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
July 16th, 2009
8:55 am
You people see Ralph and people like him through the jaded lens of the effete left wing liberal media. Ralph is just not what Jay says he is. We all agree Ralph made a mistake and he has asked for forgiveness. As compared to Jay, who probably has spent not great about of time with Ralph (have you Jay?) I have shot over dogs with him and, when I looked into his eyes, I saw the sould of a kind, caring man devoted to Christ. I have been on missions with Ralph and seen him care and help people where the glare of the media spotlight would never see him. Jay, with no disrespect, when was the last time you were on the ground helping people in dire need? The Ralph I know is not a bad feller at all and deserves another chance to have his value gauged in the marketplace of ideas.
Brad Steel
July 16th, 2009
8:56 am
I was surprised when Ralphy was caught entangled in a financial scam.
He has a creepy out-of-place preadolescent look about him. I always thought he would go out Ted Haggard/Jim Bakker/Jimmy Swaggart style with some R. Kelly favor.
You know snorting som’n off a runaway rent-a-boy’s “lower back” while making video.
Ralph you’ve really let me down.
FinnMcCool
July 16th, 2009
8:56 am
Jay’s article isn’t a slam on Christians or the Fundamentalists, it’s a slam on slithery, evil, manipulators who work from behind a trumped-up facade.
This isn’t left or right, this is pure evil. These are the people who take your grandma’s retirement by promising her everlasting life and telling her God would want her to give all her money to his church.
Doggone/GA
July 16th, 2009
8:59 am
” have shot over dogs with him and, when I looked into his eyes, I saw the sould of a kind, caring man devoted to Christ”
Yeah, I bet. “Supply side Jesus” more likely.
Brad Steel
July 16th, 2009
8:59 am
“the Kenyan Stalin” – close, but again too obvious. The American Turkmenbashi would sound more erudite, sodomite.
USinUK
July 16th, 2009
9:00 am
“I looked into his eyes, I saw the sould of a kind, caring man devoted to Christ”
hrmmmm … now where oh where have I heard something like that before …
oh! I know!! “”I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straight forward and trustworthy and we had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul. He’s a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country and I appreciate very much the frank dialogue and that’s the beginning of a very constructive relationship,” Mr Bush said (about Putin)
and I’m sure the same rings true for Reed.
itpdude
July 16th, 2009
9:00 am
If Reed is the type of leader the GOP is looking to return to its political glory, the Democrats should get ready to enjoy a long domination in national politics.
mike
July 16th, 2009
9:01 am
It is interesting that Bookman never writes in support of the policies and individuals that he favors. Instead, his life is dedicated to attacking those policies and individuals that he opposes. Not surprising, as it is so much easier to attack people and positions as it is to advocate for the ones you support.
Like the rest of the Limbaugh wing of pundits, Bookman is dedicated solely to negativity, and as a result, little distinguishes him from the hyper-partisan pundits on the right that he detests so much.
Mr. Snarky
July 16th, 2009
9:02 am
Fool me once, shame on you…
mike
July 16th, 2009
9:04 am
“These are the people who take your grandma’s retirement by promising her everlasting life and telling her God would want her to give all her money to his church.”
Ralph Reed did this? Do you have any evidence of him doing this? Or do you just like calling people who don’t share your views “pure evil” and make stereotyped attacks on them?