Georgia Politics, Campaigns & Elections for June 12, 2013

Fulton County GOP Barbecue Straw Poll Results

United States Senate

Broun	35	28.46%
Gingrey	5	4.07%
Grayson	0	0.00%
Handel	52	42.28%
Kingston	28	22.76%
Perdue	3	2.44%
	123

U.S. House of Representatives for the 11th District

CD11
Barr	20	19.23%
Levene	0	0.00%
Lindsey	43	41.35%
Loudermilk	33	31.73%
Pridemore	8	7.69%
	104

Here is the most important finding from the straw poll: most Republican activists are either undecided or don’t care yet about the 2014 elections.

The official count of attendees at the barbecue was more than 300, but only 123 of those people who paid money and came to midtown on a Saturday afternoon to attend a Republican Party function cared enough to vote in the straw poll.

This suggests to me three points relevant to a campaign strategy.

First, I would not be spending money advertising right now, except in media that target the highest propensity voters, like, say, the most-read email newsletter and website among Republican voters in your state.

Second, when you hit the point where 90% of the people you’re talking too were the same as last month, the candidate needs to spend that time on the phone dialing for dollars; candidates hate this, but should be doing it.

Third, straw polls fourteen months out are not super-exciting for voters, and their accuracy is right up there with the predictive power of the Magic 8 Ball.

Tomorrow, we’ll compare and contrast the numbers generated by (1) the Fulton GOP Barbecue straw poll on GAGOP Resolutions; (2) the answers from the GaPundit.com online voting (click here to vote); and (3) my Magic 8 Ball. Stay tuned.

Federal Immigration Reform Moves Forward

Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson both cast votes to move the immigration bill to the floor of the Senate.

“I voted to allow the immigration bill to come to the Senate floor to be debated and amended because illegal immigration is a problem that should be addressed, and securing the border is my number one priority in this debate,” Isakson said. “I look forward to a rigorous and meaningful debate on this issue, and I will reserve judgment on final passage until I see the final product after the amendment process. It is absolutely critical to our state and to this nation that any solution secures the borders, enforces our laws, and restores credibility to our broken immigration system.”

Chambliss said, “Immigration is a serious issue that deserves a serious discussion. … I look forward to a vigorous debate on the bill, and will continue to review the numerous modifications and amendments made during floor consideration with Georgians’ views in mind,”

Tea Party leader Debbie Dooley was not amused, writing on Facebook,

What difference does it make electing someone that has a R by their name when they vote with Democrats on important votes?

Senator Josh McKoon and several of his colleagues issued a letter urging a “No” vote on the measure.

“While we undoubtedly need to address the complex issue of immigration reform, we must ensure we’re doing what’s right for all Americans, especially the people of Georgia,” said Sen. McKoon. “In its current form, the proposed immigration bill would likely come at a high cost to taxpayers, leave unresolved security issues along the border and grant amnesty to countless illegal immigrants. While we wholeheartedly support legal paths to immigration, it is important we are respectful to the countless immigrants who obtained their citizenship through legal channels.”

As part of the letter sent to Congress, Georgia Legislators highlighted several areas of concern as it relates to the long-term effects of federal immigration reform and its ability to:

Maintain tight security along the borders at our ports and other national points of entry

Provide a fair, equitable path to citizenship

Ensure a cost effective solution that relives taxpayers and local governments from the astronomical costs associated with immigration

While we recognize numerous flaws with the proposal pending before the U.S. Senate, there are a few we would care to comment on in detail:

First, the start of real conservative reform on immigration is very simple — that is to provide for tight security along our borders at our ports and other points of entry to our nation. The remedies offered in the proposed bill are pitiful and provide no assurance that our territorial integrity will be maintained.

Jeff Chapman declares candidacy for Congressional District 1

State Rep. Jeff Chapman announced via Facebook that he will be a candidate for the Congressional seat being vacated by Congressman Jack Kingston. According to the Savannah Morning News,

Chapman, 53, said he will hold a formal campaign announcement event in the near future but wanted to get the word out as quickly as possible once he filed the necessary paperwork Monday afternoon with the Federal Elections Commission.

He said he spent the last several weeks speaking with politicians and voters throughout the 1st District before deciding he has a legitimate shot at succeeding Kingston in Washington.

“To me, it’s a ministry,” Chapman said Tuesday. “I enjoy serving people and now is a time, I think, that we need good strong leadership that will honor the Constitution and the public trust.”

Chapman has not yet hired a campaign manager or political consultant and conceded his organization is in its embryonic stage. Still, he felt it was important to enter the race now to begin raising campaign funds against the backdrop of a field that continues to expand.

“The big issue is how the federal government has interfered and intruded in the private lives of people,” Chapman said, referencing the current scandals involving the IRS and widespread electronic monitoring by national security agencies.

This opens another seat in the State House, and we can expect to begin hearing rumors and announcements for that seat in the coming weeks.

Death and Taxes

The death of Miller County Sheriff H.E. “Buddy” Glass has been ruled an accident after an autopsy showed he drowned in a pond behind his house and heart disease may have prevented him from getting out of the water.

When you name an anti-tax activist to the board overseeing SPLOST spending, don’t be surprised if SPLOST advocates object.

County Chairman Tim Lee on Tuesday delayed anti-tax activist Lance Lamberton from being appointed to the county’s 15-member citizen group that provides oversight for special purpose local option sales tax funds.

First-year Commissioner Lisa Cupid planned to appoint Lamberton, president of the Cobb Taxpayers Association, to the county’s SPLOST watchdog committee, but during Tuesday’s meeting she announced that a member of the Board of Commissioners had approached her with concerns about Lamberton.

An owner of waterfront property in Chatham County is organizing a mass appeal of property tax valuations.

The Savannah-Chatham County school board tentatively adopted a budget that includes a 1.5 mill property tax increase.

Ends and Pieces

A committee of lawyers has given a Fulton County judge an award, but won’t say what it’s for, citing confidentiality. Seriously. Ironically, the judge courted controversy by failing to disclose information to lawyers before her court.

State Senators Brandon Beach and John Albers, who ran against each other three years ago hugged it out politician style by holding a joint fundraiser. I award +1 to Lt. Governor Casey Cagle for wearing red pants, white shirt, and blue blazer and an additional +1 for loving America.

Governor Nathan Deal appointed Eric Robinson to a vacant seat on the Temple City Council in Carroll County.

Porsche Introduces new Race Car, an LMP1 Prototype

Porsche debuted its new LeMans Prototype, with which it intends to win the 24 Hours of LeMans and mount a full season campaign in 2014.

Since the decision in mid-2011 to return with the LMP1 racer to top motorsport as a works effort, the Motorsport Centre at Weissach has grown significantly. A workshop and an administration building were built and accommodate around 200 employees who are responsible for the design, assembly and deployment of the LMP1 car. From the 2014 season, the racer will be fielded by a Weissach-based works squad.

I can’t wait until the 2014 Petit LeMans at Road Atlanta.