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Jun 04 2012

The Political Silly Season Begins

The summer months are called the “silly season” in politics. Since many campaigns haven’t yet started in earnest, political pundits are forced to report on sensational stories that wouldn’t ordinarily make the newspaper at all.

Our Republican friends are taking the “silly season” to the next level this year. The attacks against our Party have been vicious and unfounded. Why?

Because they know that Georgia Democrats are undergoing a transformation. We are resurging in areas that they never anticipated, and frankly, they’re worried.

For the first time in recent memory, GOP strongholds like Snellville and Morrow both have Democratic mayors.

Savannah has a Democratic super-majority on their council. In Columbia County- a county that voted 77% for Nathan Deal in 2010- our challenger came within 1% of becoming the first Democrat elected to County Commission.

In rural Georgia, all of Ben Hill County’s constitutional offices are incumbent and qualified in the Democratic Primary. The chair of the county is an incumbent Democrat, as are the two commissioners up for elections this cycle and each of them qualified for election. In Brantley County, the tiny town of Nahunta elected five Democrats, a recent record.

On a national scale, President Obama has visited Georgia multiple times this year, including a future visit on June 26. His campaign organization, Obama for America, is opening a new headquarters in Atlanta this Saturday.

Meanwhile, we have registered a record number of voters throughout the state to increase our Democratic performance in November.

Don’t believe the “sky is falling” rhetoric regarding our party. We are rebuilding and becoming stronger, and we’ve taken the fight to Georgia Republicans in a way that they never expected. They are intimidated, not only due to our recent growth, but also due to major problems among their own. For example:

– Republican State Senator Don Balfour, the powerful chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, is under investigation for filing inaccurate mileage reimbursements that may result in criminal charges.

– Republican Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers is under fire for his previous career as a sports handicapper. He promoted gambling via advertising financed by an offshore casino.

– Republican Speaker of the House David Ralston, the beneficiary of a $20,000+ lobbyist paid trip to Europe, is fighting tooth-and-nail against a $100 lobbyist cap, calling it a “liberal” plot to divide Republicans.

– Just today, Republican Senator Tommie Williams resigned as the powerful Senate Pro-Tem, an unexpected move that caught many in the Georgia Republican Party by surprise.

– And despite having a Governor, Lt. Governor, and a majority in the State House & Senate, the Republicans are having fundraising difficulties and are dipping into leftover funds from the last Governor’s election in order to pay the bills.

The “silly season” will continue, and eventually the pundits will focus on what is truly important in Georgia – Democratic initiatives to save the HOPE Scholarship, bring careers to South Georgia, and protect the reproductive rights of women and the voting rights of minorities.

Until then, remember that you have the power to help bring our state to a Democratic victory in November. Click here to join our email list to stay informed about the Democratic Party of Georgia, click here to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and if you feel inclined to contribute to our voter registration efforts, click here to make a donation.

We are strong. Don’t let the naysayers sway you into believing what isn’t true.

We are building to a successful future. We’d like your help.

Won’t you come along?

Mike Berlon, Chairman
Democratic Party of Georgia

Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Georgia Democrats, Georgia Republicans · Tagged: Chip Rogers, David Ralston, Democratic Party of Georgia, Don Balfour, Georgia Democratic Party, Mike Berlon, Tommie Williams

Jun 28 2011

Georgia “A Mess” Under Complete GOP control

Georgia – From tax dodges to undelivered subpoenas, the state of Georgia is in a mess unlike any the state has seen, contend loyal Democrats across the state.

The report of GOP House Speaker David Ralston’s house lien due to unpaid taxes is only the latest scandal in Georgia; his taxes have been late on this home for the past four years.

“It was reported earlier this month that subpoenas were about to be delivered to Governor Deal demanding his testimony under oath for ethical violations,” said Jeana Brown of Wayne County. “Instead, Republicans forced out the employee trying to deliver the subpoenas.”

Other under-reported scandals include:

  • Sen. Jack Murphy (R-Cumming), Senate Chairman of Banking and Financial Institutions, being sued for $70 million by the FDIC for his leadership in a failed bank. Georgia leads the nation in the number of failed banks.

  • State Senator Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) and Congressman Tom Graves (R-Ranger) being sued in a business deal for $2.3 million from another failed bank.

  • Governor Nathan Deal (R-Gainesville) using campaign money to pay for legal fees related to a congressional ethics probe while running for Governor.

  • Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) using public funds to pay for a Tea Party event.

“Crops are rotting in the fields of south Georgia because no one is around to pick them,” said Dr. Lowell Greenbaum of Richmond County. “Georgia’s future is being cut short.”

“Republicans have made a mess,” said Eric Gray, Democratic Party of Georgia spokesperson. “Hall County might close nearly every public park on Lake Lanier, while State Rep. Bobby Franklin suggests that tornado-ravaged Georgians who request federal assistance are ‘worshipping a false god’”

“It’s hard to watch our proud state being torn apart,” concluded Gray.

# # #

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, June 28 2011

 

Contact: Eric Gray

(678) 278-2108

Communications Director

[email protected]

 

Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Georgia Democrats, Georgia Republicans, Press Releases · Tagged: Bobby Franklin, Chip Rogers, GAGOP, Jack Murphy, Nathan Deal, Tom Graves

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