Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for February 14, 2014

On February 14, 2012, we published the first edition of the GaPundit daily political news, featuring dogs. We originally thought that the dogs would be temporary until enough people complained about them that we felt the need to go to once a week. We were surprised that the adoptable dogs have become the signature of GaPundit’s otherwise-political offerings and our greatest success. With you help, we estimate we’ve saved about 70 dogs during the past two years, based on reports from readers. Thank you!

Campaigns and Elections

On February 14, 1779, Lt. Col. Elijah Clarke led a charge against British forces at the Battle of Kettle Creek.

On February 14, 1956, the Georgia General Assembly passed legislation calling for the protection, cleaning and maintenance, and display of historic Confederate flags at the State Capitol.

On February 14, 1958, the Georgia General Assembly passed a resolution purporting to censure President Dwight D. Eisenhower for using National Guard troops in the integration of schools in Little Rock, Arkansas.

On February 14, 1977, the B-52s played their first gig at a Valentine’s Day party in Athens.

Later that year, the group began making regular runs in the Wilson family station wagon up to New York City for gigs at seminal New Wave clubs like Max’s Kansas City and CBGB’s. With Kate and Cindy in their mile-high beehive wigs and 60s thrift-shop best, and Fred looking like a gay, demented golf pro, the B-52s made an immediate impression on the New York scene, and their independently produced single, “Rock Lobster,” became an underground smash.

The B-52s are still in business three decades later, minus Ricky Wilson, who died of AIDS in 1985. Significantly, their success is widely credited for establishing the viability of the Athens, Georgia, music scene, which would produce many minor successes and one massive one—R.E.M.—in the years immediately following the breakthrough of the B-52’s.

One year ago today, on February 14, 2013, President Barack Obama visited Atlanta.

State House Candidate Bert Reeves made the most of the fact that not only was he snowed-in, but his neighbors and district voters were too, by going door-to-door once the Sheriff’s office lifted their request that folks stay home.

I’d be willing to bet the percentage of voters at home was the highest he’ll see during the campaign. Lucky for Reeves he was prepared with mountaineering gear for traction.

Like most folks in Washington, DC, the Washington Post couldn’t help chiming in about what benighted Georgians should have learned from the winter storms, and offered four lessons we should take from the past two weeks. The only thing interesting was their take on how to dress like a leader.

When there’s a disaster, you put on something casual but commanding — a State Police polo shirt, say, or a fleece with “Governor” written on it — and you go on television and act like you’re in charge.

Over on InsiderAdvantage, I wrote this morning that the fight between State Senator Jason Carter and Governor Nathan Deal over whether Georgia should expand Medicaid eligibility, and the role of the legislature in this policy arena is not so much about governance, as it is about chasing the votes of self-identified political Independents.

A recent poll by InsiderAdvantage found that expanding Medicaid eligibility is not the kind of issue that politicians would ordinarily choose the hang their campaign on.

 

“Thirty-five percent of voters favor expanding benefits to more people, but nearly 50% oppose such a move. And ironically, only 31% of Democrats who responded to the poll favor an expansion of Medicaid as required by the law.”

An earlier poll by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution found differently on the question of expanding Medicaid eligibility.

Fifty-seven percent of Georgians support the expansion, however, while 39 percent oppose it, according to the statewide poll conducted for the AJC by Abt SRBI. Almost nine in 10 Democrats supported the move versus just 25 percent of Republicans. Support for the expansion was strongest among poll respondents in metro Atlanta (69 percent in favor); people who earn less than $50,000 a year (71 percent); and those in the 18-39 age group (62 percent).

 

I also discussed what I think the diffence is between the InsiderAdvantage results and those from the AJC. Pro-tip: it’s all in how you ask the question.

Americans for Prosperity Georgia are holding a “Georgia Against Obamacare Rally” on Monday, February 17, 2014.

Speakers at the rally include State Attorney General Sam Olens, State Representatives Jason Spencer and State Representative Scott Turner, State Senator Judson Hill, Carolyn Cosby of Georgians For Health Care Freedom, Americans For Prosperity Georgia’s Joel Aaron Foster, North Georgia Tea Party Alliance’s Jack Smith, the Georgia Tea Party’s Jim Jess, Docs4PatientCare’s Dr.Brian Hill, Julianne Thompson of Capitol Coalition of Conservative Leaders and individuals impacted by the new health care law.

When: Monday, February 17th, 11:30am-12:30pm

The Georgia Federation of Young Republicans has launched their new website at GeorgiaYRs.com.

Among the new features are the chapter index, statewide contacts, and calendar sections. The tools will help young republicans connect and get involved with their local clubs like never before. The calendar section includes events from all over the state, so whether you’re in the Atlanta Metro or in South Georgia, visitors can quickly find their way to an event in their area.

In addition, the site includes new resources to assist with chapter development. The tools are geared towards recently chartered clubs, allowing them to effectively organize and hit the ground running to promote conservative values among the 18-40 age voters. Along with the revamped site, GYR is also proud to announce Statewide Member Spotlights which will regularly feature an outstanding club member from across Georgia.

“Our age demographic expects a serious company, brand, or organization to have internet presence that provides us the information instantaneously. The Georgia Young Republicans are no different. We are pleased to be upgrading our website to provide resources to not only current Young Republicans but also potential members. I am excited to see how our new website will bring a heightened awareness of our local clubs, but also assist in the development of future clubs across Georgia,” said Chairwoman Meagan Hanson.

The United States Mint is issuing a silver dollar to commemorate the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. To this day, one of the best books about the history of Southern Politics and the Civil Rights Movement is Longest Debate: A Legislative History of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. When I studied Political Science at Emory, it was required reading for every class I ever took with Dr. Merle Black, and it remains relevant today.

Ask a question of the Georgia GOP Senate Candidates

Next Saturday, February 22d, I will be one of the panelists at the GAGOP Senate Debate. Visit the website and submit the question you want me to ask the candidates. If we get some good suggestions, I’ll pick one to ask at the debate.

Erratum

The candidate who announced to run in the Republican Primary for State House against Matt Dollar is Karen Hallacy, and her website is here.

On February 12, 2012, David Shafer was elected to the State Senate against three other candidates without a runoff.

Weekend Events

We highly suggest checking with the organizers before leaving home to attend any of the following events.

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Savannah Area GOP Women: Valentine’s Day Fashion Show

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Hall County GOP: Breakfast – Theme: Heart of Republican Politics

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Forsyth County GOP Breakfast: With Grayson, Woods, & Duncan

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Conservatism Outside the Box

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David Perdue – U.S. Senate: Meet and Greet

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Sen. Steve Gooch: Town Hall Meeting in Cleveland

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Senator John Albers: Johns Creek Town Hall

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Senator Johnny Isakson: Town Hall

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