CNN/ORC poll: Barack Obama tied with GOP nominee in Ga.
Updated at 4:30 p.m.: Yet another poll of the presidential primary in Georgia, again showing Newt Gingrich in the upper-40 percentile, has just been dropped by CNN/ORC International.
The poll also shows, like two others today, Santorum dangerously under 20 percent — the amount needed Tuesday for a share of 34 at-large Georgia delegates. The CNN top lines:
– Gingrich, 47 percent;
– Mitt Romney, 24 percent;
– Santorum, 15 percent;
– and Ron Paul, 9 percent.
More interesting is the portion of the CNN poll that looks at a general election contest with President Barack Obama. Asked whether they would vote for the Republican nominee or the incumbent Democrat in November, 1,775 registered Georgia voters were split, 48 to 48 percent.
Updated at 12:15 p.m.: In the wee hours this morning, following on the heels of a weekend AJC poll, Public Policy Polling of North Carolina came out with yet another survey that shows GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich creeping toward the 50 percent mark in Georgia.
The PPP bottom line:
– Gingrich, 47 percent;
– Mitt Romney, 24 percent;
– Rick Santorum, 19 percent;
– Ron Paul, 8 percent.
Just before noon, Landmark/Rosetta Stone in Gwinnett County released a third poll, conducted Sunday (901 likely voters) and showing similar numbers: Gingrich, 44 percent; Romney, 23 percent; Santorum, 17 percent; and Paul, 7 percent.
The 50 percent mark is a significant one. As far as 34 statewide delegates go, distribution would still be proportional. But even if Gingrich finishes in the mid-40 percentile on Tuesday, that means he’d probably clear 50 percent in some congressional districts. And that’s where the winner-takes-all rule, with 42 delegates at stake, does apply.
The most salient PPP statistics:
[Sixty-six percent] of Republicans in the state have a favorable opinion of [Gingrich] to only 27% with a negative one. And although he now lives in Virginia, he’s still embraced as a native son. 71% of voters consider him to be a Georgian to only 22% who do not.
A Landmark/Rosetta poll from last week had Gingrich at 42 percent. Their analysis:
Gingrich leads in both the Metro Atlanta region as well as non-Metro Atlanta area. He retains particular commanding support among those voters who are age 65 and older, a demographic group in which he carries a majority of the vote. These voters remember Gingrich as a leader who led Republicans to a new House majority in the 1994 elections, the first such majority in four decades.
An AJC poll published on Saturday — in the field Wednesday, Thursday and Friday — gave Gingrich a lead of 38 percent. See the internals here.
***
Among those who consider Newt Gingrich to be a “fellow Georgian” is Gov. Nathan Deal, who today has an op-ed in the Marietta Daily Journal with his endorsement of the former 6th District congressman:
As Georgia conservatives, we owe Newt Gingrich — who in 1994 led the Republican Party to victory for the first time in 40 years — a debt of gratitude. Without this man giving voice to the practical conservatism the majority of Georgians now hold dear, the Republican Party in our state would not be where it is today.
***
Remember how Rick Santorum called President Barack Obama a “snob” for encouraging kids to get a college education? His wife was among those who persuaded him to backtrack. From Politico.com:
“He knows you always separate what you say from the person,” said Karen Santorum in an interview Saturday…, her first of the presidential campaign with a print media outlet. “He should have said what (Obama) said is ‘snobbish.’ It was a ‘snobbish comment,’ not he is ‘snobbish.’ There is a big difference. And he knows that. But everybody makes those mistakes along the journey.”
Karen Santorum also said this about the current first lady in the White House:
“[Michelle Obama] has done a lot for our country, and I admire her because she also has a very rigorous schedule. She is juggling being a mother and being first lady,” Karen Santorum said before lowering her voice to a girly whisper, “and you know, she’s got great arms.”
***
While much of the political world last week was in an uproar over health insurance coverage for contraception, former GOP candidate for governor was writing a coda for the previous uproar – over Planned Parenthood and abortion.
In an interview on the Christian Broadcasting Network, Handel reprised the events that led to her resignation as vice president of governmental affairs for Susan G. Komen for the Cure – after a Komen effort to cut off funds to Planned Parenthood exploded:
Handel again accused Planned Parenthood of violating a “gentle lady’s agreement” to accept the decision quietly. Handel also said she was appalled by a media slant when it came to the topic of abortion.
“There is clearly a real bias around this, that somehow, the right to an abortion equals women’s rights. And I reject that,” she said. Here’s the clip:
***
The AJC’s Politifact Georgia today takes a look at the claim by Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash that , when it comes to unemployment, her county is doing better than much of metro Atlanta.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter, or connect with me on Facebook.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
171 comments Add your comment
Oh My!
March 5th, 2012
9:20 am
no real news here. he figured on getting the “homeboy discount double take” on all lies, fabrications and injustices. I say keep him in the game a little while longer so he can continue to at least make the race interesting oppossed to the boring rich guy.
Filter
March 5th, 2012
9:21 am
Keep beating that drum Karen. Preach it to the choir.
Tired
March 5th, 2012
9:31 am
Tired of hearing from the blowhard Newt, go away
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
9:31 am
Predictions (and admittedly, desires).
Newt Gingrich will get well under 50% of the Georgia primary vote.
Karen Handel will not ever gain a political office via an election.
Gingrich does not have a chance...
March 5th, 2012
9:32 am
Why waste a vote on Gingrich? He does not care about GA! Mainly him and his wife.
Election News, 3/5 | 2012 Election Decision
March 5th, 2012
9:33 am
[...] Your morning jolt: New poll has Newt Gingrich near 50 percent [...]
clyde
March 5th, 2012
9:38 am
So Newt takes Georgia.So what?Only one of the four can actually run for President.And it won’t be Newt.
View From Midtown
March 5th, 2012
9:41 am
61% of Georgia Republicans have a favorable opinion of a morally and ethically bankrupt, bloviating, serial adulterer? That certainly explains a lot; I weep for this state.
orlando
March 5th, 2012
9:42 am
wow, that says a lot about Georgia. why did I move here????? You hillbillies are worthless.
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
9:47 am
Quote from above: “Handel again accused Planned Parenthood of violating a “gentle lady’s agreement” to accept the decision quietly.”
Handel was appointed into the leadership of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and very quickly they made a pointedly political decision to cut off funding to the long time co-Foundation of Planned Parenthood that does mostly similar screening for women. Handel claims that organization was alright with this decision to the point they would accept this quietly (which, of course, they didn’t).
Why would PP simply roll over on such a blatant political decision obviously fostered by a newcomer at SGK? Handel’s claim (after she was forced to resign) reminds me of the expression – “Who are you going to believe; me, or your lying eyes?”
td
March 5th, 2012
9:48 am
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
9:31 am
I took an informal poll this weekend at church and a social gathering with old High School friends (I will submit that most of the group lived in Newts old district). The results were that 90% are or have voted for Newt.
td
March 5th, 2012
9:52 am
orlando
March 5th, 2012
9:42 am
There are three major interstates that leave this state in any direction you choose to go. The good citizens are not forcing you to stay (unless of coarse you are a current resident of corrections system). I promise we will not be sad if you chose to leave and we really want you to be happy.
Tom
March 5th, 2012
9:55 am
I voted last week and voted for Newt. However, honesty compels me to admit that I still believe Romney will be the eventual nominee. Newt’s lone hope is a brokered convention that gets about 3-4 votes deep.
double
March 5th, 2012
9:56 am
Newt has confessed his sins.Asked Gods forgiveness.Now you holier than thou christians think your judgement is better than Gods?How many of you have not divorced?How many not had extramarital affairs?How many do not have close relatives,or close friends that have not commited your unpardonable sins?You are not electing your reverend,preacher,you are electing a man capable of leading your country.One who if necessary will take others lives,use covert means to defend your country.Use his intelligence to bring jobs back.Jimmy Carter is a good man.Get him to run again so you can cast a worthless vote.
td
March 5th, 2012
9:57 am
View From Midtown
March 5th, 2012
9:41 am
According to the latest national polls, 50% of our nation have a favorable opinion of a morally and ethically bankrupt, bloviating, Democratic socialist currently occupying the White house. I pray every night that the good Lord will awaken people to the pure evil this President’s philosophy is taking us towards.
The Factor
March 5th, 2012
9:57 am
As a native Georgian of 54 years, a moderate conservative and a hawk on spending; No thanks Newt and Santorum would be great if this was the year 1400 and not 2012. The only one with logical sense is Romney. He clearly is not a polished politician which is why I like him and he has more brains than most.
Tom
March 5th, 2012
9:57 am
The latest poll numbers fo GA are veryencouraging in one regard…..
Santorum may get shutout on the delegate distribution. One can only hope….
Becky
March 5th, 2012
9:58 am
I still remember and relish the look in noot’s eyes when George Stephanopoulos reminded him that even if he wins Georgia he will never have enough delegates to win the nomination!
Oopsie.
td-not sure I would publish that about my church. That is nothing to be proud of that your church members would vote for the adulterer.
Oh My!
March 5th, 2012
10:01 am
double…I just said keep him in the race cause he’s at least entertaining. we all have fallen short at one time or another, BUT, we are not and our relatives are not running for the highest office in our land.
clyde
March 5th, 2012
10:01 am
Double—-
I’m a wee bit like Newt,but I wouldn’t vote for Newt,not even once.I wouldn’t vote for me either.Let God vote for Newt.
Did you hear about the atheist and the agnostic who got married and argued about which church not to send their offspring to???
Marlboro Man
March 5th, 2012
10:01 am
The “Third” Lady, now that’s a nice ring to it.
Oh My!
March 5th, 2012
10:04 am
td… again, please explain how the POTUS is a socialist and two how his philosophy is hurting us, despite unemployment dipping and the DOW over 13,000?
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
10:05 am
@ td – Tomorrow night you will find that the folks you go to Church and socialize with are not representative of the mostly Republican electorate. I am not a Republican and will be voting for Romney because I think he is the best choice. Many Democrats will be voting against Romney to help Obama.
Tom posted “Newt’s lone hope is a brokered convention that gets about 3-4 votes deep.”
And you think the convention will turn to the 3rd place finisher? Or do you want Palin, Christy, Jeb Bush, or some other untested dark horse to lose badly to Obama?
gm
March 5th, 2012
10:08 am
What does this say about poor, middle class whites in Georgia? These people can not name one thing Newt has done for Georgia, these conservative voters rather be last in education, top three in poverty and live in their trailers and continue to vote against their interest.
Southern idiots this is the difference between you and other regions of the country, why vote for someone who care less about your family and your quality of life? three times adultry, 30 page ethic violations, and these bibble thumping white conservative call themself christians and point the finger and other groups, no wonder no one outside of Georgia take the conservative Georgia serious.
Now you've done it
March 5th, 2012
10:09 am
This is so embarrassing.
The General
March 5th, 2012
10:10 am
@ The Factor
Romney is the only R that has a chance of beating Obama as well as those issues you mentioned about the others.
Oh My!
March 5th, 2012
10:12 am
gm…I wouldn’t go as far as to call them idiots but I would concur with what the POTUS said about Pa when he was running for office, and that is they cling to their guns and religion. the greatest trick the repubs ever pulled was convincing poor whites and middle class whites that they were for them.
WOW
March 5th, 2012
10:14 am
While I thank the cadidates Super PAC’s for the advertising revenue, its great for Georgia’s economy, can at least one of them be positive?
td
March 5th, 2012
10:20 am
Becky
March 5th, 2012
9:58 am
It is about forgiveness and redemption. The man admitted he sinned and said he asked God for forgiveness. This should be good enough for any good Christian but if it is not then one should vote their conscience.
You my friend want to condemn an immoral action that only effects an individual actions while at the same time you do not have the same contempt for a philosophy that turns millions of your fellow citizens into a state of helplessness and hopelessness. I can not for the life of me figure out how anyone can favor a system of government that promotes government dependence over self reliance.
Becky
March 5th, 2012
10:24 am
td-normally i just scroll past your idiotic posts but I really can’t fathom how your religion can favor homelessness, bankrupcty and losing one’s home due to medical bills. You need to step back and really take a good hard look at your beliefs and see if that is truly what is in your heart or just what you have been indoctrinated into by the party that hates.
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
10:26 am
td posted “I can not for the life of me figure out how anyone can favor a system of government that promotes government dependence over self reliance.”
Definition of irony:
The food stamp program, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is pleased to be distributing the greatest amount of food stamps in history.
Meanwhile, the Park Service, also part of the Department of Agriculture, asks us to “please do not feed the animals” because the animals may grow dependent and not learn to take care of themselves.”
Aquagirl
March 5th, 2012
10:27 am
I took an informal poll this weekend at church and a social gathering with old High School friends
td, those people agree because it’s the fastest way to shut you up. If the choice is between ummm-hummm and enduring your long, painful, bloviating harangue, 90% “yes” is shockingly low.
Will
March 5th, 2012
10:29 am
If you are democrat, I encourage you to vote for Newt Gingrich tomorrow.
Santorium will win several states tomorrow and Gingrich will carry at least Georgia.
This should keep both candidates in the contest and will also keep the story alive that Romney cannot “close the deal” and cannot win over the base of the republican party.
This means that millions upon millions of republican dollars will continue to be spent in the republican primaries, not the general election.
When Romney finally wins this thing, he will be such damaged goods, democrats will need only run poltical ads quoting Gringrich and Santorium this Fall.
What’s that you say, didin’t hurt Obama four years ago when the primaries dragged on? A couple of differences – republicans could have run Abe Lincoln and it would not have mattered four years ago as any republican was going to be blamed for the economy going in the tank and people were tried on the never ending wars in the Middle East.
Another big difference – say what you want about the radical base of the republican party but this much is true – this radical base is much more likely to sit on their hands (and pocketbooks) this Fall than to support Romney, a true Rockefeller Republican. These folks are the true believers in “purity of thought” and vote in absolutes. And they have even less use for Romney than they had for the American Patriot, John McCain.
A year ago I would not have given the President a 10% chance at re-election. Historians will have quite a story to write about how the republicans messed up the seemingly easy task of defeating President Obama.
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
10:29 am
Long joke about Jesus healing people – but the punch line is:
The Democrat jumped up from his wheelchair and yelled, “Don’t touch me .. I’m collecting disability.”
cynd
March 5th, 2012
10:31 am
As far as “forgiving” Newt (and Callista too btw) goes, I’ll leave that to the Almighty. On a personal level, if someone robs my house, I may forgive him, but you better believe I’m not going to trust them with my housekey. Forgiveness and entrusting someone with the presidency are two entirely different things. Newt is an opportunist who traded up until he found the wife he thought would serve him best on the campaign trail. Callista is an opportunist who hitched her wagon to a powerful, older, married man. Forgiveness, maybe. President/First Lady? You’ve got to be kiddin’ me.
Becky
March 5th, 2012
10:32 am
Will-really? I want to vote for Ron Paul to keep all the seats filled in the clown car.
Becky
March 5th, 2012
10:33 am
cynd-very well said and I thank you!
Tealiban Party
March 5th, 2012
10:38 am
Only in Georgia do the voters reward criminal polictians and ethics violaters by electing them to higher offices.
WOW
March 5th, 2012
10:38 am
TD:
My ‘informal polling’ asking conservative friends and family finds more support for Santorum than Gingrich. I also see more of a ground game for Santorum, I think he may give Newt more of a push than people think. Of course this will all benefit Romney in the end.
WOW
March 5th, 2012
10:39 am
@ cynd
Very well said.
Mudfoot
March 5th, 2012
10:40 am
Wow… Newt and Handel are what we have to offer…. and yet folk around here are dead-set against birth control?… Go figure
ATLER
March 5th, 2012
10:41 am
Ga doesn’t matter to this Nation when it comes to politics. Only Atlanta stands out as important city to the candidates on both parties. Wonder why they won’t come here to have a debate. Ga is an embarrassment to this Nation when it comes to politics. We are a joke!!!!
Becky
March 5th, 2012
10:41 am
Did anyone watch 60 Minutes last night with the Archbishop of Ireland supporting exposing the priest pedophiles? Very powerful stuff, wondering whether the Gingrichs were watching.
sam
March 5th, 2012
10:44 am
Well, Georgia isn’t known for its educational standards. It is too bad that this state can’t get on board with Romney, and go with someone who can win. Newt lost me when he finally resorted to the name calling, and when he criticized Romney for his business practices which were entirely consistent with capitalism. Newt sounded like a Democrat then, and frankly, I just don’t trust the guy.
sam
March 5th, 2012
10:44 am
td spells “course” as “coarse”. So very Georgian. Illiterate.
GOP = Group of Pharisees
March 5th, 2012
10:49 am
td
March 5th, 2012
9:57 am
According to the latest national polls, 50% of our nation have a favorable opinion of a morally and ethically bankrupt, bloviating, Democratic socialist currently occupying the White house.
Funny, I don’t remember President Obama being fined $300,000 for ethics violations. I believe it was Gingrich who was the first Speaker of House to be disciplined and reprimanded (in a vote of 395 – 28). It was Gingrich being a hypocrit during Clinton years, castigating Clinton for Lewinsky by screwing around on his own wife. Oh, but I forget – Gingrich’s patriotism caused him to be a cheating, lying, SOB.
Pot Kettle
March 5th, 2012
10:52 am
td
March 5th, 2012
9:57 am
I pray every night that the good Lord will awaken people to the pure evil this President’s philosophy is taking us towards.
Looks like Gingrich is not the only bloviator in Georgia.
honested
March 5th, 2012
10:56 am
Obviously, the noots at 50% poll didn’t ask crossover Democrats.
So, GA Democrats, tomorrow it’s up to you.
Pick any of the Clown Car Cabal except romney or noots and help put noots out to pasture once and for all.
It would even probably open the lobbying trade to new criminals!
Becky
March 5th, 2012
11:03 am
I’m thinking tomorrow’s turnout will be dismal at best. Maybe 6%?
Tom
March 5th, 2012
11:05 am
Becky, keep in mind Sunday Sales is on many local ballots. This will bring many out, if for nothing else than to finally be rid of the long-standing impact of yet another unconstitutional law in their community.
WOW
March 5th, 2012
11:10 am
@ Becky:
That will be an interesting number to watch. It makes me wish that so many Dems were going to participate in crossing over into the primary. I myself couldn’t stomach casting a ballot for any of them so I won’t participate. I’ve been intrigued by the low turnout in other states during the primary. It was interesting how Romney got fewer votes in Michigan and Nevada this time than he did in 2008.
honested
March 5th, 2012
11:14 am
WOW,
It can make a difference and the nausea only lasts a little while!
td
March 5th, 2012
11:14 am
A President that will raise $1 billion to get re elected has told the Congressional Dems you are on your own. Now you libs tell me again how many states the President will carry and how many votes he is expecting to receive. You are all living in a dream world because the evidence shows different. Obama only cares about him self and nothing else but his own re election.
“President Barack Obama has a bleak message for House and Senate Democrats this year when it comes to campaign cash: You’re on your own.
Democratic congressional leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, have privately sought as much as $30 million combined from Obama for America and the Democratic National Committee — a replay of the financial help they received from Obama in 2008 and 2010.”
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/73600.html
Becky
March 5th, 2012
11:15 am
WOW-please reconsider and vote! My mother always told me if you don’t vote, you can’t complain!
Pathetic
March 5th, 2012
11:19 am
Those who vote for Newt or Santorium must be in favor of another 4 years of Obama! Mitt Romney is our only hope people.
Georgians believe that there are two conversations that are taboo: politics and religion. Therefore, they have no idea what is going on and 50% obviously don’t follow the news!
So dumb that they will vote for a “native son” who is NOT a native son.
Tom
March 5th, 2012
11:21 am
Then again, there will always be a segment of those who do vote Democrat who still can’t complain, because they’re….you know….dead and stuff.
SMH
March 5th, 2012
11:21 am
God, this state is filled with morons…
Aquagirl
March 5th, 2012
11:22 am
Becky, keep in mind Sunday Sales is on many local ballots.
That’s the reason I’ll be at my precinct tomorrow. I’ll probably vote for Ron Paul (who is crazy, but not a complete a-hole) since I’m there, but wouldn’t show up for that alone.
Nothing says Democracy like giving a big FU to the religious nuts. Maybe if we vote in Sunday sales they’ll scream and retreat to their rapture hideaways.
Jerry30318
March 5th, 2012
11:25 am
As a life long republican, I have to say that this guy is a loser! He can’t win the national election. He has serious ethical issues both personally and privately. If the goal is to get Obama out of the white house, Republicans can’t nominate this recycled train wreck of a politician. Wake up!
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
11:26 am
td posted “Now you libs tell me again how many states the President will carry and how many votes he is expecting to receive.”
I’m no lib, but a realist. The battle ground states are as follows. President Obama won North Carolina (0.32%), Indiana (1.04%), Nebraska’s 2nd congressional district (1.19%) Florida (2.82%), Ohio (4.59%), Virginia (6.29%), and Colorado (8.95%). Flipping ALL these electoral votes would give an electoral victory to the Republican nominee.
Greater longshots: New Hampshire (9.61%), Pennsylvania (10.31%), Nevada (12.49%), and Wisconsin (13.90%). Republicans would have to keep all of their wins including Missouri which was barely Republican.
Not likely against an incumbent with a money advantage, media and Hollywood on his side, half the electorate no longer paying taxes, government and union workers been rewarded, and selected big businesses rewarded.
The Senate and House are different, though.
Coach Chrissie
March 5th, 2012
11:31 am
Is Will working for Newt? I am getting a lot of emails from Democrat friends saying we should vote for “Newt now and Obama in November”; wouldn’t that be just like Newt to come up with a sneaky form of Limbaugh’s “Operation Chaos”; chaos for Georgia, votes for him! Democrats who love this state should not vote for Newt but rather Ron Paul whose ideas are at least honestly held and closer to those of the Democrat Party than Newt’s. Newt’s ideas are just what he’s thinking today that might help him his current agenda. Why not let SC be the only state dumb enough to vote for Newt?
SMH
March 5th, 2012
11:32 am
And Mitt Romney is a moron too – pathetic. Your just as dumb as the rest of this state. You want this country to keep going in the same direction, vote for any one of those GOP candidates. The only real change this country will ever get is if Ron Paul gets elected. He may not be the brightest candidate, but at least he will be there looking out for the american people, not just the 1% or their own pockets.
Becky
March 5th, 2012
11:33 am
Aquagirl-come sit next to me! We think alike.
DannyX
March 5th, 2012
11:35 am
“Not likely against an incumbent with a money advantage, media and Hollywood on his side, half the electorate no longer paying taxes, government and union workers been rewarded, and selected big businesses rewarded.”
That sure doesn’t sound like something a “Centrist” would say. Realist? That paragraph sounds like the work of a Republican campaign worker. You hit all the conservative yakking points.
WOW
March 5th, 2012
11:36 am
@ Centrist
The President may loose Indiana, NC, and Virginia, but should cary FLA, OH, and CO. Less states than 08, but still a comfortable re-election margin.
With Senator Snowe’s retirement retaking the Senate is now a real long shot for the Republicans as they would have to sweep every close election and they just don’t have the money to do it. Plus the Dems will pick up in Mass and Maine.
IMO
td
March 5th, 2012
11:37 am
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
11:26 am
Did you read the entire Politico article? From what I have read Obama will have $1 billion and even if it is Romney the nominee then the predictions are that he will only raise $550 to $600 million. With this much of an advantage then why would the Obama team not give some money to attempt to get a favorable House or Keep the Senate? Without them there is no way he would get anymore of his legislative agenda passed and will be a lame duck on the day after the election. There will be nothing done for 4 years. The only reasonable conclusion is that the re election team knows that this election is going to be close and they need all the money to attempt to hold onto power.
No Longer Republican
March 5th, 2012
11:39 am
I will hold my nose and breath tomorrow and vote for Sick Rantorum. Polls in Georgia are not giving him much of a chance, but it is idiots like him that made me leave the Republican side and come over to the wild side. He has no chance whatsoever at beating Pres. Obama and I would love to see his name on the ballot in November. Obama 2012!!!
CT
March 5th, 2012
11:39 am
I’m from GA….Born and Breed, and I know these backward azz hicks will vote for Newt. But let me tell you Republicans something..It don’t matter who you have running against the Prez because you have not viable candidates. Yall say ABO (Anybody But Obama)…………..We say NBO (Nobody but Obama)!….you’ll see 2012.
missmollie
March 5th, 2012
11:42 am
@ cynd: You have a real gift of the pen…..I agree with everything you said. However, …..I
hope you are voting for my candidate, Romney, the next POTUS.
P S I hope Karen Handel returns to Atlanta and can find her place again in Ga politics outside of
the realm of “the good ole boys (& a few good ole girls) who continue to put her “in her place “.
td
March 5th, 2012
11:42 am
WOW
March 5th, 2012
11:36 am
@ Centrist
The President may loose Indiana, NC, and Virginia, but should cary FLA, OH, and CO. Less states than 08, but still a comfortable re-election margin.
I think it will be very difficult for Obama to take and of the states you mentioned with the exception of CO. The election will be won or lost in AZ, NM. MO and WIs.
DannyX
March 5th, 2012
11:44 am
NBC/Marist March 4
Obama v Romney
Virginia- Obama +17
Ohio- Obama +12
No Longer Republican
March 5th, 2012
11:45 am
BTW six months ago I was thinking I was staying at home because I am not 100% thrilled with what Mr. Obama has not been able to accomplish, but once I started hearing the stupidity coming out of Newt, Romney, Rick Perry, and the other clowns, I decided there was no way I could take a chance that one of these people might get elected. So now my facebook, twitter, and any other forms of influence I might have will proudly support our President. Maybe in the next four years the President will have the opportunity to change the make-up of the SCOTUS. Slowly but surely the religious right is trying to take every single freedom away from you and me that they consider against their religion. And if we elect morons lick Sick Rantorum it will happen even faster.
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
11:46 am
I agree with both WOW and td posts.
The Senate split no longer matters since ALL big issues (including judicial and Supreme Court nominees thanks to the Democrats during the Bush administration) need 60 votes.
missmollie
March 5th, 2012
11:47 am
Cross-over Democrats…SHAMEON YOU!!! “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Noses”…
DannyX
March 5th, 2012
11:48 am
Wisconsin
Real Clear Politics Average, Feb 16-27
Obama +11.3 over Romney
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
11:49 am
Virginia is going to be won by Obama. Romney is campaigning on reducing the number and salaries of government workers. Guess where so many of them live.
Becky
March 5th, 2012
11:51 am
missmollie-what office do you have in mind for handel? dog catcher is too good for the likes of her. May she disappear and take that other whiner ralphie reed with her.
Becky
March 5th, 2012
11:52 am
I’m proud to be a cross over democrat!!!! Go Ron Paul. Keeping the feet on the floor of the clown car. Noot can get out and pump his half gallon of gas for $2.50.
Shawn
March 5th, 2012
11:53 am
This is depressing. I can’t believe so many in this state can turn a blind eye to all of Newt’s transgressions (and I’m talking political sins, not personal/moral sins). I have lobbied everyone I know to get out a vote for anyone EXCEPT Newt. He needs to be put out of this race for good, and a win here only breathes false life into his campaign. He’ll end up derailing the GOP ticket irreparably, and we’ll be stuck with Obama for another four years because of his arrogance.
td
March 5th, 2012
11:53 am
DannyX
March 5th, 2012
11:44 am
NBC/Marist March 4
Obama v Romney
Virginia- Obama +17
Ohio- Obama +12
I will bet you every penny I have that Obama will not win those states by the numbers you posted. Where were you last week when the polling data was just the opposite and it showed Romney up? I have told you many times that polls are useless this early in the elections season.
Billy
March 5th, 2012
11:57 am
I voted for NG. As a life long Georgian, and a Republican since Reagan ran against Carter in my teen years, the most conservative person is best, whether it’s Gingrich or Santorum. If Santorum was ahead in the polls, that’s who I’d vote for–whatever it takes to stop Romney. Granted, NG won’t win the eventual nom, but Romney won’t win Georgia, so it’s yet another way to throw a hindrance in MR’s way. BTW, there are several liberal states up north for all you whiners. Hey, I heard they have free health care in Mass! (What worthless dolts…)
Frankie
March 5th, 2012
11:58 am
hey Newt is smart enough to have herman cain as his campaign buddy. Must be nice to have people in your camp of similar interest (adultery). Gonna be one heck of a campaign party come super tuesday…
Agreed becky…you and mike luchovich must been reading my mind because when Newt first said he would get gas prices down to $2.50 he left of the Units,, he did not say $2.50 per gallon….so i assuume he meant $2.50 perhalf gallon….OBAMA….2012
Frankie
March 5th, 2012
11:59 am
It is funny the people actually believe that the POTUS actually controls the gas prices….even BUSH/Cheney who had direct control of the oil prices could not control the price of atank of gas…I’m just sayin….
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
12:00 pm
Could be the end for Santorum tomorrow:
Mitt Romney has the momentum, and 34 percent of likely Republican primary voters, to former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum’s 31 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Most other polls show them now tied.
This is a 10-point shift from a February 27 Ohio survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University showing Santorum with a 36 – 29 percent lead.
In this latest survey, men split with 33 percent for Santorum and 31 percent for Romney. Women back Romney 38 – 29 percent. Self-described conservatives, a strong base of Santorum support in earlier surveys, are split with 35 percent for Santorum and 33 percent for Romney.
“To borrow from the book of Berra, Yogi that is: It’s deja vu all over again for Gov. Mitt Romney. Just as he did in Florida and Michigan, Romney has erased a sizable deficit a week before the primary to grab the momentum in the final 24 hours,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling institute. “A week ago, Quinnipiac had Sen. Santorum ahead by seven points, now it’s Romney by three – a 10-point swing in seven days. The margin makes the Ohio race too close to call, but Romney is the one with the wind at his back.”
DannyX
March 5th, 2012
12:01 pm
td- “I have told you many times that polls are useless this early in the elections season.”
Yet here you were last week posting poll results because you found a fluke poll in your favor.
WOW
March 5th, 2012
12:01 pm
@ TD
The polling I see from FLA is very encouraging for the President. Combine that with OH and WIS and you have the states with the 3 most unpopular Gov’s in the country.
You mention AZ and NM all I can say is that Romney ruined any chance of those with his immigration pivot, unless he changes his position again (which shouldn’t surprise anyone)
George Hills
March 5th, 2012
12:01 pm
Mr. Gingrich helped pass the 1996 misdemeanor gun ban in Congress, hiding it in a 750-page last-minute budget bill. Many people in his district stayed mad until he quit in 1998. Only a fool would vote for him now.
Tom
March 5th, 2012
12:05 pm
DannyX
March 5th, 2012
12:01 pm
Yet here you were last week posting poll results because you found a fluke poll in your favor.
Not to hijack, but it sounds like Fluke has all the ‘polling’ she can handle.
Bill
March 5th, 2012
12:06 pm
I forgive Newt for all his sins. However, I would never vote for him.
Tom
March 5th, 2012
12:10 pm
Santorum also supported the Lautenburg gun ban.
James Alexander
March 5th, 2012
12:16 pm
Romney’s the most qualified R candidate that has put forth a plausible plan restore the US economy and to help put the US back to work. He can point to a history of business experience as well.
Gingrich may have a few good solutions to problems but based upon his past, shows poor management skills, doesn’t belong at the top of the ticket, and won’t garner enough delegates of the 1144 needed to win a nomination.
Santorum is a phony-baloney, big government,big spending (check his voting record) church lady that has a case of Joe Biden’s foot-in-mouth disease. Drop out, Santorum and quit siphoning away votes from the better qualified candidates.
honested
March 5th, 2012
12:28 pm
James A…..
While worrying about a ‘candidate to put forth a plausible plan to restore the US economy’, if that is the concern then fold the tent……he already lives in the White House.
WOW
March 5th, 2012
12:45 pm
Does Romney have a plan? All I here from him is why not to vote for someone else.
WOW
March 5th, 2012
12:46 pm
hear not here
March
March 5th, 2012
12:50 pm
done voted for Mitt — I do not care if he has “a plan” — when ever he gets a plan, it will be better than what we have now.
Becky
March 5th, 2012
12:54 pm
March-really? Why did you choose Mitt over the others if you have no grasp of their plans?
American
March 5th, 2012
1:15 pm
So, we find South Carolina and Georgia making the same dumb choice….I was hoping we ahead of the folks in South Carolina but I guess it just shows that we have not made much educational progress in our state either.
Alabama Communist
March 5th, 2012
1:33 pm
More Breaking News On Newt Sweeping Georgia!!!!!!!!! A prerecorder Victory Speech by Newt was release today by unknown sources in the Rommey Camp………” AFTER TAKING GEORGIA WE WILL TAKE IOWA ! AND THAN CHICAGO AND FINALLY THE NATION YEAHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !”
Becky
March 5th, 2012
1:33 pm
Love this:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/03/bob-staake-mitt-romney-rick-santorum-cover.html
Sterling Smith
March 5th, 2012
1:36 pm
I laugh at “doubles” complaining about those “holier than thou” people that critize Newts extra-marital affairs. I’ll bet a dollar to a donut hole that “double” is one of the same “christians” that rail against contraception, abortion, and similar right-wing lightening rods.
“Double” – do you take the same stance when Santorum, Newt and Romney complain about women wanting contraceptives? About their complaints of women that have an abortion? Do you call them “holier than thou”?
You can’t have it both ways…. the people complaining about Newt can’t be wrong and if you can’t apply the same standard to the right wong conservative (go look in a mirror)!
james
March 5th, 2012
1:45 pm
tb newt might have for god’s forgiveness,but he still get’s the diamonds in his crown from tiffany’s,oncredit.
james
March 5th, 2012
1:53 pm
while liberals give their daughters a choice,conservatives take their’s out of school for a few days and they come back like nothing was wrong. how stupid does karen think we are.
james
March 5th, 2012
1:53 pm
while liberals give their daughters a choice,conservatives take their’s out of school for a few days and they come back like nothing was wrong. how stupid does karen think we are.
Travis McGee
March 5th, 2012
1:53 pm
Okay, the results will soon be in. Georgia State-Wide I.Q. Test Tomorrow!
Travis McGee
March 5th, 2012
1:53 pm
Okay, the results will soon be in. Georgia State-Wide I.Q. Test Tomorrow!
james
March 5th, 2012
2:01 pm
liberals give their daughters a choice, consertatives take their’s out of school for afew days and everything is fine. how stupid do they think we are.
Ga Values Ron Paul for Peace & Prosperity
March 5th, 2012
2:04 pm
A vote for Newt reall makes good sence????????????
2012 Republican Presidential Nomination NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl Romney 38, Santorum 32, Gingrich 13, Paul 13 Romney +6
2012 Republican Presidential Nomination Gallup Tracking Romney 38, Santorum 22, Gingrich 15, Paul 12 Romney +16
General Election: Romney vs. Obama NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl Obama 50, Romney 44 Obama +6
General Election: Santorum vs. Obama NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl Obama 53, Santorum 39 Obama +14
General Election: Gingrich vs. Obama NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl Obama 54, Gingrich 37 Obama +17
General Election: Paul vs. Obama NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl Obama 50, Paul 42 Obama +8
General Election: Romney vs. Obama Rasmussen Tracking Obama 45, Romney 43 Obama +2
General Election: Santorum vs. Obama Rasmussen Tracking Obama 46, Santorum 42 Obama +4
General Election: Gingrich vs. Obama Rasmussen Reports Obama 48, Gingrich 40 Obama +8
General Election: Paul vs. Obama Rasmussen Reports Obama 43, Paul 41 Obama +2
james
March 5th, 2012
2:06 pm
it took at least 3 times to get dixiecrats to listen.
VoteNewt
March 5th, 2012
2:16 pm
I am constantly amazed at how far the christian right will go to demoralize their competitors. Look at the money both Romney and Santorum have spent to drag old sludge through the hungry left wing media. Romney spends money like water… is he really as conservative as he says. Romney will get the Mormon vote. Santorum talks a good game yet the media has never questioned why he married a scarlet women who had lived with an abortion doctor for years before she married him. Santorum will get the die hard right to life vote. Ron Paul does not like jewish people… it is what it is, he also does not get anything done. Paul/Perot will get the libraterian vote. Newt is on his third marriage. Newt is by far the smartest of the bunch. He is a scrapper. He went up against Bill Clinton…. and won. You silly people need to wake up…. Newt Gingrich is the most qualified candidate in this election. Newt will get the true conservative vote.
Chauncy
March 5th, 2012
2:53 pm
NOT to worry. Gingrich will NEVER, EVER be elected president. We need someone who knows the issues and is not a phony. He is a hanger-on and really wants to be president. What would he do if elected? Nothing. His bleachy, plastic surgery wife is another thing. He should have stayed married to his other wife and people would have trusted him. He is for gay marriage (has a gay sister) and for the people with big bucks. SO LONG EYE OF NEWT, you’ll never make it, not even here in Georgia. I can’t stand to even look at your bloated face.
Face in the news: Newt Gingrich – CBS News | iyfr.com - fast news hub for all
March 5th, 2012
2:55 pm
[...] (blog)Gingrich To Throw Down Debate GauntletWIBWPatch.com -Washington Post (blog) -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 1,895 news [...]
Chauncy
March 5th, 2012
2:57 pm
Your running mate should be Rush Limbaugh. Two of a kind. And both are fat.
RIC FLAIR
March 5th, 2012
3:01 pm
If Newt wins Ga then everyone who votes for him deserves a “flair chop”. GA will look stupid for voting for him and then look double stupid when he drops out of the race on Wed for finishing 4th in the other 9 states primaries as he has in every other primary. That aside GA is a great state in many aspects politics not being one of them.
Karen
March 5th, 2012
3:04 pm
Who in their right mind would ever vote for Newt. The man is a career politician and made 1.6 million of our taxpayers money working as a lobbyist for Fannie and Freddier. He also no repsect for women at all. I want someone who has real life business experince and someone who has never been a career politician.
Father A. Long
March 5th, 2012
3:42 pm
I will not vote for New! I have voted for every GOP candidate since Goldware!
Father A. Long
March 5th, 2012
3:43 pm
Goldwater.
see ya MIDTOWN
March 5th, 2012
3:56 pm
Hey View from Midtown, or should I say what you are use to..view from behind…
……..if you weep for the state which you live, move the he!! out you dic^k!
Romney is the guy
March 5th, 2012
3:59 pm
You morons vote for Mitt please, a vote for Newt is like a vote for Obama. Newt is an idiot and has not lived here for years. Please… I hope this convinces one person!!!!!!!! Mitt can win this thing. The others can not. Don’t waste your vote folks!!
Jerome Horwitz
March 5th, 2012
4:08 pm
Wonder if Karen Santorum can exchange places with Ricky? She appears far more grounded in reality than her spouse.
Go President O
March 5th, 2012
4:58 pm
The President running neck and neck with the Regressives in good ‘ol redder ‘n red jow-jah? That must bode very, very well for the President. Or your average jow-gin is gettin’ smarter. Either way, me likey likey likey.
teehee
March 5th, 2012
4:59 pm
I’ll be casting a vote for the Santorum just to keep the clown car going a little while longer.
OLD Guardsman
March 5th, 2012
5:10 pm
Please Barry come spend a lot of your money down here because your “tied” with the GOP, Please… take what you would have spent in OH or MI and spend it down here.
Bill Orvis White
March 5th, 2012
5:11 pm
Any three of the candidates WILL BE a much better president that Hussein Obama. The problem for any of them will be is to clean up the major league mess left behind by the leftist community organizer. With that in mind, I’m praying for Speaker Gingrich. He is the man WHO CAN EASILY trounce Hussein Obama in a series of Lincoln/Douglas-style debates. Of course Speaker Gingrich cares about Georgia and the entire South. This is another why the Southern Coalition of the United States of America needs to be created. We think differently in these great states.
Amen,
Bill
OLD Guardsman
March 5th, 2012
5:13 pm
james – they are smart enough to figure out how to post something just once.
JB
March 5th, 2012
5:14 pm
Don’t believe ANY main stream poll. 8 weeks out,THEY told us Carter was 8 points ahead of Reagan….He won by 6 points. A 14 point swing. EVERY poll you see between now and election day will have Obama leading. Let’s hope not. Surely we aren’t that far gone. No, not bacause he’s black or a Democrat…..He’s just not a good President. The proof is in the pudding.
i
March 5th, 2012
5:17 pm
Can Romney carry GA in November, if he gets less than 30% in primary? I doubt it.
MrLiberty
March 5th, 2012
5:19 pm
Seriously, how can voters in GA be so ignorant and so deluded as to not support Ron Paul with more than 9%?? Gingrich’s ethics violations and convictions, multiple wives and adultery, Santorum’s liberal voting record for budget increases, massive spending increases, etc. and the obvious liberal policies and economic stands of Romney. All that compared with 12 solid terms in congress never voting for an unbalanced budget, never voting for a bailout, stimulus, personal pay raise, unconstitutional war, or other violation of civil liberties. The only sound economic plan to actually cut spending rather than just cut the proposed increases like the other 3.
Seriously, after virtually every one of his predictions/warnings about the economy, the housing bubble, the financial crisis, the undeclared wars, the destruction of civil liberties, etc. have come true you still think he doesn’t have the record to go up against Obama, but Newt does?? Have you bothered to actually look at Newt’s ENTIRE record, not just the stuff you like??
Please take a moment to just view one of the tens of thousands of YouTube videos about Ron Paul, go to his web site to ACTUALLY find out where HE actually stands rather than the lies the media is telling you. Isn’t it about time to finally wake up and realize that Mitt, Newt, and Rick are part of the establishment that caused all of these problems? Dr. Paul has always been the one speaking out about them and voting against these policies. What is it going to take to finally wake georgians up to this reality??
MrLiberty
March 5th, 2012
5:22 pm
Bill Orvis White – Any of the three you are I assume referring to WILL BE THE SAME AS OBAMA. Fundamentally on the critical issues about the role of government, none of these three is any different. And we can certainly count on a republican congress going along with every big government liberal program they propose, just like they did when Bush was president.
I thought the point of changing presidents was to actually change things….
Frederick Douglass
March 5th, 2012
5:22 pm
Romney’s Chilean shoeshine boy is spreading the reliable rumor among his peers, that Mitt has conceded the general election to Obama. Anything Romney does from now to November is just a thinly veiled sham.
MrLiberty
March 5th, 2012
5:23 pm
Father A. Long – Goldwater’s son endorces Ron Paul. Ron Paul is what the republican party should aspire to, just like Goldwater was.
RedHotPoker
March 5th, 2012
5:25 pm
have you seen the online cartoon with the Pope, in full regalia and jewels, proclaiming that you should not seek materialism … too funny.
MrLiberty
March 5th, 2012
5:26 pm
Frederick Douglass – If Romney gets the nomination, Obama certainly will win as Romney cannot carry the conservative vote, just like Newt and Rick cannot bring in any independents or democrats. Only Ron Paul has broad appeal because unlike his opponents and the president, he still cares about the constitution, a sound an constitutional foreign policy, and most importantly, civil liberties.
Michael
March 5th, 2012
5:27 pm
Georgia politics — I hear banjos.
Go President O
March 5th, 2012
5:29 pm
Ron Paul is a joke. He has no chance. Zip. Zero. Zilch. Nada. A vote for Ron Paul is a vote for President O. And a vote for any other Regressive wackjob is a waste of the cost of transportation to get to the polling station.
Obama/Biden 2012
Business Man
March 5th, 2012
5:34 pm
How about some full disclosure Jim? You could at least point out that the Landmark poll is done by a well known political consultant that represents Newt. There is no way you are not aware of that!
John from Cobb
March 5th, 2012
5:36 pm
Tied for the General election- IN GEORGIA? I will never believe another CNN poll-they must have had a lot of people hang up on them. ABO-Anybody But Obama!
Michael
March 5th, 2012
5:43 pm
Georgia a swing state? That’s a good one. Next the poll will say democrats will take the legislature (and not switch parties).
Proud Native Georgian
March 5th, 2012
5:46 pm
There are a lot of good, decent people who are conservatives, but they’ve allowed their once-proud GOP to be hijacked and dominated by people who, to so many liberals and moderates (and even to some other conservatives), as simply bizarre.
Think of the people who are making headlines: Karen Handel, Rush Limbaugh, Newt “moon-base” Gingrich, and Sarah Palin, who still enjoys a lovely, panoramic view of Russia from her house. Uber-wealthy Mitt Romney- who hasn’t had a real job in years other than a perpetual run for the White House- comes across as almost sensible by comparison.
Those decent Republicans out there- and I know there are many- need to take their party back from the ultra-right radicals and the goofy headliners while there remains a party worth salvaging.
Centrist
March 5th, 2012
5:47 pm
Business Man posted “How about some full disclosure Jim? You could at least point out that the Landmark poll is done by a well known political consultant that represents Newt. There is no way you are not aware of that!”
Earlier today he had a PPP poll that has Gingrich close to 50% of tomorrow’s GA vote. He also “forgot” to mention that it is a Democratic party poll. And soon we will see Insider Advantage polls that have a history of Democrat bias. Polls are meaningless until close to elections, and even many of them are purposely manipulated. Even averaging polls doesn’t work well because the outliers (in statistics, an outlier is an observation that is numerically distant from the rest of the data) so skew the results.
There are 422 delegates which are at stake tomorrow and Romney will likely will likely win half or more:
Romney: 200-250
Santorum: 90-120
Gingrich: 50-70
Paul: 20-30
Sink
March 5th, 2012
6:05 pm
It looks like the GOP candidates are not interested in really resolving problems in this country. They are more interested in defeating President Obama. How sad for GOP. How scary for the country.
Senior Citizen Kane
March 5th, 2012
6:13 pm
Surely everybody on this blog, hopefully including the author, realizes that this says more about the unreliability of polls than it does the real strength of the candidates, Jim, anybody else, want to bet a week’s pay against my house that Obama doesn’t get 48 percent of the vote in Georgia? Any takers?
Proud Native Georgian
March 5th, 2012
6:16 pm
Kane, it won’t be a week’s pay, maybe more like an hour or two, but Mitt Romney will bet you $10,000.
BRW
March 5th, 2012
6:18 pm
Invoking Lester Maddox on why the GOP candidates are so like clowns: “The problem with the Georgia prisons is found in the quality of the prisoners.”
So the clowns reflect the voters that apologize for them.
Senior Citizen Kane
March 5th, 2012
6:19 pm
No he won’t, Proud. He’s a lot smarter than that. Of course, my inartful wording probably should have said that Obama “gets” 48 percent. At any rate, I’m betting he doesn’t.
Senior Citizen Kane
March 5th, 2012
6:21 pm
Wow, Obama supporters invoking Lester Maddox. That has to be a first.
BRW
March 5th, 2012
6:26 pm
Wisdom sometimes comes from the strangest places
Skip
March 5th, 2012
6:38 pm
He who is without sin should cast the first stone at Newt. Granted, he is far from perfect (maybe even farther than Clintonwas) but truly he is the only Republican candidate that can beat Obama (and the elite press) head to head.
Tyrone
March 5th, 2012
6:40 pm
Obama will not carry Georgia but he will carry the USA. Unfortunately!
Bill
March 5th, 2012
6:40 pm
I’m going to vote for Sunday beer & wine sales in my county. Might need to drink if one of these Regressives takes the WH.
Is this the change you wanted
March 5th, 2012
6:48 pm
Tealiban Party – Newt and his ethic violations were that of Nancy Pelosi when the Republicans gained the house. These were all bogus charges that cost tax payers millions. Not one of them was true. Go read your facts and then see how down and dirty the democrats really are. I really have a problem with people spreading false facts without checking them out first. NEWT WAS NOT FOUND GUILTY OF A SINGLE VIOLATION. The news (the dems news) just wont report the real facts.
GO NEWT
BRW
March 5th, 2012
7:14 pm
It’s the change I wanted. So Newt just paid the big fine out of the goodness of his heart, correct? And if you listen to Neal Boortz any more about Newt you’ll find out he can walk on water too…..
Non-theist
March 5th, 2012
8:02 pm
Here’s a few facts about Mitt’s beliefs that probably won’t sit well with many of you, although I could be wrong on that, since it seems a lot of you support Newt and his hypocrisy.
Fact #1 – Mormons view all non-Mormon Christian denominations as misdirected from the true teaching of God. Their emphasis when approaching Christians is on the “Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ” as revealed to Joseph Smith. In their eyes, Christianity has suffered from a “Great Apostasy” ever since the formation of the early Christian church, necessitating the revelation of Joseph Smith and, therefore, the need to spread his message throughout the existing Christian world.
Fact #2 – The temple is used to perform the Mormon endowment ceremony. During this ritual, adult Mormons go through a series of lessons and exercises to deepen their faith, and they make covenants with God to keep his commandments. After receiving their endowments, Latter-day Saints wear a distinctive underwear on which special marks are embroidered. Known as “garments”, this underwear, worn next to the skin at nearly all times, is meant to remind individuals of their commitment to their faith and to God.
Fact #3 – From 1849 until 1978, blacks could join the church but weren’t allowed to be ordained to the priesthood. In the Mormon faith, being ordained to the priesthood is similar to a bar mitzvah, a more or less universal rite of passage that every Mormon male undergoes. Priesthood authority allows Mormon men to perform sacraments, give blessings, go on missions, hold office in the church hierarchy and seal couples in marriage. Women have never been allowed to hold the priesthood.
Several reasons were given for the 130-year ban. The early rationale was that blacks were descended from the Old Testament figure Cain, whose skin was darkened after he murdered his brother Abel. (This reasoning was also used by other Christian churches to justify their exclusion of blacks.) Brigham Young in 1852 stated, “[A]ny man having one drop of the seed of [Cain] … in him cannot hold the priesthood and if no other prophet ever spake it before I will say it now in the name of Jesus Christ I know it is true and others know it.”
Non-theist
March 5th, 2012
8:24 pm
Fact #4 – All Mormon men aged 19 to 26 are eligible to receive a mission call and concentrate two years of their life to what current LDS President Gordon Hinckley calls “this sacred service.” Women over the age of 21 may also be called as missionaries, but they only serve 18 months. The vast majority of the missionary force — 76 percent — are young men.
Missionaries are expected to cover all expenses of their mission; many Mormon children start saving for their missions when they first get an allowance, at 6 or 7 years old. Many young Mormons also work after-school jobs to save for their missions. If the cost is simply too high for a missionary and his/her family to bear, however, a missionary’s local ward may help to bear his/her expenses. Once accepted, missionaries are trained at the nearest Missionary Training Center. The rigorous training can last up to three months of sixteen-hour days. The trainees learn six basic lesson plans designed to take the potential convert to the goal of baptism. Every aspect of their behavior and appearance is scrutinized. They are taught how to listen, to smile, to find common ground with a stranger on the street, and to answer difficult questions or deal with hecklers. The location where missionaries serve is entirely determined by the church.
The mission itself involves long work days, six days per week. A typical day involves two hours of scriptural study and eight to nine hours of going door to door “teaching and contacting” potential converts. One day a week is set aside for personal activities like laundry, letter writing or sightseeing in the host country.
While on their mission, missionaries can call home only on Christmas and Mother’s Day; they must be with their missionary companion 24 hours a day; they cannot come within arm’s length of the opposite sex; they cannot watch television or films; and they are only allowed to listen to music and read books that are of a religious nature.
Fact #5 – The church operates under a strict top-down hierarchy. The highest office is that of the president, Gordon B. Hinckley, who is regarded by believers as the church’s “prophet, seer and revelator.” The president serves a life term and selects his first and second counselors, who are also believed to possess prophetic abilities. These three men together form the First Presidency.
Below the First Presidency is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, also comprising male members believed to be prophets. The Quorum technically elects the church president, but tradition has it that the apostle who has served longest in the Quorum of the Twelve will automatically become president/prophet. The Quorum of the Twelve acts under the First Presidency to lead the church at the global level.
Fact #6 – Mormons believe that an 1829 revelation to Joseph Smith from John the Baptist gave the church an exclusive right to the Christian priesthood, meaning the ability to perform prescribed spiritual services and blessings, also known as “ordinances.” The ordinances learned and practiced in the priesthood include the blessing of sacramental bread and water, eligibility to be sealed into eternal marriage, and the right to instruct and ordain other members.
Mormon males typically enter the first order, the “Aaronic” priesthood, at age 12 as “deacons.” As they learn more, they progress to the levels of “teacher” and then “priest,” usually by age 18.
At age 18, the average Mormon man enters the second (higher) “Melchizedek” priesthood as an “elder.” It is at this point that they become eligible to serve on a mission, take on such leadership positions as bishop (local pastor) and stake president, perhaps even advancing to higher ranks within the church, such as joining a Quorum of the Seventy or becoming an apostle.
Fact #7 – The LDS Church holds that deceased persons who have not accepted or had the opportunity to accept the gospel of Christ in this life will have the opportunity to accept the gospel in the afterlife. As all must follow Jesus Christ, they must also receive all the ordinances that a living person is expected to receive, including baptism. For this reason, members of the LDS Church are encouraged to research their genealogy. This research is then used as the basis for church performing temple ordinances for as many deceased persons as possible. As a part of these efforts, Mormons have performed temple ordinances on behalf of a number of high profile people. Of particular interest are: the Founding Fathers of the U.S., Presidents of the U.S., Pope John Paul II, John Wesley, Christopher Columbus, Adolf Hitler, and others.
Wake Up Georgia!
March 5th, 2012
8:55 pm
48 to 48? Maybe there is still hope for this state!
Shine
March 5th, 2012
9:23 pm
I took a poll in my immedaite close by family and we all voting for Obama tomorrow. This will be a first dem ballot by most of us in a decade or more.
Cardinal Sin
March 5th, 2012
9:31 pm
What POLL? That MORON Obama can not possibly tied with any of these Rep canadiates as he SUCKS!!!
Michael
March 5th, 2012
9:36 pm
The only poll that counts is in November.
tiredofIT
March 5th, 2012
9:39 pm
It’s very telling that the republican candidates are ready to bomb Iran, but don’t have the balls to call out Rush. Of course, if we bomb Iran they won’t be doing it. Taking on Rush they have to do. More chicken hawks; they are brave when someone else is do the fighting.
Republican for Life
March 5th, 2012
9:39 pm
I am not sure who will get my vote. I have no confidence in our current party leadership nor the candidates running for office. No one is truly focusing on the true problems our nation is faced with & there is no way Newt will be able to fix gas prices as he is promising. Our political system is a proces & any changes will have to proceed accordingly. I am praying for all of us at this point & for the 1st time in 32 yrs, I may not vote in our primary:(
Ed Longert
March 5th, 2012
9:40 pm
Wake up all of you stupid Georgia crackers. President Obama fought hard for unemployment compensation, He was able to get Obamacare passed to provide medical coverage for you stupid #$%&&&. He fought against radical GOP changes in Social Security and Medicare. He made your asses safe by killing Osama bin Laden. He fought the Republicans for a cut in the payroll taxes so you could see more money in your paychecks. He’s done all of this and much much more so you can attain a better quality of life and you cast your vote for a Republican who cares only for the rich and the corporate entities. Now tell me why do you keep voting against your own best self interest?
Go figure!!!!!!!!
tiredofIT
March 5th, 2012
9:55 pm
Ed: they are missing an important skill … critical thinking!
nah
March 6th, 2012
12:27 am
Obama and the libs can get confident all they want. Facts are facts. Reagan trailed carter in a long primary and destroyed him after the GOP convention. Bush sr lead Clinton I’m 1991 by over 15 points and he won by a large margin over bush 41. Anytime the incumbent isn’t running a contested primary he always surges ahead in the polls. But Obama is running behind, dead even or.l slightly ahead in these polls. THAT IS BAD NEWS for the president and his campaign. Romney or whoever wins the gop primary will beat the president by a large and decisive margin. It’s not even a question.
nah
March 6th, 2012
12:30 am
ed….. wow! Hey kool aid
nah
March 6th, 2012
12:38 am
ed….. wow! LOL let’s deal in the truth my fiend. obama took office and unemploymentvwas at 7.8 % in may of 2009 he and the democratic controlled house and senate said we MUST pass the stimulus and to keep unemployment under 8% in October of 2009 it rose above 10.1% and has never dropped below the 7.8 % when BHO was swor. n in. he also said at this point in his first term unemployment would be at 6% and the defecit would be cut in half! fact is obama has tripled! the defecit like a typical tax and spend liberal and unemployment hasn’t dropped below his red water line of 8%. not to mention the national average for a gallon of gas was 1.88 now its approaching $4 and projections are saying 5-
nah
March 6th, 2012
12:39 am
5-6$ honestly I can’t wait until November! Obama will lose in a land slide
nah
March 6th, 2012
12:42 am
good night everyone, sorry for the text errors using smart phone and its not going well. Romney 2012
Manny
March 6th, 2012
6:51 am
I keep hearing about how Reagan beat Jimmy Carter in 1980, as a comparison between Obama vs. Romney (or Santorum). This is really an apples-to-oranges comparison. Here’s why:
In 1980, the country was spiraling into recession. The majority of the people thought that the country was getting worse and worse. There was the Iranian hostage crisis. Inflation was up to 13%. The country was headed INTO the recession of 1980-1982. Plus, Carter went through the Three Mile Island meltdown, Russia invading Afghanistan, the energy crisis, Mt. St. Helens volcano eruption, etc. Carter was so unpopular, he faced a bitter primary challenge that went all the way through the Democratic National Convention. Oh, and remember- he even re-instated the draft, LOL!
Obama’s presidency isn’t even close to being that bad. He faces no primary fight. The economy is on the upswing. He still have his base of supporters (minorities, college-educated younger people, liberals, etc.) But he will get good opposition from Wall Street and non-college educated whites.
It’s going to be an interesting race, but this is no way Carter vs. Reagan.
heySammy
March 6th, 2012
7:02 am
Stop being the spelling police. If you have nothing to contribute but your red grading pencil, then stay off here.
David Farrar
March 6th, 2012
9:02 am
Has anybody seen any other Democratic presidential challengers in any other state primaries other than Obama?
Is it because no Democrat wants to run against Barack Obama, or is it because like all good communist, he is subverting the democratic process by denying ballot access through the state Democratic Party’s executive committees?
Does anyone need more than one guess?
ex animo
davidfarrar
Time to change back
March 6th, 2012
10:31 am
Vote right…. That’s all I have to say.
Obama and his Energy guru want gas prices to be 10.00 by this time next year. You do the math, 2 cars with 25 gallon tanks is $2,000 per month. You think your gonna get a raise to cover this? Think again. You think Marta will do you favors ha ha ha. Think again, their fares will go sky high. So will food, transportation, and everything else you ship in. The trucking industry will go bust.
Watch what you vote for, this time it REALLY DOES MATTER.
And also remember Nancy Pelosi’s own word when asked this question.
“DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SHUT DOWN A COMPANY IF IT REFUSES TO GO UNION” Her answer, YES, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SHUT DOWN ANY PLANT THAT REFUSES TO GO UNION.
Vote wisely people. You really are voting for your future this time.
Newt2012
March 6th, 2012
10:45 am
Wow. It’s painfully obvious again why the AJC circulation keeps dropping. Nobody but the ultra liberal, America hating, double standard using leaches of the taxpayer reads that trash. Keep kissing Obama’s ring you clowns.