Your morning jolt: Mitt Romney to highlight Newt Gingrich defector in Ga.
Updated at 9:07 a.m.: This notice just arrived from Politico.com:
Georgia State Rep. David Casas will announce later this morning that he’s jumping ship and joining with Mitt Romney. At 1:15 p.m., the Romney campaign will convene a conference call for Casas to attack Newt Gingrich. “Over the last few weeks, I have had a serious change of heart,” he explains in a forthcoming statement.
“While I initially supported Speaker Gingrich, his continued attacks upon the free enterprise system that has made our country great are particularly something I will not stand for.” Casas’ parents were political refugees from Cuba, and he was a high school teacher before winning election to the legislature in 2002.
Orginal: One day before Mitt Romney was due in Atlanta for a Buckhead fundraiser, his GOP presidential campaign dropped a first hint that it intends to challenge Newt Gingrich in the former U.S. House speaker’s “home” state.
The Romney issued a press release that listed a handful of examples in which Gingrich allegedly acted as a lobbyist at the state Capitol. Included was this December piece from the Savannah Morning News:
…Gingrich met on behalf of the center in 2004 with the Georgia House Republican caucus and talked up, among other paid members of the health transformation center, a firm called VitalSpring Technologies.
The McLean, Va., company, which calls itself “an innovator in health benefits supply chain intelligence,” was paying at least $20,000 a year in membership fees.
Updated at 5:28 p.m.: A well-connected Gingrich supporter sent this note about Georgia lobbying law:
“What Romney doesn’t understand, because he doesn’t know Georgia very well, is that vendor lobbying wasn’t included in the definition of “lobbying” in the Ethics in Government Act until 2006. The vendor lobbying provision was adopted in H.B. 48 in 2005, which went into effect on January 9, 2006.
The Savannah Morning News article is wrong; it states that, in 2004, the Speaker “was a lobbyist as it was then spelled out in Georgia law, and failed to register as a lobbyist, as the law required.”
It also states that, in 2004, “people who were paid to promote products or companies to lawmakers or if they spent more than $250 on such efforts were considered lobbyists under the law. And they were required to register.” These statements are incorrect, because the law didn’t include vendor lobbyists in the lobbying definition until 2006.
***
Meanwhile, the AJC’s Politifact Georgia examines accusations by Georgia Democrats that GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney has flip-flopped on the deportation of illegal immigrants.
***
U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston gets a mention in this Washington Post investigative piece:
Thirty-three members of Congress have directed more than $300 million in earmarks and other spending provisions to dozens of public projects that are next to or within about two miles of the lawmakers’ own property.
The article includes an interactive map that shows the properties in question, along with these details:
Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, was in a position to secure the funding to protect the beaches of the three-square-mile barrier island. He co-sponsored a $6.3 million earmark for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to replenish the beach in 2008. “This is better than we hoped for,” Kingston said in a news release his office issued at the time.
What the statement didn’t say is that Kingston owns a cottage on Tybee Island that sits about 900 feet from the beach. It’s a modest vacation home that he has rented out in the past. It’s worth about $142,900, and its value has been falling because of the downturn in the real estate market.
***
The re-election campaign of President Barack Obama returned more than $200,000 after the New York Times began asking questions about this:
Two American brothers of a Mexican casino magnate who fled drug and fraud charges in the United States and has been seeking a pardon enabling him to return have emerged as major fund-raisers and donors for President Obama’s re-election campaign.
***
In Gainesville, Attorney General Sam Olens on Monday echoed Capitol talk about a rail line-for-water deal with Tennessee. From AccessNorthGa.com:
“My perspective is pretty simple: I think we should be open to the discussion…as long as they are open to the discussion that there is a pipe that comes into Georgia with water from the Tennessee River,” Olens said to a smattering of applause.
“In return, I want water,” Olens said, nodding his head in affirmation.
***
After Gov. Nathan Deal announced the formation of a privately funded, a needs-based scholarship program, Senate Democrats declared the governor was attempting to distract the public from a debate over the future of the HOPE scholarship:
Afterwards, Deal spokesman Brian Robinson tweeted the following:
Only GA Senate Democrats could criticize a privately funded needs-based scholarship. They hate anything that doesn’t raise taxes.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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126 comments Add your comment
Ga Values...Ron Paul for Peace & Prosperity
February 7th, 2012
10:34 am
Newt needs to drop out NOW, he is just another politician that sells himself to the highest bidder, I can understand how some of you think that’s OK after all you voted for SAXBY. In a few weeks I’ll proudly cast my vote for the only teal CONSERVATIVE RON PAUL.
2012 Republican Presidential Nomination ABC News/Wash Post Romney 38, Gingrich 24, Santorum 18, Paul 14 Romney +14
General Election: Romney vs. Obama ABC News/Wash Post Obama 51, Romney 45 Obama +6
General Election: Gingrich vs. Obama ABC News/Wash Post Obama 54, Gingrich 43 Obama +11
President Obama Job Approval Rasmussen Reports Approve 50, Disapprove 48 Approve +2
td
February 7th, 2012
10:35 am
honested
February 7th, 2012
10:29 am
You forget to mention that oil prices do not total effect the price of gas. You also forgot to mention that in the last year two refineries in the US have shut down operations due to much regulation burden (do you think that would effect supply and demand of gas?) and you forgot to mention all these special blends that must be put into place to “save the environment”.
Don't Tread
February 7th, 2012
10:36 am
So, we have drug dealers supporting Obama’s re-election campaign? Somehow, I’m not surprised.
I wonder how many more similar contributions have been made that we don’t know about?
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
10:36 am
Honested…..Maybe you should learn to read…..
The Keystone Pipeline System is a pipeline system to transport synthetic crude oil and diluted bitumen (”dilbit”) from the Athabasca Oil Sands in northeastern Alberta, Canada to multiple destinations in the United States, which include refineries in Illinois, Cushing oil distribution hub in Oklahoma, and proposed connections to refineries along the Gulf Coast of Texas. It consists of the operational “Keystone Pipeline” (Phase 1) and “Keystone-Cushing Extension” (Phase 2), and two proposed Keystone XL pipeline expansion segments. After the Keystone XL pipeline segments are completed, American crude oil would enter the XL pipelines at Baker, Montana and Cushing, Oklahoma.[1]
honested
February 7th, 2012
10:38 am
td
And what about any of your standard wrong wing blather about ‘blending’, the poor over-regulated refineries (just let them dump the benzine on the ground like they would prefer) is different from any of the last 5 years.
Fail again!
curious
February 7th, 2012
10:38 am
Why would an oil company want to decrease gas prices? They’re doing pretty good right now.
Rather than a pipeline, build a refinery in Canada and transport its products to the US (lot cheaper than bringing it from the Middle East).
I suspect the oil companies really don’t want to increase supplies and therefore, reduce prices to the consumer.
Their real goal is to eliminate environmental restrictions, so they can make even more money.
td
February 7th, 2012
10:40 am
DannyX
February 7th, 2012
10:33 am
Another myth. The overall economy is not really improving but you libs will take any little signs of improvement and run with it as if it is proof we are rolling faster then the economy has ever ran.
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
10:40 am
curious…..Do research brother. America has the refineries but our oil production is low.
honested
February 7th, 2012
10:40 am
uga
Aside from the additional details (and the absence of description of the refined product and it’s final destination) what is different from what I initially posted?
These products were NEVER intended for the US market.
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
10:41 am
td….I know right! I can’t wait for all of this to get exposed in the debates.
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
10:42 am
Handel resigns from Komen…..GOOD FOR HER! GREAT JOB!
td
February 7th, 2012
10:47 am
honested
February 7th, 2012
10:38 am
I could argue with you all day about how the environmental wacos are attempting to ruin this country but that is not the point. My point is Obama will take the blame for rising gas prices and if they are over $4 per gallon next October then he will not get re elected. Just like Clinton said “it the economy stupid” and when the suburban independent voters have to cut down on their vacations this summer due to gas prices and when those women are going to have to put their nail and hair money in their gas tanks they will blame Obama (fair or unfair) and they will vote for anyone that says they will cut gas prices.
Travis McGee
February 7th, 2012
10:47 am
Debating with you Yahoos is impossible because you won’t agree to facts. If Boortz, Hannity, Coulter, Rush or Fox didn’t say it — well, it just ain’t so. Fair and Balanced.
“The trouble with people is not that they don’t know but that they know so much that ain’t so.”
~Josh Billings
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
10:48 am
Travis….So, present your facts.
liberalefty
February 7th, 2012
11:03 am
i sure miss THE TOKEN aka CAIN on the clown circuit…he was entertaining
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
11:07 am
liberalefty…He didnt go anywhere. You can still hear him on the radio.
Crossing Over
February 7th, 2012
11:08 am
I’m going next Monday to vote for Gingrich. I know he won’t be the Rep. nominee in the end, just want to keep the mud flying as long as possible, and because in Georgia, I can do this :~).
JD
February 7th, 2012
11:09 am
Newt was born in PA and lives in Virginia. Just because he “worked” in Georgia and went to school does not make it his “home state”.
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
11:10 am
Crossing Over….Go ahead….Any vote against Obama is good for America.
DannyX
February 7th, 2012
11:10 am
“Another myth. The overall economy is not really improving but you libs will take any little signs of improvement and run with it as if it is proof we are rolling faster then the economy has ever ran.”
The Rasmussen Consumer confidence index shows consumer confidence is way up, from 66 in Sept. to 93 today. Their investor confidence index is up even more than their consumer index.
Gallup reports today that consumer confidence is up for the 5th straight month. You are in denial td.
Crossing Over
February 7th, 2012
11:14 am
UGA 1999
Oh , I’m voting for Obama in November, when it really counts. Regardless of who wins in the end. I think we will all be OK.
terwizake john sande
February 7th, 2012
11:16 am
Our Prayers is to see Mitt as a Nominee 2012..he is the real one who to take america back on track.
td
February 7th, 2012
11:19 am
DannyX
February 7th, 2012
11:10 am
I understand that consumer confidence may be up but again that is because the lib media keeps saying it day after day and it is a fact that the economy is growing at a rate of 1 to 2% per quarter for now mostly on the inflation due to higher food and energy costs. Like I said earlier it is way to early to look at polls because what do you think will happen to consumer confidence when gas prices rise to $4 per gallon and as a result food prices will also increase this summer?
honested
February 7th, 2012
11:25 am
td
So what are the super secret plans the party of NO has to torpedo the economy?
The Public isn’t up for wasting more blood and treasure to protect the 51st State, the whole ‘tax cuts forever’ thing just ain’t flyin, what nonsense do they have up their sleeve…….other than artificial inflation of gas prices?
honested
February 7th, 2012
11:26 am
uga
But why would anyone with an IQ over 50 waste time to listen to him on the radio?
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
11:31 am
Crossing….Again, a vote for Obama in Georgia will not count. So go ahead.
td
February 7th, 2012
11:37 am
honested
February 7th, 2012
11:25 am
Go ahead and tell us how a centralized economy has been working for the past three years?
Crossing Over
February 7th, 2012
11:39 am
UGA 1999, I understand what you are saying. I have two brothers who will “cancel” my vote for Obama IF they decide to show up and vote. They usually vote in the General elections. Right now, both of them are a little uninspired. So, yes, voting for Obama in Georgia may seem futile to some, but you never really know until the votes are counted.
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
11:40 am
Honested….”51st state”…..But didnt Obama say there were 57 states?
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
11:42 am
Crossing Over. Agreed. Actually I value your opinion and right to vote. Although we apparently disagree on politics. I just don’t see any way that Obama will win Georgia. I also do not think he will win the general election.
Don
February 7th, 2012
11:47 am
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
11:40 am
He probably misspoke, like GW always did. Call GW and ask him to pronounce nuclear
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
11:51 am
Don….leave it up to a libard to bring up Bush when referencing Obama. How can we move foward when half of America is so stuck on looking backwards.
Random Reader
February 7th, 2012
11:54 am
“How can we move foward when half of America is so stuck on looking backwards.”
And the other half is supporting a guy that likes to fire people and does not care about the very poor….
Random Reader
February 7th, 2012
11:55 am
And thinks corporations are people……
Random Reader
February 7th, 2012
11:55 am
And wants to let the housing market bottom out……
Random Reader
February 7th, 2012
11:56 am
And wanted to let the auto industry go belly up…..
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
11:56 am
Random….Some people should be fired. And why should you care about the poor when they do not care about themselves.
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
11:56 am
Random….it is called free market.
Random Reader
February 7th, 2012
12:03 pm
That’s the same argument Herman Cain made…..But he would not tell it to Ginger White….. My point being, its easy to say that until it hits you. And for the record, How christian is that???? Its their own fault right????
double
February 7th, 2012
12:04 pm
Mission accomplished(4000+)deaths later…..57 states (no harm done)
yuzeyurbrane
February 7th, 2012
12:06 pm
The enthusiasm for Romney is palpable.
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
12:13 pm
Double….Saddam is out……I agree…mission accomplished.
Mark
February 7th, 2012
12:14 pm
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
11:56 am
Random….Some people should be fired. And why should you care about the poor when they do not care about themselves.
This is a prime example of exactly what the Republican Party stands for….sad
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
12:16 pm
Mark….Nope the republican party stands for individualism and merit of work.
Random Reader
February 7th, 2012
12:17 pm
UGA…..are you really trying to defend Bush’s positon on Iraq??? REALLY????
UGA 1999
February 7th, 2012
12:19 pm
Random….YES I AM….How many times did Clinton go to war with Iraq and left the job unfinished. How many Democrats voted to go into Iraq?
Decatur2
February 7th, 2012
12:20 pm
Who cares……. talk about the issues .
honested
February 7th, 2012
12:39 pm
td,
In order to tell you how a ‘centralized economy is working’, we would first need a ‘centralized economy’.
No matter how many wrong wing extremists whine to the contrary, we still have the same inefficient capitalist system we always had.
On a lighter note, it is excellent to see that the President’s policies have begun to correct the disaster left to him by the previous administration. I look forward to the day when the ‘Bush Depression’ is just a bad memory in the history books.
Look before I leap...
February 7th, 2012
12:41 pm
There has been a lot of chatter here with respect to pump prices for gasoline as some kind of predictor in the general election come Nov.
So I took a little looksie at the numbers. I reviewed the raw (non-inflation adjusted numbers) pricing in the year leading up to the general election where the incumbent was running for re-election to see if the TREND in pricing was a reliable predictor. Here are the numbers and election results:
My data set only goes back to 1976 so we start with the 1980 election.
Nov 1979 1.04 Nov 1980 1.25 Trend UP – incumbent lost
Nov 1983 1.24 Nov 1984 1.20 Trend DN – incumbent won
Nov 1991 1.13 Nov 1992 1.16 Trend flat – incumbent lost
Nov 1995 1.10 Nov 1996 1.25 Trend UP – incumbent won
Nov 2003 1.53 Nov 2004 2.01 Trend UP – incumbent won
Based on the above, there is no corollary between gas price trends and the election results for an incumbent. Indeed, more recent history indicates that the opposite is true.
Gas may indeed hit or surpass $4/gallon this year, but for those who hope it will seal Obama’s fate as a 1 term President, it may be just a matter of wishful thinking.
DannyX
February 7th, 2012
12:42 pm
“Random….YES I AM….How many times did Clinton go to war with Iraq and left the job unfinished.”
0, zitch, nada, never.