Georgia Politics Unfiltered

Speaker Ralston, Pass This Ethics Bill

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:34:00 +0000

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

-Ronald Reagan, President of the United States, June 12, 1987

With six simple words, Ronald Reagan hastened the fall of the Soviet Union and ushered in the German reunification. Two years after President Reagan stood before the Berlin Wall and demanded Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev remove the iron curtain dividing Europe, the wall came tumbling down, ending the Cold War.

Our state of Georgia, a name which we share with the former soviet socialist republic of Georgia, has had a Berlin Wall of sorts erected at the State Capitol.

It's not a literal wall, but for those individuals seeking strong ethics laws for our great state, the barrier preventing meaningful ethics legislation from receiving Gov. Deal's signature is as real as real can be.

Earlier this week, a coalition of conservative groups sent a letter to Georgia lawmakers calling for "strong ethics and accountability from our leaders."

The letter --signed by leaders of Georgia Right to Life, the Georgia Christian Coalition, and Georgia Tea Party Patriots-- reads in part:

We as Republicans must stand-up for all of the values we know to be good and honest. The ethics of our party, and our elected officials must be above reproach.

As leaders in the conservative movement, we call on you to sign-on to the ethics reform legislation being offered by Representative Tommy Smith in the State House and Senator Josh McKoon in the State Senate.

With your support, Georgia can lead the nation in ethics and accountability, and we call on you to support this important legislation.

One would think, given strong support from the conservative base for ethics reform legislation, the proposed ethics bill would breeze through the General Assembly. Unfortunately, there is a wall keeping this from happening.

Georgia House Speaker David Ralston (R - Blue Ridge) believes, according to news reports, the ethics laws currently on the books are enough. Other news reports say Speaker Ralston opposes limits on gifts given by lobbyists to legislators. It is even rumored that Republicans, who might normally co-sponsor ethics legislation, are withholding their support from the House ethics bill because they do not want to publicly oppose Speaker Ralston.

The reality is that in the legislature, without the support of the Speaker, a bill is effectively dead. The Speaker of the Georgia House, David Ralston, is the wall keeping meaningful ethics legislation from passing.

Absent Speaker Ralston's opposition, I have no doubt the House ethics bill sponsored by Rep. Tommy Smith would breeze through both chambers, and hit Gov. Deal's desk before the March 22nd close of registration for the Peachtree Road Race. So today, as I channel my inner Reagan, I call on Speaker Ralston to tear down the wall.

Mr. Speaker, tear down the wall you've erected that's preventing strong ethics legislation from passing.

Speaker Ralston, pass Tommy Smith's ethics bill.

Illegal Immigrant Registers and Votes in Athens-Clarke County

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:59:00 +0000

The Athens Banner-Herald reports a local resident, who has been living in the United States illegally for years, may be deported after lying about his citizenship.

Athens businessman Hesham Gad obtained a state driver’s license, attended the University of Georgia, and has been a registered voter while pretending to be a U.S. citizen, a prosecutor said Wednesday in Clarke County Superior Court.

Those are among the reasons the 33-year-old should be deported to Egypt, despite having lived nearly all his life in Athens, argued Western Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney David Lock.

“He’s here illegally,” Lock told Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard.

Johnson, Joe (2012-1-26). Athens man facing deportation lied about U.S. citizenship. Athens Banner-Herald. Retrieved on 2012-1-27.

Hesham Gad's voting record shows that not only is he registered to vote, Gad actually did vote in the 2004 General Election.

This is so important, it bears repeating again. A non-U.S. citizen, Hesham Gad, registered and voted in an American election.

Yet, some Georgia legislators want to make it easier for this kind of fraud to occur by allowing same-day voter registration.

What the hell are these Georgia legislators thinking?

Democrats' Record on HOPE Scholarship Contradicts Their Rhetoric

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Late Thursday night, the Democratic Party of Georgia, in their ongoing efforts to win the hearts and minds of voters, tweeted, "Vanishing HOPE: GOP broke it, Senate Dems have a plan to fix it."

The Democrats' tweet alludes to reforms to the HOPE scholarship program backed by Gov. Nathan Deal (R - Georgia) in 2011.

HOPE scholarship changes, passed by the legislature last year, included the establishment of the Zell Miller Scholarship. The Zell Miller Scholarship completely pays the tuition for Georgia high school graduates with a 3.7 GPA and 1200 SAT score, if the student is enrolled in a public college or university.

New data from the Georgia Student Finance Commission, the agency that administers both the HOPE and Zell Miller scholarship programs, suggests that the Zell Miller Scholarship may not be as fiscally sound as many expected when it was created; and that further reforms may be needed to ensure the scholarship's continued viability.

Using the guilt by association tactic, Georgia Democrats say that since Gov. Deal proposed the HOPE scholarship reforms, Gov. Deal (and by association, the state Republican Party) broke the HOPE scholarship program.

The problem with the Democrats' logic is they purposely omit that their party supported Gov. Deal's HOPE scholarship reforms with open arms.

The photograph shown here came from Gov. Nathan Deal's office.

The photo shows House Democrat Leader Stacey Abrams and House Democrat Caucus Chair Calvin Smyre standing along side Gov. Deal as he announced his proposals to save the HOPE Scholarship program.

WABE reported the following headline, House Democrats Back Deal's HOPE Proposal, shortly after the picture above was taken.

When Gov. Deal's HOPE scholarship reforms came before the General Assembly, they passed with large bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate.

If, as the Democrats claim, HOPE is vanishing; if Republicans broke the HOPE scholarship program, then Democrats broke the popular program as well.

In a moment of bipartisan unity, Democrats endorsed Gov. Deal's HOPE scholarship reforms. Now, Democrats act like they had nothing to do with it.

Thank goodness the Democrats' votes and statements to the press on this issue are available for all to see.

Stephanie Stuckey-Benfield Says She Supports Ethics Bill

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:41:00 +0000

Wednesday, state Representative Tommy Smith (R - Nicholls) introduced an ethics bill that would, among other things, put a cap on the amount of money lobbyists can spend on lawmakers under the Gold Dome.

Two media outlets, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, both reported that Rep. Smith's ethics bill received tepid support from legislators in the General Assembly [Joyner and Quinn (2012-1-25). Ethics bill gets cool reception in Ga. House. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved on 2012-1-26; Political silence on ethics bill is loud and clear. Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved on 2012-1-26.].

One state Representative, however, is disputing the news media's story on the ethics bill.

In two separate postings on her Facebook page, state Rep. Stephanie Stuckey-Benfield (D - Atlanta) wrote that she supports her colleague's ethics legislation.

"This is the 2nd article that has reported that Mary Margaret Oliver is the lone Democrat who has agreed to co-sponsor the measure," Benfield wrote, referring to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer article. "THAT IS NOT TRUE. Myself and many other Democrats are more than willing to join Rep. Oliver in supporting this worthwhile piece of legislation."

The Georgia General Assembly website only lists two sponsors of the ethics bill; House Bill 798 -- Republican Tommy Smith and Democrat Mary Margaret Oliver.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution political columnist Jim Galloway reported Tuesday that several conservative groups and organizations such as the Georgia Christian Coalition, Georgia Right to Life, and Georgia Tea Party Patriots are urging lawmakers to pass H.B. 798.

The NAACP Places Race Ahead of Student Achievement in Fayette County

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:49:00 +0000

Not the since the civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s has the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) done anything of significance to advance colored people in this country. These days, the NAACP seems more focused on picking all the wrong battles for all the wrong reasons. The latest example of this comes from Fayette County, Georgia.

Instead of focusing on the fact that black students, white students, hispanic students, all students are getting a good, quality education in Fayette County, the NAACP placed race ahead of student achievement. The NAACP believes a high number of colored people in elected office is more important than more colored people with a solid education ready to enter the workforce.

Fayette County's school system is one of the best run in the state.

For the past seven years, every Fayette County school met AYP. For the past five years, Fayette County SAT scores exceeded both the state and national average. Earlier this month, Atlanta Magazine listed all five of Fayette County's high schools among the fifty best in metro Atlanta. The accomplishments, achievements, and accolades listed here did not happen by accident. Good governance from the Fayette County School Board, good leadership from the Fayette County Schools superintendent, and good teachers from kindergarten through grade twelve all contributed to Fayette County's excellence in education.

But, for the NAACP, educational excellence and achievement from all of Fayette County's students was not enough. The NAACP, in its infinite wisdom, decided to fix what wasn't broken.

The NAACP sued the Fayette County Board of Education because, according to the NAACP, there were no blacks on the school board.

Ryan Haygood, director of the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund's Political Participation Group and the lead attorney for the plaintiffs in the case, said the group has been analyzing the latest Census data and how that growth coincides with what they consider to be potential voting schemes. He said the Voting Rights Act is the best vehicle for addressing the issue.

"Fayette County's at-large election method is a structural wall of exclusion that guarantees that black voters, in spite of having tried in election after election, cannot elect their candidates of choice," Haygood said. "There's no benefit to any system that weakens the voting strength of a jurisdiction's voting rights. That catches our attention."

Haines, Errin (2011-8-10). NAACP suit: Fayette County disenfranchising blacks. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved on 2012-1-26.

The NAACP picked the wrong battle, and they fought it for all the wrong reasons. Instead of focusing on the fact that black students, white students, hispanic students, all students are getting a good, quality education in Fayette County, the NAACP placed race ahead of student achievement. The NAACP believes a high number of colored people in elected office is more important than more colored people with a solid education ready to enter the workforce.

The NAACP won its lawsuit. They won due to the Fayette County School Board not even putting up a fight.

The capitulation of the Fayette County School Board has legislators such as state Representative Matt Ramsey (R - Peachtree City) seeing red.

Ramsey thinks the BoE should have “vigorously defended” the suit instead.

“Some fights are worth fighting and to unconditionally surrender and say there wasn’t money to defend the suit will only embolden groups with extreme political agendas to seek to impose their will via the courts when they know they cannot succeed at the ballot box,” Ramsey said.

Munford, John (2012-1-18). Fayette legislators decry BoE’s district voting change. Fayette County Citizen. Retrieved on 2012-1-26.

The extreme activism of the NAACP now means that there will be one majority black school board district in Fayette County. It is likely black voters in this newly created majority black district will elect a black person to the school board seat.

And thus begins the shift from student achievement to racial polarization in Fayette County.

New Legislation Allows Adopted Adults to Obtain Original Birth Certificate

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:52:00 +0000

I'm adopted.

My mother adopted me when I was six months old.

For all intents and purposes, my mother is my mother. She changed dirty diapers. She stayed up nights when I was sick. She took me to the doctor. She made sure I was enrolled in good schools. All the things expected of a good parent, my mother did. And she did it by herself. My mom chose to be a single parent when she adopted me, and I am so grateful that she did.

Still, there is a certain amount of curiosity that comes with being adopted. While I personally do not want to meet my "bio-mom," I am still curious about this person.

A new bill, sponsored by state Representative Buzz Brockway (R - Lawrenceville), helps to alleviate some of that curiosity.

House Bill 748, if passed, would allow adults, like me, who were adopted to receive an original copy of their birth certificate.

When a child is adopted, as far as the state is concerned, the adopted child is the child of the adopting parent.

As the adoption is finalized, the Court modifies the adopted child's birth certificate to list the adopting parent as the parent of the child.

My birth certificate, for example, was originally filed on November 4, 1983. However, after my adoption was finalized, a modified birth certificate was issued on October 25, 1985. My modified birth certificate lists my mother as my mother. There is no record at all of my biological mom whatsoever. For all practical purposes, my biological mom does not exist. But my original birth certificate, filed on November 4, 1983, does exist. It was simply removed from my file.

House Bill 748 allows me, an adopted adult, to get a copy of my original birth certificate.

House Bill 748 has bipartisan support and currently sits in the House Judiciary Committee. I think it should pass, if only because it would provide adopted Georgians with an opportunity to learn more about their background and heritage.

Sunday Alcohol Sales Still Illegal in Fulton County

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:14:00 +0000

Last year, voters in eleven Fulton County cities saw the following question on their ballot:

"Shall the governing authority of Fulton County, Georgia be authorized to permit and regulate package sales by retailers of malt beverages, wine, and distilled 34 spirits on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 P.M. and 11:30 P.M.?"

Last November, voters in Alpharetta, Atlanta, College Park, East Point, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, Sandy Springs, and Union City all approved Sunday alcohol sales within the limits of their respective city.

Given the overwhelmingly positive response to Sunday alcohol sales at the ballot box last year, it would surprise some to learn that Sunday sales is still illegal in unincorporated Fulton County. Even more surprising is the appearance that people living in unincorporated Fulton County will not even get a chance to say yes or no to Sunday sales at the ballot box.

Cities and counties surrounding Fulton eagerly placed the Sunday sales referendum on the ballot in recent months. But the Fulton County Commission remains inactive towards allowing its unincorporated residents the same choice at the ballot box as Fulton's incorporated residents.

By the end of 2012, unincorporated Fulton County could be an island unto itself. Unincorporated Fulton County could, by the end of this year, be the only area left in metro Atlanta that hasn't even voted on Sunday alcohol sales.

If that happens, it would be a sad reality for people living in unincorporated Fulton County. Sad, because those folks didn't get to say yes. Those folks didn't get to say no. The people in unincorporated Fulton County did not have their say at all. That is sad, but it doesn't have to be that way.

The Fulton County Commission can still call for a referendum on Sunday alcohol sales, and present unincorporated Fulton County with the same question eleven other Fulton County cities faced in 2011.

Shall the governing authority be authorized to permit and regulate package sales by retailers of malt beverages, wine, and distilled 34 spirits on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 P.M. and 11:30 P.M.?

270 Georgians Have Voted Early in the Presidential Primary

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:25:00 +0000

The following are the early/absentee voting totals as of Tuesday, January 24, 2012:

Congressional District	Number of Early Votes Democratic Primary	Number of Early Votes Republican Primary	Total Number of Early Votes
1	5	16	21
2	18	11	29
3	3	8	11
4	14	35	49
5	12	5	17
6	1	9	10
7	1	1	2
8	8	12	20
9	3	20	23
10	5	19	24
11	10	35	45
12	2	13	15
13	2	2	4
Totals	84	186	270

Former State Representative to Challenge Yasmin Neal for House Seat

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:05:00 +0000

Freshman state Representative Yasmin Neal (D - Jonesboro) is facing a primary challenge this summer from a veteran of political campaigns.

The Clayton News-Daily reported January 16th that former state Representative Mike Glanton announced his candidacy for the re-configured 75th state House district.

"This is the official kick-off of my campaign," [Mike]Glanton said. "The way they [state legislators] drew me into more of a Jonesboro area made me decide to run. I’ve always had a lot of support here, and I think I was fairly successful [previously in the legislature]."

Yeomans, Curt (2012-1-16). Glanton makes State House candidacy official. Clayton News-Daily. Retrieved on 2012-1-25.

Glanton previously served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2008 to 2010. He unsuccessfully sought a seat in the he Georgia Senate, receiving 31.6% of the vote in the July 20, 2010 primary election.

Democrats Seek to Expand Their Base with Same-Day Voter Registration

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:45:00 +0000

Six Democrats in the Georgia State Senate have drafted a bill that would drastically alter the way this state conducts its elections.

Senate Bill 326 --sponsored by Vincent Fort, Steve Henson, Ed Harbinson, Emanuel Jones, Lester Jackson, and Doug Stoner-- would introduce same-day voter registration to the State of Georgia.

Current Georgia law states that a person desiring to vote in an upcoming election must register "by the close of business on the fifth Monday . . . prior to the date of such general primary, general election, or presidential preference primary" [O.C.G.A. § 21-2-224]. This registration deadline allows elections officials enough time to A.) verify a person's citizenship; and B.) verify a person's residency. It is quite clear that Georgia's voter registration deadline helps protect the integrity of the electoral process.

Compare that to same-day voter registration bill being peddled by Senate Democrats.

Same-day voter registration invites fraud into the electoral process.

Same-day voter registration could conceivably result in a person busing in hundreds of non-registered individuals; registering those folks to vote; and then allowing them to vote all on the same day without any verification of citizenship or residency.

Democrats argue that same-day registration would encourage higher voter turnout among minorities, low-income individuals, and young people. The funny thing is that minorities, low-income individuals, and young people are three demographic groups Democrats know they can count on to blindly vote for Democrat candidates without question.

Democrats in Georgia know they cannot win statewide elections on their party's own merits. The drubbing Democrats took at the ballot box two years ago, where the party lost every statewide office, is irrefutable evidence of that fact. So now, Georgia Democrats are blatantly and shamelessly attempting to pass same-day voter registration legislation intended to expand their base.

For Congressman Hank Johnson, Hypocrisy & Corporate Cash Goes a Long Way

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:37:00 +0000

Last week, Congressman Hank Johnson (D - Georgia) issued a press release decrying "corporate spending to influence the outcome of elections – local, state and federal – throughout America."

"Powerful special interests and their lobbyists should not be able to drown out the voices of the American people and sell our Democracy to the highest bidder," Rep. Johnson said in the news release. "That is why I cosponsored H.J. Res 90, the OCCUPIED Amendment: Outlawing Corporate Campaign Cash Undermining the Public Interest in our Elections and Democracy, which would return campaign finance regulation to the government and outlaw corporation campaign spending."

It is interesting to note, however, that a cursory review of Congressman Johnson's campaign finance disclosures shows contributions from the same corporations he's railing against.

The October 15, 2011 FEC report filed by the Committee to Re-elect Henry "Hank" Johnson details corporate campaign cash received from AFLAC, Bank of America, Comcast, Delta Air Lines, General Electric, and Universal Music Group just to name a few.

If Rep. Hank Johnson is serious about, as he says, "outlawing corporation campaign spending," will he refuse further corporate campaign contributions? Will Rep. Johnson also donate the money he's received from corporations during his congressional career to charity?

Should the Rep. Johnson's answer no to those two questions, the Congressman from the 4th district of Georgia will have proven himself to be yet another typical politician who says one thing but does another.

Georgia Dems Raise & Spend Nearly $1 Million in 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:55:00 +0000

Campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission show that Georgia Democrats raised $952,044 from January 1, 2011 through November 30, 2011. The Democratic Party of Georgia spent $915,070 during that same period, leaving the organization with $84,121 left in the bank and debt obligations amounting to $30,119.

For the same period, the Georgia GOP raised $1,120,939 and spent $1,102,645, leaving $844,324 in the bank.

Georgia Republicans carried over $826,029 from 2010, while Georgia Democrats carried over $47,147 from that same year.

Quote of the Day: the Neal Boortz edition

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:16:00 +0000

"Somebody's gotta say it!"

-Syndicated talk show host Neal Boortz

6 Years & 2 Days Ago. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Mon, 30 May 2011 03:12:00 +0000

At 10:05AM on Friday, May 27, 2005, Georgia Politics Unfiltered went live with a simple, two-word blog entry: Hey y'all.

Since that date, 6 years and 2 days ago, this site has covered Georgia politics like no other.

While there have been a few guest blog entries from other folks over the years, Georgia Politics Unfiltered has mainly been a labor of love for one person. . .me.

After 2008, that fire in my belly; the fire that kept me posting half a dozen blog entries daily disappeared. I can pinpoint exactly when that fire in my belly went out.

It was 2008.

It was December.

I had just watched Georgia's Republican electors cast their 15 votes for John McCain and Sarah Palin under the Gold Dome. Finally, the epic 2008 presidential campaign was over. And I had covered it from start to finish. I remember thinking to myself: "How do I top this?"

For the record, everyone should follow a presidential campaign from beginning to end at least once in their life time. I'm talking about the fundraising, the debates, the primaries, the caucuses, the conventions, the November election, the meeting of the electoral college, the counting of the electoral votes and the inauguration.

Everything that you have ever learned in school about how we elect a President pales in comparison to seeing it all in person. I had the opportunity to do that as a member of the press, and I loved every minute of it.

So anywho, after watching Georgia's presidential electors (you know, the people who really elect the President) cast their votes, I walked out of the State Capitol thinking, "How do I top this?" At that point, the fire and the passion wasn't there anymore.

I've basically been going through the motions around here, hoping that I'd relight the fire, but it hasn't happened.

So I figured today, tonight would be the perfect time to say good bye.

I have had a lot of fun on this site.

I've made a lot of friends. I've made a lot of enemies. I've made a little money too.

I've been on CNN. I've been on the radio. I've been on channel 5 here in Atlanta. I've seen my name in ink in the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Of course, none of that would've ever happened if no one had ever read this blog in the first place.

So thank you. Thank you to all 423,797 visitors who logged on to Georgia Politics Unfiltered, even if it were only for a moment, over the last 6 years and 2 days.

This has been a great learning experience, but it's also been a lot of fun.

So, for the last time, I'm clicking the "publish post" button and bidding you all a fond farewell.

-Andre Walker

Quote of the Day: "I Would Have Capped Him"

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Thu, 05 May 2011 13:22:00 +0000

"I would have capped him, and then I would have called the cops. We would have been talking about his eulogy at this point."

-Ad agency executive Michael Johnson reacting to burglars that broke into his business on Northside Drive early Thursday morning.

Most folks who know me know that I'm a huge fan of Georgia's "Stand Your Ground" law.

The Stand Your Ground law, passed in 2006, allows a person to use lethal force to defend themselves, their property, or their home.

I'm willing to bet that crime would drop if these punks knew that a few bullets might be awaiting them the second they break in to someone's property.

Secretary of State Sets Qualifying Dates for HD 113 Special Election

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Mon, 02 May 2011 14:55:00 +0000

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp today announced receipt of Governor Nathan Deal’s Writ of Election setting Tuesday, June 21, 2011 as the date for the special election to fill the vacancy in State House District 113.

State Rep. Hank Huckaby (R - Watkinsville) resigned the seat to become chancellor of the University System of Georgia.

Secretary Kemp set candidate qualifying for Monday, May 16, 2011 through Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Qualifying on Monday will run from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.; on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.; and on Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Candidates will qualify in the Elections Division of the Office of Secretary of State, 802 West Tower, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. The qualifying fee is $400.

The election for House District 113 will occur in Oconee County and portions of Clarke, Morgan and Oglethorpe counties.

The election is a non-partisan special election with no party primary. However, each candidate’s party affiliation, if any, will be listed on the ballot. A run-off election, if needed, will be held Tuesday, July 19, 2011.

Voters can request an absentee ballot from their county registrar’s office through the close of business on Friday, June 17, 2011. Absentee ballots must be returned to the county registrar’s office by the close of polls on Election Day. To download an absentee ballot request form, please visit: www.sos.ga.gov/elections.

Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2011.

Citizens must be registered to vote by Monday, May 23, 2011 to participate in the June 21, 2011 special election. Voter registration forms can be obtained at any county registrar’s office or from the Secretary of State’s website.

Quote of the Day: the Matt Ramsey edition

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:38:00 +0000

"We simply cannot afford to wait on solutions from Washington, D.C. We will continue to take decisive and necessary action as a state to enforce the rule of law and protect our citizens from the problems posed by the federal government’s failure to live up to its most basic responsibility to secure our nation’s borders."

-State Representative Matt Ramsey (R - Peachtree City) responding to President Obama calling Georgia's recently passed immigration bill a "mistake."

Georgia, Arizona and other states considering legislation to crack down on illegal immigration would not have to do so if only the federal government would secure the borders and enforce the immigration laws on the books.

In the absence of decisive action from the feds, it is up to the states to fill that gap.

That's what Arizona did when they enacted SB1070, and that is what Georgia has done with House Bill 87.

Georgia Democrat Leader Ridicules Voters As "Cave People"

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:34:00 +0000

Take notes, folks.

Below is an example of how not to win elections:

. . .about 30 percent of [state Rep. Allen]Peake’s constituents are “almost cave people, conservative -- people who are against almost everything,” [Georgia Senate Democrat Leader Robert]Brown said. He plans to paint that group as the political “bad guys,” overcoming them with large majorities elsewhere, he said.

Gaines, Jim (2011-4-24). Leaders gather to push consolidation. Macon Telegraph. Retrieved on 2011-4-28.

Insulting another state legislator's constituents as "almost cave people" is a sure fire way to alienate those voters; and if the Senator from Macon has forgotten, allow me to remind him that those conservative voters he's ridiculing represent a clear majority in this state.

An Unofficial Count of Georgia's 2012 Republican National Convention Delegates

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:12:00 +0000

Perhaps reflecting the way both the Democrat and Republican parties view the role of government is the process by which the two political parties select delegates to their respective national conventions.

The Democrat Party has a very convoluted process that starts with 86 pages of rules, regulations and calculations to determine who gets to go to the Democratic National Convention. A team of lawyers is needed to decipher all that legalese.

The Republicans, by comparison, use just 18 pages to outline how each state is apportioned delegates and alternates to the Republican National Convention.

Rule No. 13, from the Rules of the Republican Party, contains all the meat and potatoes of delegates and delegate selection.

The GOP starts by giving each state 10 delegates [Rule 13(a)(1)].

The state GOP chairman as well as the national committeeman and committeewoman from each state are also National Convention delegates [Rule 13(a)(2)].

Each congressional district in the state is awarded 3 delegates [Rule 13(a)(3)].

Each state carried by the Republican presidential nominee in the preceding election gets a number of delegates equal to 4.5 plus 60% of the state's electoral votes (i.e., Georgia cast its electoral votes in 2008 for John McCain. Georgia will have 16 electoral votes in 2012. 60% of 16 is 9.6. 9.6 plus 4.5 equals 14.1 {rounded off equals 14})[Rule 13(5)(a)].

Rule 13(5)(a)(i), Rule 13(5)(a)(ii), Rule 13(5)(a)(iii), and Rule 13(5)(a)(iv) awards one delegate each for states that elected a Republican governor; has a majority of congressional seats held by Republicans; has one chamber of the state legislature controlled by the Republicans; and has both chambers of the legislature controlled by Republicans.

Finally, an additional delegate is awarded for each Republican representing the state in the U.S. Senate [Rule 13(a)(6)].

Those 9 simple rules are put into real world figures thusly:

Georgia 2012 Republican National Convention Delegates

unofficial count

	at-Large	district-Level	automatic delegates
Rule 13(a)(1)	10
Rule 13(a)(2)			3
Rule 13(a)(3)		39
Rule 13(a)(5)	14
Rule 13(a)(5)(i)	1
Rule 13(a)(5)(ii)	1
Rule 13(a)(5)(iii)	1
Rule 13(a)(5)(iv)	1
Rule 13(a)(6)	2
Total	30	39	3

You Decide: Did WSB-TV Ask Barack Obama The Tough Questions?

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 01:42:00 +0000

Below is the raw video of WSB-TV news anchor Justin Farmer's interview with Barack Obama:

Justin Farmer Interviews Barack Obama WSB-TV (Atlanta)

Did Justin Farmer ask Obama the tough questions?

Or was Farmer spoon-fed presidential talking points and rhetoric?

Will WSB-TV's Justin Farmer Ask Obama The Tough Questions?

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:49:00 +0000

AJC Washington, D.C. reporter Jamie Dupree posted early this morning that President Obama will do an interview with WSB-TV Atlanta.

President Obama will again do a round to interviews today with local television stations, another bid by the White House to spur what is often more positive coverage than in sit-downs with national publications and networks.

In other words, the TV stations tend to emphasize the PR they get out of the interview, and don't spend that much time trying to pin the President to the wall on any particular issue.

Dupree, Jamie (2011-4-26). Obama Goes Local Again. Jamie Dupree's Washington Insider. Retrieved on 2011-4-26.

WSB is already gushing about their exclusive interview with Obama.

"Channel 2 Action News Anchor Justin Farmer is preparing for a one-on-one interview Tuesday morning with President Barack Obama at the White House," the article reads. "WSB-TV is the only local station in Atlanta given exclusive access to the president.

"Farmer will also file reports from Washington at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. He will also compile an “inside the White House” story for wsbtv.com."

Much like Jamie Dupree wrote, these local TV interviews are designed to give Obama good press. But, the news media is not and should not be a PR machine for the White House.

So will WSB-TV news anchor Justin Farmer ask Barack Obama the tough questions? Will Justin Farmer ask Obama questions about issues that are of concern to Georgians? Will Justin Farmer ask Obama about immigration, unemployment, transportation, education, water? Or will Farmer prove himself to be nothing but a pawn of the Obama Administration?

If Justin Farmer needs a quick primer on how to hold Barack Obama accountable, Farmer should watch this video of Dallas TV reporter Brad Watson's questions to the President:

Obama Loses His Cool With Texas Reporter

Georgia Democrats Approaching Deadlines for 2012 DNC Delegate Selection Process

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:03:00 +0000

In recent weeks, there's been a lot of talk about the 2012 presidential campaign.

Democrat Barack Obama is seeking another four years in the White House. Plenty of Republicans are forming exploratory committees, testing the waters, and visiting early primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire before formally declaring their candidacy for President of the United States.

Before a single vote is cast in the 2012 General Election however, both the Republican and Democrat parties must first select a presidential nominee.

Each party's nominee is chosen through a series of primaries and caucuses that award delegates to presidential candidates. The candidate, who receives a majority of the delegates at the national convention, wins the nomination.

Georgia, as the largest state east of the Mississippi River, is a treasure trove of delegates and will be eyed by any serious candidate competing for their party's presidential nomination.

For the 2012 Democratic National Convention, the Peach State is allocated 142 delegates, 9 alternates, 4 pages, and 4 members on each of the three standing convention committees (Rules, Platform, Credentials).

The process of selecting these 142 Georgia delegates to the Democratic National Convention is heavily controlled by the Democratic National Committee.

A memo to the Democratic Party of Georgia, dated December 15, 2010, detailed the deadlines set by the Democratic National Committee for crafting the state's delegate selection plan.

An affirmative action committee needed to be appointed by the Georgia Democratic Party chairman no later than March 1, 2011. After the delegate selection plan was put together, it would be released and the public would have 30 days to comment on the plan prior to the state Democratic committee voting to adopting the document [Rule 1.C., Delegate Selection Rules for the 2012 Democratic National Convention; Reg. 2.2(E)., Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws Committee]. Finally, the Georgia Delegate Selection Plan for the 2012 Democratic National Convention is to be submitted to the Democratic National Committee for its review on May 2nd.

Now I can't speak to the appointment of the affirmative action committee or the 30-day public comment period.

However, I will point out that a Google search of "delegate selection plans" and "2012" produces documents from Delaware, Iowa, Minnesota, Virginia, South Carolina, Colorado, et. al. A visit to the Democratic Party of Georgia web site, though, will find not even a whisper of the 2012 delegate selection process; let alone a plan for the public to review and comment on.

So that, my friends, is an update of what's going on with the Democratic Party's delegate selection process.

Any person wanting to attend the 2012 Democratic National Convention as a delegate should probably contact the Democratic Party of Georgia and request a copy of the 2012 Georgia Delegate Selection Plan.

The Georgia Republican Party selects its national convention delegates a little bit differently; and of course, that'll be discussed at a later date.

State GOP Chairman Candidate Responds to Question on Minority Outreach

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 09:41:00 +0000

As some of you may know, next month I'm headed back to my mother's hometown of Macon to participate in the 2011 Georgia Republican State Convention.

I'm a delegate to that convention, and a few weeks ago I asked the three candidates for Georgia Republican Party chairman --Sue Everhart, Shawn Hanley, and Tricia Pridemore-- to outline their plan to bring black voters back home to the GOP.

To date, only one of the three, responded to my query. Below is Tricia Pridemore's answer:

Andre,

Thank you for the opportunity to contact you about the race for GAGOP Chairman.

I read your blog this morning and wanted to personally respond:

I have laid out a four-point plan for the GAGOP. The GROWroots Plan incorporates a great deal of minority outreach to bring conservative and America-loving African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics into our Party. For the most part, the state GOP has not assisted these key coalitions in the past. We've talked about it, yet we've never fully funded outreach initiatives and marketing to communities. It's past time that we do. We need to rely on the history of the GAGOP (did you know the Georgia Republican Party was started at the oldest African-American Church in the U.S., Springfield Baptist Church, in Augusta?) coupled with our values of personal responsibility, limited government and appreciation for the American family and relay our message into the black community. Direct marketing, advertising and personal outreach are the tools, but once the outreach is done, then we as Republicans must pro-actively welcome and support these new members of our Party.

Many black Republicans support me and my plan for the GAGOP. Michael McNeely, Chairman of the Georgia Black Republican Council is a member of my steering committee because he believes in my minority outreach plan and work-ethic to make it happen.

I would be honored to have your vote in Macon.

Tricia

I'm still looking forward hearing about a minority outreach plan from Sue Everhart and Shawn Hanley, or one of their supporters. Again, here's my email address: amdwalker30349@gmail.com

Northeast Georgia Cities & Counties Favor Local Control of Sunday Sales

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 09:16:00 +0000

The 2011 legislative session saw the Georgia General Assembly pass a bill that would give the state's 159 counties and 535 cities the opportunity to decide locally whether to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday.

Advocates of Senate Bill 10, the aptly named "Sunday Sales" bill, argued that whether or not people support Sunday alcohol sales, they should be able to vote at the ballot box "yes" or "no" for Sunday sales.

SB 10 proponents repeatedly said that the legislation had little to do with the sale of alcohol on Sundays, and every thing to do with local communities having local control over local issues. If Houston County wants to authorize Sunday alcohol sales, that's their prerogative; and if Forsyth County does not want Sunday alcohol sales, then their residents can vote it down at the ballot box.

That argument of local control over local issues is an argument that several local elected officials in northeast Georgia have echoed in recent days.

Athens-Clarke Mayor Nancy Denson and a majority of commissioners already are on record supporting a Sunday sales referendum.

The Braselton City Council will talk about Sunday sales at a work session May 5, City Manager Jennifer Dees said.

The Jackson County Commission will follow the cities' lead, Chairman Hunter Bicknell said.

Watkinsville citizens haven't made their opinions known one way or the other, Mayor Joe Walter said.

"We haven't really thought about it," Walter said. "It's something that would have to come from the citizens."

Oconee County Commission Chairman Melvin Davis said he is personally opposed to [Sunday alcohol sales], but would support putting it on the ballot if voters ask.

Aued, Blake (2011-4-24). No rush to vote on Sunday sales. Athens Banner-Herald. Retrieved on 2011-4-26.

Once Gov. Deal signs SB 10 into law, the following question will appear on voters' ballots once their city or county authorizes the referendum:

"Shall the governing authority of (name of county or municipality) be authorized to permit and regulate package sales by retailers of both malt beverages and wine on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 P.M. and 11:30 P.M.?"

All those in favor will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no. If more than one-half of the votes cast are in favor of Sunday sales, then the sale of alcohol on Sundays is legal. If the people vote no, then that's that.

At the end of the day, either way, the people at the local level will have spoken. At the end of the day, it's all about local control.

Albany City Commissioner Urges Georgians to Boycott Gas Until Prices Drop Below $3

noreply@blogger.com (Andre Walker) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 08:42:00 +0000

Remember the days when you could get a full tank of gas for about $10?

Those days are long gone as many Georgians are seeing fuel prices edge closer to $4 per gallon.

According to Georgia Gas Prices.com, the state's average price at the pump is $3.75. In Stamford, Connecticut, gas just broke the 5 dollar barrier. And some economists are saying that unrest in the middle east could bring those high prices to the entire nation sooner rather than later [$5 Gas Hits Connecticut; $6-Plus Predicted For Tri-State Very Soon. CBS New York. Retrieved on 2011-4-26.].

Fed up with these high gasoline prices, an elected official from the southwest Georgia city of Albany is calling on Georgians to "minimize their use of gas until the price drops below $3 a gallon."

Albany City Commissioner Roger Marietta has established a Facebook group that urges members to boycott gasoline until the price drops below three dollars per gallon.

Marietta says he got the idea after seeing the effect of social media on the recent uprisings in the Middle East.

"If they can do it to overthrow a king, we sure can do it just to lower the price of gas and so collective action works," said Marietta.

Kennedy, James (2011-4-25). Albany city leader calls for gas strike. WFXL-TV. Retrieved on 2011-4-26.

The Facebook group, which can be found here, currently has 95 people pledging to strike until gas goes below three dollars.

Did WSB-TV's Justin Farmer ask Barack Obama tough questions?
	Yes, he did. Justin Farmer held the President accountable.
	No, he did not. Farmer was spoon-fed talking points by Obama.

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