Nathan Deal jumps into a pair of congressional contests
With only days to go before voting ends, Gov. Nathan Deal this morning jumped into a pair of Republican congressional contests, coming down on the sides of two state lawmakers.
In a pair of robocalls landing on the answering machines of voters on Saturday, the governor expressed his support for state Rep. Doug Collins of Gainesville in his runoff effort against former radio talk show host Martha Zoller, also of Gainesville.
In the 12th District runoff to pick a GOP challenger to U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Augusta, the governor recorded a robocall on behalf of state Rep. Lee Anderson of Grovetown, who faces Augusta businessman Rick Allen.
We’ve transcribed both recordings, and you’ll see a slight difference between the pair:
For Anderson in the 12th:
”This is Gov. Nathan Deal, and I’m calling to encourage you to exercise your right to vote in the Republican runoff this Tuesday. Before you vote, I would also like to share a few thoughts about my good friend Lee Anderson. In the state House, Lee Anderson strongly supported my conservative tax reform agenda, which cut taxes on Georgia families and businesses.
“With Lee’s help, I was able to enact one of the most pro-job laws in our state’s history. Lee has been an honorable public servant and a man of integrity. Lee Anderson has a proven record on fighting government waste, reducing taxes and cracking down on illegal immigration. Thank you, and God bless you.”
For Collins in the 9th:
“Hello, this is Gov. Nathan Deal. I just wanted to thank you for honoring me with the privilege of serving our great state. As you prepare to vote in Tuesday’s Republican runoff, I wanted to tell you about my good friend Doug Collins.
“Doug has served as my floor leader in the state House, and he’s helped me enact laws that protect life, crack down on illegal immigration, and cut taxes to promote jobs. A Christian conservative, Doug Collins will stand up to Barack Obama, eliminate wasteful spending, and cut the debt – as well as our taxes….”
The governor lent his name to Anderson’s campaign in an email sent to supporters a few days ago, but otherwise has kept a low profile in both contests.
Why wait to the final weekend to weigh in? For one thing, the governor and his staff will have to endure only 36 hours of business-hour complaints for the decision.
More important, the last-weekend timing could also reduce the chances of an anti-incumbent blowback that could actually hurt the two candidates that the governor is intending to help.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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24 comments Add your comment
Phil
August 18th, 2012
10:39 am
Reminds me of the old saying, “I’ll come out for you or against you, whichever will help you the most.” I wonder which one is which here. heehee
Bernie
August 18th, 2012
10:56 am
Enter your comments here
Bernie
August 18th, 2012
10:58 am
Very interesting that SCHOOL VOUCHERS is not considered STATE FUNDED WELFARE!
honested
August 18th, 2012
10:59 am
Does this suggest that the first card is folding and the whole house of cards is soon to follow?
fletch
August 18th, 2012
11:04 am
Thanks Nathan “T-SPLOST” Deal for affirming Martha Zoller! Go Martha!!
Ol' Timer
August 18th, 2012
11:08 am
If Deal is involved, it’s flatulence!
double
August 18th, 2012
11:13 am
I would only listen to a suggestion to vote for a certain person.If that suggestion come from someone I believed,and respected.
Chuck Clausen
August 18th, 2012
11:24 am
I am a strong Nathan Deal supporter, but don’t see any political advantage for him to come out and support either Doug or Martha for congress – both Doug and Martha are well qualified and the 9th district will be well represented if either is elected – I have heard but have not seen that Doug has come out with some negative adds about Martha – if I find that he has it makes it extremely easy to vote for Martha and ask my friends and family to support Martha
double
August 18th, 2012
11:29 am
OT-could be the dogs been eating hormel chili(grumpier old men)
9thWatcher
August 18th, 2012
11:36 am
Oh, Chuck, have you not seen the mailers with the doctored images or heard his radio ad saying it’s Martha’s words when it clearly isn’t her? Collins has been terribly deceitful. Doug started the negativity with his “Martha Lies” release regarding the ACU endorsement – when the ACU said it was their fault and not Martha’s, he refused to rescind it.
The choice in the race has never been clearer, and it’s Martha!
Buzzy
August 18th, 2012
11:39 am
Gov. Deal is box office poison. Only a Republican could even think of voting for him. I wouldn’t want him to jump in on my side. There must be some better man or woman in the State of Georgia for the Republicans to elect than Nathan Deal.
Weetamoe
August 18th, 2012
11:49 am
Deal used to be a democrat. He changed parties when it became expedient to do so. But he *governs* like a democrat.
School vouchers are not welfare unless public all of public education is welfare. Vouchers merely allow parents to direct their child’s allotment of taxpayer education funds to the school of their choice.
Shine
August 18th, 2012
11:54 am
I wouldnt want a TSPLOST backer helping me do anything. Its liable to be the kiss of death.
Buzzy
August 18th, 2012
11:58 am
Deal used to be a Democrat but then he figured his personality fit in better with the Republicans.
It amazes me that the Republicans are big to talk about values and integrity and honesty, but they will turn around and vote for just the opposite in a candidate every time.
Loyal
August 18th, 2012
12:04 pm
9thWatcher why has Martha admitted she made the comments and why does she defend her comments that were made by her and recorded by her own people. Doctored? It’s all facts! Did Collins make up her support for Dukakis against Reagan? She’s flip flopped so much she’s flat on both side!
Chuck Clausen
August 18th, 2012
12:19 pm
9th Watcher – I know both Doug and Martha both are very capable of representing the 9th district well. I happen to thinks that the thousands of conversations Martha has had as a radio talk show host, has made unusually knowledgable about the concerns of the 9th district voter. That’s an incredible knowledge base to call upon when considering how a particular legislation might effect her voters. I haven’t seen it (so it might not be true) but heard that Doug has come out very negative. Negative usually = disparate
honested
August 18th, 2012
12:24 pm
Precisely what is it that qualifies martha zoeller to do anything?
She might know a little bit about boats (through osmosis) and any fool can throw red meat on the radio but don’t we in GA have enough examples of just how bad self-important loudmouths do in leadership positions?
concerned
August 18th, 2012
1:04 pm
i bet Lee Anderson doesn’t want a endorsement from Slick what a Deal, Deal!
Ralph Christian
August 18th, 2012
1:38 pm
Coming from the most corrupt governor this State has ever had it will surely (un)help them a lot!!!
Ol' Timer
August 18th, 2012
1:57 pm
@Buzzy — “Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others their principles of the sake of their party.” ~Winston Churchill
I don’t know why Deal shifted his political party, but I find it difficult under the circumstances and with the knowledge we know possess, to think he changed for the sake of his principles. Could have been it’s easier to get elected in Georgia as a Republican. Heck, the folks is Georgia would elect a serial killer if he ran with an (R) behind his name.
Ralph
August 18th, 2012
2:16 pm
Nathan ain’t perfect but he’s durn sight better than Sonny. He’s making a diligent effort to take care of the most significant issues of governance.
Billy
August 18th, 2012
2:33 pm
Doug’s ads against Martha have been vicious and unbecoming to one who claims high level integrity. Therefore we will be voting for Martha
Avery Bundren
August 18th, 2012
3:20 pm
Ol’ Nate Deal, like Sonny Purdue and the others, was never a Democrat. He was a Southern Dixiecrat, the same as Strom Thurmond and Lester Maddox. I find it difficult to support, vote for these kinds of people who, apparently have no real poltical philosophical core. The Democrats started trending progressive with Truman’s support in desegregating the military, on down to LBJ’s promoting the civil rights movement, etc. Deal, Purdue, etc., were “Democrats” only when it was conducive to their being elected. When the time came to stand up for principles and progressive ideas they bailed quickly. I wouldn’t trust them in a s…house with a muzzle on.
Chuck Clausen
August 19th, 2012
8:23 am
Nathan Deal is very popular in Northeast Georgia – both Martha and Doug are well qualified for congress – politically if he supports either one, he’ll disappoint half his supporters