Your morning jolt: An ‘intrigued’ Ralph Reed says he has encouraged Donald Trump
His close friend Karl Rove thinks Donald Trump’s presidential ambition is one big joke, but Ralph Reed isn’t so sure.
Earlier this week, Reed’s name surfaced as someone Trump had sounded out to run his campaign – an idea that the former head of the Christian Coalition slapped down.
Ralph Reed, founder of Faith and Freedom Coalition, at a 2010 rall in Atlanta. Brant Sanderlin, bsanderlin@ajc.com
But in an NPR interview with Neal Conan and Ken Rudin on Wednesday, posted here, Reed declared himself “intrigued” by a Trump candidacy, and said he has encouraged The Donald to take a close look at the race.
The former chairman of the state GOP was first asked if the “birther” phenomenon was the fuel behind Trump’s sudden performance in national polls:
Reed: “I don’t know that I would reduce his poll performance to just one issue. After all, Donald Trump is somebody who’s been kind of a larger-than-life figure on the American stage for more than a quarter century.”
NPR: “Would he be a serious candidate?”
Reed: “I think he’d definitely be a serious candidate.”
NPR: “Could you support him?”
Reed: “Because of my Faith and Freedom Coalition hat, I’m unlikely to endorse pre-nomination. Or support pre-nomination. But I will say this – I’m intrigued by Donald Trump. He took a look at this in 2000. I think this is a much more serious look.
“I’m very pleased, and I think a lot of other social conservatives in the party are pleased that he is pro-life and pro-family and pro-marriage.
“And I think given, his business acumen and his business record, like Mitt Romney – maybe in a little different way with his business background – Mitch Daniels would be another one – [he] could really turn to Barack Obama on a stage in a nationally televised debate in the fall of 2012 and say, ‘I’ve run businesses and created jobs for 30 years. When have you ever created a job?’
“I don’t think that’s a bad contrast. I’m not taking sides in the primary, but I’ve encouraged him to look at it, and I think he’s looking at it very seriously.”
***
Not a few people in the state Capitol are looking at the following with a sense of irony. From the Associated Press:
Georgia’s Attorney General Sam Olens has filed a joint complaint with the Federal Trade Commission seeking to delay Phoebe Putney Health System’s proposed acquisition of Palmyra Park Hospital.
The complaint was filed in federal court in Albany, Ga.
It alleges the transaction would violate federal law by eliminating the current competition between Phoebe Putney and Palmyra Park Hospital in Albany and the surrounding six-county area. The complaint also charges that Phoebe Putney has used the Hospital Authority to shield private, anticompetitive activity hoping it would exempt the acquisition from federal antitrust law.
The filing came after the FTC vote unanimously to request an injunction of the merger.
In November, Republican Sam Olens defeated Democrat Ken Hodges of Albany – who as a lawyer has represented Phoebe Putney.
***
The National Journal has placed U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Savannah, in the No. 2 position on its list of most vulnerable members of Congress in 2012:
Armed with a 2009 Supreme Court decision that rendered districts with less than 50 percent minority population unworthy of special protection, Georgia Republicans could easily dilute the four-term Democrat’s 44 percent African-American district by dropping black precincts in Savannah and adding heavily white Augusta suburbs. This would create a district much like the one in effect during the late 1990s, a period when Democrats were locked out in the region.
***
On Wednesday, much attention was given to Gov. Nathan Deal’s announcement that he had signed legislation giving himself the authority to replace members of the Atlanta Board of Education, should that school system lose its accreditation.
But in his session at the Atlanta Press Club, Deal also declared that the state needs to be prepared to go it alone when it comes to the dredging of the Port of Savannah. Georgia has been pursuing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for the project. Writes Walter Jones of Morris News Service:
“I’m not going to place any bets on whether or not we get it,” he said. “We’re going to have to be prepared in the alternative to do whatever the state of Georgia and the [Georgia] Ports Authority has to do in the event that federal funding does not come forward in a timely and appropriate sum.”
This year, he convinced the Georgia General Assembly to commit $32 million in bond-borrowing to the project, raising the state taxpayers’ total investment so far to $125 million….
[Deal] recounted a conversation from his trip Tuesday to visit with bond-rating agencies.
“It’s amazing to me when you go to New York City and they ask how the deepening of the port of Savannah is going,” he said. “You know they are keeping up with what’s going on here.”
***
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson is on a tour of Asia with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other members of Congress. They have already made a diplomatic misstep, angering Gov. Benigno R. Fitial of Guam, for not checking when they were on his island.
Seriously, from the Saipan Tribune:
Fitial’s press secretary, Angel Demapan, said “while the full details of the trip are still unknown, we find it disturbing that such high level members of the U.S. Congress would go to Guam in secrecy and without any degree of courtesy to the leadership of the Government of Guam.”
“Like the [Commonwealth of the North Mariana Islands], Guam is a member of the American political family. It is disheartening to know that our brothers and sisters in the south have been made to feel like second class citizens of America,” Demapan [said].
A spokeswoman for Isakson said no snub was intended. “The delegation stopped in Guam to refuel. They were on the ground for about one hour,” she said.
***
AJC’s Politifact Georgia takes a look at the Democrat claim that, by voting for a budget proposed by U.S. Rep. Paul Bryan, House Republicans voted to end Medicare.
ong>- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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111 comments Add your comment
Gman
April 21st, 2011
12:36 pm
MiltonMan, how do you think she died?
double
April 21st, 2011
12:36 pm
LMS NYC subway vigilante was being robbed.Best I remember,was not licensed to carry.Criminal court found him guilty on this count.Civil found for one or more of victims at one heck of cost.If criminal drops or throws out charges you are subject to civil.You complement President Obama by calling him the annointed one,even tho you mean it as a slur.A racial slur at that because you know Jesus would be brown or darker than you.
MiltonMan
April 21st, 2011
12:38 pm
Gman – tell that to advertisers who buy time on the networks. I pretty sure they would love to hear your expert economic analysis that you developed in the APS system.
MiltonMan
April 21st, 2011
12:39 pm
Gman, I know that she was killed by a drunk driver. Nice try Mr. GED.
Corey
April 21st, 2011
12:41 pm
I remember you Trish. You’re the ugly white chick roving from car to car on the north bound train daring any and every black thug real or imagined even Morehouse Med School students to cross you.
Centrist
April 21st, 2011
12:42 pm
Making personal attacks and using foul language does not help your side of a political debate – it merely shows you are losing.
Last Man Standing
April 21st, 2011
12:42 pm
gm:
Exactly what is it with you? You can’t seem to post anything without mentioning FOX News, Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity. You are apparently very envious of Hannity’s and Limbaugh’s success. I don’t know why you mention FOX News since they are kicking all other news sources behinds.
Just go ahead and admit that you wish you were either Sean or Rush. Confession is good for the soul.
“do honestly think people of color going to vote for these conservatives idiots you guys have running against Obama”
Do you think I honestly give a rat’a a$$ who “people of color” vote for? I will mention that some polls now show that Hussein has dropped from 97% support among blacks to 90%. Apparently 7% of blacks learned something!
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
April 21st, 2011
12:43 pm
Joe Mama
April 21st, 2011
11:34 am
TDWE — “2 beaten on MARTA train by up to 30 teen attackers chanting ‘B.F.P.L.’… they also stole wallets
so sad that one or more of the feral teens was not killed by someone with a conceiled carry permit. Justifiable self defense”
I’m not a lawyer, but I’m pretty sure that killing someone who’s robbing you (and who isn’t themselves carrying a firearm) is *not,* in and of itself, justifiable self-defense. I suspect that the ‘clear to shoot and kill the perp’ bar is somewhat higher than that.
—
Nor, obviously, are you an American man, or a person with any common sense.
Gman
April 21st, 2011
12:46 pm
MiltonMan, that’s what they told YOU! By the way the discussion was about intelligent content. Advertisers would by ad space for men having sex with goats if people watched it. And that explains it all!
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
April 21st, 2011
12:49 pm
Last Man Standing
April 21st, 2011
12:42 pm
Your complete ignorance of, or contempt for, the greatness of Atlanta and Fulton County is fully explained by your support for Dominican sex tourist/Vietnam draft-dodger/proponent of fascism Limbaugh; and Vatican TV in America: FoxNews.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
April 21st, 2011
12:50 pm
@no point
…..And then some!
Shadoz
April 21st, 2011
12:55 pm
Cacs don’t wanna comment on Trump huh?
Joe Mama
April 21st, 2011
12:55 pm
LMS — “I can’t type without errors this AM! Maybe you get the gist of my post, though?”
I think I do. Are you some species of attorney?
the watch dog
April 21st, 2011
12:56 pm
Donald Trump has an image problem. He is characterized as a member of the super rich that has no idea what the “American Community” think, which is probably very true. “men that live different think different”.
The “American Community” wants a person whom represents the American ideal of self made, a person who has struggled and made the steady climb to the pinnacle of the political world, like John Boehner. Unfortunately, the American Community has someone who looks good on TV, a polished speaker, which is who is President now.
Gman
April 21st, 2011
12:57 pm
Oh, MiltonMan where did you run off to? To watch more popular programming?
KGray
April 21st, 2011
12:59 pm
Milton Man, first we don’t ask for outside donations. We are all working educated women, who can take care of ourselves and don’t accept outside donations; because, when we decide to make a political donation, we don’t want any outside influences. I’m sure you can guess we didn’t donate to Bush or Deal. You don’t need to know the name of our sorority. The only thing you need to know is that we are challenging all other chapters to meet our donation and that alone will give the President almost a billion dollars. We can support the President with our monies and any other candidate that we choose. Secondly, we don make charitable donations to those in need, if you fit into that catagory.
Joe Mama
April 21st, 2011
1:01 pm
LMS — “Do you think I honestly give a rat’a a$$ who “people of color” vote for? I will mention that some polls now show that Hussein has dropped from 97% support among blacks to 90%. Apparently 7% of blacks learned something!”
Or they might have become somewhat disillusioned with President Obama’s delivery record on his campaign promises. But that doesn’t translate into automatic support for the GOP.
I myself am disappointed in President Obama, but I’d still like to see some of the things he campaigned on get accomplished. For that reason, I don’t see myself voting Republican in 2012.
Gman
April 21st, 2011
1:02 pm
Oh, the watch dog, it appears you prefer your representatives be drunks and adulterers with forked tongues.
Joe Mama
April 21st, 2011
1:03 pm
Will Jones — “Nor, obviously, are you an American man, or a person with any common sense.”
I can see that being erudite and literate does not preclude one from simultaneously being both a windbag and a drive-by poster.
If you have some substantive critique of my posts to offer, sir/madam, then step on up and make it.
Alabama Communist
April 21st, 2011
1:06 pm
LOL…No doubt little Ralph Reed is looking for another client to fleece in the name of the Republican kick butt Jesus……..
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
April 21st, 2011
1:11 pm
Will Jones – Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
April 21st, 2011
12:43 pm
Joe Mama
April 21st, 2011
11:34 am
TDWE — “2 beaten on MARTA train by up to 30 teen attackers chanting ‘B.F.P.L.’… they also stole wallets
so sad that one or more of the feral teens was not killed by someone with a conceiled carry permit. Justifiable self defense”
I’m not a lawyer, but I’m pretty sure that killing someone who’s robbing you (and who isn’t themselves carrying a firearm) is *not,* in and of itself, justifiable self-defense. I suspect that the ‘clear to shoot and kill the perp’ bar is somewhat higher than that.
—
Nor, obviously, are you an American man, or a person with any common sense.
—-
Whether immigrant or outlander, you clearly have no consciousness of the Spirit of America: the cited posting is a “substantive critique” of itself.
Any argument against this inalienable fact can be posed only by a traitor to Our Creed or a non-American.
jj
April 21st, 2011
1:13 pm
So you want to pull out your gun and start shooting? When you hit an innocent bystander are you going to try to explain to their family, the jury and your that you are the real victim and are not a murderer?
Izneers
April 21st, 2011
1:18 pm
interesting comments from Ms. Chair-elect.
Joe Mama
April 21st, 2011
1:19 pm
Will Jones — “Whether immigrant or outlander, you clearly have no consciousness of the Spirit of America:”
Whereas I suspect that your consciousness of this amorphous and undefined concept comes either from your regularly prescribed psychoactive medications, or from your failure to take them as recommended by your physicians.
“the cited posting is a “substantive critique” of itself.”
Your opinion is demonstrative of nothing; your failure to offer critique is evidence only of your distaste for my post, and your combative non-response is likely emblematic of the high-toned poofery I anticipate receiving from you in response.
Bring it on, sir/madam.
“Any argument against this inalienable fact”
Oh, look. It’s not only a windbag, but a pompous one as well. (laughing, pointing)
Anyone who claims that their opinion is “inalienable fact” possesses, at best, a tenuous grasp on reality. But do try again in one of your brief periods of lucidity. We are embarking on a long holiday weekend, so I’ll bookmark this thread so I can return to decipher and respond to your bleatings and dribblings, sir/madam.
“can be posed only by a traitor to Our Creed”
There is no such thing as “Our Creed,” and in any event, I subscribe to no creed, as is my right as an American.
“or a non-American.”
I’m not only an American, but a disabled veteran of our Armed Forces. And I’ll measure my patriotism against yours on any day of the week, sir/madam.
Last Man Standing
April 21st, 2011
1:20 pm
Joe Mama:
I am NOT a lawyer!
\
History Will Teach Us if We Will Learn
April 21st, 2011
1:24 pm
I have no problem with LMS or TDWE or TD defending themselves as long as I’m not on the train when Trisha starts poppin a cap in everybodies *ss. I mean how much collateral damage to uninvolved by-standers is acceptable, unless you assume they’re all liberal…..
I also read somewhere a few years ago that the ability for ghetto moms to have abortions was the most significant factor in lowering crime rates in the last 20 yrs. It seems to me if people like Trish would let them be killed before they got on a Marta train and hurt somebody, we wouldnt have the problem to begin with. Just using Trishas logic
BTW, all of my friends that happen to be African – American are individuals who think for themselves and actually don’t have to call Jackson Central everyday to have an opinion and on crime issues most are conservative.
Joe Mama
April 21st, 2011
1:26 pm
LMS — “I am NOT a lawyer!”
Okay, okay, I apologize. Didn’t mean to give offense.
Sheesh.
Rabbit
April 21st, 2011
1:26 pm
We all should think carefully about the kind of world we want and provide the example for others. I, for one, want my descendants to live in a civil world. It will not happen if the leaders we choose move to the next marriage upon the next adultery. Perhaps redefining marriage is the solution. Perhaps eliminating any state recognition of marriage, licenses, benefits, etc is the solution. Then, the only connection would be religious or by agreement. No strings, just a simple contract. Or keep it the way it is and reinstate the social stigma of divorce. That has to happen by societal norms, not by legislation.
Too often we try to legislate social norms and it never succeeds.
Last Man Standing
April 21st, 2011
1:31 pm
Joe Mama:
“Or they might have become somewhat disillusioned with President Obama’s delivery record on his campaign promises. But that doesn’t translate into automatic support for the GOP.”
Of course, it doesn’. I would be satisfied if they “took the day off” on election day. There is a long way to go before the election, and much can happen. My preference remains Governor Chris Christie, NJ. I haven’t decided yet how well he would do in a national campaign. He polls well with men, but not as well with women. Christie is a straight-shooter and doesn’t do the empty rhetoric nearly so well as Hussein. In fact, he doesn’t do rhetoric at all. If you don’t want the truth, don’t ask Christie!
Joe Mama
April 21st, 2011
1:35 pm
History — “I have no problem with LMS or TDWE or TD defending themselves as long as I’m not on the train when Trisha starts poppin a cap in everybodies *ss. I mean how much collateral damage to uninvolved by-standers is acceptable, unless you assume they’re all liberal…..”
See, that’s a big thing to me.
There are consequences that devolve from the exercise of our rights. And if you exercise your right to self-defense, and you happen to aim wrong and hit somebody, then IMO you should bear the *consequences* of that. I don’t think that our individual right to self-defense extends to us being immunized from criminal prosecutions or civil actions when an innocent bystander gets hit by stray fire from one of our weapons.
And before someone accuses me of being a libbie gun-grabber, once again, I’m a firearm-owning Army vet. I’m quite comfortable around firearms and I have them in my home.
If you see two guys engaged in gunplay outside the Target store (yes, that’s intended irony), and you kill one or both, then should you be immune from criminal prosecution? Why or why not?
Should you also be immune from civil prosecution? Why or why not? What if one of the guys you killed was an undercover cop? Does that change your answer any?
Long story short, I don’t *trust* other firearms owners to be as good a shot as trained law enforcement officers or as myself — and I don’t carry. I think that some people who have concealed carry permits (yes, I have friends who have them) are just itching for a chance to play Steven Seagal and off a bad guy. But again, I don’t trust their judgment or their aim. I’d rather take my chances waiting on the cops and talking my way out of a situation than risk getting hit by your bad aim — ESPECIALLY if non-LEO ‘good samaritan’ shooters get immunity.
Sorry, but I’d rather take my chances, knowing that the perp could be prosecuted and YOU couldn’t be. If you want to be able to concealed carry and shoot bad guys, then you ought to have to take your criminal and civil chances with our legal system.
That’s just how I feel about it.
Last Man Standing
April 21st, 2011
1:38 pm
Joe Mama:
“Okay, okay, I apologize. Didn’t mean to give offense.”
The emphasis was intended as humor. I have learned to put up with a lot of name-calling here, but I will NOT be called a “lawyer”! On the other hand, lawyers must perform some useful function in society. Give me a week or two and I’m sure I can come up with an example!
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
April 21st, 2011
1:42 pm
Joe “Mama,” The American Creed is comprised of the three mottoes enshrined on The Great Seal of the United States of America. One empathetically suspects your “disability” is more mental and spiritual as you “claim” the status of Veteran yet have essentially no idea for what you placed your life at sacrifice under the Oath.
Pathetic and pitiable. Get well soon, each day is a miracle and a blessing. Use your imagination. Claim it.
GaBlue
April 21st, 2011
1:44 pm
Joe Mama,
Thought provoking commentary. Thank you. I think it’s funny when “righties” assume that “libs” don’t have guns or don’t know how to use ‘em. Heh…
Last Man Standing
April 21st, 2011
1:45 pm
Joe Mama:
You mentioned an LEO friiend. Maybe you’ve also heard something akin to this: a cop sometimes must make a decision in a fraction of a second that judges will deliberate over for months and years.
GaBlue
April 21st, 2011
1:47 pm
… and yes, I agree that we should be responsible for where ever each bullet we purchase winds up. EVERY ONE. There are too many “accidents” from idiots (from all walks of life) using their weapons irresponsibly, and I say there should be NO excuses.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
April 21st, 2011
1:47 pm
@History Will Teach Us if We Will Learn ..
1.. I carry a Glock 36 .45 subcompact in my purse with glasser safety plugs..i don;t want some high velocity round exiting who i intend to hit , and hitting someone else with the added drawback of doing less internal damage to the person i intend to hit. I prefer the idea of maximum knock down power and internal shock..only drawbackl is that a subcompact .45 isn;t the most sleek and light option and can only hold 5 in the clip, one in the pipe.
2. I am very pro choice..abortion is the best choice often..many people live and function as lower animals and should not breed more of the same inferiority..I simply do not want any tax funding for abortion, not because i am anti abortion, but because I am anti tax funding of damn near everything.
gm
April 21st, 2011
1:49 pm
MiltonMan
The truth hurts, must be a product of Rep stupid party
Orange&Blue
April 21st, 2011
1:54 pm
Trisha,
Please adhere to paragraph 2 of your post. Don’t breed.
Also, please stay at your house in Cumming or whatever redneckopolis you call home. Some one is “gonna getcha.”
Joe Mama
April 21st, 2011
1:54 pm
LMS — “You mentioned an LEO friiend. Maybe you’ve also heard something akin to this: a cop sometimes must make a decision in a fraction of a second that judges will deliberate over for months and years.”
Yes. And they are *trained* to be able to make those split-second decisions. I repose more trust in a trained cop than in some guy who has a concealed-carry permit and an itchy trigger finger.
If I’m unfortunate enough to be in the crossfire and that guy hits me, I’m suing him. And if I die, my wife’s suing him.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
April 21st, 2011
1:55 pm
suing and collecting anything are two different things:)
GaBlue
April 21st, 2011
1:56 pm
Evading a settlement order payout and evading your defense laywer’s bills are two different things too.
Last Man Standing
April 21st, 2011
1:57 pm
gm:
“NYC subway vigilante was being robbed.Best I remember,was not licensed to carry.Criminal court found him guilty on this count.Civil found for one or more of victims at one heck of cost.If criminal drops or throws out charges you are subject to civil”
I recall the incident well. Although I can’t recall his name, this guy went out with the INTENTION of being a lone vigilante. The INTENT preceded the action – and that cost him dearly. That is not to say that the thugs were mistreated . . .
Joe Mama
April 21st, 2011
1:58 pm
GaBlue — “Thought provoking commentary. Thank you. I think it’s funny when “righties” assume that “libs” don’t have guns or don’t know how to use ‘em. Heh…”
You’re quite welcome.
There are *plenty* of lefties with firearms. I’ve got a passel of relatives in Appalachia who are quite handy with a long rifle, or with a pistol as needed.
It’s really quite funny to me, watching conservatives paint us as anti-gun. Maybe they think I want to take my guns away from myself?
TrishaDishaWarEagle
April 21st, 2011
2:00 pm
GaBlue, how provincial.
An entire branch of law exists to shield personal assets from liability.
Joe Mama
April 21st, 2011
2:01 pm
TDWE — “suing and collecting anything are two different things:)”
Either way, you’re going to spend money defending yourself, whether I or my widow prevail in our suit or not. Civil defense attorneys don’t come cheap, and IIRC, you’re not entitled to representation in a civil suit.
But it’s telling to me that you appear to be opposed to taking responsibility for where your rounds land and for whom they hit. Are you, in fact, in favor of immunizing shooters in such situations?
GaBlue
April 21st, 2011
2:05 pm
How ironic that TrishaKKK uses the word “provincial” on a city girl like me. Heh…. So young. So full of impervious self worth. Yes, dear, DO go on believing you can shield yourself from everything with the impenetrable combination of your attitude and glock. Heh..
TrishaDishaWarEagle
April 21st, 2011
2:05 pm
@ Joe mama..read my above comment on my premeditated choice of caliber and personal protection (vs all purpose) ammo. I take personal responsibility, but when push comes to shove, my life is the most valuable commodity in the equation and that and only that will dictate if shots are fired. Not collateral issues.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
April 21st, 2011
2:10 pm
also @ Joe Mama..
You are indeed correct lawyers get their piece, regardless . That was Newtons 4th law of motion, after he was named in a class action suit brought by 13 idiots who were hit by falling apples.
GaBlue
April 21st, 2011
2:10 pm
.. and now class, please turn to the definition of “sociopath” in your Whacktoid 101 textbooks.
Joe Mama
April 21st, 2011
2:29 pm
TDWE — “@ Joe mama..read my above comment on my premeditated choice of caliber and personal protection (vs all purpose) ammo. I take personal responsibility, but when push comes to shove, my life is the most valuable commodity in the equation and that and only that will dictate if shots are fired. Not collateral issues.”
I understand that. My issue has to do with the concerns of *others* — possibly including myself or my wife — who might happen to be struck by stray shots from you or anyone else involved. If you feel that an armed response is necessary, that’s your lookout. All I’m saying is that IMO, you should not be immunized from the *consequences* of your choice and your actions.
If you want to shoot, you’re taking a chance that you might hit an innocent. If you’re so sure that you’re justified, then fire away. But don’t hedge your bet by trying to get immunized. If you’re justified in firing, then go all the way and do it without immunity. If you demand immunity (I recognize that you have not called for that in this thread), then you are ipso facto NOT certain that you’re going to hit your target, and therefore you shouldn’t be firing.