This is your chance to sway the BfD voters before the primary! Ground rules: say anything you want about your candidate to attempt to persuade the readers to vote for him/her. Please save the vitriol, innuendo, negative nabobism, and invective for the general election.
34 Responses to “Pimp Your Candidate”
For the US Senate Race. Rand Knight is the only progressive candidate in this race that has a true passion for the office of US Senator. Dale Cardwell may be a close second but realistically he is too negative in the picture of our government he depicts.
Jim Martin is a good true Democrat that I have helped try to elect in the past. But lets be clear: Jim Martin told everyone running and numerous others all the way up to recently (with in the last 4 mos) that he was not interested in being a candidate in this race. What helped sway him to think otherwise was Jane Kidd of the state party as well as Incumbent Democrats of all offices that offered to raise a large sum of money for him. Its true- take it or leave it, now I personally know Rand and know his convictions and where his heart is and why he is running, I can't say that for anyone else.
As someone that tracks polls, new volunteers and talks personally to Martin folks, I can tell you Vernon Jones and Jim Martin realize that Rand has a real shot tuesday, I don't see any of Rand supporters going anywhere but cannot count how many folks we have introduced Rand to and won over.
So lets send new faces to Washington that have a drive for more than one term, that offer REAL contrast and choice against Saxby this November.
Negative nabob checking in!
I will go negative on one US Senate Candidate in this race in this post.
That candidate will be Saxby Chambliss.
This You Tube might describe him best:
That said, we need to make sure that the nominee we choose can "throw a punch" and is not a "punching bag" for Chambliss and his GOP cronies.
I personally, think the investigative reporter will do the best of throwing punches at Saxby's record and by all accounts he seems to be a poor target for Saxby's tactics.
I would just like to see what Dale Cardwell could do with the level of funding that the nominee should be able to get?
This is an easy one, but I hope everyone in the 5th District will vote for John Lewis for Congress. The list of his positives is very long, but among them are: his work ethic, his deep progressive values and his strong commitment to his district. I love the way he didn't take his support for granted and campaigned tirelessly throughout the district. Words sort of fail me when it comes to him. My support is as much emotional as rational. He is an awesome man.
Second, I'd like to recommend Rashad Taylor for State House District 55. I know there's been some controversy surrounding his leave of absence from the DPG, but I (of all people), am not troubled by it. I trust he will do the right thing when the time comes. I've worked with him on party matters over the last year, and have found him to be helpful, honest and hard working. He also has a grasp of the issues facing the 55th and is an eloquent advocate for Democratic values. Here again, I am personally fond of him.
Next, I've struggled with the Fulton Sheriff's race but have decided to support Patrick LaBat. He and his wife have visited my home, and I received a very nice, personal note from him yesterday. I think I'll do a primary post about him and why I feel he's the best choice to get the Fulton Sheriff's office back on track.
Funny how no matter how much I learn about these candidates, no matter how much I try and educate myself on the issues, it still comes down to who I like the best as people. And on that note, Jim Martin will get my vote for Senate.
I'm having a real tough time with the Senate race. I think of Martin as perhaps the best bet institutionally, but Rand's the only one that seems to have both expertise and passion. I'm also quite sympathetic to throwing in with a fellow techie and overeducated dude.
Well I already voted, and I will say that I voted against Arthur Ferdinand in a fit of pique, and now I regret it.
Vote for Rashad - HD 55 John Lewis, John Steward Fulton Co Tax Comissioner, William Wright (the Wright Choice), Pat Labat (Look for Labat), Rand Knight, Horacena Tate and Jim Powell.
Why? Because Thunder is infallible.
It's too bad there's not a "Anyone But Vernon Jones" options.
George Wilson in HD 95. George lost a close race in 06 and quite honestly deserves a second shot. He owns a business in the district and knows it very well. He is dead on concerning the issues. He has been out canvassing and phoning. It would be a shame to see someone who just popped up on the scene, who has some serious personal finance issues, trying to ride the Obama wave to a win.
Of course I need to plug my guy Josh Lanier for US Senate. He has done a great job in the debates on the issues, which is what a Senator does.
My others are Jim Powell and Joel Alvarado.
M_Comb said it all on the Senate race, but I'd encourage anyone who has a chance to vote against Barrow, one of the most extreme right members of the Congress (in a moderate district), if they have a chance.
George Wilson in HD 95, Jimmy Clark for the 3rd Newton CC, and Kathy Morgan for the Newton County Chair, and Ezell Brown for Newton Co. sheriff. The 95th scares me and I'm worried Hubert(o) will be our nominee for county chair. Go George!
I'm not taking sides in this race though I think this deserves mentioning since it's YDG related, and some of y'all might know her.
Patty James, a member of the Taylor County Board of Commissioners is facing a primary challenge. Some of you who went to the YDG Convention last year might remember her. She's the youngest elected official in the county and has made history as the first female Commission Chair, as well as the first African American female to serve as a Commission.
Actually Zaid, if you look at the liberal/conservative rankings of congressmen and women, Barrow is almost exactly in the middle.
Wouldn't expect you to care about that but just so you know, he isn't "one of the most extreme right members of the Congress" and probably more liberal than his district.
While it varies from year to year, isn't it safe to say that Gene Taylor is the most conservative Democrat in Congress?
I think its funny that a self-described "centrist" such as Zaid refers to Barrow as "one of the most extreme right members of congress". Personally, I think someone on here is playing a joke on myself and some of the other moderates on here
IRE and RD,
Just a reminder to stay on topic! There's plenty of time to have a "X is the most Y Democrat in Congress" thread after the primary.
Good point. Vote for my candidates!
For the senate race, I have decided I'll be voting for Knight. I liked his stances on the issues last night on the debate (yes, I watched it) and I think his passion will bode well for him until the Washington machine kills it.
For CD 12, I'm sticking with Barrow. I've had my share of disagreements with him, but he represents the district well. With an odd combination of urban and rural area to represent, a moderate is the best we are going to get. Otherwise we will end up with someone who is truly way to the right. I'll stick with Barrow.
I saw Regina Thomas' video on the 12th, and couldn't believe my eyes. 45% Black vote in the District.
I originally wasn't sure about her chances in the general, but with those demographics and the largest city in the district on her side, I really can't see making the "only guy that can win" argument for Barrow.
I also give her points for understanding basic geology (unlike Barrow), the Constitution, and the fundamental nature of human rights.
She also brings us one vote closer to having a progressive majority in Congress.
And the beauty of the House is that you don't have to play nice with the minority.
I like Jim Martin -- like Mel said, on a personal level as much as political. It's always a pleasure to talk to him about the issues.
That said, I enjoyed watching Josh Lanier in the debates and I wonder why the DPG elite decided to challenge rather than back him. He just struck me as someone who would do very well head-to-head against Suxby.
I also enjoyed watching Rand put the smackdown on Vernon.
I should have also mentioned Margaret Kaiser for HD 59. I'm not in her district, but would vote for her if I could.
Ralph Long, III for HD 61. He's been active in his community for years, has great ideas for solving some of our problems, and has run a first-rate campaign.
Ralph Long, III for HD 61 (Bob Holmes' old seat). Ralph has been active in his community for years, has great ideas for solving some of our problems, and has run a first-rate campaign.
"Actually Zaid, if you look at the liberal/conservative rankings of congressmen and women, Barrow is almost exactly in the middle.
Wouldn't expect you to care about that but just so you know, he isn't "one of the most extreme right members of the Congress" and probably more liberal than his district."
Rather than just play into your strategy of "just make stuff up if it fits into my beliefs", Barrow has the most conservative voting record of any Democrat in 2007. That's an actual fact, look it up if you don't believe me.
He's for the war, against SCHIP, for Bush's tax cuts, against environmental legislation across the board -- he's way more extreme than his district.
Stop just making stuff up, old-timer.
"I originally wasn't sure about her chances in the general, but with those demographics and the largest city in the district on her side, I really can't see making the "only guy that can win" argument for Barrow."
I'll tell you one thing, minorities and poor people come out to vote in very small numbers in the twelth district because they know they have a choice between a GOP-bot and a GOP-bot (Harvard educated lawyer, Barrow).
If they had someone who could actually energize them, they'd come out in tremendous numbers (see: Obama, where 70% of the district's voters were African Americans).
I guess the old political calculus, or really new (it came around in the 80's with the DLC and rise of the "Reagan Democrats") is to throw minorities, labor, homosexuals, immigrants, poor, under the bus and act as consrevative at possible to win. The problem with that is you don't win people over by telling them to F-themselves (Barrow, once asked to vote with more moderate members of Congress, put up his hands in a cross shape).
Most people I know who voted Bush in 2004 would've votd for Kerry if he had articulated a populist, working class platform.
If you think politics is on a strict left-right paradigm, you're completely wrong. It's a mess of issues all over the board, and people who you might think of as right-wing on abortion rights would vote left wing on economics or against the war.
How would Kerry have won in 2004 easily? 3 words: I'm abolishing NAFTA. Working class Republicans would've voted in huge numbers for him.
So, no, Barrow isn't always winning by a squeaker because his district is ultra-conservative (Kerry also was 1-point spread with Bush, and Kerry's much more liberal than Barrow and that says something), he is so weak because he doesn't reach out to working people or minorities, he votes against their interests, he sounds so much like his opponent that a lot of socially conservative foks just jump into the GOP camp rather than giving the Democrats the time of day.
That's the real political calculus here.
I will play the game
For Senate - while I have not been all that thrilled with his campaign, I will be voting for Jim Martin. I do honestly like him, and I do think he has the best chance against Saxby, but I have to say, if I wasnt playing the "really want to win the seat" game, I would probably vote for Lanier. I just think he would be a better legislator.
Also planning on voting for Powell. I have absolutely no knowlege on this campaign, but people I like and respect on this blog are voting for him, so I'm cool with that.
I will also have the pleasure of voting for Nan Orrock and Pat Gardner for the last time since I havent switched my voter registration to my new address yet.
oh gosh - and how could i forget - I'm voting for John Lewis as well
and on that note - when i left my apartment yesterday morning, every corner of 10th and Howell Mill had a Markel Hutchins sign. when arrived home that evening, every corner of 10th and Howell Mill had a Mable Thomas sign and there was not a Hutchins sign to be found. I'm not saying anything....just an observation....
OK. I'll play too.
I'll be voting for the most awesomest Congressman ever, John Lewis. His campaign has been a pleasure to watch and support just as his career for all these years.
So glad Jim Powell will be on the ballot. I like him and think he'll bring a breath of fresh thought and representation to the PSC.
As for Senate. I guess it will be like the February Presidential Primary for me, I'll be making up my mind in line tomorrow morning. I've eliminated a couple of candidates but I have determined who will get my vote as of 7:52 PM...
Stop just making stuff up, old-timer.
HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Barrow: 45.8% liberal, 54% conservative.
Approximately 200 congressmen and women more conservative than him.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/...composite&o2=desc
Facts ain't on your side.
Senate=Lanier
PSC=Powell
these are the only contested seats on my ballot
"Barrow is in the middle" ?
Of course he is NOW. The new middle is where the extreme right used to be. The "left" is where the middle (or right of middle) used to be. The real left is barely represented in DC at all. A new standard has been set. If Barrow (votes like bush) is center, then I fell off the left end long ago.
Wow.
Linking to National Journal, a right-wing rag that pinned Obama as 'most liberal senator" (I guess Bernie Sanders, Feingold, Boxer, a dozen more just fell off the earth during the writing period) has lost you all your credibility, retreadredneck.
The vote for Lewis was a no-brainer. I bet the vast majority of the votes for the other two were by Republicans who had nothing to vote on in Atlanta, so all probably voted a D ballot. I saw a lot of Hutchins signs in Buckhead along with the Elly Dobbs signs.
I voted for Rand without the slightest reservation, even though 5% of my fellow citizens agreed.
I voted for Pamela Stanley and Horacena Tate for my state house and senate, respectively.
Voted for Labat for sheriff since I heard good things about him from people whose opinions I respect. The candidates all seemed to call my house repeatedly, though the DNC candidates are close behind in # of calls.
I STILL don't know if Stanley or Dobbs won the HD53 race... SOS has Stanley ahead 51/49 and AJC has Dobbs ahead 52/48 both with just under 90% reporting. Its 7am the day after... how long does it take!?
I'm not in HD55 but I'm very happy Rashad won, he's a good guy.
It was too dumb to not use.