You all remember Rep. Allen Freeman, right? I agree with Erick that he may well face his toughest challenge yet. I really think this is a seat democrats can pick up this year. Here's why:
1) HD140 covers parts of Bibb, Twiggs, Wilkinson and Jones counties. That area has trended more democratic since 2006, slightly. The DPI is now 51.6. That means that all things being equal, a Democrat has a good chance of winning-and remember, no matter what he tells you-Allen Freeman is a republican.
2) Freeman's opponent this cycle is James "Bubber" Epps, a Twiggs County businessman who has deep, deep roots in Twiggs, Jones and Wilkinson counties. (His wife is on the county commission.) All of those counties under-preformed in 2006. In this presidential year, with a hometown boy on the ticket, they are likely to over-preform.
3) Epps has the ability to reach across party lines and attract republican support. News reports along this line are confirmed by what I'm hearing from folks in the community.
4) The district includes two precincts in East Macon. In 2006, on election day, the rain poured and democrats were hardly united behind the top of the ticket. Neither Marshall nor Taylor were running organized, funded, GOTV in the area, and turnout was abysmal. With Obama at the top of the ticket, you can expect a healthy turnout in those precincts and an organized field operation-especially if Barr gets the Libertarian nod.
5) The republican brand is tarnished beyond recognition, and for good reason. This year, I suspect that the party in power will feel the brunt of the voter's discontent about the basics: fuel prices, transportation, jobs and the housing crisis.
One final comment of this race. This can definitely be a pick-up for democrats, but get your checkbook ready. I predict that between the two candidates, this is at least a half million dollar race. That's a lot of change down here in the midstate.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Speaking of Allen Freeman...
The Cost of Doing Business
Last election cycle, the Georgia Association of Realtors spent more than half a million dollars on campaign contributions and other political spending but failed to report it, as required by state ethics laws. As a consequence, according to the AJC, they have agreed to pay the largest ethics fine in history, $80,000.00.
A big chunk of the money was spent on Cagle, but I also seem to recall at least one piece of mail for Macon republican Allen Freeman that was paid for by Realtors. I can't remember whether it was the Georgia Association or some local group.
I have nothing against Realtors. My sister is a broker in another state, but I hope that this fine sends a message. As long as these large "independent" expenditures are permitted, the least we can do is make sure that the voters know about it, and are able to take it into account as they cast their votes-not two years later.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Edwards' Invites Supporters Aboard the Obama Train
Since endorsing Sen. Obama last week, John Edwards has been actively campaigning for Obama and working to encourage those of us who supported Edwards to now support Obama. He sent out an email yesterday with a link to this page and this video:
Monday, May 19, 2008
When They Do the Right Thing...
When the DPG does the right thing, we should show our support. The Party did the right thing last week when they canceled a long-planned fundraiser in Macon after the tornado devastated our community. In the meantime, Democrats Work brought volunteers to Macon to help with the aftermath of the storm. (There's still PLENTY for volunteers to do, by the way.) This was exactly what should've happened.
Let's Pray-and Pay-for our Troops
SAVANNAH, Ga. - Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Jane Kidd and candidate for U.S. House of Representatives Bill Gillespie today called on Republican John McCain to stand up for veterans by supporting the 21st Century G.I. Bill of Rights, introduced in the U.S. Senate by Democrat Jim Webb (D-Va.) The 21st Century GI Bill, if passed, would continue the legacy of the GI Bill by helping returning veterans obtain higher education in preparation for success in the private sector."Democrats believe in supporting our troops," Kidd said, "and that means sending them to war only when we have no other option, bringing them home when they've finished the job, and taking care of them and their families when they return. The 21st Century GI Bill helps the the newest generation of combat veterans obtain the education, prosperity and security that is such an important part of the American dream.""I'm running for Congress as a Democrat because I know our party has the commitment to take care of our veterans," Gillespie, who is running for U.S. House in the 1st District, said. "It's time for John McCain and Jack Kingston to stop playing politics with the future and well being of our veterans and their families. I know from experience that the GI Bill is one of the greatest achievements of our government, helping hundreds of thousands of veterans build a life after their military service. Now it's time to reinforce our commitment to the veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan."McCain is visiting Savannah today, in hopes of raising almost half a million dollars for his presidential campaign. Democrats are calling on the Senator from Arizona to take advantage of his visit to take on a greater cause - standing up for veterans' benefits. The state of Georgia is home to a dozen active military bases, and has a large and thriving community of active-duty soldiers, reservists, National Guard personnel, and veterans. More than 50,000 veterans and active-duty personnel live in the 1st congressional district."Today, we're calling on Senator McCain to do right by our servicemen and women and take advantage of his appearance in Georgia to tell America that he supports the 21st Century GI Bill of Rights, and that he will be its biggest champion on the Senate floor," Kidd said. Sphere: Related Content
King Sonny
Given the infamous "King Roy" rat ads Sonny ran just once during the 2000 cycle-only to have them become an Internet phenomenon and grist for the cable news show mill-it's really funny that members of his own party are now referring to Sonny as an "Imperial Governor."
Crickets
For the last several days, I have been focused on the great women who are running for office in Georgia, so the blog has been a little, quiet. We are back, as of now!
Sphere: Related ContentThursday, May 15, 2008
Democrats Work to Help in Macon
In my box tonight:
(I'm posting from my phone, so you will need to cut and paste the links.)
We are putting out the call for volunteers who can help with the tornado recovery efforts in Macon on Friday and Saturday.
The Macon Baptist Association is coordinating food deliveries and clean-up operations at the Glenwood Hills Baptist Church. There is a backlog of houses to get to in Macon, and they could use your help. Volunteers are welcome to come to the church at any time. Here are the details:
WHAT: Macon Baptist Association Tornado Recovery Operation
WHERE: Meet at the Glenwood Hills Baptist Church (3225 Rice Mill Road in Macon)
WHEN: Friday (May 16) and Saturday (May 17) - SHOW UP AT ANY TIME
Please let us know if you can help our neighbors in Macon by signing up on the Democrats Work website - click here for Friday:
http://democratswork.org/index.php?page=events&view=eventdetail&eventid=18
or here for Saturday:
http://democratswork.org/index.php?page=events&view=eventdetail&eventid=182
- or by sending an email to mail to:
rsvp@democratswork.org?subject=Macon
Or:
rsvp@democratswork.org
We'll send updates and other information as we get it. Thank you for all of your help.
Sincerely,
Jason Carter, Democrats Work
NARAL Endorses Obama
Today, NARAL Pro-Choice America endorsed Obama for President. When a group like NARAL endorses the man in the race, it should send a signal to Clinton: this race is over. Stay in as long as you want, but it's a done deal.
Sphere: Related ContentUnited Steelworkers Endorse Obama
This train is moving fast-very fast. Today, the United Steelworkers endorsed Obama. This development should be considered when evaluating the impact of the Edwards endorsement. Previously, the Steelworkers had endorsed Edwards and were critical to his campaign in Iowa. When we were in Des Moines in January, the hub for the Edwards campaign was the Steelworkers' Union Hall. (Just passed the train tracks where the remote control trains ran and there were no signals. But I digress.) I will forever associate Steelworker yellow with the Icy Iowa caucuses. They were a loyal, hardworking crew. Much tenacity.
Then, in February, after Edwards suspended his campaign, we were privileged to be at the Edwards' home for a dinner. The most touching moment of the evening was when the president of the Steelworkers, Leo W. Gerard, took the stage. He carried with him a statue of a steelworker, made, of course of steel. It was one of just six created by union members when the union was on a long, long strike. One of the six statues was for the Union Hall, and one for the President during that long, long winter. The other four were reserved to honor those in the future who fought for workers. The first of those four was given to John Edwards that night. It was the coolest moment. So appropriate.
I say all that to say this: The Steelworkers moved because Edwards moved.
Macon DPG Fundraiser Postponed
Because Macon was so hard-hit by the tornado, the Democratic Party of Georgia has postponed the fundraiser that was to occur at my office this evening at 5:30 p.m. They did send out a notice on Tuesday morning. The event will be rescheduled in the near future, and I hope that when it is, you will be able to attend. Personally, I think that it is a showing of class to postpone this event that was scheduled in a community where so much destruction occurred. Good decision.
Sphere: Related ContentGoing All the Way?
That's what the front of the "Hillary Clinton for President" envelope said-in BIG letters. Inside, a plea for me-me-to help by "rushing a gift."
I've endorsed Obama. A glance at an FEC filing would show I gave substantially to his campaign. I'm trying to figure out how this was targeted-maybe to all female dem donors? Regardless, I'll pass. How ironic that this came to me on the day Edwards endorsed Obama. Great timing on Edwards' part, by the way. Mark my words, though, tomorrow's news cycle is, "what about Elizabeth?" Now, that would be a plum.
Sphere: Related ContentWednesday, May 14, 2008
Congrats to Tondees
This is very, very cool. Tondee's Tavern has been chosen as the official blog to represent Georgia at the DNCC. The DNCC is plowing new ground here. They are credentialing and granting unprecedented access to blogs. Click here to see more.
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