Your morning jolt: Race and the basics of Southern politics
With one week to go, we’re getting down to campaign basics. And in the South, that means a healthy dose of racial innuendo.
A mailer from John Barge, the Republican candidate for state school superintendent, arrived at the house on Monday. On its cover was a photograph of his Democratic rival, Joe Martin, and President Barack Obama.
Other than the headline, which you can see here, the flyer makes no mention of Obama. The other three pages of the flyer are devoted to Martin’s lack of classroom experience – a legitimate issue worthy of debate. (Martin, who is not a lawyer, was a longtime member of the Atlanta school board.)
“It is what it is. It’s certainly a distraction,” Martin said in a phone conversation. Attempts to obtain comment from the state GOP, which paid for the flyer, were unsuccessful.
On the other side of the fence, PeachPundit has nabbed sound from what it says is a radio ad playing on stations with African-American audiences. Listen to it here.
The GOTV message includes sound clips of Republican nominee for governor Nathan Deal speaking of “ghetto grandmothers,” bragging about his opposition to the Voting Rights Act, and a denial that he has any idea where Obama was born.
My AJC colleague Aaron Sheinin has come across the same sound clip, which includes the notation that the 30-second spot is paid for by the Barnes campaign.
***
Also from the mailbox: Don’t let Democrat Roy Barnes or Republican Nathan Deal tell you that this argument over a rape shield law in the 1980s doesn’t mean anything. Both candidates for governor have sent out mailers elaborating on the issue.
The Deal flyer relies almost solely on quotes from a column by AJC opinion columnist Jay Bookman, who called Barnes’ treatment of the topic “exploitive” and “grossly unfair.” It makes no use of a Politifact Georgia article that found some substance to Barnes’ charges.
The Barnes flyer features contemporary news articles from the fight – and a photograph of a sheriff’s deputy holding a ticket clipboard – with a “W ‘04” sticker on the back. How’s that for subliminal?
***
Hours after an 11Alive/V-103/WMAZ poll conducted by SurveyUSA showed Georgia’s race for governor might not reach a conclusion next week, a second survey hit the Internet – showing almost exactly the same stats:
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Deal earning 49% of the vote to Barnes’ 39%. Libertarian candidate John Monds is a distant third, picking up just five percent (5%) support. Another five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate, while one percent (1%) are undecided….
Even so, Rasmussen moved the race from “leans Republican” to “solid Republican.”
***
Members of the Atlanta Tea Party will be rallying at 6:30 p.m. this evening outside the chambers of the Gwinnett County Commission, to encourage the resignation of Commissioner Kevin Kenerly, who was indicted last week on bribery and other charges.
***
Henry County wants two Republican state lawmakers to return federal stimulus money. From CBS Atlanta:
Henry County has given state Rep. Steve Davis seven days to pay more than $25,000 it said he owes the county.
As part of the Economic Recovery Act of 2008, the federal government awarded Henry County more than $6 million to combat home foreclosures by buying, renovating and selling them at bargain prices. One of the stipulations however was government officials could not profit from the program.
Henry County said late last year it discovered a problem with two companies it hired.
“When we looked through some of the contracts, noticed some signature that we felt might pose a conflict of interest,” said Henry County spokesperson Julie Hoover-Ernest.
Hoover-Ernest said the county contacted the federal government for clarification.“Ultimately they did come back and said that there was a conflict of interest, and they weren’t going to reimburse us for the money,” she said.
The county said the conflict involves a company owned by Davis and a second company that employs state Rep. John Lunsford. Hoover-Ernest said the companies were awarded a total of about $40,000 that must be repaid.
“John Lunsford said he will reimburse us the money, but Davis aid he will not,” Hoover-Ernest said.
Late Monday afternoon, Davis released a statement to CBS Atlanta.
“These are politically motivated accusations which are designed to confuse and distract voters from the real issues we have been working on: creating jobs in Henry County, educating our children, and improving our region’s transportation system. We are reviewing the documents closely and will respond appropriately however we believe that we have fully complied with the law, and will of course continue to do that.”
***
The AJC’s Politifact Georgia takes on the race for state labor commissioner today, examining charges from Republican Mark Butler that his Democratic rival, Darryl Hicks, has violated the state’s ethics laws several times.
***
During a Sunday debate aired statewide on Georgia Public Television, state Sen. Ralph Hudgens, R-Hull, a candidate for insurance commissioner, was quite open about his relationship with lobbyists for the insurance industry.
Democrat Mary Squires takes him to task for that candor with the TV spot below:
***
In Georgia congressional races, most eyes will be on a Tift County judge who this morning will hold a hearing on whether Republican Austin Scott, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall, D-Macon, can keep papers from his 2001 divorce sealed.
Scott’s 11-year-old son on Monday served notice that he wants a say in the matter.
Meanwhile, the National Republican Congressional Committee unleashed two more TV ads in south Georgia – one against Marshall and another against U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, who faces a strong challenge from state Rep. Mike Keown.
The anti-Marshall ad:
The anti-Bishop ad:
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71 comments Add your comment
GaBlue
October 26th, 2010
12:13 pm
td,
“I know if a any candidate is way up in the polls then they will very much limit the number of debates just for the fact that they could make a mistake.”
Yes, that’s basically what I said. It’s not uncommon. However, I think an incumbent refusing to debate a challenger is a refusal to be held accountable. In what other way is an incumbent held accountable except addressing issues and his record at election time? In my opinion, if he has nothing to hide, and he’s not ashamed of his record or the favors he’s done for his friends while in office, then he should have the decency and integrity to show up and face his challenger. Sure, it might be politically beneficial to hide like a coward, but it does not serve the constituents.
Those are my thoughts, what are yours? Anyone?
MD
October 26th, 2010
12:15 pm
You are all racist so what give it a rest this country needs to be economically responsible and become stronger for our future and the dems way is not the way.VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN and hold them responsible to be conservative and turn our economy around.Secure the border round up the illegal leches and take care of our own.That includes all free Americans.
td
October 26th, 2010
12:16 pm
Drew
October 26th, 2010
12:08 pm
Is it true that Joe Martin sued the Department of Education? I read somewhere, he took 2 million dollars from some school districts then abandoned his lawsuit just before he qualified to run for superintendent? Can anyone verify this?
Dr. Barge has called him out several time for this and he has never given an answer. I think the claim is he not only dropped it when he decided to run but also because he could not find the right judge to hear the case. I am sure he was not judge shopping for one of those Barnes appointed judges:-)
MD
October 26th, 2010
12:19 pm
If you vote for a democrat you are giving up your freedom to a bunch of morons.
td
October 26th, 2010
12:34 pm
GaBlue
October 26th, 2010
12:13 pm
td,
“I know if a any candidate is way up in the polls then they will very much limit the number of debates just for the fact that they could make a mistake.”
Yes, that’s basically what I said. It’s not uncommon. However, I think an incumbent refusing to debate a challenger is a refusal to be held accountable. In what other way is an incumbent held accountable except addressing issues and his record at election time? In my opinion, if he has nothing to hide, and he’s not ashamed of his record or the favors he’s done for his friends while in office, then he should have the decency and integrity to show up and face his challenger. Sure, it might be politically beneficial to hide like a coward, but it does not serve the constituents.
Those are my thoughts, what are yours? Anyone?
I am not disagreeing with you on the general premise and really think there should be a minimum number of debates candidates must attend. The problem I have is these so called “debates” are a joke and we really do not find out any information in them besides name calling and stump speech lines (both parties). If we are going to require debates then lets have real debates and not just some journalist throwing questions out and allowing the candidates a minute or two to answer the questions. What do you think?
yuzeyurbrain
October 26th, 2010
12:35 pm
I once thought Georgia was moving beyond race politics but that was clearly erroneous. It is more basic than that even. I fear for what the rabble will do as they are being enabled by racist demagogues. KKK? Domestic terrorism? Disenfranchisement?
td
October 26th, 2010
12:44 pm
yuzeyurbrain
October 26th, 2010
12:35 pm
I once thought Georgia was moving beyond race politics but that was clearly erroneous. It is more basic than that even. I fear for what the rabble will do as they are being enabled by racist demagogues. KKK? Domestic terrorism? Disenfranchisement?
I guess if a few more African Americans would join Herman Cain and join the Republican party then you could not make that claim? I have seen and met a few in some events and heard a couple come up to the Republican candidate and tell them he/she is supporting them. What happens to these conservative African Americans when the speak out in the community? Oh, yea they are ostracized and called an “Uncle Tom” or much worse a “house Nword”. Now who is the racist again?
Drew
October 26th, 2010
12:46 pm
TD not that I do not believe you but do you have a website which will confirm the lawsuit or anything else?
yuzeyurbrain
October 26th, 2010
12:48 pm
td, you obviously.
Monds for Georgia
October 26th, 2010
12:49 pm
td, if you really do vote for the best candidate, why are you continually on most of these blogs stumping for the Republican candidates? Why, since you’ve done you homework so diligently, can’t you even spell the Libertarian candidate for SSS name correctly?
td
October 26th, 2010
12:52 pm
yuzeyurbrain
October 26th, 2010
12:48 pm
td, you obviously
Just what I thought. Come out and throw the accusations but can not defend a hard question or two? You want answer.
MD
October 26th, 2010
12:53 pm
The african american community should spend more time with Herman Cain and Walter Williams.They have your best interest at heart.
GaBlue
October 26th, 2010
12:53 pm
td @ 12:34,
I agree that not all “debates” are well-planned or executed. The way they’re structured determines how much valuable discourse occurs, vs. repetition of talking points. That’s why I was so disappointed when my congressman ducked out of a League of Women Voters debate at the last minute in 2006. That organization is well respected for substance and fairness, and disseminating all available information to the voters to make an informed choice. Some debates are actually forums, where each candidate is allowed to speak for a few minutes. He did turn out to that one to parrot his ads, but did not answer any questions. This year he’s unopposed, and hence, can do whatever the heck he wants to further his own interests. Nobody calls him on a single thing he says or does.
td
October 26th, 2010
1:00 pm
Monds for Georgia
October 26th, 2010
12:49 pm
td, if you really do vote for the best candidate, why are you continually on most of these blogs stumping for the Republican candidates? Why, since you’ve done you homework so diligently, can’t you even spell the Libertarian candidate for SSS name correctly?
I am sorry if I spelled Ms. Willis’s name incorrectly. I thought I said it in my response. Conservative first, libertarian leaning second and anybody but a liberal/progressive. I would vote for Willis ahead of Martin any day but in this race I think Dr. Barge is the best candidate to ever run for this position. He has a great deal of libertarian values, so why do you not take a closer look at him? He and Ms. Willis agree on most issues. As far as the Governors race, Monds has not even really stated any positions different than Deal. I would consider voting for Monds but this is way to important of a time to allow Barnes to get back into office and there is no way I am going to do anything that may help him get in.
Redneck and Proud
October 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
AT A NATIONAL LEVEL YOU MAY WANT TO VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN BUT AT THE STATE LEVEL THEY ARE ALL CORRUPT AND YOU NEED TO VOTE DEMOCRAT!!!!
At the state level, the incumbents are Republicans and I say vote out incumbents!!!
td
October 26th, 2010
1:47 pm
Drew,
I have attempted to send you a couple of links but the blog has held me up and will not post my post. Go to Google and type in joe martin lawsuit georgia. You will find several links to stories.
Drew
October 26th, 2010
6:20 pm
TD, so you were right. Wow! Ithought you were blowing a lot of smoke but this guy JOE MARTIN reallty did sue the state and take a lot of money from kids. Plus, I read a paper by him written about 4 years ago which states we need to raise taxes. This guy is not too bright about fiscal matters.
john
October 26th, 2010
8:47 pm
Monds supports the toke and the poke (for $). He supports freedom, true Constitutionalists would support Monds /s
Ghetto Grandpa
October 27th, 2010
9:28 am
Oh yeah, Lester Maddox loved black people. He just wouldn’t let them eat in his restaurant with white folks. As long as the black folks kept to their place, he liked them just fine.
That’s not racist, that just being a good conservative southerner.
All times here is not forgotten.
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