Your Sunday jolt: Tea party shirts, hats, buttons barred from Georgia voting sites
Tea party enthusiasts are livid over a ruling by Secretary of State Brian Kemp that shirts, hats and buttons with tea party logos won’t be allowed in polling places on Tuesday.
From the Chattanooga Times Free Press:
The loose organization claims to be nonpartisan, but its endorsements in several races are mostly Republicans and Libertarians.
James Groce, head of the Walker County Tea Party, said he was kicked out of a Chickamauga voting precinct last week for wearing a Walker County Tea Party shirt.
He said he was allowed to vote after calling the elections office and threatening to call U.S. marshals. He said the shirt does not promote any candidate or party affiliation.
“I said, ‘Where do you see Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Independent on my T-shirt?’” Groce said. “If you’re being told that you need to go change clothes before you vote … that is a violation of civil rights.”
Walker County Elections Supervisor Barbara Berry said that, when she first called the secretary of state’s office, she was told that allowing or disallowing tea party gear would be a local decision.
On Friday, however, the state office held a statewide web conference to explain that tea party paraphernalia should not be allowed.
“The word from the secretary of state’s office is that no one can wear the tea party shirts, buttons or hats into our polling places,” Berry explained.
Matt Carrothers, a spokesman for the secretary of state’s office, said state law covers more than just political parties and candidates’ names.
He cited a section of Georgia code that states: “No person shall solicit votes in any manner or by any means or method, nor shall any person distribute or display any campaign literature, newspaper, booklet, pamphlet, card, sign, paraphernalia, or any other written or printed matter of any kind” inside any polling place.
Debbie Dooley of the Atlanta Tea Party called last night to say that she’d just finished a long conversation with Kemp – and is demanding that all other clothing with messages from labor unions, the National Rifle Association and Georgia Right to Life also be banned.
***
That avoiding a runoff has become a central focus of Nathan Deal, the Republican nominee for governor, was made clear in the second of two televised debates on Saturday.
From the Fox 5 confrontation, via the Associated Press:
In something of a surprise, Deal tossed a question to John Monds, asking the Libertarian – who has said he supports decriminalizing marijuana – whether he would also support such a move for “harder drugs” and prostitution. Monds said he would not.
There is some concern the Libertarian could draw enough votes to send the race into a runoff and Deal seemed to have his eye on cutting into Monds’ support.
A poll published Sunday by the AJC and the Georgia Newspapers Partnership shows Monds drawing a crucial 6 percent of the vote.The survey shows Deal at 47 percent and Democrat Roy Barnes at 40 percent.
***
Democrat Roy Barnes’s top media guy gave a harsh assessment of his candidate’s chances to the New York Times on Saturday:
Georgia voters would be hard-pressed to recognize Raymond D. Strother. But as a veteran of political advertising — writing the scripts, editing the sound, directing the actors — he provides the most direct contact they may ever have with a Democratic candidate. It is the quintessential behind-the-scenes job, with Mr. Strother, 70, an avuncular Texan, working in a small recording studio beside a bowling alley and a strip club, with one assistant.
“No, I never even thought about running for office myself,” he said. “I’m too blunt.”
Blunt, for example, when he handicaps the outlook for Mr. Barnes: “All things being equal, it will be very hard for a Democrat to win Georgia,” he said. “In focus groups, people say, ‘Sure, your opponent’s a crook — but he’s a Republican and I’m voting for him.’ ” Polls show Mr. Barnes slightly behind his Republican opponent, Nathan Deal, a former congressman whom the Barnes campaign has tried — with limited success — to paint as corrupt.
***
U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall’s voting record and his efforts to separate himself from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been a focus of the contest for the 8th Congressional District. Mike Stucka had these paragraphs in Saturday’s Macon Telegraph:
Claims by the National Republican Congressional Committee that Marshall votes with Pelosi “almost 90 percent of the time” come from a Washington Post analysis of how often Marshall voted with his own party in the last two years. But a vote with other Democrats isn’t necessarily the same thing as a vote specifically with Pelosi. As speaker of the House, Pelosi, following tradition, votes only on select or major bills.
The Telegraph looked at how often Marshall voted with Pelosi — since she’s been House speaker — when Pelosi and House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, cast opposing votes on substantive legislation. The Telegraph analysis — of 2.5 million House votes — shows that Marshall has backed Pelosi 60.6 percent of the time and Boehner 39.4 percent of the time when Pelosi and Boehner disagreed on a measure.
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138 comments Add your comment
middler and so tired of all the rhetoric :
October 31st, 2010
3:22 pm
Joey M are you really the moronic dummy you appear? You are voting for Deal and keeping things in GA the way they have been, so unsuccessfully, for several years? But you want a “complete overhaul.” And just how are your proposing that this will happen? You are hung up on a couple of specific minority voting groups why? Certainly not racism, huh? There should be an intelligence test, with a knowledge of the truth, we all have to pass before voting. It would be interesting to see how long it would take you to be able to vote.
John
October 31st, 2010
3:27 pm
I wasn’t aware RoyBama was on the ballot, I bet Joey M might vote for Roy Barnes in search of this mythical RoyBama.
findog
October 31st, 2010
3:37 pm
Enter your comments here
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
3:57 pm
middler and so tired of all the rhetoric :
I kept reading how the black and latino vote is ignored in this thread. I see articles in this paper saying the same thing. All I did was merely bring light to all the races that are ignored when only black and latino votes are considered. It’s funny, I comment on how other races don’t seem to have a voice in elections and I am a racist. I bet if I said ignore the Asian, Caucasian, Native American, Middle Eastern vote and vote for the black and latino choice you would be pounding your chest telling me how right I am. All this means is you are a hypocrite. My overhaul does not end with Georgia. It goes all the way to the White House. You push for an intelligence test before voting, I am all for that. I would like to take that a step further. If you are on the Taxpayers dime, you do not get a vote either. Conflict of interest. Now what should this test consist of? American History involving political party affiliations, past votes based on political parties, background on the Federalist party, Whigs and Tories, Democratic-Republicans, etc? Should we include in your test how current elected officials have voted on all topics? How many votes the were not present for. How many times they voted against the wishes of their constituents.
I wish we had to pass a test before voting. I really do. Put the test in English only. The vote is for American politics. English is the official language. It can be written, spoken, or in braille. If you are too ignorant to read, sorry you lose. No vote. Liberals would never hold another seat if your test idea was pushed through.
John, you can bet your unemployment check that I will never vote for RoyBama. Oh, sorry. You are obviously not intelligent to get the sarcasm there. RoyBama is a play on words. It combines Roy and Obama together to signify his voting record. You see, Obama is the current President. I know, Roy is a first name and Obama is a last name, but that makes it even better. Most people have a first name and a last name. Roy’s last name is represented as Obama. RoyBama. If it makes it easier for you to comprehend, Let’s do it like this. Roy Barnes – Obama. Do you see how I did that? Does that make it easier for you? If you are still having problems with this, let me know. I can try to dumb it down further for you. Maybe I will ask a 5 year old to type the response. That could help.
John
October 31st, 2010
4:11 pm
I didn’t understand any of that. Obviously you are long winded. Just because you think a lot doesn’t mean what you think is consequential.
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
4:17 pm
Alright John, I will find that 5 year old to help you understand.
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
4:36 pm
John: 5 year old response. “They think the same, so they are the same person.” Please don’t tell me I need to get a 3 year old. They can’t speak very well.
John
October 31st, 2010
4:44 pm
^ You just proved that you’re dumb as a rock. Once you stop hiding behind a shield of words, you just don’t make any damn sense. It’s sad, you ramble like Obama, with the intellectual capacity of Bush.
Last Man Standing
October 31st, 2010
4:47 pm
Joey M:
I agree with what you have to say. Blacks aren’t content to be American and have to be African-American, even though very few of them have ever seen Africa. The same holds true with all the other hyphenated Americans.
I think voters should be tested for literacy. Before gm goes into a seizure, I’ll explain that I don’t mean anything that requires interpretation. I saw film of voters after the last presidential election where the reporter asked very simple questions, such as “Do you know who Joe Biden is”, “Do you know who Nancy Pelosi is”, “Do you know who Sarah Palin is”, “Do you know who John McCain is”? Although most of the people stated that they had voted for Obama, they could not answer these type questions or gave totally ludicrous answers. If people can’t demonstrate some degree of knowledge about candidates or the government and how it functions, they should not be allowed to vote.
Last Man Standing
October 31st, 2010
4:49 pm
findog:
Gators looked good.
TP4U
October 31st, 2010
4:51 pm
FYI – @Joey M – Georgia law only allows welfare folks four years–not years and years as you stated. Also, there are more white people on welfare than Blacks and Latinos. Just thought I would enlighten you on some facts. Hope this helps you in your next post.
Brittiny
October 31st, 2010
4:54 pm
In Georgia and in many other staes this election season has been nationalized. That is, each race is seen for how it will impact our national policies. This occured because of the extreme partisanship of the democrats and their arrogance in forcing thier policy agenda on us whether the people liked it or not.
The democrats might have responded by defending the “accomplisments” of their huge majority in Congress. Instead, they have launced personal attacks on thier political opponents, trying to drag the race into the gutter and out of the national spotlight. Given the democrat track record, it seemed like their best shot.
In Georiga and in other states too, the people have not been fooled. This election season has been nationalized and democrats must defend the track record of their party. It’s not pretty.
Last Man Standing
October 31st, 2010
4:58 pm
Brittiny:
Well said and true . . .
I’ve been saying that here for a long time now. Some folks still don’t understand it, or refuse to recognize it.
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
5:01 pm
TP4U: I don’t want them voting either. I did not specify any race when I said if you are on the taxpayer’s dime you should not be allowed to vote. You are the one that turned it into a race based statement. There are lots of ways to circumvent the welfare laws. There are ways to circumvent many laws. Just ask ACORN employees. Racism is alive and well because of people like you. Sounds like you are bigoted against Caucasians. Sounds like you are the racist. Racists are disgusting people. By the same note, that makes you a disgusting person. Go be a racist somewhere else.
Last Man Standing: I saw the same interviews. People were asked very basic questions and they responded like they spoke a different language. “What do you think of Joe Biden as Vice President”. Than they got the response “Obama is going to be President. Not that Joe guy. I votin’ for Obama. I been here all day waitin’ to vote for Obama”. Same holds true today. You ask someone what Obama has done as President that has benefited America, they will start their answer with “Well, Bush …….” Democrats are poisoning this country by voting for unqualified individuals.
catlady
October 31st, 2010
5:41 pm
Joey and last man: We used to have a literacy test for registering to vote. We also used to have a poll tax.I remember the poll tax. Wanna go back to that, too?
Good God! (said reverently, but with despair)
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
5:41 pm
Brittiny: You are so right.
Last Man Standing
October 31st, 2010
5:48 pm
catlady:
No poll tax and no discrimination – except against the uninformed. The test must be in English, however, since that is the national language. The test can be written, oral or in braille, for those who can’t hear, see or speak.
Do you think that people should be allowed to vote when they don’t even know who the candidates are?
gm
October 31st, 2010
5:51 pm
Joey M. I guess the 2 year Gov Sara Palin is a good qualified Individual? You Nathan Deals bigots, would not vote for Deal if he had voted against the voting rights bill if it was against whites”’
You people are the sickness in America that the rest of the world sees, our men and woman who are all colors are serving this country and you support someone that voted against leting them vote.
You white conservatives are the reason, white Americans lives are always in danger out the country. People see your racial tone, Deal reminds you of the good old days of the South, when you could control everything with your skin, this is why the younger generations of whites voted for Obama, they have seen the bigory of their parents, Nathan Deal represent you older white voters last hope to keep dixie alive”””
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
5:51 pm
catlady: If we can remove all social programs dedicated to food stamps, welfare, etc. than I would be for a Poll Tax. If the trade off is making voters prove their level of competence before voting, bring it on. I wish we had an open spreadsheet showing how Federal and State taxes are spent. I get so mad when I see someone paying with an EBT card for groceries, than they get into a brand new car and drive away. I would also like to see how much money we give to foreign countries. If I were to run for President, my slogan would be “NO MORE HANDOUTS”! We give Billions of Dollars to foreign countries every year. How much money have we given to the African countries in the last 20 years? Yet their leaders live lavish lifestyles while the citizens are starving and dying from preventable diseases. By funding their corruption, our leaders themselves are corrupt. You make a stand or you fall in line. I wish we had a President that brought us back to what worked when starting this country. I guess I am wishing we had Ronald Regan Part 2 as our President.
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
5:58 pm
gm: When you ramble about Nathan Deal not letting black people vote, are you talking about his voting in favor of requiring someone to have a state issued picture ID before they can vote? This prevents fraud. This prevents dead people and infants from voting. This prevents fake people from voting. If you want to compare voting records, we can do that. Deal vs. Barnes…. Know what, good Idea. I will follow this with Deal’s and Barnes’ voting records.
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
6:01 pm
Nathan Deal:
Voted YES on requiring lobbyist disclosure of bundled donations.
Voted NO on granting Washington DC an Electoral vote & vote in Congress.
Voted NO on protecting whistleblowers from employer recrimination.
Voted YES on requiring photo ID for voting in federal elections.
Voted YES on restricting independent grassroots political committees.
Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits about obesity against food providers.
Voted YES on limiting attorney’s fees in class action lawsuits.
Voted YES on restricting frivolous lawsuits.
Voted NO on campaign finance reform banning soft-money contributions.
Voted YES on banning soft money donations to national political parties.
Voted YES on banning soft money and issue ads.
Restrict campaign donations from foreigners or 3rd parties.
Require all laws to cite Constitutional authorization.
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
6:04 pm
Now, you say Nathan Deal is bigoted??? Here is his voting record on Civil Rights.:
* Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation. (Nov 2007)
* Voted YES on Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman. (Jul 2006)
* Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
* Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
* Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
* Voted YES on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
* Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
* Voted YES on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
* Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
* Issue a commemorative postage stamp of Rosa Parks. (Dec 2005)
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
6:10 pm
This is strange. I cannot find anything Roy Barnes voted for or against anywhere. It is like he never spent a day at work. You look if you don’t believe me. Nathan Deal is everywhere. Apparently Deal went to work while Barnes spent all his time fighting with constituents. He followed a very good governor in Zell Miller. He was a great man. I would vote for him if he wanted his old job back. Barnes is like a ghost.
John
October 31st, 2010
6:15 pm
Property taxes lower with Barnes, higher with Perdue. Sales tax holiday created with Barnes, dissolved with Perdue.
Stupidity of Joey M? Unlimited.
Last Man Standing
October 31st, 2010
6:28 pm
catlady:
Do you think that people should be allowed to vote when they don’t even know who the candidates are?
Last Man Standing
October 31st, 2010
6:34 pm
gm:
Perhaps you would like to enlighten us as to what the Voting Rights Act did for you? Then you could tell us exactly how you would be affected if it wasn’t extended? Since this is an issue you obviously are passionate about, you should have little difficulty with answering those two very simple questions.
John
October 31st, 2010
6:36 pm
I think that is a great requirement, Georgians must recognize that Nathan Deal is a Washington welfare queen, failed in his attempt at being a successful lawyer, failed in his attempts at business, failed in his attempt at becoming a Congressman, and most recently, failing to garner a majority of the vote in a Republican state in a Republican year. Georgia does not deserve this failure.
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
6:40 pm
John: What were the property tax rates under Barnes and Purdue? The sales tax holiday was not enacted because three bills (HB 951, 952, and 953) were proposed, but none of them were passed during the legislative session.I guess Sonny Purdue should have broken the law and forced those bills through according to you. Liberals are big into forcing their will, even when the majority doesn’t agree with them.
John
October 31st, 2010
6:41 pm
Aww, look at you hiding behind a barrage of words again, trying to defend how Sonny boy has helped protect Georgia from the evils of liberalism.
Last Man Standing
October 31st, 2010
6:49 pm
John:
“most recently, failing to garner a majority of the vote in a Republican state in a Republican year”
I wouldn’t be counting those chickens yet becuase they ain’t hatched. I’m sure you’ll be around Wedbesday AM so you can have your “nose rubbed in it”?
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
6:52 pm
Another thing, I like how you make it sound like Roy Barnes created the Sales Tax Holiday. He did nothing of the sort. It was started in New York in 1997.
John
October 31st, 2010
6:57 pm
Joey M, you are killing me, please stop! Last man, I think the numbers come “Wedbesday” will shock you.
D. E. Kalb
October 31st, 2010
7:10 pm
Perhaps the Secretary would be more confortable with Black Panther paraphernalia.
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
7:11 pm
John, I asked you a very clear question. You stated property taxes are higher under Purdue than Barnes. I asked you what the tax rates were so we can compare tax rates. Are you going to be a typical liberal that makes statements without the intelligence to prove it? Anyone can make random statements. Try this. Georgia now has the 5th best curriculum in the Nation under Purdue. Now watch this. As a Republican, I will now prove my answer.
http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/pea_communications.aspx?ViewMode=1&obj=1241
See how I did that? don’t expect a liberal to open the website. A liberal will know the Republican has proven himself and his statements to be factual. Now you can go ahead and make up some more stuff to try to help your boy Roy. But honestly dude, it’s too little too late.
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
7:16 pm
John, as long as you try to debate with someone that is obviously your intellectual superior, you will always feel like you are being killed. You vote your guy, I’ll vote my guy. When the liberal democrats are held responsible for all the havoc they have brought upon the people, I am sure I will never hear from you again. Thank you for making me feel smarter.
Last Man Standing
October 31st, 2010
7:17 pm
John:
PLEASE, forgive me my typos, as I forgive your penchant for Barnes. No, I won’t be surprised . . . but if you think Barnes will win, you will be!
Last Man Standing
October 31st, 2010
7:21 pm
gm:
I’m waiting . . .
John
October 31st, 2010
7:24 pm
Spelling matters. Grammar does too. You meant, “PLEaSE, forgive me [for] my typos”. Every little bit counts on the SAT☺
Joey M
October 31st, 2010
7:35 pm
John. Stop chasing rabbits regarding grammar and spelling. I asked you simply to prove your statement regarding property taxes. I feel like I am dealing with a child. You couldn’t understand the “RoyBama” play on words. You can’t understand proving what you say. Yet you want to bring light to a spelling error. You proved your ignorance in your post complaining about “PLEaSE, forgive me [for] my typos.” Not sure why you made the “a” lowercase in “please”, but whatever. Following that, “please forgive me my typos” is not a fragmented sentence. It works both ways, with and without the “for”. Now would you like to argue spelling in a political debate, or would you like to argue politics in a political debate? I can do either.
John
October 31st, 2010
7:41 pm
Joey M, I think you are a little slow. I thought the first time that I embarrassed you at first was enough.
First you go on rambling about the evils of RoyBama, then you sit and stare as I go on about how Roy cut taxes, and Sonny and team raised them. You’re obviously very slow if you think you’re the only 1 in on the RoyBama pun.
John
October 31st, 2010
7:42 pm
If you had to take the ASVAB, you’d probably score high enough to be a janitor (I got a 99).
td
October 31st, 2010
7:43 pm
Looks like I have been missing all of the fun today. BTW: I am watching Deal wipe the floor with Barnes in the debate.
Last Man Standing
October 31st, 2010
7:43 pm
John:
That was merely a play on words from the Lord’s Prayer, but then I should have known better.
You are a piece of work, probably educated far beyond your intelligence – even if you only got through the 7th grade. You will doubtless be a fine and worthy democrat, able to understand and take direction.
td
October 31st, 2010
7:45 pm
John
October 31st, 2010
7:42 pm
Looks like you are starting again with the liberal mantra. When you can not win on the issues or the philosophy then you go after someone personally. Why do you just not admit that your philosophy is morally bankrupt and be done with it?
Boooo
October 31st, 2010
7:46 pm
Shut up and vote! That is all that counts. You will not change my mind and I will not try to change yours. The money spent on these campaigns could have helped thousands of U.S. citizens who are homeless and hungry.
John
October 31st, 2010
7:46 pm
Your pun was not clever, you added an extra syllable that broke the rhythm of the beat. This is about the third time I’ve called you out on your “jokes”, you are not a funny man! I can only imagine the horror of your real live routine.
John
October 31st, 2010
7:47 pm
td, what else am I supposed to do when someone tells me Georgia’s sales tax holiday was started in New York? Coddle them?
td
October 31st, 2010
7:48 pm
Boooo
October 31st, 2010
7:46 pm
Shut up and vote! That is all that counts. You will not change my mind and I will not try to change yours. The money spent on these campaigns could have helped thousands of U.S. citizens who are homeless and hungry.
Where do you think all this money goes too? How many people do these these ads and campaigns employ? Does this not also keep people from being homeless?
John
October 31st, 2010
7:50 pm
The local Georgia media is thankful for the $5.4 million that the RGA is blowing on this race.
khc
October 31st, 2010
7:56 pm
td what world do you live in…..thought deal was going to shot the panelist for asking a question most folks wanted asked….and his answer was bs