Sarah Palin sets off a ‘mama grizzly’ war in the GOP race for governor
Sarah Palin and GOP women have apparently given Karen Handel the boost she needs to survive on Tuesday — and her male rivals know it.
From a Saturday campaign summary by the Associated Press:
The fireworks were in the GOP race, where a recent poll showed state insurance commissioner John Oxendine, former secretary of state Karen Handel and ex-U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal battling for an expected runoff.
Handel accused Deal of sexism by pointing to a press release from his campaign saying that “real women” support his campaign. Handel said that attacked her own female supporters, including her most prominent backer: former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
“That just really disappointing,” Handel told The Associated Press.
Asked if the attack was sexist Handel said, “of course it is.”Deal called the claim “absurd” and said he was simply using campaign branding — the word “real” — he’s adopted since the election began. His campaign slogan is “Deal. Real.”
“That certainly was not meant to impugn anybody,” Deal said.
In fact, Deal has a reason to promote himself as female-friendly.
The Georgia Newspaper Partnership poll out today gives Handel a lead of 29 percent, but that lead zooms to 34 percent among women – an advantage that stands right at the margin of error of plus-or-minus 5 percent.
Handel also shows a slightly smaller, but corresponding deficit among male voters.
Deal, state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, and former state senator Eric Johnson of Savannah all show a certain amount of leakage in their support from Republican women.
Though the overall percentages in the GOP contest are different, the same trend can be seen in an InsiderAdvantage/Channel 2 Action News poll released on Friday.
The gender gap had already shown itself, but Palin endorsement of Handel last Monday appears to have given it more strength.
One overt sign that Handel intends to play to this gap in a runoff can be found in this mailer sent out by her campaign last week, which details the top four candidates’ positions on abortion.
She lists Oxendine, Deal and Johnson as “pro-life, no exceptions” – which is not entirely accurate. The three men acknowledge exceptions for pregnancies that threaten the life of the mother – the position of Georgia Right to Life, which has endorsed them.
Handel, who was not endorsed by GRTL, lists her own position as “pro-life, with exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother.”
As the weekend closed, a rival campaign strategist wondered out loud why Handel would expose herself to charges of being soft on abortion.
But in a female-oriented runoff, it would be interesting to see what polls have to say about the attitude of GOP women on that topic – and what role it might play, should Handel survive Tuesday.
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134 comments Add your comment
Aquagirl
July 18th, 2010
4:19 pm
Pearl, Karen Handel wants to be called “Governor” not “Miss Congeniality.” You aren’t impressed by a thumbs-up from the former Miss Wasilla?
We breathlessly await your endorsement, available when the man of the house cuts you loose for the day. I’m sure Jim will let us know via breaking news.
General Sherman
July 18th, 2010
4:19 pm
As a “Union” man myself, I wholeheartedly endorse Roy Barnes for governor.
I can give Governor Barnes some tips on how to deal with these Republican neo-Confederates that permeate the Georgia landscape, openly questioning government authority and taxation.
Reality
July 18th, 2010
4:50 pm
Chuck Allison, a little lesson in campaigning: Mr. Obama played the community organizer theme throughout his campaign for POTUS because he realized he needed folksy cred. He avoided mentioning his experience as a constitutional law professor; president of the Harvard Law Review; magna cum laude law school graduate from Harvard; two- term state senator from Illinois and other things that Georgians of the red persuasion consider “uppity”. However, sounding folksy; a half term as governor; a degree in general studies after attending five schools and romanticizing the Reagan era is all Ms. Palin has.
karen in roswell
July 18th, 2010
4:58 pm
Every single positive comment on here about handel was written by a paid staffer. Don’t for one minute think she is actually the frontrunner.
To be real about it
July 18th, 2010
4:59 pm
If you’re going to be real about it, Reality you can’t discount a large part of her constituency is the MILF vote. It may be politically incorrect to talk about, but it’s true.
Pork Chop
July 18th, 2010
5:01 pm
I am satisfied that Palin’s detractors are democrats. Democrats will invariably attack the biggest perceived threat to their power. Palin is indeed qualified by law to hold the office of the Presidency. If it is your opinion that she is not educationally qualified, I would only urge you to look at those so “qualified” and the government they have given us. Education is surely not indicative of intelligence. I am sure that all of us know at least one person that is educated far beyond their intelligence (I can think of many). To judge a person’s intelligence by their education is one of the greatest acts of snobbery to be found. I suspect that some of you are guilty of that offense. I would poin out to you that the Mensa Society is made up of people from all walks of life. Some of them have only a high school education, if that.
So, you are free to criticize Palin, and Handel for that matter. Just be assured that at least one person here knows you for what you are.
On the contrary
July 18th, 2010
5:06 pm
I look forward to Palin winning the nomination, singing “Onward Christian Soldiers,” launching the nuclear codes all while First Dude is tooling around the Oval Office in his snowmobile shouting “End of Days baby!”
Might be just the wake up call we need to shake us out of our malaise.
Pork Chop
July 18th, 2010
5:23 pm
@On the contrary
I thought Jimmy Carter cured you of your malaise?
Pork Chop
July 18th, 2010
5:25 pm
@On the contrary
If he didn’t, keep the faith. The great Community Organizer will certainly cure your problem if he continues.
You will learn the true meaning of poverty: it is called socialism.
On the contrary
July 18th, 2010
5:35 pm
I don’t trust Obama to have the ca-hones to launch the nuclear arsenal. Do I trust Sarah to do it?
You betch ya!
ODDOWL
July 18th, 2010
5:37 pm
Does Karen Handel really want Sarah “Drill Baby” Palin endorsing her campaign for Governor of Georgia ??? After all, Sarah palin is a strict pro-lifer with no exceptions and she is a virulent supporter of Mark Williams and small Dick Armey, the founders of the Racist Tea Party Express movement which has usurped control of the Republican party. When The NAACP and the African-American race complained about the vitriolic racism being express by some of the Tea Party members, Sarah Palin and Mark Williams marked and ridiculed the NAACP and all African-Americans with even more vile, vicious racist vitriol. If Karen Handel is serious about winning the Governor race, she should reject Sarah Palin and Mark Williams’s endorsement. Racists of a feather flocks together. Karen Handel should distant herself from the Tea Party racists by criticizing, condemning, denouncing and repudiating Sarah Palin, Mark Williams, Dick Armey and the Tea Party Express usurpers for perpetrating this sort of 19th century overt racism against President Barack Obama, the African-American race and the Democrat Party in the 21st century.
On the contrary
July 18th, 2010
5:39 pm
Actually democratic voters may fear Sarah, but Democratic operatives hope and pray she wins the nomination. They know, after change turned out to be politics as usual they are extremely vulnerable to someone competent.
No doubt they’ll be propping up Sarah as the boogeyman to get lead the hard core right to Sarah like rats to peanut butter so they’ll have someone to beat in 2012.
On the contrary
July 18th, 2010
5:41 pm
Leave it to tea baggers to ruin a perfectly good message of less taxation, and less government intrusion into people’s lives.
It takes a special skill to ruin a message that appealing in this political environment, but somehow the tea baggers accomplished it
Go Ox
July 18th, 2010
5:57 pm
karen in roswell
July 18th, 2010
4:58 pm
You got that right, Ox wins without a run off.
khc
July 18th, 2010
6:14 pm
hey pork chop, people don’t make fun of palin because of her somewhat sporadic education, it’s she can only deliver one line slogans and unless briefed could not reason her way out of a paper bag…..she’s not the resounding success in alaska where she comes from http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_AK_129.pdf
while to be applauded for entering politics to make things better….i’d prefer my prez to me more than an american idol
LOLA
July 18th, 2010
6:17 pm
@JB…Please Sarah isn’t smart enough to untie my shoes. The great point and I’m wondering why your kind missed it; looks like low poll numbers and even though Karen Handel has 29% for Republicans. A revolution is happening and we welcome Sarah Stupid and her mother grizzlies-WE THE PEOPLE PITBULLS. King ROY ALL THE WAY. BTW, AJC, stop reporting that WE THE PEOPLE are displeased with President Obama. I’m seeing his efforts working in my home here in Georgia and bet by November others will too. Like my son being covered under my insurance NOW especially since there are no jobs because our wonderful Republican Senators blocked Jobs Bill; Wall Street Reform all the while going out and cutting ribbons on stimulus monies in their communities but not helping to create jobs. Georgia reps are obstructionists. We are cleaning house and taking out the trash. Georgia will be an embarassment to the country in November. Go Dems! BTW, tell that crosseyed Eric Johnson to stop saying if Obama/Pelosi raises taxes that he’ll stop’em. He didn’t stop the Legislature from taking away the Homeowner’s Relief Grant! So shut up! Did your property taxes already go up? Ok, thank your Republican leadership. Still Unemployed? Thank your Republican Leadership!
khc
July 18th, 2010
6:22 pm
good point on homeonwers relief…..the repubs raised our taxes some hundreds of millions of dollars….what a bunch of hypocrites
Bubba
July 18th, 2010
6:32 pm
If Handel is relying upon an endorsement from Palin, I’m voting for somebody else.
Travis McGee
July 18th, 2010
6:47 pm
Dozens of ethics investigations vanished when Sarah Palin unexpectantly resigned offering a reason that didn’t quite make sense to me. My guess is that these investigations will reappear if Palin enters the presidential race.
I don’t believe she has the stomach to stand up against the hard questions that come from the other candidates, the print media and other TV networks. Fox throws her beach balls and is entralled with her cliche ridden talking points.
Palin is a zero on a ten scale. A Democrat’s dream come true.
J.B. STONER
July 18th, 2010
6:48 pm
YALL MISS ME DON’T YOU !!!
Pork Chop
July 18th, 2010
7:00 pm
@karen in roswell
How about telling someone to send me my check! I’m not a paid staffer.
And whose campaign are you working with, laren in roswell?
Reality Check
July 18th, 2010
7:13 pm
Karen has one of our state’s up and coming leaders, Jan Jones, in her own backyard. Yet Jan Jones supports Nathan Deal. Look at all the people who support Nathan. They are the ones leading effectively in Georgia. People know an effective leader when the see one, and by the same token, people know a fake when they see one.
John Galt
July 18th, 2010
7:35 pm
Vote for Nathan Deal or Roy Barnes is the next Governor. It’s that simple.
georgiadawg70
July 18th, 2010
7:37 pm
All you Boshavics have fun with you post because you are goint to get yours in Nov and I can’t wait.
Jon Lester
July 18th, 2010
7:53 pm
For those of you who weren’t living in Georgia 30 years ago, when the real J.B. Stoner was running for the Senate, I think a few minutes spent searching Google will remove all doubt that there are racist elements among the “Tea Party” set that Sarah Palin claims as her own, hysterical Facebook denials notwithstanding.
J.B. STONER
July 18th, 2010
8:09 pm
to jon lester.
Mind your own business fool…
Most know who I am and wish they had of listened to me…
You and your black panthers try to stop the tea partiers …
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH…………….
TIME TO GET BACK TO OUR ROOTS IN THE SOUTH…
Johnny
July 18th, 2010
8:20 pm
Reality, since when was Barack Obama a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Law? The law school won’t even release his grades. No credible source has EVER stated that Obama was a top grad of his law school
khc
July 18th, 2010
8:31 pm
watching the repub debate on gptv ….time to get a new slate of candidates….handel did not show up….she may not want to appear with mcberry, but the voters deserve debate and discussion…seems like she’s a bit of a quitter like palin
OldSnarkey
July 18th, 2010
8:42 pm
Well, ‘next door neighbor’ apparently you are unqualified to post in this blog. Apparently you don’t know much about Alaska or about running the country for that matter. Just WHAT does that utube video show. Please share that with us. We are waiting. Tell us what she needs to know to be qualified. Betcha didn’t know that in the dead of winter, you can walk over to Russia! Put that in your pipe and smoke it LOL
T Knight
July 18th, 2010
8:43 pm
Karen Handel for Governor. Vote July 20th.
Neil Boortz smarter brother
July 18th, 2010
8:46 pm
To all of you nut fudge fringe crazies , here is a splash of cold water called the truth about the Fair Tax…
1) The Fair Tax assumes that businesses will suddenly start lowering prices when they don’t have to pay all kinds of “hidden” taxes. Uh-huh. The next time a business or manufacturer LOWERS prices because of lower costs instead of giving the money to stockholders , it will generate a rebellion by those same stockholders or ,worse yet , management will just pay themselves the money.This point alone makes the whole scheme look like nonsense.
2) The “prebate” idea being pushed to sugar coat this in order to sell it would unleash more fraud and abuse than the stimulus that just happened. Don’t believe me? Over 9,000 first time homebuyer tax credits were just collected illegally in that penny ante program. The Fair Tax would be run by the same government. Fraud would be astronomical.This is probably the most cynical part of this “plan”. It hooks the suckers with the promise of a government check. Neil thinks that you won’t see the hypocrisy in this.
3) It would even widen the dangerously expanding gap between upper and middle income classes. It is a highly regressive tax. Highly regressive.
4) It ignores that local governments raise most operating funds from sales taxes.Sales taxes that would be stacked on top of the Fair Tax at point of sale. Thus making some purchases unaffordable. This would kill the economy (except for the already wealthy).
5) As most state treasurers can tell you , their “consumption based” taxes are great…When the economy is humming along. When it turns down ,not so much. Same thing with the Fair Tax. What will proponents propose the first time revenues go down too much to pay the bills ? Right – They will demand that the tax be increased and that will open the door for every lobbyist in the world to get some special deal for their interest group and we would be right back…Where we are now.
6) The main pusher of this idea is Neil Boortz. Funny guy. But, he will not debate the merits of this scheme at any intellectual depth. When someone raises any kind of objection or points out any kind of flaw, he starts calling them “candy a$$es” or something worse and acts like a spoiled child. This alone should give you pause.If the proponents cannot meet and have an honest debate about a proposal ,watch out- you’re about to get screwed…
Bonus point- The pimps for this idea say proudly and confidently that it would bring in the same amount of revenue as the current tax code. These same people then , almost in the same breath, scream that the current tax code takes too much. This should tell you all you need to know about their plans for that money.
The fair tax is yet another “magic bullet” that shields the politicians from making the hard choices and shields lazy voters from mucking out the politicians that deserve it.
OldSnarkey
July 18th, 2010
8:47 pm
‘Travis McGee’…do you even know what an ethics investigation is? Those were just stupid democratic tricks to get her off the national stage. It didn’t work did it. LOL You ‘know nothing’ democrats are squirming now aren’t you….serves ya right LOL… Hoping you dems can find work come november! Bless your hearts! ‘T KNIGHT’…AMEN!!!
OldSnarkey
July 18th, 2010
8:53 pm
ODDOWL, I rather feel like you are sooooo happy that your parents were pro lifers! Smoke on that one for a little bit. If ya can’t figure it out, just repost and I will help you out, bless your lil ole heart!
Reality
July 18th, 2010
9:09 pm
Johnny, google presidents who graduated magna cum laude.
khc
July 18th, 2010
9:27 pm
jim, good question about perdue getting loans etc…blind trust, but why didn’t the press ….press the current gov about his 22 million loan…
Joey
July 18th, 2010
9:34 pm
Karen Handel…..what a chicken!!! Could not even show up tonight for a debate. And before all you Handel blowhards start saying it was because of McBerry’s being part of the deabte, spare me. No one who wants to lead our state should skip a debate this close to decision time. She was more concerned she would be unable to adequately respond to questions.
ymchoo
July 18th, 2010
9:36 pm
Snow White leads The Seven Dwarfs
The GOP will soon be known as the Party of Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs with Sarah “Snow White” Palin leading such GOP Dwarfs as Huckabee, Gingrich, Pawlenty, Thune, DeMint, Romney and Ron Paul. When Snow White leads, The Seven Dwarfs follow.
So Gerorgia Man
July 18th, 2010
9:50 pm
Just watched the debate… No Handel. How does that work? I don’t like someone… so I’m not speaking to them. I’m not a sexist but if your going to lead this state at one of the most critical times in our history then – MAN UP! The endorsement from Palin (a woman that abandonded her governor position for $ greener pastures) is based purely on gender. That doesn’t mean anything to me. We need strong leadership that will face our problems head-on. This governor has to be tough… I’m not sure Karen can handel it!
Bystander
July 18th, 2010
10:11 pm
I can’t vote, but I’ve been inside this election with multiple opportunities to meet candidates so I’ve been paying extremely close attention.
After getting an opportunity to watch the republican side of the debates tonight with one of my friends (who is a die-hard republican), I am convinced that the election belongs to Barnes. She was sitting there listening to all of them avoid the questions and repeat the same things over and over again. She got up and turned the TV off, proclaiming that all of these guys seemed like idiots and she would rather vote for Barnes. When that happens, I know the republican party is in trouble. From my point of view, they are all prepared to tear each other to pieces while Roy Barnes waltzes in with a very good chance at winning. Once the runoff begins (with whoever is in it), things are going to get nasty and people are just going to avoid the party altogether.
Jon Lester
July 18th, 2010
10:18 pm
Phony J.B. Stoner, the days of white racists deciding elections are over and will never come back. If you don’t like it, you can follow your namesake to the grave for all I care.
Jon Lester
July 18th, 2010
10:20 pm
For the rest of you who may wish for a quick link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/29/national/29stoner.html
Jon Lester
July 18th, 2010
10:26 pm
“Neal Boortz’ Smarter Brother,” thank you for that. I’m a retailer and the last thing I need is to become a federal tax collector just by virtue of running my store, among the other problems with the whole “Fair Tax” scheme. And anyone who thinks there won’t be a huge black market for untaxed items is out of their mind.
GA Blue
July 18th, 2010
10:30 pm
JB Stoner must be stoned
B. Thenet
July 18th, 2010
10:48 pm
Funny how Palin’s campaign used the “real America” line and got beat up for it, and now Deal’s folks are using it against her chosen candidate.
Let the GOPers eat themselves. I want a run off, and I want it to get nasty.
Time to let Roy finish his 2nd term
Salt and Pepper
July 18th, 2010
10:51 pm
Isn’t it ironic that the people who want limited government want the government to tell us who can adopt a child based on how you live your personal life. It is really sad that the election has become a contest of who hates gays and hispanics the most. What are any of you going to do to get Georgia back to work?
Maryland Values
July 18th, 2010
11:29 pm
Karen Handel is a lifelong republican, unlike anyone that has been in georgia for more than 15 years. Your backwards state needs some good common sense not from the south leadership.
Joey
July 19th, 2010
12:01 am
Karen – as someone who worked for her at the SOS office – is the meanest and most foul mouthed person I have ever seen in a management position. She is very shallow and has few ideas. I think trying to win on the endorsement of another shallow individual – Sarah Palin – is also flawed. Karen and Sarah….twi individuals who never finish any office they start. How sad it will be if this state elects someone with no education.
luangtom
July 19th, 2010
12:40 am
Handel showed us all her wit and intrigue by not appearing on-stage with McBerry again on Sunday at the debates. What if she does not like a legislator or a governor from another state? Is she going to refuse to speak with them due to her high moral character? And, I thought that she was a purported Christian. Why is she being a judge and jury and no one saw fit to prosecute?
GI Dolly...Henry Hates McBerry
July 19th, 2010
12:58 am
Karen was a drop out of high school, so what makes any voter think that she wouldn’t drop out as Gov, as she did Fulton Commissioner, and also SOS? Her emotional immaturity is evidence of that as a drop out. She thinks everyone operates on her level.
Her comment that some parents are legit, and others are not? Like she knows anything about being a parent. Deal was right to call her a Barren woman.
Bitter EX democrackkk
July 19th, 2010
6:11 am
Karen Handel is the ONLY sensible choice for Georgia!
Dont EVER vote for another democrackkk, they keep us ALL oppressed!
(Isnt the real JB Stoner deceased by now?)