Cagle Wins (Reed Concedes)

July 18, 2006 21:14 pm

by Erick · 69 comments

About a third of Georgia’s precincts are in and Cagle has held a ten point lead. He is leading in urban areas and he is breaking even or leading in rural areas. He’s leading in his areas and he is leading in a lot of Ralph’s areas.

I’m going to call this race for Cagle now. Sure, things could change. But there has been a ten point lead all night. Cobb came strong for Cagle. Gwinnett is very close, but Cagle leads.

There seems to be no deviation between rural and urban counties.

The race goes to Casey. Does insider Advantage offer refunds?

{ 68 comments }

MorganCoGOP July 18, 2006 at 9:35 pm

Wooohoooo….so who did you end of voting for Erick?

GOPeach July 18, 2006 at 9:37 pm

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

This reminds me of a Braves Game -
John Smotlz is pitching and Zell Miller is still
up at the plate.

It’s still early.Very early!

I am at the REED Victory Party and we are still
excited.

Maurice Atkinson July 18, 2006 at 9:37 pm

woohoo is right!!!! Hopefully it will be woohoo at 11 pm.

I just got back from a conference at Jekyll. I drove over to St. Simons yesterday and it was plastered with Reed signs.

politicalwidow July 18, 2006 at 9:38 pm

The chickens have hatched. Ralph cannot make this up

politicalwidow July 18, 2006 at 9:40 pm

So how did Erick end up voting?

Maurice Atkinson July 18, 2006 at 9:44 pm

Man,,,, I hope he doesn’t tell.

Chris July 18, 2006 at 9:44 pm

BahamaBoy says: “Hi Debbie”

Maurice Atkinson July 18, 2006 at 9:46 pm

Never mind Glynn County is going overwhelmingly for Cagle.

Demonbeck July 18, 2006 at 9:49 pm

With Jerry Keen and Jeff Chapman solidly in Cagle’s corner, what did you expect?

A lot of folks in Glynn were saying Reed in public and supporting Cagle privately.

Demonbeck July 18, 2006 at 9:50 pm

Cagle up 15,000!

Demonbeck July 18, 2006 at 9:51 pm

Up 2400 in Fulton alone!

jacewalden July 18, 2006 at 9:51 pm

GOPeach,

How can you call the event your at a “Victory Party”? I think “Pity Party” would be more appropriate. ;)

Chris July 18, 2006 at 9:52 pm

Rumor has it that: Ralph just conceeded…..

Chris July 18, 2006 at 9:55 pm

I should really log myself out, too.

Chris July 18, 2006 at 9:58 pm

Alright rjhatl… I’ll get my revenge tomorrow. I hope you like Voice outages……

MorganCoGOP July 18, 2006 at 10:00 pm

YES!!!! RALPH CONCEDES!!!!!!

GOPeach July 18, 2006 at 10:02 pm

I just heard it.

I guess now Ralph and Jo Anne can
get to smoochin again.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY RALPH & JO ANNE!

GOPeach & Judge Peach LOVE YOU!

We will always love you.
You are a champion and a Class Act!

GOPeach July 18, 2006 at 10:04 pm

The Victiry is relative.

The Victory is in JESUS not the Capital!

GOPeach July 18, 2006 at 10:08 pm

We REED folks have a LIFE!

It is much deeper than an
election. We are not sad.
We know God is protecting
Ralph. He has other plans.
We are excited!

Now let’s flush the toilet and
get busy taking the Lt. Gov,
seat with an (R) besdie it!

Demonbeck July 18, 2006 at 10:10 pm

BULLETIN: Reed Throws In Towel, Ending Bid For GOP LG

(7/18/06) Ralph Reed conceded Tuesday, throwing in the towel in his bid for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor.

InsiderAdvantage’s Chuck Clay called the race for Cagle at about 9:15 p.m., well before any other news organization and prior to the concession.

In a brief speech, Reed told supporters, “We’re very proud of the campaign that we ran. It was a positive, hopeful campaign about the issues, about fiscal responsibility, about improving schools through charters and choice.”

He added, “Tonight, my candidacy for lieutenant governor comes to an end, but the ideas for which I stood, the values for which you fought and the governing philosophy … will go on to victory.”

LINDA July 18, 2006 at 10:12 pm

Erick voted twice; once for each candidate!

Jeff Emanuel July 18, 2006 at 10:19 pm

You know, Demon, the PP called it at 9:14 — so Mr. Clay’s stealing a little un-earned thunder on that first to call thing :-)

GAWire July 18, 2006 at 10:24 pm

I agree … .Peach Pundit was first on calling the Lt Gov race.

Demonbeck July 18, 2006 at 10:31 pm

I threw that in there for the Reed quote. Confirming the concession.

duluthmom July 18, 2006 at 10:31 pm

Quote: “Tonight, my candidacy for lieutenant governor comes to an end, but the ideas for which I stood, the values for which you fought and the governing philosophy … will go on to victory.

And thankfully those ideas/values/philosophy won’t be tossed aside when the highest bidder comes a’ calling from now on.

Demonbeck July 18, 2006 at 10:32 pm

BTW is Debbie buying Steak and Egg dinners at HUDDLE House for everyone tonight?

UnknownTruths July 18, 2006 at 10:39 pm

It was great to meet everyone at the CAGLE VICTORY PARTY……………..watch the haters come out of the woodworks now ……….

Demonbeck July 18, 2006 at 10:41 pm

What’s up UnknownTruths! How crazy is the CAGLE VICTORY PARTY?

UnknownTruths July 18, 2006 at 10:45 pm

Whats up Demon…..great to hear from you via tele for the Victory party…..Casey gave a great speech….offered nice words about Ralph….and I had to leave early due to morning business…..but the crowd was Loud and Proud and ready for the months ahead for the next elections…………….wish you were there but understand why you werent……

duluthmom July 18, 2006 at 10:54 pm

And speaking of parties…curious minds want to know–just what was the playlist at the Reed party tonight GOPeach?

Perhaps Cry, cry, cry?
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/johnnycash/crycrycry.html

And Bahamaboy, I hope you guys played Tailspin per my request.

HSC Republican July 18, 2006 at 10:59 pm

To think this time last year Reed was a shoe in………….I was told I was crazy for a guy who would not break 30% of the vote! GO CASEY GO!!!!!!!!! Debbie where are you??????????

Briardawg July 18, 2006 at 11:11 pm

Casey’s party at the Gwinnett Arena was awesome. So happy!!

cagle2006 July 18, 2006 at 11:30 pm

I was at the Victory Party. It was the best moment in my life when WDUN was radio interviewing me asking me why I supported Casey Cagle as Ralph Reed announced his concession. I enjoyed meeting Chris Farris and others. I had one of the best times of my life at the Cagle Victory Party at Gwinnett Arena. Casey Cagle won the primary in Reed Terrority. I know about that one Reed worshippers. they really let the Reed propoganda go to their head. I guess Ralph Reed cracked under pressure. We have a Lieutenant Governor to Elect
””GO CASEY”"”

GOPeach July 18, 2006 at 11:51 pm

The Reed Party was like going to CHURCH!

Demonbeck July 18, 2006 at 11:55 pm

And that is why he lost…too much focus on getting out the CC vote.

BahamaBoy July 19, 2006 at 12:13 am

Just in from the Cagle party. Words can’t describe the jubilation and relief that moved over the crowd as the night wore on; absolute jubilation when Reed conceded on TV. Even though we couldn’t hear his words, we all knew what he was saying. Cagle gave one of his best, unprepared speeches and was very conciliatory towards his former adversary.

We have an election to win in November, so there will be no gloating. We set out to put the right man in position to win the LG seat and now we have to see him across the finish line. That will take the votes of lots of Reed supporters who must be feeling mighty low tonight. I’ve been in those shoes, too, so I extend my heartfelt congratulations for a campaign that was run about as good as it could be under the circumstances.

I always thought that Reed should not have made this run until he had gotten his house in order over all the lobbying scandals. Had he done that, he could have run in 2-4 years and had just about any office he wanted. But by brushing aside the mounting questions about character and integrity, he led his loyal following right over the cliff.

Tomorrow is another day and the sun will come up in the East. Let’s get back to work and enjoy knowing that all things happen for a reason. Cagle is destined to be Lieutenant Governor — Georgia’s first in more than 150 years. Reed is destined to pick up the pieces and try to put his career and life back together. Both men deserve our prayers and our best wishes.

Good luck Ralph. I truly hope you come back a changed man.

Demonbeck July 19, 2006 at 12:18 am

There are alot of us on here who would forgive Ralph, if he asked for it. He has to admit his mistakes in order to do so. This is no dig at him.

maryann July 19, 2006 at 12:19 am

One question: WHERE THE HELL IS DEBBIE NOW?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? So glad Reed went down!!!

Demonbeck July 19, 2006 at 12:24 am

By my calculations, if 90% of the vote is in now, given the disparity between Cagle and Reed, Reed could get all of the votes remaining and still not win. Is it safe to say he is now mathematically eliminated?

JP July 19, 2006 at 12:28 am

Bye bye Ralphie! Good riddance!

Jeff Emanuel July 19, 2006 at 12:33 am

Nice sentiments, BB

debbie0040 July 19, 2006 at 1:02 am

I am here . There are a lot of upset and angry Reed people right now. My hubby said he was voting Democrat or Libertarian and so did many other Reed supporters. I think that is the entirely wrong thing to do.. I have problems with Cagle but will vote for him anyway because he won the primary. The worst Republican is better than the best Democrat.

You Cagle people really have your work cut out for you on this one. I wish you luck.

I will urge Reed supporters to vote for Handel and Black. The State Senators need some humility…

UGAMatthew July 19, 2006 at 1:02 am

Cagle party was great, I was “guarding” the family and staff section and you wouldn’t believe how many were just dying to get in there and check out the war room; the excitment there was tremendous.

Bill S., the other “guard” graduated from Tech, we struggled at first, but managed to do just fine. Thought you’d find that agreeable.

I commend Ralph for conceding as early as he did, it made him seem somewhat more dignified as opposed to dragging the thing out til midnight.

debbie0040 July 19, 2006 at 1:05 am

BB, most of the votes were anti Reed not pro Cagle. It is doubtful Cagle will substain that same support with Reed out of the picture. I think Cagle will need everyone’s prayers to pull this out.

jackson July 19, 2006 at 1:15 am

Debbie0400 on 4/25: ” I have complete faith in the GOP Primary voters to decide who is best for the party.”

Bull Moose July 19, 2006 at 1:19 am

Okay, I’m sorry, but tonight, Georgia Republicans overwhelming rejected the politics of personal destruction that have so long prevailed too often.

Given the choice between a sincere candidate with experience, honor, integrity, and determination or another candidate, the voters chose, overwhelmingly mind you, the one with experience, honor, integrity, and determination.

Now is the time for us to lay aside our differences and unite behind Casey Cagle and Governor Purdue and move forward toward victory this November.

As for the party, I haven’t been to a campaign party that was that much fun – every. Everyone was jubilant from the moment it started at 7 PM. Even with the first votes trickling in, everyone was upbeat, warm, and excited about the nights results.

In moving forward, having been on the losing side of a primary before, I would submit to the former Reed people that if you can’t be excited and involved in the general election, you need to just not be involved. There is too much energy and excitement for you to not be a part of it, but if you still feel so strongly that you cannot, than I suggest you quietly sit on the side and not be a detriment to victory.

Mike Hassinger July 19, 2006 at 1:20 am

Debbie,
Does it really help to say most of the votes were anti-Reed and not pro-Cagle? Isn’t that kind of like saying Reed was the more dislikable?

GabrielSterling July 19, 2006 at 2:45 am

One question (this is not my original thought…but fitting). You wake up in like lets say, 4 1/2 hours and ou are Jim Martin and Greg Hecht. You get to fight over who gets to lose to Casey Cagle and spend the last of your money doing it. That can’t be fun. BTW I call this for Martin.

Jeff Emanuel July 19, 2006 at 2:59 am
Philly July 19, 2006 at 6:28 am

Bullmoose, I will not be involved by sitting out the November election. Let the Georgia GOP see how many races they can win without the christian conservative vote.

I know many feel as I do. Some will become active in other campaigns or vote and vote for Greg Hecht should he win or just skip the Lt. Governor’s office. Hecht seems to have the most appeal to conservatives and would probably defeat Cagle. Cagle will not be elected in November. Hecht or Martin will defeat him.

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