Hey, Georgia Dems: Required Reading

You will want to read Rahm Emanuel's How to Beat a Republican.

Now.

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The REAL Threat to Security

CNN reports that the economy is forcing police departments across the country to cut budgets and therefore staff. That sounds like the real threat to security, on election day or any other day.

On the other hand, to update the previous post about the email from Staton's aide, I have this:

From: Zachary Johnson
To: lauren.benedict@macon.ga.us lauren.benedict@macon.ga.us

Sent: Thu Oct 23 07:31:56 2008
Subject: Good morning

Hello, Amy. Having never met you before, my name is Zach Johnson and I am one of your constituents. I woke up this morning to realize that my email to you was now on the web for all to see. You should know that despite my dumb mistake to send it from my work account it had nothing to do with my boss, Sen. Staton who is in fact out of the county. A gmail account would have made more sense but you live and learn. I am concerned however that you found it a good idea to forward one of your voter's emails to a media outlet? But that is your choice. Just know that this came from me and me alone and had NO CONNECTION with Senator Staton. I don't know Ms. Morton so would you please forward this to her. Thanks and hope you're doing well.

Zach Johnson

Now, Zach's a little confused about who's who, and makes some assumptions about who forward what, but his bottom line is that he says his original email, one I would still call ill-advised-is from him alone and is not connected to Sen. Staton. I do find his concern about the email being forwarded interesting. Such emails are considered an open record-you know those pesky sunshine laws- and any citizen or media outlet could request copies of emails to these city council members accounts-and from Sen. Staton's account, for that matter. Something a staffer might want to remember.

And this from the AJC:

The e-mail was sent on the Republican senator’s account, and time-stamped at 1:26 p.m. Wednesday. But Staton left for China on Tuesday, to look at that country’s mag-lev rail system, and had no hand in it, his wife Catherine Staton assured the Insider this morning. He still doesn’t know, she said, and certainly does not approve.

An apology from Johnson followed. Several people have emailed me to say that Johnson is new to politics. Welcome, but remember what Roy Barnes famously said - it's a blood sport. In fact, if Zach thinks he's had a rough day, he should check the new RNC mailer that basically calls Obama a terrorist. That's right, go there now, and contribute.

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Don't Forget to VOTE - TODAY!!!

Today is the runoff election for the Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate and other races statewide. Turnout for the primary on July 15 was low and it is expected to be even lower today. In Bibb County, the only race on the ballot is the U.S. Senate race which is bound to make the turnout even lower. If you’ve ever wondered whether your vote can really make a difference, this is your chance as the election will likely be decided on just a handful of votes.

*You can vote in the runoff even if you didn’t vote in the July 15 election.* If you didn’t vote on July 15, you can vote in the Democratic runoff today. The only people who cannot vote are those who voted in the Republican primary on July 15.

Go out and cast your ballot in this all important primary runoff!

p.s. Wondering who to vote for? Be sure to check out the candidates in all races, but for those of us here in Bibb County, remember, both The Telegraph and The Atlanta Journal Constitution have endorsed Jim Martin in the Senate race.

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New Rules

We need new rules for our elections, and tonight, I found just the right list. When my mother died in 2002, she left each of her daughters a folder of memories-certificates, papers, cards, newspaper clippings-things that would make us remember, laugh and think. This is not a fancy scrapbook, but instead just a manila folder tied with a piece of twine. I came across that folder tonight and in it found the purple mimeographed list of rules for candidates from when I ran for student government office at East Rutherford High School in Forest City, NC. I share these with you, and propose that we use these rules-or at least the principles behind them-for our "real" elections. Imagine the difference it would make! Here's you go:

RULES FOR ELECTIONS

1. No candidate is allowed to spend over $10.00 on his or her campaign. The candidate must present his receipts for expenditures to the Student Council Advisor before he will be allowed to present his campaign speech.

2. Any candidate must maintain a "C" average or above.

3. No candidate will be allowed to register for an office after April 15th at 3:05 P.M. Campaigns officially begin Monday, April 26 at 8:30 A.M. The election is Friday, April 30.

3. Campaign posters may be placed: (1) One per candidate in the concession area; (2) Two per candidate in the lunchroom, one regular size and one not more than six feet long; (3) President and Vice President candidates are allowed a qualification poster in the D.E. display window. If picture is used, it must be a recent one.

4. Posters found elsewhere will be taken down.

5. Good judgment should be used in making posters.

6. Speeches: (1) All speeches must be approved by Mrs. Dawkins and the Student Body President; (2) Candidates will be allowed five minutes for speeches.

GOOD LUCK!!

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