Georgia Democrats need to lose the Kumbaya Image & start to develop a "Tough as Nails" Mentality.

If you asked any Republican why he or she is a Republican, it would take about 10 seconds to say lower taxes, smaller government and a strong defense. Yes, these are simplistic statements that leave out a host of important issues, but it does strike at the core of the Republican Party.

When asking the Democrats the same, many have to think for a second before answering. That's a sign that all isn't well.

The failure to have a clear and concise agenda from which to speak makes it difficult for anyone to embrace your party. When precious time is spent explaining where you stand, most people have tuned you out and turned you off.

If the Democratic Party want any chance of becoming a force in this state once again, then they must do several critical things:

Make clear what a 2010 Georgia Democrat is. The strength of the party is its diversity, and that is also its weakness. The GOPers are pretty much in agreement, save for a few moderates, (wait a minute, there are no moderates in the Georgia GOP) But when you have so many interest groups vying for attention, ethnic groups, labor, environmentalists, gays and lesbians, that makes it hard to establish a coherent message. Democrats can't please every segment of the population & that in my opinion is one of their biggest problems. Maybe its time to cut some of these folks out of the party.

Find some pit bulls, rottweilers, and let them loose. The Democrats ALWAYS play nice politics. DAMN THAT! They keep bringing a knife to a gunfight and wonder why more of them are sent to the morgue. These guys need a cadre of men and women who are going to spit out a more mainstream party message with fire, venom & with spunk. Honey ain't getting them that many votes right now.


Get rid of these far-left democrats. When voters have to choose between a far-left liberal democrat and a more moderate/conservative democrat, they'll go for the former. When Democrats explain exactly what a Democrat is, they will have a better shot at getting folks to buy into their program. Too many wings in the democratic party. The party of Nunn (Sam), Miller (Zell) need to come back & take hold of the party again like it had prior to 2002.

Develop some stars. Who can carry the Democratic banner? The State Democratic bench is very weak. Some say Roy Barnes had his shot, and someone else needs to step up & take hold of the democratic torch like Gen. Poythress, DuBose Porter, Thurbert Baker, Carl Camon. Its possible that every statewide office may go republican this year, & there's a chance it all could go democratic, or it could be a bi-partisan.

If the Georgia Democratic Party continues down its present path, we might as well look at splitting the party into two, especially if democrats perform poorly at the polls this year 'cause this state is fast becoming a one-horse town, and that is never good for anyone.

Get rid some of these Black Atlanta Democrats who just got a title of State Rep. or State Senator on the front of their desk & replace then with more moderate/conservative democrats with a "Im a go-getta attitude" like Shawn James, who is running for HD 75. Let's face it, the GOP have NO RESPECT for the Black Metro Atlanta Democrats save for a few like Roger Bruce, Emaunel Jones, Mike Glanton, just to name a few. The amswer is for democrats need to weed out the ineffective black legislators & replace them with moderate/conservative black democrats, even court some black republicans & convince them to switch parties & run as conservative democrats.


While the GOP have been absolutely atrocious when it comes to governing this state, there are none better when it comes to keeping their troops in line. While most Democrats are wedded to independent thought, they tend not to want to adopt the Republican tactic of forcing members to toe the party line. But the GOP is using the Democratic party's idealism against them, so if the Democratic Party wants to survive in this cut-throat political environment, they're going to have to get use to adding practical political tactics to their ideals.

Time to get tough democrats! Stop being the nice guy!!

Like on Crime for instance: I like to see a democrat who believes that every person inherently knows right from wrong, whether they were raised by harlot on the mean streets of Southside Atlanta, or by a wealthy Episcopal minister in the ritzy 'burbs of Alpharetts. They know that the solution to violent crime is to beat the hell out of the perpetrators, not someone know that when someone commits a crime, it is society that has failed and should have to pay in the form of higher taxes and reduced freedom. NO!


When you are perceived as too nice, the voters may take that as saw as a weakness.

TIME TO GET TOUGH DEMOCRATS!!!

Why are "Wedge Issues" Key for Republicans?

First of all, wedge issues are emotional in appeal. Name any Republican wedge issue from immigration, to abortion, to gay marriage, to flag burning, not to mention the granddaddy of them all: "the war on terrorism" and FEAR, and you run head into an emotional, not a reasoned, hook.

In short, the Republicans are TREMENDOUSLY SKILLED AT EMPLOYING THE ART OF THE DEMAGOGUE TO GET AMERICANS, AROUND HALF AT ANY GIVEN TIME, TO AVOID,REASONED DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC POLICY,(WHICH IS SO TRUE!). They do this by appealing to emotional, instinctual reactions that are not processed through a thoughtful process. It's called pressing a hot button.

Second of all, the Republicans use wedge issues to, essentially, pickpocket the American public.

While they have the public and the media distracted with red hot emotional topics, they go off and make the wealthy wealthier, increase our national debt, and take away government social services. Wedge issues are a powerful distraction and allow the right wing to accomplish their goals while the public is preoccupied with some trumped up emotional issue that the Busheviks could care less about.

Finally, wedge issues are a tremendous fundraising tool for the right wing. In fact, the campaigns of right wing candidates were financed by the money generated by right wing wedge issue direct mail. Richard Viguerie was the guru who started the direct mail juggernaut for GOP candidates and organizations and he's still going strong. It was said to me that Rove came to the fore in Texas politics as a direct mail consultant.

In short, wedge issues that press the hot buttons of right wing donors sell big time. In essence, these are topics like "gay marriage," "abortion," and "war on terror" that you include in the first sentence of a GOP direct mail piece and you are guaranteed a good response because they have such visceral impact on Stepford GOP followers.

Progressives and Democrats have far fewer "pre-sold" appeals, except for the mention of Bush and Cheney (or even now Sarah Palin), because progressives and Democrats think more before acting. That may sound snobbish at times, but it's true from a direct mail perspective.

Basically, the Republican "rule by emotional appeal" boils down to a big brother elitism whose message to Americans is simply this: "Don't think. We'll do the thinking for you. Just follow."

Hey, if it didn't work, the GOP would have left that Boat behind years ago. But it works! And as long as the American Public gets all caught up in that rhetoric, it will always be part of the American Political Arena.

Will the Third Time be the Charm for Rural Democrat John Tibbetts for House District 153?

John Tibbetts (D-Tifton), a conservative democrat & Army Veteran will try for a third time in winning a seat to the Georgia Legislature representing HD 153, being vacated by Austin Scott who first was running for governor, now running against another conservative democrat Jim Marshall (D-Macon), a Vietnam War Veteran.

Tibbetts came close to knocking off Scott in his first two tries, last in 2008 where he got 47% of the vote. This time, the seat is a open seat, which should be a advantage for Tibbetts has built in support in the district from his previous two runs for the seat. He faces Tony McBrayer (R-Tifton) who is a active member of the Tiftarea Tea Party Patriots & a small business owner for the open House Seat in November.

Tibbetts wants to Protect the Agribusiness industry and ensure South Georgia's water stays in South Georgia, and he wants to see a fiscally conservative, ethical, and open fair government. But the two biggies are education & the economy.

One reason the third time maybe the charm for Tibbetts: Andy Smith. Smith is the campaign manager for John Tibbetts. Smith, who I know personally is a party activist for the Georgia Democratic Party & member of the Young Democrats of Georgia. Smith is from Folkston County & his rural background will pay dividends for Tibbetts as he tries to win the seat this his third try. Smith as a sharp political mind & has knowledge of the critical issues facing Georgia.


Tibbetts is a native of Tift County & a graduate of Tift County High School. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, & Served our country for 21 years in the Army, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel.

His website is www.john4house153.com

SWGA Politics.com Candidate Forum on June 12

SWGAPolitics.com candidate forum will be held in Leesburg, which is about 35-40 miles south of my hometown of Oglethorpe on June 12 & here are the following who will attend the forum:

Republican gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal, Democrat Thurbert Baker and Libertarian John Monds are among the statewide office seekers who plan to participate in the SWGAPolitics.com candidate forum at the Opal Cannon Auditorium of the the T. Page Tharp Governmental Building.

Rick Allen, a Republican challenging Sanford Bishop for his congressional seat, and Chuck Donovan, a Libertarian running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Johnny Isakson, also are confirmed for the event.


Other statewide candidates who have committed to taking part in the event include Republicans Tom Knox and Denis Cain and Libertarian Shane Bruce, who are running for insurance commissioner;

Secretary of State candidates David Chastain, a Libertarian, and Democrat Angela Moore; and Libertarian Kira Willis, Republican Richard Woods and Democrat Brian Westlake, all of whom are running for state school superintendent.

Also confirmed for the event are Agriculture Commisisoner candidates Kevin Cherry and Darwin Carter, a Libertarian and Republican, respectively; Labor Commissioner hopeful Will Costa, a Libertarian; and Republican John Douglas, a candidate for the Public Service Commission.

SWGAPolitics.com was founded by Jeff Sexton, Tim Nelson, the event organizer is a contrubutor to SWGA Politics, as well as Tom Knighton, who is editor & siite administrator at SWGA Politics.

Election 2010: Georgia Governor

New Poll from Rasmussen:

John Oxendine (R)
43%

Roy Barnes (D)
39%

Some other candidate
11%

Not sure
7%


Nathan Deal (R)
47%

Roy Barnes (D)
40%

Some other candidate
6%

Not sure
7%





Karen Handel (R)
42%

Roy Barnes (D)
39%

Some other candidate
9%

Not sure
10%




Eric Johnson (R)
38%

Roy Barnes (D)
42%

Some other candidate
9%

Not sure

11%


John Oxendine (R)
50%

Thurbert Baker (D)
29%

Some other candidate
9%

Not sure
12%



Nathan Deal (R)
47%

Thurbert Baker (D)
30%

Some other candidate
10%

Not sure
12%



Karen Handel (R)
43%

Thurbert Baker (D)
32%

Some other candidate
10%

Not sure
14%



Eric Johnson (R)
42%

Thurbert Baker (D)
30%

Some other candidate
11%

Not sure
17%


Democrat Roy Barnes trails three of his top four Republican opponents for the governorship of Georgia again this month. Barnes’ rival for the Democratic nomination, Thurbert Baker, runs a distant second to all the GOP hopefuls.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Georgia finds Congressman Nathan Deal still running slightly stronger than the other Republicans. Deal earns 47% support to Barnes’ 40%, virtually identical to his 46% to 39% lead a month ago. Against Baker, Deal posts a 47% to 30% lead.

State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel edge Barnes by nearly identical margins – 43% to 39% and 42% to 39% respectively.

In April, both contests were virtual ties – Oxendine leading Barnes 45% to 43%, Handel besting the former Democratic governor 42% to 41%.



Against Baker, Georgia’s attorney general, Oxendine holds a 50% to 29% lead. Handel runs ahead of Baker by 11 points – 43% to 32%.

Barnes continues to lead just one of the top GOP hopefuls. He picks up 42% to State Senate President Eric Johnson’s 38%, marking virtually no change from a month ago. Johnson leads Baker 42% to 30%.

Barnes ran strongest against all the Republicans in March but has been unable to rise above the low 40s in any of the match-ups. Both parties pick their nominees in July 20 primaries.


What happened for Barnes to all of a sudden drop being in a tie with most of the GOP candidates to now be trailing by 4% to Oxendine to as much as 7% to Nathan Deal? Hmmmmmm.........

And its hard for me to believe that Nathan Deal is getting 47% of the vote with all of his ethical problems, while if you look at IA Poll, it shows him trailing Oxendine & barely inching ahead of Karen Handel. Its still early!

And why isn't Rasmussen polling Gen. Poythress against the GOP candidates? Or DuBose Porter?

Thurbert, Thurbert, Thurbert, this isn't going to cut it!

Thurbert Baker, that is! I've seen alot of Gen. David Poythress in small town Georgia, I've seen Roy Barnes in small town Georgia, I've seen DuBose Porter in small town Georgia, I've seen Carl Camon in small town Georgia, but.........where on earth is Thurbert Baker?

As I can recall, he made appearances in Bainbridge, Statesboro. That's it! Unless I've been asleep, I haven't heard or seen Baker in any part of rural Georgia. Let me say this: Thurbert, you got to show your face in these neck of the woods. If your campaign strategy is only appealing to black voters & urban liberals, that's not a recipe for success. Say you end up as the democratic nominee, you'll be waaaaay behind as far as a strong grassroots organization here in rural Georgia.

You have made interesting & very attractive proposals for getting Ga's economy back going again. But that won't be enough. Polls showing you trailing all of the GOP candidates in double digits. Not good sir! Unlike Poythress, Barnes, Porter, Camon who have made a committment to rural georgia, you haven't. This election is too important for the democratic party & right now you have a "WEAK" presence in rural georgia. The same 'ol strategy thr dems have used for years isn't going to work.

Right now, you are looking like the "BLACK" candidate & that's a non-starter in appealing to a more conservative leaning electorate if you advance to the general election.

DuBose Porter Pro-Life? Yes! Dems Better hope Carol Porter is the same.

Up yonder in Clarke County, Blake Aued, who runs the blog OnlineAthens.com conducted a interview with DuBose Porter. In the interview he asked Porter where does he stand on the issue of Abortion:

Aued asked him a question concerning biotech research, in which he prefaced a question about embryonic stem cells by asking him whether he was pro-life or pro-choice.

Porter said: He said he believes abortion ought to be legal in cases of rape, incest or to save the mother’s life. So, otherwise, you’re pro-life, then, right? Right, he said, but with the caveat that state governments don’t have much control over the issue.

So what's the big deal? Well in the democratic primary where the voters are more to the left on issues, this could be a killer for his campaign especially among liberal democratic women in the metro Atlanta area. Porter is a rural, christian democrat, so this revelation comes as no surprise to me. I'd say porter, stick to your beliefs & core principles. Bend an inch & if you do go on to win the primary, it will come back to haunt you in a big way.

So over at the AJC, Jim Galloway ask the question: where is Carol Porter on this? Well for her sake & her campaign, I hope she is pro-life as well. Despite the bad economy, high job losses & massive cuts to education, if she were to declare she's pro-choice, she can kiss her campaign good bye, despite the weak status of incumbent Casey Cagle, who would welcome the chance of talking about a wedge issue instead of education, teacher furloughs, the economy ethics corruption, etc.