PSA or shameless plug — you be the judge
I’ll be moderating the first face-to-face debate featuring Democrat Roy Barnes, Republican Nathan Deal and Libertarian John Monds, this Saturday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Centre near Cumberland Mall. It’s sponsored by the Medical Association of Georgia, and my fellow interrogators will be John Bachman of Channel 2 Action News and Wendy Saltzman of WGCL-TV (CBS Atlanta).
Admission is free, although Cobb Energy Centre charges $5 for parking.
Suggestions for questions are welcome in the comments thread below…
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88 comments Add your comment
Not So Casual Observer
August 26th, 2010
11:57 pm
11:50 should be:
… not to direct the State Legislature to gerrymander the Congressional Districts?
concerned republican voter
August 27th, 2010
12:28 am
Congressman Deal, if you are indicted by the federal grand jury investigating your salvage business relationship with the state of Georgia, will you step aside as the republican party nominee for Governor?
t. Forkner
August 27th, 2010
12:45 am
Ask directly:
Mr. Barnes, why should teachers believe you want anything but revenge against them?
Nilo8
August 27th, 2010
3:48 am
Do you believe most government officials (local, state, & federal) are paid more than they should? Don’t you agree that if all were capped at $ 100,000.00 per year, most of the budgets would be A. more easily handled, B. more fairly distrubted, and C. help most taxpayers stay afloat (at least for the next several years)?
AKC
August 27th, 2010
5:03 am
How will you deal with the state’s budget issues specifially state DHS agencies? Do you plan to continue furloughs? Many state offices can not hire new employees for vacant positions and with furloughs in place there are fewer days each month to complete the required amount of work. Would you consider changing any policies concerning public access to those agencies such as limiting days the customers would be able to walk in to local offices?
jt
August 27th, 2010
6:10 am
Will you defend the Sovereign citizens of Georgia against being punished by the IRS for not buying a terrible insurance product?…John Monds will.
Does Obama-care violate Georgia’s constitution.?..John Monds knows so.
Who’s the man?……………John Monds.
The other two are only slimey politician/lawyers.
No More Progressives!
August 27th, 2010
6:40 am
Kyle:
Please ask King Roy that, if he’s elected, will we peasants be required by edict to swear fealty to the new Georgia Emperor?
No More Progressives!
August 27th, 2010
6:43 am
CJ
August 26th, 2010
6:55 pm
“………I’d like to request that questions be limited to issues faced directly, but not necessarily exclusively, by Atlanta-area residents.”
I thought the new Emperor would govern all of Georgia.
Good thing a classic progressive showed up to straighten my out.
PinkoNeoConLibertarian
August 27th, 2010
7:56 am
No questions, but kudos for including Monds.
I don’t see any mention of the event being televised–only streamed. Is the televised event noted somewhere that I am just not seeing?
Eric
August 27th, 2010
8:06 am
I’d like to know why we have to have the goal of endless economic and population growth in metro Atlanta? Why can’t new business and people be encouraged to try relocating to other cities like Nashville or Birmingham? We have too many people in this region (North Georgia) to sustain clean air and water supply. Can’t anyone in top government understand that? We’re always chasing our tail on these issues.
jt
August 27th, 2010
8:12 am
I would also ask Barnes where his NEXT hiding place is,
if Obama comes to town.
Bob
August 27th, 2010
8:16 am
Roy Barnes, I live in Atlanta, what did you do as governor to help our longterm water needs ?
ByteMe
August 27th, 2010
8:31 am
Considering the sponsor of this ridiculously short “debate”:
1. What are your plans to accomodate the increased number of Medicaid recipients related to the recently passed Health Care reform bill?
2. Do you believe that requiring every individual in the state to be covered by some minimum health insurance plan is good (or bad) for the state’s financial situation?
3. Do you support making Georgia a leader in attracting embryonic stem cell research companies to take advantage of the coming wave of “designer genetics”, or do you want to ban all embryonic stem cell research instead, or do you have some middle ground that you feel makes sense?
James Toney
August 27th, 2010
8:43 am
When he was in office, Governor Barnes proposed legislation prohibiting physicians from billing patients for balances above what the patient’s insurance company would pay (out-of-network) providers (doctors) with whom the insurer did not have a contract. The legislation, had it passed, would have been a major intrusion in contract negotiation between insurers and health care providers. Question for all 3: As governor, would you propose legislation which would interfere with the contractual relationship between physicians and health insurance companies?
Thank you.
larry
August 27th, 2010
8:48 am
I have a question………………
Which of the canidates is going to stop the DOT from making the HOV lanes on metro interstate toll lanes? Taxpayers have paid to have the interstates built and HOV lanes implemented. And now taxpayers are going to pay again to have toll lanes built out of the HOV lanes, where said taxpayers are going to have to pay again.
Thats triple taxation.
Thanks , Republicans
Michael L. Reynolds
August 27th, 2010
8:52 am
Georgia Budget & Public Policy Institute research shows an increasing shift of taxes to lower and middle income citizens. Since tax cuts for the wealthy at the state and federal level have not increased investment or decreased unemployment, what new tax structures would you propose to increase tax equity and halt increasing inequality in our state?
interested voter
August 27th, 2010
9:13 am
It has long been the case in the common law, verified for decades now by our state attorney general’s office (see Montgomery v. City of Atlanta, 162 Ga. 534 (1926); Ga. Op. Atty. Gen. No. 82-82) that an elected state official may not contract with the state. Over the years, members of the General Assembly (both parties) have nonetheless continued to do so. Would either of you, if elected Governor, challenge the GA to codify this common and outlaw such self dealing at the state and local level?
ATLNative
August 27th, 2010
9:40 am
For John Monds – Political debate, at every level – local, state, and federal, is typically seen in a bipartisan manner. Since you are a Libertarian and not an Independent gubernatorial candidate, how would you describe the platform of you and your party, as it pertains to Georgia? How does it differ from the Republicans and Democrats?
Denny
August 27th, 2010
9:55 am
Question for Mr Deal: What would you do to improve funding for state schools?
washedup
August 27th, 2010
9:56 am
I am glad to see John Monds included in this debate. Libertarians are not usually included in such things. I think most Georgians will be pleasantly surprised by his ideas, if they listen without preconceived notions. I am a Libertarian, and have not voted that way in all past elections for fear of “wasting” my vote. No more. It’s time for citizens who are seeking liberty to put their vote where their mouth is, and I intend to do so.
Kyle, will this debate be televised either live or at a later time?
shyril
August 27th, 2010
10:01 am
ask Deal these:
1. Since you are so opposed to President Obama and his programs, will you accept The Race to the Top funds?
2. With the state facing a deficit why would you accept trooper coverage?
3. How many minorities, black, hispanics are on your staff?
Jim Jess
August 27th, 2010
10:01 am
Kyle – We met at a James magazine party shortly after you started at the AJC. Here’s my question: As Governor, will you fight the individual mandate that is part of the health care reform bill enacted by Congress and will you support legal action to have the mandate ruled unconstitutional?
Paul
August 27th, 2010
10:13 am
Ask barnes/deal how he intends to end teachers furloghs and lessen class sizes in schools
I have heard rumors that barnes is going to tap TRS to do this. would like clarification
Kyle Wingfield
August 27th, 2010
10:20 am
Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions…keep ‘em coming. I’m going to try to distill these down into a list to use at the debate.
For everyone asking whether it will be televised: As far as I’m aware, no. The live streaming on WXIA’s website is your only option if you don’t come to the debate. If I find out otherwise later, I’ll post an update.
Southern Bell
August 27th, 2010
10:35 am
Every year, Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESA’s) fight for continued funding. Our funding has been cut to the bare bones, but the 16 agencies in Georgia provide substantial, cooperative and collaborative services, especially in rural South Georgia, below the “gnat-line”. Our local representatives are well aware of the beneficial services we provide our school systems. How do these candidates feel about our services and will they continue to support our funding for the years to come?
Maggie
August 27th, 2010
10:36 am
With the problem of so many undocumented people here in the U.S. ,I would like to ask both canidates: Have they personally or professionally employed undocumented people and, or do you currently know of anyone that currently have undocumented workers. Remind them that this is a crime, and let your truth of meter go to work.
ConcernedFultonParent
August 27th, 2010
10:46 am
Kyles – I ditto Ayn Rant…
“Above all, Kyle, cut off irrelevances like hints of personal misconduct and past associations with political parties, Bush, and Obama. Hold them to what they have done, and what they propose to do for Georgia.”
Mentioning the national level names will rouse visceral emotions…but right now, Georgia needs SOLUTIONS! Not hot air & flip-flopping.
George Woodruff
August 27th, 2010
10:53 am
Georgia has a large veteran population many of who have service-connected disabilities from various wars. It also offers a number of benefits to veterans such as free driver’s licences and certain tax exemptions for disabled veterans but with many of our boys and girls returning from Iraq and Afghanistan more could be done to help. Under Governor Perdue, major cutbacks adversely affected the care level in Georgia’ State Veteran’s Homes. What have you done either as Governor of Georgia or as a member of Congress (if anything) to help those who served our nation and state or (in the case of Mr. Monds) what do you plan to do as Georgia’s next Governor to help design state programs to meet the specific needs of those who served?
Jeremy
August 27th, 2010
11:44 am
I agree with asking about the new toll road formerly known as HOV lanes. This is such a horrible idea because once the polls start they are never taken away. Also when are we going to get rid of the toll of 400 since it has already paid for the road it was installed to pay for. Once the government is in your pocket you have to cut their hand off to get them out.
robertrr
August 27th, 2010
12:02 pm
Since immigration and that state’s role in it is such a big topic, ask both if they would support a U.S. constitutional amendment to end birthright citizenship. This is a state issue – if Congress passed an amendment to end that practice, three quarters of the states have to ratify it. If such an amendment came to the states in the next four years, as Governor, would they support Georgia ratifying it?
landry
August 27th, 2010
12:31 pm
boxers or briefs?
JASON BECK
August 27th, 2010
12:48 pm
TO MR. BARNES. ILLEGAL ALIENS COST THE GEORGIA TAXPAYER’S 210 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR, JUST IN HEALTH CARE COST. WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO ABOUT THIS HIGH COST TO THE TAXPAYER FOR TAKING CARE OF ILLEGALS, WHEN WE COULD USE ALL THAT MONEY TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR CITIZENS OF THE STATE, OR USE IT TO LOWER TAXES? THANK YOU EX- GOVERNOR BARNES
josef nix
August 27th, 2010
5:14 pm
What do you plan to do to ensure that EVERY Georgia child has access to pre-K?
What are your plans to reduce class sizes to manageable levels?
What do you propose to do about standardized testing relative to an instrument by which Georgia may be compared to the rest of the nation?
What are your plans to bring economic development to the “other Georgia” outside Atlanta?
Do you favor repeal of the 14th Amendment?
Do you favor equal civil rights for all Georgia citizens?
Following the last redistricting in Georgia, the Libertarian candidate said that “a drunkun orangutan with a box of crayons could have done a better job.” Precisely speaking, if elected, what do you intend to do to see that this doesn’t happen again?
Who are the five largest donors to your campaign?
md
August 27th, 2010
6:26 pm
“What are your plans to bring economic development to the “other Georgia” outside Atlanta?”
Atlanta continues down its current path and the other Georgia will take off – only a matter of time until enough folks have had enough and head out (like me).
No More Progressives!
August 27th, 2010
6:26 pm
josef nix
August 27th, 2010
5:14 pm
Following the last redistricting in Georgia, the Libertarian candidate said that “a drunkun orangutan with a box of crayons could have done a better job.”
Democrat goes with gerrymandering like vanilla goes with chocolate.
It’s what these people do.
Cynthia McKinney’s district, anyone???
saywhat?
August 27th, 2010
8:04 pm
nix @ 5:14 “Who are the five largest donors to your campaign?”
I like that question, but it should be followed up with “.. and what are the specific policies they want you to implement or change?”
Annie Cassell
August 27th, 2010
8:47 pm
I want to know WHY Nathan Deal won’t release his tax returns. And do the candidates think that every Georgia elected official should be required to release his/her tax returns by law?
Wrap-up from Barnes-Deal-Monds debate | Kyle Wingfield
August 30th, 2010
11:00 am
[...] weren’t too many surprises in Saturday’s debate with Democrat Roy Barnes, Republican Nathan Deal and Libertarian John Monds. We started with a trio [...]