A couple things real quick to ponder and discuss for the next few days.
One, the NBAF EIS is out. It’s 1,000 pages long. Guess I know how I’ll be spending my weekend.
Two, I spoke to Carl Jordan earlier today and he is not running for re-election.
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Is that what the kids are calling it?
Is "reading the NBAF EIS" code for "getting drunk on $5 PBR watching Elf Power at the Theater"?
National Bio- and
National Bio- and Agro-defense Facility Environmental Impact Statement.
Not as much fun as Elf Power.
I knew what you were talking
I knew what you were talking about, sillies. I was just having a hard time imagining you at home reading it during Athfest weekend. Have fun tonight!
Back at the Center of the Universe
There will be a debate between Paul Broun and Barry Fleming in Columbia County
From the Press Release:
Moderator - Barry Paschal, Columbia County News-Times
Panel - Mike Ryan, Augusta Chronicle,
Trent Butler, WAGT - NBC Augusta
Dave Williams, Atlanta Business Chronicle
Saturday, June 21st, 2008 @ 5:00 p.m.
Jabez Hardin Performing Arts Center in Evans
Candidate hospitality rooms will be open from 4-5 p.m.and 6-7 p.m.
webcast available at www.nbcaugusta.com
The coverage in the paper
The coverage in the paper today makes it seem like the debate was pretty bland.
How's the reading going, Blake? The tyke and I went camping this weekend, so I've not had time for reading tedious studies. Looking forward to your update about it.
I was pretty disappointed
I was pretty disappointed in the news coverage. NBC and the Augusta Chronicle both gave pretty bland accounts of the event (NBCs was focused on a single question). I guess you had to be there. It really was lively debate. Fleming continued to nail Broun to the wall on his voting record and Broun responded by taking cheap shots at Barry's former employment with democratic congressmen and lack of military service.
Fortunately the Atlanta Press Club debate is still coming up on July 2nd. it is only half an hour (7:30 - 8:00pm) but will be televised in entirety on GPB.
funny
Broun attacks Fleming for working for Democrats (Sam Nunn being one of them)... wasn't Paul's father (you know the one whose shadow Broun is always trying to crawl out of) a very prominent Democrat?
even funnier
As I mentioned previously this week Barry's bio on his campaign website states that working for Nunn and Barnard was how he began his political career and he quite often mentions it in stump speeches.
Additionally, Doug Barnard is still pretty highly revered in the Augusta are regardless of his party affiliation and Nunn was an old-fashioned southern democrat, so no shame there.
This is why I wish the event had been filmed in entirety because the Dr. Broun couldn't have sounded more like a jerk the way he said it.
I think very highly of Sam
I think very highly of Sam Nunn and Doug Bernard (though I know more about Nunn). To me, that's a plus for Fleming.
Broun had Democrats stumping for him last year, and he actively reached out to us, telling us he'd represent all the people. Why doesn't Fleming throw that in his face when he calls him a closet Democrat? That would get him to shut up.
like water off a duck
Fleming didn't bat an eyelash at Broun's snarky comments. Fleming has kept all of his attacks strictly on the issues. I think it's a good tactic to keep all of the attacks on Broun issue oriented. Broun's supporters can bellyache all they like about Fleming going negative, but the fact of the matter is Fleming is sticking to the issues despite the fact that Broun's personal history has more mud than a monster truck rally. When you are running against an incumbent you have to give voters a reason to want to get rid of the incumbent and being just a little more fantastic isn't a good enough reason. I think voters recognize that Barry is sticking to the issues and basing his attacks on the text of the bills while Broun is waving his arms and calling Barry a liar, and I think voters respect that about Barry.
You know, I keep hearing
You know, I keep hearing people say that Fleming is personally attacking Broun, but so far I've seen issue attacks only. Am I missing something?
Honestly, I don't think
Honestly, I don't think military service really helps a lawmaker with his job. In fact, isn't Grant widely acknowledged as one of the worst presidents ever? His military career obviously didn't translate into much help.
Democrats and Broun
One interesting thing in this election is that Athens Democrats, especially in the black community, put Broun over the top in the runoff last year. I know Harry Sims took him into the churches, where his story of coming to Christ no doubt played well, and other local Democrats quietly urged others to support him.
That is not going to happen this year. Democrats won't be crossing over to vote in the Republican primary, and if any of them do, they'll probably vote for the more moderate Barry Fleming, who doesn't carry Jim Whitehead's anti-Athens baggage.
Jane Kidd gave a speech at the CCDC headquarters opening last Friday and addressed this topic.
"Athens Democrats elected Paul Broun," she said. "Athens Democrats have to fire Paul Broun and elect a Democrat. Mr. Whitehead made us all made and we had to make sure he didn't get in there. Now we have to elect a Democrat."
If my fellow Democrats want
If my fellow Democrats want to fire Broun, they'll have to vote in the Republican primary to vote for Fleming. Then they can vote for Bobby in November (as I plan to do). However, crossing over is the only way to ensure Broun is fired once and for all. Surely Jane Kidd knows that.
Blake, you are wrong about Oconee Democrats at least
I know a lot of Oconee County Democratic committee members and family members and friends and neighbors and independents crossing over that could make quite a difference out here on various races. We had the highest turnout at our caucus last weekend and even had a Republican coroner candidate come to our weekend gathering in the courthouse.
Dan Matthews