Comments on: Georgia Senate race debate — the Democrats http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/ Atlanta news and views, one slice at a time Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:28:56 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Debra Poss http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/comment-page-1/#comment-76516 Debra Poss Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:45:04 +0000 http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/#comment-76516 When it comes to having experience in Washington, Josh Lanier is heads and shoulders above the rest. Josh Lanier worked as a congresional staffer in the U.S. Senate and in the House, and, ran a PAC, as well. A U.S. Senator needs to know much about Washington, and Josh Lanier certainly has the experience to know more about Washington than any other Democratic U.S. Senatorial Candidate. To find out more about Josh Lanier's experience in Washington, as well as in the military, please visit www.joshlanier.com. When it comes to having experience in Washington, Josh Lanier is heads and shoulders above the rest. Josh Lanier worked as a congresional staffer in the U.S. Senate and in the House, and, ran a PAC, as well.

A U.S. Senator needs to know much about Washington, and Josh Lanier certainly has the experience to know more about Washington than any other Democratic U.S. Senatorial Candidate.

To find out more about Josh Lanier’s experience in Washington, as well as in the military, please visit http://www.joshlanier.com.

]]> By: Ken Edelstein http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/comment-page-1/#comment-68853 Ken Edelstein Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:04:14 +0000 http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/#comment-68853 Whoa, SND. Wrong again! Before he was named HUD secretary, Mel Martinez was elected Orange County chairman in 1998 — kind of the equivalent in Florida politics to DeKalb CEO in Georgia. Nobody said there weren't exceptions to the previously-elected-official rule (guideline?) for successful US Senate candidates. But even they almost always are either wealthy enough to run self-funded campaigns (John Warner, Corzine) or very high profile public figures (Webb was Navy secretary; Fred Thompson former Watergate committee counsel and actor). Cardwell, Lanier and Knight just don't meet those criteria. You mischaracterize my "view," by the way. An honest reality check isn't the same as promoting an agenda. Whoa, SND. Wrong again! Before he was named HUD secretary, Mel Martinez was elected Orange County chairman in 1998 — kind of the equivalent in Florida politics to DeKalb CEO in Georgia.

Nobody said there weren’t exceptions to the previously-elected-official rule (guideline?) for successful US Senate candidates. But even they almost always are either wealthy enough to run self-funded campaigns (John Warner, Corzine) or very high profile public figures (Webb was Navy secretary; Fred Thompson former Watergate committee counsel and actor). Cardwell, Lanier and Knight just don’t meet those criteria.

You mischaracterize my “view,” by the way. An honest reality check isn’t the same as promoting an agenda.

]]> By: snd http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/comment-page-1/#comment-68847 snd Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:35:15 +0000 http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/#comment-68847 Well, ahem, Ken: so you draw a keen distinction between House and Senate as regards your argument on the delusion of running for federal office without have run before? Ok, I'll give you back Akaka, Baucus and Cantwell on technicality. Leahy, however, was a state prosecutor in Chittenden County, VT, a non-elected office, before running for the Senate. McConnell a near ceremonial position. Your commenter above reminds me also of Fred Thompson - first run, Senate. Ditto John Warner of Virginia. Frank Lautenber, yep. Mel Martinez, same. We simply differ on your view that Georgians would be best served by a limited choice of either bought-and-sold Saxby or a big-money-machine Democrat. I'm more interested in who would be a good Senator. Well, ahem, Ken: so you draw a keen distinction between House and Senate as regards your argument on the delusion of running for federal office without have run before? Ok, I’ll give you back Akaka, Baucus and Cantwell on technicality. Leahy, however, was a state prosecutor in Chittenden County, VT, a non-elected office, before running for the Senate. McConnell a near ceremonial position. Your commenter above reminds me also of Fred Thompson – first run, Senate. Ditto John Warner of Virginia. Frank Lautenber, yep. Mel Martinez, same.

We simply differ on your view that Georgians would be best served by a limited choice of either bought-and-sold Saxby or a big-money-machine Democrat. I’m more interested in who would be a good Senator.

]]> By: Ken Edelstein http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/comment-page-1/#comment-68776 Ken Edelstein Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:53:33 +0000 http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/#comment-68776 Ahem, SND: Akaka spent seven terms as a congressman before the Senate. Baucus: Montana House, 1973-1974, then Congress 75-78. Cantwell: U.S. House, 1992-1995, Washington House 86-92. Leahy: State's Attorney, 1966-1974. McConnell: Jefferson County Judge-Executive, 1978-85. Of course it takes a bit of delusion to think you'll win a U.S. Senate seat without prior elected experience. That doesn't mean it's impossible to win -- just very, very unlikely. Ahem, SND: Akaka spent seven terms as a congressman before the Senate. Baucus: Montana House, 1973-1974, then Congress 75-78. Cantwell: U.S. House, 1992-1995, Washington House 86-92. Leahy: State’s Attorney, 1966-1974. McConnell: Jefferson County Judge-Executive, 1978-85. Of course it takes a bit of delusion to think you’ll win a U.S. Senate seat without prior elected experience. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to win — just very, very unlikely.

]]> By: Joeventures http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/comment-page-1/#comment-68744 Joeventures Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:19:31 +0000 http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/#comment-68744 Nice photo there at the top. But I didn't realize Fred Thompson was running. Nice photo there at the top. But I didn’t realize Fred Thompson was running.

]]> By: ChrisU http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/comment-page-1/#comment-68738 ChrisU Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:43:36 +0000 http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/#comment-68738 "I agree that Rand Knight was the most impressive of the candidates on the issues. While Lanier did a good job of telling stories, and Cardwell repeated the same old Democratic clichés, Knight was able to provide innovative and logical solutions to the issues we are currently facing and the problems we will undoubtedly face in the future. Knight's strong stance on education, ending the war in Iraq, job creation and energy independence provided a welcome change to the stagnant rhetoric which we've become accustom. I was also impressed with Knight's organization. It seemed like Lanier and Cardwell both came alone, without supporters or any campaign info. But Knight had numerous signs outside of Emory and inside was table with campaign literature, buttons, stickers and signup sheets. Most importantly Knight had what looked like a small army of supporters, exactly what's needed to compete against Saxby and his Republication nation." “I agree that Rand Knight was the most impressive of the candidates on the issues. While Lanier did a good job of telling stories, and Cardwell repeated the same old Democratic clichés, Knight was able to provide innovative and logical solutions to the issues we are currently facing and the problems we will undoubtedly face in the future. Knight’s strong stance on education, ending the war in Iraq, job creation and energy independence provided a welcome change to the stagnant rhetoric which we’ve become accustom.

I was also impressed with Knight’s organization. It seemed like Lanier and Cardwell both came alone, without supporters or any campaign info. But Knight had numerous signs outside of Emory and inside was table with campaign literature, buttons, stickers and signup sheets. Most importantly Knight had what looked like a small army of supporters, exactly what’s needed to compete against Saxby and his Republication nation.”

]]> By: DaleC http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/comment-page-1/#comment-68736 DaleC Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:38:59 +0000 http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/#comment-68736 I read a "bit delusional" to mean that, of the hundreds of people who have made first time runs at the US Senate, only a handful have won. The incumbency advantage in the US Senate and House is almost insurmountable, especially combined with inexperience and no tested machine for election. Also, given the performance and prioities of many of our elected leaders, especially well documented in CL, condescension is a perfectly appropriate response. I read a “bit delusional” to mean that, of the hundreds of people who have made first time runs at the US Senate, only a handful have won. The incumbency advantage in the US Senate and House is almost insurmountable, especially combined with inexperience and no tested machine for election.

Also, given the performance and prioities of many of our elected leaders, especially well documented in CL, condescension is a perfectly appropriate response.

]]> By: ChatDem http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/comment-page-1/#comment-68734 ChatDem Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:27:51 +0000 http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/#comment-68734 If "Nobody’s going to crank up a bandwagon for the nomination or against Chambliss without a couple of million dollars," then I guess Saxby's potential opponent is named "Nobody," since none of the Dems has $2m to crank a nomination bandwagon. If “Nobody’s going to crank up a bandwagon for the nomination or against Chambliss without a couple of million dollars,” then I guess Saxby’s potential opponent is named “Nobody,” since none of the Dems has $2m to crank a nomination bandwagon.

]]> By: snd http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/comment-page-1/#comment-68731 snd Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:15:33 +0000 http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/#comment-68731 What a condescending view of people who run for public office. Do you mean "delusional" as in first-time candidates like Senators Webb, Biden, Akaka, Baucus, Cantwell, Leahy, Hatch, McConnell, etc. etc. and on and on? Who's delusional? What a condescending view of people who run for public office. Do you mean “delusional” as in first-time candidates like Senators Webb, Biden, Akaka, Baucus, Cantwell, Leahy, Hatch, McConnell, etc. etc. and on and on?

Who’s delusional?

]]> By: RobL http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/comment-page-1/#comment-68687 RobL Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:39:44 +0000 http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/03/georgia-senate-race-debate-%e2%80%94-the-democrats/#comment-68687 Funny thing about this piece is the claim that Martin lost by "a much smaller margin" than Taylor did. Didn't know that losing in a landslide by 12 points is something to be proud of. The numbers of votes Martin got compared to Taylor do not speak to Martin's abilities to win. They show how hard it is for a Democrat to win in Georgia and that Martin is unable to do so. Funny thing about this piece is the claim that Martin lost by “a much smaller margin” than Taylor did. Didn’t know that losing in a landslide by 12 points is something to be proud of.

The numbers of votes Martin got compared to Taylor do not speak to Martin’s abilities to win. They show how hard it is for a Democrat to win in Georgia and that Martin is unable to do so.

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