Your morning jolt: A test of clout for Georgia Right to Life
The Republican runoff for governor on Aug. 10 will be major test of influence for Georgia’s most aggressive anti-abortion organization.
Georgia Right to Life has already made it clear – in a couple hundred thousand re-election robo-calls – that the group will oppose Karen Handel in favor of Nathan Deal.
And Deal has already indicated that social conservatives are at the heart of his runoff strategy.
So this message from GRTL president Dan Becker is worth noting:
Throughout the state [Tuesday], voters supported an amendment to the Georgia State Constitution that said the “right to life is vested in each human being from their earliest biological beginning until natural death” and that right should be protected by law.
In all 46 counties where the amendment was presented, it passed overwhelmingly by an amazing 75%! Georgia is the first state in the nation where voters have said “yes” to the personhood question.
The presence of the question was made at the county GOP level. (One Democratic county, Butts, included the question on its primary ballot, and approved it.)
Becker said he’ll use the stats to lobby the Legislature for a proposed constitutional amendment next year. But making the difference in a statewide GOP primary for governor would be a stronger statistic to flash around.
***
Chris Riggall, who served as spokesman for former secretary of state Cathy Cox, e-mailed this morning to correct some misinformation floating about.
Tuesday’s vote was not – repeat, not – the first time that Republican ballots exceeded Democratic ballots in a general primary vote:
“In the 2002 general primary, Republican voters outpaced Democrats in both the top two statewide races — U. S. Senate and Governor. That’s when both Saxby Chambless and Sonny Perdue won hotly contested races.
“For example, in the 2002 governor’s race, total Democratic votes (Barnes) were 434,892. Total Republican votes (Perdue, Schrenko and Bryne) were 511,463. In the Senate race, Republicans outpaced Democrats as well, by about 40,000 votes.”
***
Democratic nominee for governor Roy Barnes is headed to Enigma on Saturday for what’s being billed as a major south Georgia rally.
Barnes now has three spare weeks to campaign, while Karen Handel and Nathan Deal snipe at each other in the GOP runoff.
But the state Republican party will try to take up some of the slack. Obviously, the party will try to wrap President Barack Obama around Barnes’ neck.
But on Wednesday, the state GOP – in an e-mail to Republicans around the state – indicated that Barnes’ ‘08 support for John Edwards, the Democratic candidate with great hair and not-so-great morals, will also be a target.
Also, with President Barack Obama in Atlanta on Aug. 2, look for some loud GOP wondering over what Barnes’ schedule will be that day.
***
Smart Media Group of Alexandria, Va., serves as the purchaser of TV time for the campaign of Karen Handel. On its blog is a (somewhat self-congratulating) assessment of cost per vote in Tuesday’s Republican primary for governor.
Costs cited apply to TV only, and Handel probably spent far more than Deal and Oxendine on direct mail:
In a field of four major candidates, more than $3.05 million was spent and 679,572 ballots were cast making the statewide average cost per vote $4.49. If we look at the cost per vote (CPV) of the individual candidates, we find that Karen Handel was unquestionably the most effective candidate in the race.
Handle’s CPV was $0.65 – a feat of efficiency when compared to the other candidates. The runner-up, Congressman Nathan Deal, paid $2.37 per vote, or 3.6 times what Handel paid. Moving down the list of candidates, third-place finisher, former State Senator Eric Johnson, paid $8.85 per vote. That’s 13.65 times what Handel paid and 197% more than the statewide average.
Finally, fourth-place finisher and current statewide office holder John Oxendine paid a shocking $11.86 per vote, or almost 18 times what Karen Handel paid. Oxendine’s CPV was 256% above the statewide average of $4.49.
***
Mary Norwood this morning announced that she’s filed a lawsuit in Fulton County Superior Court in an attempt to get her name on the ballot as an independent candidate for commission chairman.
The Fulton County board of elections refused her candidacy earlier this month, citing her failure to meet a state-mandated qualifying deadline.
In her court plea, her lawyers argue that the Board of Registration and Elections had the discretion to allow Norwood on the ballot under Georgia law, and should have. “Well over thirty thousand signatures gathered in 90 days speak volumes about what the people want,” Norwood said in a press release. “Voters clearly want to see more choice on the ballot.”
***
Finally, we’ve been shown an interesting portion of a Fulton County poll that measures the endorsement clout of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, former Atlanta mayor Andrew Young, and Democratic nominee for governor Roy Barnes.
Overall, Reed comes out on top – but the way the quartet’s influence varies according to the race of the audience is fascinating:
On whether an endorsement is more or less likey to move a voter:
Kasim Reed
More Likely – 57%
More Likey White – 47%
More Likely AA – 72%
John Lewis
More Likely – 50%
More Likely White – 29%
More Likely AA – 79%
Andrew Young
More Likely – 51%
More Likely White – 41%
More Likely AA – 66%
Roy Barnes
More Likely 49%
More Likely White – 41%
More Likely AA – 60%
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79 comments Add your comment
Pro Life Atlanta
July 22nd, 2010
1:52 pm
Tom at 1:01 pm
I am doing my research thank you very much. Don’t call me dumb because I am not blindly accepting Karen Handel’s excuse. Fact of the matter is that she gave a big chunk of money to planned parenthood and she says that planned parenthood does not provide abortions. I am pretty sure that they do provide abortions and you just berate me. I am considering voting for Handel if she can justify herself, but your beratement of me does not help her one bit. It appears that her justification is smearing the other candidate and having an excuse that complicates the issue of her giving money to planned parenthood.
Jeb
July 22nd, 2010
1:55 pm
The goverment should stay out of our lives, except when we don’t want it to.
GOP
Scattered Smothered and Covered
July 22nd, 2010
1:57 pm
Ga Values
ok did that, didn’t really answer my question. Who is CREW? Are they an official organization? How did Deal end up on this list? I don’t know anything about CREW’s credentials, please fill me in.
Noo Raw Deal, Noooo King Roy
July 22nd, 2010
1:58 pm
The Name Says It ALL
J Throckmorton Malcontent
July 22nd, 2010
1:58 pm
As a gay Mexican abortionist, I have to tell you I’m getting a little worried here. Well, off to find a coat hanger. Buenos tootles, y’all.
Liberal on a Red Island
July 22nd, 2010
2:00 pm
@T-Bone – Thank you for pointing out the most obvious flaw in all of this pro-life versus pro-choice nonsense. The facts is until the US Supreme Court supports a challenge to ban abortions there is absolutely nothing a President, Governor, Senator or Representative can do to change the laws. Voting for someone running for any of these offices because they “promise” to end abortion when they know they can’t goes beyond ignorance.
Republican voters have been fed the abortion red meat for more than 20 years now and we are no closer to outlawing abortion than when Roe vs Wade was decided. I am a pro-life Democrat (I know) and think abortions is a barbaric, horrible action that should be banned in most circumstances. With that said, I also understand that none of the candidates running for Governor will take any action during their term to stop abortion, just like the candidates that came before them.
Basing your vote for Karen Handel or Nathan Deal based soley on their stance on abortion, which by the way is complete BS based on the fact that both of them have supported abortion rights when that was the more convenient political position to have, is a wasted opportunity to truly affect the many issues facing our state. All of you screaming about which one is the most anti-abortion know in your heart of hearts that your candidate supported abortion rights when it was benificial for them to do so. Saying they didn’t over and over does not change the facts.
I get the desire to end abortions, I really do. I just don’t get voting for someone based on this single issue when you know the candidates are only telling you what you want to hear to get elected. All you have to do is look at their past positions to see the truth.
Ga Values
July 22nd, 2010
2:01 pm
Scattered Smothered and Covered 1:57 pm
Go to their web site & read for your self but the Democrats they are after are real crooks & the AJC has confirmed their facts about The Raw Deal. Looks like Deal is right up there with Charley Rangel & Maxine Waters.
Not even a stretch of the truth...
July 22nd, 2010
2:05 pm
I find it interesting that Nathan Deal – who was a member of Congress – conveniently forgets that the money that Karen “paid” to an “abortion provider” while at Fulton Co. was earmarked by the FEDERAL government. She was required by law to authorize the pass through grant. Additionally, it is ILLEGAL for tax dollars to fund abortions.
Alabama Communist
July 22nd, 2010
2:14 pm
Another Poll by the Dumb group said today that over 50 thousand Americans have move to Costa Rica in the past 20 years and would never come back until the Republican Tea party is bannish from the planet…
Mark
July 22nd, 2010
2:14 pm
GRTL has gone too far… Please read the attached article.
http://www.kintera.org/cms.asp?id=1086861&campaign_id=148170&msource=KH072210EM1&tr=y&enString=dnRyMrRjIiIGJQNrHhJNJSNnE4IpGvMaOOQCPUPhEbLNLUMuEaKOE&auid=6680334
Nathan Deal should join Karen in calling for the resignation of both Melanie Crozier and Dan Becker.
Bill Orvis White
July 22nd, 2010
2:17 pm
@Flip Flop Deal
Nathan’s been railroaded by his detractors and of course, the far-left September 10th McFly Mainstream Media. Mr. Deal is the real deal and no one can argue that he’s a man of high moral standards and character. He will protect the innocent while keeping taxes low or non-existent. Christian rights will return to the classroom as well.
God Bless,
Bill
Flip Flop Deal
July 22nd, 2010
2:23 pm
Bill Orvis White . are you talking about the 6 Republicans and 6 Democrats on the Congressional Ethics Committee?
Tom
July 22nd, 2010
2:24 pm
Pro Life, again…PLEASE read the factcheck.org link (see my 1:01pm post) and learn the truth about these funds. Not only would it have been ILLEGAL for PP to use any of the funds for abortion-related services, but similar contracts still exist and have, almost continuously, for 35 years. Please pay attention to the specifics on these pass-thru funds!
Other folks have similarly tried in recent years to demonize Susan G. Komen Foundation because they give grants for BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS to various Planned Parenthood chapters to provide these specific services only to indigent women or in locations where other facilities are unable to do so. In many cases, Planned Parenthood enters into arrangements with hospitals or other clinics that DO have to facilities to perform these screenings FOR FREE by having the Komen grants paid directly to the hospital/clinic. Yet, the MOONBATS out there who simply see the words “Planned Parenthood” and go into spasms of hand-waving freak-outery try to convince others to STOP SUPPORTING THE LARGEST BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISERS becuase they’re too damned STUPID to learn the facts!
Scattered Smothered and Covered
July 22nd, 2010
2:27 pm
Ga Values
It appears that CREW is just some kid sitting in his basement, eating starburst, and reading the huffington post. Why should I care who he says is the most corrupt?
Ga Values
July 22nd, 2010
2:30 pm
Scattered Smothered and Covered
July 22nd, 2010
2:27 pm
Who on their list of the 15 Most Corrupt do you think are not corrupt?? Be happy as a paid Deal poster you might get a few more weeks of pay.
Ga Values
July 22nd, 2010
2:32 pm
Scattered Smothered and Covered
Do you think the AJC & Congressional Ethics Committee lied about Deal?
John Konop
July 22nd, 2010
2:39 pm
I have never talked to Karen about this issue but as I said before the election I did talk to several woman and or husbands. I heard a very consistent theme that this line of attack helped Karen because of the very nasty personal nature of it. I will remind people before the election after my very non-scientific poll I thought Karen would get into the 30’s via the last attacks before this.
On so many levels GRTL has crossed the line with many people in this election cycle. Insulting Karen and other people for using IVF for creating life is way over the line. On a personal level my wife and I struggled to have our second child even though we never used the procedure any person with even a limited heart should be sensitive to the very personal nature of having children.
I am in shock that GRTL could sink to a even lower level with this attack. I supported many causes parental notification, better counseling, donated money to help pay for cost related to having the babies…. But this group has become a hate group bottom line! It is very sad because I do think they were a positive force at one time in helping with not using abortion as a birth control method.
It is time for everyone to say enough is enough and demand the resignation of Dan Becker and Melanie Crozier . Show some class Nathan deal!
Scattered Smothered and Covered
July 22nd, 2010
2:40 pm
Whoa sorry Ga Values, i did not mean to offend you, I only said that CREW did not look like a legitimate organization. Yall sure attacked me pretty quick for not saying much, just that CREW looked like they did all their research on huffington post. keep treating me like that and see if i decide to vote for your candidate.
Ga Values
July 22nd, 2010
2:47 pm
Scattered Smothered and Covered
Why do you think they should not have included Raw Deal on their list?. He looks DIRTY to me.
Flip Flop Deal
July 22nd, 2010
2:48 pm
John Konop Class is past Deal’s capabilities.
whatever
July 22nd, 2010
4:00 pm
@scattered, smothered, and covered
CREW is a liberal group created by George Soros and backed by Nancy Pelosi.
Republicans for Roy Barnes
July 22nd, 2010
4:50 pm
I am a republican and voting for Roy Barnes…Sarah Palin endorse Handel so I am switching my vote to Roy Barnes. Deal is a undercover demoncrate.
Mugwump
July 22nd, 2010
5:11 pm
“… but the state cannot define or enforce virtue or morals…”. If they could they would define and enforce your virtues and your morals. But of course the politicians, for a large part, think they are above these expectations. At least that is how some of the candidates have acted and the voters told some that, yes indeed, their crap stinks. Maybe the state can’t do it but the voters can and have defined and enforced virtues and morals. Oxendine is gone and Shady Deal should be next.
UGA 1954
July 22nd, 2010
6:28 pm
Personally, I think our selection for Governor can be acquainted to a rock and a hard place. Terrible selection, in my opinion. Just terrible.
kilowatt
July 22nd, 2010
8:13 pm
Mr. White,how do you think the state can function on nonexistant taxes?And what do you mean by “Christian values”in the classroom?
John Konop
July 22nd, 2010
9:06 pm
FYI
Georgia Right To Life Suports Candidate Who Voted For Major Abortion Funding
Hypocrisy, thy name is Georgia Right to Life.
Today, Georgia Right to Life attacked Georgia gubernatorial candidate Karen Handel for funding Planned Parenthood when Handel chaired the Fulton County Commission in Georgia.
The funding had actually been approved before Handel got there and the money was designated for cancer screenings with Planned Parenthood doing the cancer screenings instead of the county.
You can read more here and will note that Georgia Right to Life threw in some gratuitous and unneeded nonsense on Sarah Palin and her son with Down Syndrome.
more
http://www.peachpundit.com/2010/07/22/georgia-right-to-life-suports-candidate-who-supported-major-abortion-funding/#comments
Bubba
July 23rd, 2010
4:13 am
When is the press going to pick up on the Glenn Richardson style personal issues of the sanctimonious hypocrite Preston Smith?
Roy Groce
July 26th, 2010
1:10 pm
I was once a Deal supporter, along with my family and many friends. However, I have changed my position (I can flip-flop if he can!). His alleged corruption, his retirement from US House for political expediency (and to avoid possible investigation), and a personal reason, are what influenced my decision. There was a time that I asked for his help which could have been done and he failed to give it. This was a matter of vast importance to me and a family member and he hid behind a cover of “separation of powers”. He does not deserve to be Gov. I believe that Ms. Handel does and I intend to vote for her and use all the influence I have to elect her.
Judy
August 1st, 2010
11:36 pm
Some of you criticizing deal are forgetting about his 100 per cent pro-life voting record as well as his record on voting for protection of traditional marriage issues. Karen Handel does not have her voting record to back her up as does deal. Any past issues of his Demo roots could easily be compared to Pres Reagan’s switch to the Republicans when he finally saw the “light” about the Democrats real agendas and lib ways. Also Deal and the other GRTL endorsed candidates signed what I think is a very stricly pro-life document. Handel did not sign this document and that speaks volumes as well as her vote to give benefits to domestic partners. As far as the ethics things, I have also read on this board and realized that some of the ethics things have most likely been blown way out of proportion and I think it’s to attempt to do a hatchet job on Deal since the Dems know their most formidable opponent would be Deal over Handel. Also, he seems to me like a real gentleman and handled himself like a true gentleman in the debate versus Handel who seemed like she let her temper get the best of her. I’m voting for Deal. Compare the actual very conservative votes in the more recent years and his are by far the most conservative vote possible. He also spoke well regarding immigration and border enforcement and other issues. Deal gets my vote!