Cruise isn’t Paramount anymore

Literally, Paramount Pictures severed ties with Tom Cruise citing his unstable pubilc behavior. Tom Cruise without a prodcution company…go figure,

Sean Hannity has a Media Machine…

All of this, according to “Minister” Nashim Nxinga of the New Black Panthers, is the case.

In a video interview on Hannity and Colmes Friday evening, Nxinga blamed the media machine and “your Jewish producers” referring to the Fox News Corp., for Cynthia McKinney’s loss on August 8th.

Is that really why she lost “Minister” Nxinga? Or maybe could it have a bit to do with the fact that she assualted a Capitol police officer, spewed conspiracy regarding 9-11, failed to show up for debates during the primaries, missed numerous votes in Congress, wasted constituent’s time attempting to re-open the murder case of Tupac (another conspiracy), and the list continues…

But yeah, you’re probably right Minister. Sean Hannity and his media machine and the Jews did it…and I payed a dollar for a gallon of gas. Yeah right.

Clearly anti-Jewish, Nxinga riddled the rest of the interview with comments blaming “Jews” for McKinney’s loss. If you didn’t catch the latest debacle regarding McKinney…as she left the election result event, Nxinga, her supporters and her bodyguards were left to both verbally and physically assault the press and Jewish people. This incident, which is more a travesty that incident, sparked major controversy.

In addition to “the Jews being at fault”, Nxinga blamed the media machine and its constant “slant” of the congressional race and the congresswoman.

With ethinc slurs and battery charges, McKinney’s support base is showing some truer colors. Now, I’m not naive or ignorant enough to categorize all of McKinney’s supporters as the images of hate these people portray. However, it does speak volumes that these are the ones the Congresswoman surrounds herself with.

I’m just glad she’ll no longer officially represent the state of Georgia after January. And moreover, that she won’t have official access to her soap box, spouting treason and support of ridiculous conspiracy theories. She is not worthy of the title of Congresswoman. Not worthy. At all.

Congrats to Gary; Good Riddance- The Cynthia McKinney Saga

A Big Congratulations to Gary Black and his campaign. That team not only ran an effective campaign, it was the most positive one around. Good job guys. Way to keep it classy.

I know I’m not the only one exctied about McKinney’s being purged from the political theatre, so if you have any thoughts, I’d love to hear them.

McKinney Gets No Love From Taylor

An article appearing today in the AJC highlights an interesting dynamic between Mark Taylor and Cynthia McKinney.

U.S. Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney has pledged her full support and endorsement for GA’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate, current Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor. Most may know McKinney as the representative embattled with the US Capitol Police; she’s the one who struck the cop with her cell phone.

However, more recently, she’s been in the national spotlight due to her upcoming run-off election with Mr. Hank Johnson, a Dekalb County Commissioner. Both now vying for the 4th District.

This run-off has not only gained national attention due to McKinney’s certain “celebrity”, which could be attributed to her fit with the Capitol police as well as her hair, but also because early on, she was thought the shoe-in. Johnson’s impressive performance in the election, determined that would not be the case.

With such focus on her campaign coupled with the strength of her opponent’s, McKinney will be looking for help anywhere she can get it. But it’s not coming from Mark Taylor.

Taylor’s campaign put forth this statement: “”We’re not endorsing any of the Democrats in the runoffs,” 
While that may sound innocent, consider that before a few weeks ago during the primaries, Taylor’s site diplayed McKinney’s endorsement. Now that the general election is on the horizon, it’s no where to be found.

If McKinney had to face a statewide election, it be over quicker than a knife fight in a phone booth. She’d be demolished. And Taylor knows that very well. If GA voters effectively tie McKinney to Taylor and likewise, that hurts Taylor in the long run and in facing a popular incumbent, Taylor will need all the help he can get as well.

Viewing this situation in a broader scope, you begin to see the major reason the Democrats have not yet fashioned a way to outpace the GOP; they don’t have a common, uniting thread, save an aversion to Republican politics. They are having trouble balancing politics and electability. And so, they may often find themselves not supporting a fellow democrat in order to win an election, by distancing themselves from that candidate and what they may or may not symbolize. Joe Lieberman’s situation is another example of this dilemma.

That’s one way to look at the McKinney/Taylor relationship, here’s another: McKinney is drawing nothing but reprimand and bad publicity for the Democrats. This is a fairly accepted notion, except among the kool-aid drinkers in the 4th who put her in office. Have the Democrats realized her kool-aid is sour? Maybe so.

A sort of catharsis, if you will, may be occurring. I’m not suggesting widespread conspiracy to defeat McKinney, but I do suspect that many Democrats would feel better with a more level-headed and mild tempered representative. And Taylor’s denial of support hints as this notion. In Johnson, they may find a more manageable ambassador from the 4th District.

It’s a thought to be entertained. “Purging” candidates and people from parties has certainly happened before and we may be seeing it happen again; Taylor is definitely one more nail in McKinney’s coffin. An better yet, that’s his attempt to stave off a political obituary for him come November.

We’ll see about that one. But one thing is for sure: McKinney has a fight on her hands and it seems she may have fired all the big guns she’s got, with no more in sight; unless you consider Cindy Sheehan a big gun. And I don’t. She’s more a plastic pistol, the kind that shoot those annoying little orange pellets…

Gary Black will “Run Off” With The Nomination

Until August 8th, Gary Black and Brian Kemp are now, undeniably, in one of the most talked about races in the state. I’m not sure if they’re competing at the level of Cynthia McKinney’s run-off with Hank Johnson, but if not, pretty darn close.

Now, I stand firmly behind Gary Black in this race but, before I go forward, I must say that if Gary was in Brian’s shoes right now, I’d deliver the same prediction I am preparing to lay out now; for the most part anyway. There probably would have been a little wishful thinking…

Here’s the long and short of it: Gary Black would have won had both Greer and Strickland gained 4 points less each. In order for Brian to have won, they both would have had to drop 12 points a piece. And with Greer at 15.9% and Strickland at 15%, that would have been practically their entire percentage of votes. And all of that is working under the assumption that all of those votes would have gone to Kemp; unlikely.

The face-results greatly favor Mr. Black, but lets move into further detail, shall we?

The vast majority of votes carried by Strickland and Greer were gleaned from southern & southwestern counties. However, Gary did well in most of those counties. In fact, out of the 159 counties in the state, Black carried 142 of them.

Take a look at Bulloch:

Black Greer Kemp Strick.

978

252

389

1,201

This being one of the counties Black didn’t win, he came very close compared to Kemp, who would almost have to had tripled his numbers to compete.

Folks are talking about Strickland and Greer’s endorsement of Kemp and how it will push him over the top…no way. Nowadays candidates welcome endorsements and they do help some in retrieving votes, but they’re mostly a fundraising tool. You get a big so and so somebody to come endorse you, throw a huge party, charge at the door or per plate and rake in the cash. That’s how essential endorsements help push candidates over the top.

Now, I’m not discrediting Greer or Strickland here, nor am I saying that endorsements don’t aid campaigns. Take Cagle’s victory, it was really nice for him to be able to say that over 400 elected officials endorsed his campaign, along with most of the state senate. However, when it came down to the ballot box, people were focused on the candidates.

Endorsements from Greer and Strickland, at this point, will help Brian a little bit. Some of the voters who cast their ballots for either of them will vote for Kemp. But many will vote for Black. And keep in mind, Kemp has miles to run if he is going catch up with Gary.

42% vs. 27%

I just don’t think its going to happen. All Gary needs is 9%. It’d be one thing if Black fell complacent and ran a lackluster and rather wanting run-off campaign, but I highly doubt that’ll be the case; especially after hearing him on election night.

Kemp has too much ground to cover. The only thing he has/had going for him, was little-very little name recognition from having served in the senate for 12 years. And that, plus a warmly succesful campaign wasn’t enough to push him over 30%. It’d simply be a miracle.

The Black Team will have quite a fetching strategy for the next 3 weeks or so and I hope Kemp is up to the challenge…of not being too disappointed come August 8th. I just don’t see it happening right now.

What an Exciting Primary!

RALPH REED CONCEDES!

Rather early in the returns, Ralph Reed concedes the election to Casey.

I was working the Cagle event as a “guard” for the family-staff suite. The excitement was tremendous at the Gwinnet Arena. Katie, the other guard, and I could tell something big was going on early on as a few of the staff started showing signs of pure joy. We knew something big had happened. We called over for one of the staff who said “Ralph just called, conceded, but keep it hush hush for now.” So, as Katie and I sat there absolutely brimming with elation, we kept the “off-limits” area secure. Those who were allowed had to know Casey’s mother’s name. It was rather awkward asking grown folk, with considerable years on me, if they “knew the password…”

Nevertheless, it was an exciting evening. One thing I will say about Reed, I appreciate his concession as early as he did it. He recognized that counties he needed were not going to be there and that he simply had lost the race. Rather than dragging it out until it was midnight, he “manned-up” and did a honorable thing; something a lot of folks may not have expected from him.

After leaving Cagle’s function, I went over to Gary Black’s party at Dave and Busters. I know going into that race, that Greer, after these last two weeks of bombardment-campaigning, was going to be a factor and potentially force a run-off. I did not see Strickland having the same effect. But, folks, a run-off is what we got.

That run-off, between Black and Brian Kemp, will be on August 8th. So keep your eyes peeled and ears open for a little more campaigning in the weeks to come.

If your curious about the results…

Congratulations to Casey! And good luck to Gary!

Go Vote!

Today is the day! Get out there and vote in your primary!

Primaries are Tomorrow

Folks, Tomorrow, Tuesday 18th, is the Georgia Republican and Democratic Primaries.

If you intend to vote. Don’t forget.
If you don’t intend to vote, it better be for two reasons:

1.) You’re not a Republican or Democrat and have no dog in any of the races.
2.) You are completely non-informed and would be shootin’ in the dark.

So go ahead and make plans to head out to your precinct on Tuesday and participate in our nation’s democratic process. And besides, who doesn’t want that kickin’ “I’m a Georgia Voter” sticker?

Hey Mark and Cathy, Keep Up The Great Work!

Current Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor and current Sec. of State Cathy Cox are in one of the most heated races in the state and in recent history. The Big Guy and Little Miss Bainbridge have a little more than a week before their names appear opposite each other on their primary’s gubernatorial ballot, but they’re doing all they can to separate themselves from each other right now. Both campaigns having gone negative and negative to the max have left few stones unturned in each candidates’ political and in a few instances, personal lives.

They’re both doing some of the footwork for the GOP when the general rolls around in November. A visit to youtube.com and a search of their names will give you some insight to what I mean, if you don’t already have an idea.

However, its not the prospect of having a battered candidate in the general election that should excite the GOP. When this primary is over, not only will the winner be scarred, but will be warmly, if at all, accepted by the other half of the Democratic party who voted for their guy. This primary, not unlike some others, but definitely more than most, is taking great care to divide the Democratic Party in the state and its voting blocs.

It will be especially hard to rally the party after the results of the 18th are announced. And sure, the loser will undoubtedly pledge their support for the winner and the Dem. party’s race for the Governor’s seat. But it won’t be that easy.

After alienating a core contingency of democratic voters (the Atlanta gay community), making accusations of ill-spent public funds used for campaign promotion, underhanded sweetheart deals, and much more, it’ll take more than a goodwill handshake between Mark and Cathy. Non-issue based attacks on candidates in a primary are far more likely to stick and be shock factors in the general election. The state already knows that the candidates from each party are going to differ on issues. That’s a given. But they may not know of ethic-code violations, criminal activity, or the other attacks coming out of this Democratic primary.

I will admit that the same dilemma is facing the GOP in the Lt. Gov. election, pitting State Senator Casey Cagle against Ralph Reed, however, I don’t think it will have nearly the lasting effect that that of Mark and Cathy’s battle royale.

Cox and Taylor have made crucial arguments opposing each other that will resonate throughout the post-primary campaign season. And, to make matters worse, those arguments are currently being analyzed and dolled-up by the Perdue’s campaign to make them even more cutting for the general election.

So anyone pulling for Sonny, should be rather satisfied with the extent to which the Dem. candidates in this primary have taken their campaigns. It may prove even more beneficial to Perdue come November, not that he’d need any help at this point.

Athens Mayoral Race Gets New Issue

In an article that appeared in The Red & Black, the student newspaper at the University of Georgia, Athens mayoral candidate Richard DeRose brings a big issue to the table.

The National Bio- and Agro- Defense program is considering a location on the UGA Campus. The school’s administration as well as state government has petitioned the federal government to base the program in the state, at UGA. DeRose’s concern stems from his worry of ‘biological threats.’ He opposes bringing the facility to Athens and is building his campaign for mayor, on that issue.

His concern is valid, however, what I think far outweighs those concerns is the economic impact this addition will have on the sputtering economic state of Athens. As reported, this new facility will potentially have a 6 billion dollar total impact; Athens, with an unemployment rate in the mid-30’s could use that shot in the arm.

The city’s current administration supports the plan, in part I think because of the economic impact and how it might shadow some of the poor, anti-business decisions of the ACC ( Athens Clarke County) Commission. Nonetheless, they recognize the benefits of such a facility outweigh the minimal risks.

The bigger picture shows a hotly contested mayoral race in Athens. The current Mayor, Heidi Davison has made her reelection intention known and will face several opponents. All of which have, yet another pressing issue on which to take a position. This one, however, should be a no-brainer.