Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana will be hosting a joint fundraiser with Georgia’s Sixth and Ninth Congressional District Republican Parties. Received via email:

For a few weeks I have dropped hints that there is news coming out of the Ninth.  I am not referring to the joint 9th-11th picnic to be held in Gordon county on April 17th; 24 candidates speaking with a straw poll.  More info on this event can be found at www.goppicnic.eventbrite.com .

What I am talking about is that I am pleased to announce that Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana will be doing a joint fundraiser with the Ninth and the Sixth at the Cobb County Galleria on June the 2nd.  Some of the metro-counties have commanded an out of state speaker, but I don’t recall a District doing that in recent years.  I hope you will attend.  The host committee and further details will be announced in a few weeks.  To learn more about Congressman Pence, go to www.mikepence.com .

Thanks,

Doug Grammer aka GOPGeorgia

Chairman, Ninth District of GOP Georgia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- March 15, 2010

Atlanta, GA—Co-sponsoring with the Federalist Society in the Law School, the Emory College Republicans will be hosting Gov. Mitt Romney for a speaking event and book-signing on March 30^th.

‘No Apology:  The Case for American Greatness’

The lecture for students, faculty, and other members of the Emory community is part of Romney’s 19-state tour for the release of his latest book.  Titled ‘No Apology,’ the book and lecture will focus on Gov. Romney’s fresh proposals for America to regain its former strength and find a new way forward.Gov. Romney is a successful American businessman, organizer of the 2002 Winter Olympics, former Governor of Massachusetts, candidate for the Republican nomination for President in 2008, and an anticipated candidate for 2012.  He spent much of his career as CEO of Bain and Company, a managing consulting firm, and was co-founder of Bain Capital, a private equity investment firm.

Event Details

Gov. Romney is scheduled to give his speech on March 30th in Glenn Memorial at 7:00pm. A question and answer period, as well as a book signing, will follow the lecture. The event is free and open to the public. No ticket is required though attendees are encouraged to register at www.law.emory.edu/mittromneyevent.  Seating is first-come/first-served with admittance for the general public beginning at 6:40 p.m. Parking is available in Lowergate South parking deck.

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue will introduce Romney. A question-and-answer session will take place from 8 to 8:30 p.m., and a book signing will follow.

Founded by Newt Gingrich in the early 1960’s, The Emory College Republicans are committed to encouraging a diverse political exchange on campus. Dedicated to expressing and articulating Republican and conservative viewpoints, the club is open to any Emory student. Members are given the opportunity to become involved in campaigns, attend notable lectures, and help further the conservative cause across the campus and state.

For more information about Gov. Romey’s visit, contact Emory CR Chairman Scott McAfee via e-mail at scott.f.mcafee@gmail.com

Last week, 9th District Congressional Candidate Lee Hawkins went on the new Mike Evans Show (Nike Air is a sponsor I’m guessing from Mike’s fashionable footwear) – and criticized the popular 2010 JOBS Act, sponsored by fellow 9^th District Congressional Candidate Tom Graves. So you don’t have to sit through the 13 minute Evans/Hawkins interview, here is what Hawkins said about the proposed legislation (at 10:42 in the video)…

“We’ve got a jobs bill that’s on the house side right now.  Governor didn’t sign it last year. I don’t know whether he’s going to sign it this time.  Really depends on the mechanism of the bill. You know we can’t go negative with that type of situation.  Can’t give job credits, more credits than employers are paying in their income tax.  Also on a federal level you know the Obama Administration has a similar approach to jobs.”

Hawkins, before joining the race with Graves, I might add, had a very different message back in 2009 when talking about the JOBS Act…

Hawkins also praised the Act as the most pro-business legislation the General Assembly has ever considered and believes its focus on protecting the small business will be the key to bringing Georgia through the current recession.

While Hawkins may think he is scoring political points by criticizing Graves’ pro-jobs legislation, he is going up against some well respected conservative organizations who have all publicly expressed their support for the bill – National Federation of Independent Business, Americans for Tax Reform, Americans for Prosperity and FreedomWorks.

In recent days the legislation seems to have stalled in the House Rules Committee, despite overwhelming support and unanimous passage by the Small Business Development and Jobs Creation Committee Chaired by John Lunsford. Some have suggested that House Majority Leader Jerry Keen, who happens to be a host for a fundraiser for Lee Hawkins in Atlanta on Monday, is holding up the bill in committee.

Others reject that criticism, stating that concerns over immediate revenue impact to tax collection may temporarily outweigh future benefits of the JOBS bill.

With Hawkins distancing himself from the Tea Parties and now criticizing the JOBS Bill, maybe that’s why Bobby Reese (Gwinnett County, website still under construction) sees a better shot of making a run-off over in the 9^th instead the open Congressional seat in the 7th, where he actually lives.

We have word today that “front running” candidate for Governor John Oxendine has installed yet another campaign manager. Having run through the complete list of Georgia’s stable of campaign talent willing to work with him, The Ox has turned to the great state of Connecticut and hired the political director of the “front-runner” in the Connecticut Republican Governor’s primary.

Mr. Puetz has a history of changing winning horses in mid-stream. According to his LinkedIn page, he left UC Irvine after his freshman year (noted for it’s 3 Nobel Prize recipients) to transfer to CSU San Marcos (noted for winning “first place in the nationwide RecycleMania” contest).

Mr. Puetz’s closest connection to Georgia appears to be that he was the California Field Director for Mitt Romney, and Mitt Romney ran for President of the US, of which Georgia is a part (a fact recognized by 6 of the 7 GOP candidates for Governor).

So to help Mr. Puetz get up to speed, here are a few helpful things to note:

The University of Georgia football schedule can be found HERE. This should help your campaign with your impact tweets.

You can learn about signing up for a Georgia hunting license HERE.

Note also that to obtain a licenses, you must complete a REQUIRED hunter safety education course, of which you may learn about HERE:

To obtain a Georgia drivers license, follow the instructions HERE. Note, unless you are an actual police, fire, or other emergency personnel, you are not allowed to install blue lights on your car for personal emergency situations. You should also note that a live shot for the 6:00 news occurring 10 minutes away at 5:55pm does not constitute an emergency.

Be sure to register your car within 30 days and pay ad valorem taxes. I doubt your boss can get a Constitutional Convention called within 30 days of you moving here to implement the FAIRTAX! and kill all other taxes of all kinds. Learn how to say FAIRTAX! in every sentence. Even if it’s about changing batteries in smoke detectors during daylight savings time. This is important.

You should note that all local media is lib’ral. And anything they report about your candidate is their fault, not his. Understanding this will be key to your longevity.

The phone number to Congressman Lynn Westmoreland’s office is 202-225-5901. I suggest you forget that immediately. No, wait. On second thought, I suggest you remove that number from the phones, rolodexes, personal computers and any other databases within reach of anyone that can spell Oxendine. Then forget that number. Nothing good can come from you or anyone you work with knowing that number.

The phone number for the Georgia State ethics commission is 404-463-1980 . You’ll probably learn that one soon enough.

I don’t have Dee Yancey’s phone number, but I understand Ox does when he wants to go quail hunting (see hunter safety info above. Also, please make sure your employer sees that soon too). You should also understand when the Georgia State ethics commission calls, you don’t have Dee Yancey’s number. Nor do you even know him. Even if he’s hunting right beside you when they call, you don’t know him. Got it?

I can’t tell you where Elton John’s best contact info is, but I understand you get that from Dr. Jeffery Gallups. And at least 6 figures of contributions if he needs help again.

Please do not ask Commissioner Oxendine to state an actual position of Sunday Sales of alcohol. Previously, staff have just told folks that his public statements aren’t what he really believes anyway. You should know that as a general rule, Ox believes whatever YOU believe, regardless of whom YOU are. So long as you can either 1) vote, or 2) contribute large sums of money, either directly or indirectly using a series of illegal Alabama based PACs set up by his hunting buddy that he’s never met (again, see above).

And another note, you’re not even supposed to be reading this.

There’s a lot more to learn, but we don’t want to overwhelm you on your first day. So with that, all I can do is give you a distinct southern welcome: Bless your sweet heart.

As Tyler noted a few days ago, Senator Saxby Chambliss and Governor Sonny Perdue will host a March 15 fund-raiser at the Georgian Club for feckless Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (pictured) in the latter’s doomed run for the U.S. Senate.

I had assumed that it was because all three are each others kind of Republican: big on conservative talk but in love with liberal spending. Deep from inside enemy territory, though, we have a suggestion that it may be to lull our water foes into submission.

It’s a useful political favor when it comes to the three-state water war that has pitted Georgia, Florida and Alabama against one another for rights to water flowing from Lake Lanier.

[snip]

Perdue isn’t expected to be at the Cobb County event on Monday, but he added his name to the invitation – a cue to his supporters to turn out with their checkbooks. But with Crist facing stiff opposition from tea party favorite Marco Rubio in Florida, he could be grateful for the help, said University of Georgia political scientist Charles Bullock.

“Crist, because he is vulnerable, may be more willing to talk and negotiate,” Bullock said. “And Perdue is … offering to help (Crist) with his career crisis and is hoping Crist may be more amenable to helping Georgia.”

Dear Friends,

Our Campaign in the governor’s race has now moved to the place for which we have been striving together this past twelve months… some of our opponents in this race and the enemies of liberty which abound are threatened by the phenomenal growth we are experiencing. Those who purport themselves to be the frontrunners of this race know very well that we threaten to swamp the Republican primary on July 20th with our supporters from across the state who want a constitutionalist as the Republican nominee and who will not settle for another moderate in the November general election against Roy Barnes and the Democrats.

Our opponents began this race by trying to ignore our Campaign… but our numbers swell every day and our detractors stand speechless, unable to ignore how we are growing so quickly all over the state. Next, our opponents attempted to ridicule our Campaign, even snickering and making sarcastic remarks at GOP events and candidate forums, about our strong stand upon such essential Founding Principles as the Tenth Amendment, state sovereignty, and nullification… but still the people of Georgia, and even our elected officials, are flocking to our position. Now, finally, our opponents have entered the phase of combat in which they acknowledge that we are positioned to be one of the two candidates left standing for the runoff after the Republican primary. They have resorted to the only thing remaining to them which is to try to stop the tidal wave of support that we are enjoying all over the state… personal attacks.

In recent weeks, I have been personally accused of, but not limited to, the following list of absurdities: that I attempted to have an affair with my former campaign manager, Jenny Hodges, when she was fired for spending unacceptable amounts of time at the Capitol in lobbying efforts during our campaign; that I somehow “stole” sole custody of my son years ago from his mother, even though she tested positive for meth use in a court-ordered screening after she had been living outside our home for nearly a year; that I have had some sort of sexual or sexually improper relationship with underaged girls; that I am no longer allowed to teach in the state of Georgia, despite the fact that I retain my teaching certificate to this very day; and now that I am somehow unpatriotic because, as a Georgian who cherishes the constitutional Republic given to us by our Founding Fathers and wishes to see it restored, I choose to salute the Georgia flag and the original Betsy Ross American flag instead of the current federal flag which represents the present unconstitutional leviathan in Washington.

To all of these charges, insinuations, ambiguities, and accusations, I state unequivocally that they are at best, false gossip, and at worst, outright lies.

None of the above are true, whatsoever. The campaign staff of at least one of our opponents in this race, already well-known across the state for his unethical behaviour, is working to spread these inuendos and accusations. Both I and my team of volunteers in this race have much more important work to be about than to deal with the likes of these false charges. In fact, what my opponents wish more than anything is that they could deflate our Campaign in the eyes of the people who are now so excited about our strong stand for the Constitution and then exhaust our energies dealing with these issues rather than continuing to fan the flames of freedom across this state. Make no bones about it… this Campaign will not be derailed, it will not be stopped, and it will not be slowed down by the likes of the ridiculous accusations mentioned above — OR ANY OTHERS WHICH ARISE — between now and the day of our victory in November.

And to the thousands of supporters across the state who already support me in this race, please listen to me carefully… we have only begun to see the start of these such attacks between now and November. They will NOT be going away. They will ONLY increase. Do NOT expect anything different. If you do not have the stomach for the attacks that will be waged against me personally or against this Campaign, I bid you a gracious farewell and a sincere “thanks” for all that you have already done; go find something else to do between now and November. But you can tell our enemies that Ray McBerry is not going anywhere; and the Cause of liberty which now is beginning to glow like embers across this state because of the efforts of our Campaign is about to burst forth into a raging forest fire, as men and women of Georgia take a stand like has never been witnessed in our lifetime. Tell them that Ray McBerry is already committed to the battle and will not withdraw.

It is no accident or coincidence that these attacks have come upon the only constitutionalist in the governor’s race; it is the same attack that our enemies always use, because it is the only one that they have. None of their ideas can compete with our message.

If anyone has need of answer to these or any other accusations during the remaining course of this Campaign, feel free to forward them this email in its entirety. There will be no further time nor energy spent on these matters. There is a battle — indeed, a war — to be won to restore our constitutional Republic; and I will not waste our time which is fleeting already. Who will join me for such a time as this?

If you wish to truly make an impact for the Cause of liberty for our beloved state, and for America, get involved in the Campaign of the only constitutionalist and States’ Rights Republican in the Georgia governor’s race today… and then take out your checkbook or your debit card and make a financial contribution that matches your commitment to the Cause.

I now return to the important task before us…

And remain your servant in the Cause,

Ray McBerry

Georgia Governor 2010

Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer of Snellville has endorsed Clay Cox in the 7th District Congressional race.

The endorsement, from a key city in the largest county of the Congressional district, may not seem so unusual – except that Cox’s main opponent for the Republican nomination, Don Balfour, is the state Senator from Snellville.

“The 7th District has been the focus of my life and work from my childhood, to my career in business, to my service in the Georgia General Assembly,” Cox said. “I gladly and humbly accept Mayor Oberholtzer’s endorsement. This is another of many endorsements from community leaders tired of being bullied by government. I will be a voice for our conservative values and local control in Congress.”

As you know, Don Balfour is the state senator from Snellville. So an endorsement by his hometown mayor for his opponent seems strange on the surface, but a brief look back in history will clear up a lot.

During the late 1990s, Snellville was ran by the administration of Mayor Emmett Clower (mayor since the mid-70s). Clower was favored by Snellville First Baptist Church, a political organ in Snellville and a base for old-line politics, including strong opposition to Sunday Sales. Along with the church’s backing, Clower had control of the Snellville City Council with several members voting his way on multiple occasions. By 1999, all this power gave birth to opposition for Clower. By this time, Brett Harrell  and his friends Melvin Everson and Jerry Oberholtzer, worked together to try to oust Clower from the Council. It was a surprise upset given Clower’s backing by the old line residents. Nevertheless, Harrell defeated him, and the Council makeup shifted.

Enter Don Balfour, state senator since 1993. Balfour’s base comes from Snellville First Baptist Church, whose candidate and Council have just been ousted by Harrell, Everson, and Oberholtzer. This gutsy move placed Oberholtzer on Balfour’s enemy list.

By 2003, Harrell decided not to run again and councilmember Jerry Oberholtzer ran for Mayor, winning the race. In the meantime, the lines of opposition grew in Snellville. The race between Phyliss Miller and Melvin Everson was decided by 54 votes, with Miller the victor. When Miller left the seat in 2005 and a special election was held , Melvin won by 54 votes. When Melvin and Warren Auld were in a special election runoff in that cycle, Melvin won by 27 votes. In 2007, Oberholtzer won reelection by 19 votes. As you can see, Snellville was/is very polarized.

After Oberholtzer was elected, he and Balfour went head to head more and more as the Snellville City Council realized that all the restaurant chains were setting up outside of the city limits. Snellville doesn’t allow the sale of alcohol in restaurants on Sunday, so these restaurants set up outside city limits. Because of the ban, Snellville looses the tax revenue from these restaurants. Oberholtzer and the Council began to try to lift this ban for the economic benefit of the city. The ban may be settled this year with a referendum on liquor by the drink.

As Balfour’s strongest alliances come from members of Snellville First Baptist, he opposes a lift of the ban. The Snellville City Council has six members that vote: Five At Large members and a voting Mayor. In 2009, there were three votes that were reliably old-line Snellville and three votes that were reliably working to modernize the city. To swing control of the Council the other way, Balfour introduced a Bill in the Senate that would remove Mayor Oberholtzer’s power to vote (except when a tie exists), thereby creating a 3-2 majority for Oberholtzer’s opposition.

Why did Oberholtzer endorse Clay Cox instead of hometown state senator Don Balfour? Balfour is the legislator who tried to strip away Oberholtzer’s vote.

Georgia’s representatives in the U.S. Senate, Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, are again talking out of both sides of their mouth as they try to convince the electorate they are conservative stewards of the people’s money.

Both men are co-sponsoring the “Honest Expenditure Limitation Program (HELP) Act of 2010.” As Chambliss notes in his press release extolling his virtuous beliefs, “Balancing the federal budget is an obligation that those of us in Washington owe to future generations of Americans, and this legislation takes immediate steps to stop out-of-control federal spending.” Isakson parrots this line in his own press release, noting, “Congress should not continue on the path of saddling our children and grandchildren with insurmountable debt – it’s just wrong.” So, what does the bill do?

Specifically, the proposal would freeze discretionary spending at fiscal year 2008 levels for all appropriations, except those for the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, Veterans Administration, and national security functions of the Department of Energy.

Bold talk, to be sure! What a dramatic move on their part! And when would this legislation, as sponsored by Chambliss and Isakson, to curb spending be fully in effect? 2015.

Five. Years. From. Now. In a word: pathetic.

The problem that spenders like Isakson and Chambliss continue to avoid from inside the cocoon that is the Beltway, is spending is out of control now and has been for many, many years under their watch. And waiting until 2015 is too long.

Make no mistake, this is not a complaint that the sky began to fall on January 20, 2009. This is a problem that has been growing for years under multiple administrations. For the big game about fiscal responsibility talked by Chambliss and Isakson, the publically held national debt, adjusted for inflation, grew by almost two trillion dollars during the last ten years. And who was at the helm in the U.S. Senate during that period? Why, our professed recent converts to the Church of Responsible Living.

Even before President Obama took office last year, Federal spending per household had increased almost $3,500.00 in the during the last administration. And, again, who was there with nary a complaint? You betcha: our men from Georgia.

Since President Obama has taken office, and the situation has dramatically deteriorated with his profligate spending now unleashed on the Republic, suddenly these alleged Republicans feel that Tough Action™ is necessary.

But where were they when unanimous consent was requested on the floor of the Senate to push through $10,000,000,000.00 of tax dollars just a few days ago and Senator Jim Bunning raised an objection? Sitting on their hands. After Bunning lifted his objection and the vote on spending the $10,000,000,000.00 was taken, who was front and center to make sure your tax dollars were promptly spent? See the roll call for yourself…both Chambliss and Isakson voted to keep the gravy train running.

And Chambliss even supports those who, like him, also just love the gravy train. People like Governor Charlie Crist in his neighboring state of Florida. Indeed, Chambliss will be helping out his good buddy next week by hosting a fundraiser for Crist, a man who has had no regrets about accepting Federal stimulus dollars. When true fiscal conservative Marco Rubio comes calling, Chambliss seems to be curiously silent and non-supportive.

Meanwhile, as Isakson this week is trying to convince his electorate he isn’t a big spender, just a few months ago he was pushing his grand proposal to spend $16,200,000,000.00 to offer tax credits for home purchases. It was a program which had, based on the cost to date of the program, equated to roughly spending $43,000 tax dollars for each home purchase.

As I covered here and here, Isakson had absolutely no problem (since he is a realtor by trade) to help out his own industry. Now that’s passed, he suddenly has had his Come To Jesus moment and thinks that spending is simply too lavish, too outlandish, to continue.

And, By God, it must be frozen at 2008 levels…in 2015. Five. Years. From. Now.

Chambliss and Isakson are not solely to blame for getting us into this predicament. The blame should be equally shared. But they are endemic of the problem in the Republican Party where words are seen in the highest echelons to be enough and that actual deeds can be thrown to the side.

Responsible spending is not a trendy codeword or a theme for a campaign. It is a way of life and must be demonstrated daily in each and every individual vote regarding Federal spending in the U.S. Senate. For Chambliss and Isakson, their actions are how they will be judged. Thus far, they are failing miserably.

The question we are left with: does anyone care?

Crossposted to RedState.com

MARCH 5, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTA – On Saturday, March 13, the Georgia Tech Chapter of the College Republicans will hold an exciting and interactive forum in Atlanta that allows Georgia students and residents the chance to get up close and personal with the 2010 Republican candidates for governor. The debate will host six of the seven GOP candidates and allow attendees the chance to meet with the candidates themselves before the debate begins. Congressman Nathan Deal, former Secretary of State Karen Handel, former state Senator Eric Johnson, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, state Representative Austin Scott, and state Senator Jeff Chapman will all be in attendance. This groundbreaking, student-led event will be hosted at the spacious Academy of Medicine in downtown Atlanta at a cost of only $5 a ticket and is open to the general public.

Questions for the forum will be submitted by students and young professionals from across the state with the intention that candidates’ answers will show Georgia’s youth where they stand on key issues to young people such as tuition hikes, job creation, transportation and other pressing state and local matters. The debate will be accompanied by a straw poll – the first of its kind this election cycle – to gauge young Georgians’ opinions on a wide range of political hot topics, including who is the “youth vote” favorite for the 2010 GOP nomination for governor.

“The conservative youth movement is on the rise in the state of Georgia. This event will express the voice of students and young professionals, the upcoming leaders of the Republican Party. The straw poll results will be very indicative of our generation’s views on conservatism and our party leaders,” said GT College Republicans Chairman Kristen Greig. “We are proud to join with youth from across this state to host this truly forum that we hope signals the beginning of a new age of politics in Georgia.”

Tickets for the forum can be purchased online at http://www.gtrepublicans.com/forum.html and at the door. All Georgia residents are welcome to attend; however, straw poll participants will be restricted to Georgia residents under 30 years of age to ensure that the balloting is an accurate representation of state youth opinion. Seating is limited, so be sure to arrive promptly at 1:30pm for a half-hour of meet and greet mingling with the candidates to be immediately followed by the forum at 2:00pm. Straw poll results will be announced at the conclusion of the candidates’ debate.

When: Saturday, March 13, 2010 @ 1:30PM

Where: Georgia Tech Academy of Medicine, 875 W Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30303

Contact: Chandler Epp, GTCR Executive Director at (678) 234-4948 or via email at chandler.epp@gatech.edu

The purpose of the Georgia Tech Chapter of the College Republicans is to educate the students of Georgia Tech about the ideals and vision of the Republican Party, to promote those ideals, and to help elect candidates who hold them.

Thomas Wheatley at Creative Loafing brings us the “unique” story of independent candidate for Governor Neal Horsley, whose main claim to notoriety is that he has admitted to loving his animals on the farm perhaps a bit too much.

Horsley was so incensed at Elton John’s recent comments calling Jesus a “compassionate, super-intelligent gay man” that he picketed in front of Sir Elton’s occasional Buckhead residence with a sign that said “Elton John Must Die”. He was arrested for making terroristic threats.

So now, we have two candidates for Governor with ties to Elton John. Thus far, we still only have one who has been arrested.

O.K., Might as well make this an OPEN THREAD: Let’s try to keep the comments between G and PG-13 please.

Our own Ronald Daniels has a message for you:

Consider this your OPEN THREAD.

… When the legislature is in session.

Since some folks want to discuss bills pending before the General Assembly, this is your Open Thread (limited to legislation before the Georgia General Assembly ONLY).

I’m being told from people in Georgia tonight that Ralph Reed is not running for Congress in the 7th Congressional District. But I’m being told by several conservative activist and pro-life leaders in Washington, D.C. that Ralph is most assuredly in the race.

If the D.C. gang is right, I find it fascinating that Ralph would reach out to them first.

In any event, I have obtained an advanced copy of the press release that will be sent out tomorrow and it seems the Georgia guys are right.

It is below the fold.

I called all of you here today to let you know that my time is incredibly important and yours is not. Much to the dismay of the millions of people who I truly believe worship the very ground I walk on, I will not be a candidate for Congress this cycle. Possibly in the future, after I make enough money to dig myself out of the hole I jumped into in 2006, I will run. A key to that would be Jack Abramoff dying in prison and also the sale of 600,000 more copies of Dark Horse.

I fasted and prayed for many nights on this issue. Now more than ever before we need bold conservatives to run for Congress, not sell outs who are just trying to milk the conservative movement in ways that would shock even Jesse Jackson. I know that I would have won this race without a runoff with the wind at my back of so many people of faith banding together and collectively drinking the Kool-Aid I served them in Faith and Freedom Coalition cups (that I charged them $1.50 for).

But my Faith and Freedom Coalition (send $25 RIGHT NOW) has exploded with support across the country. I simply cannot leave these God fearing, good conservatives without a leader at this critical time (forget paying for your prescriptions this month, send your $25 RIGHT NOW). I can do so much more as their voice through the Faith and Freedom Coalition than I ever could as a freshman Congressman, but only if they send their last remaining $25 right now to the Faith and Freedom Coalition, 16th hole of Sugarloaf Country Club, Duluth, GA 300-send me $25 right now-04. I am the Steve Jobs of faith based politics.

Thank you and God Bless You All, especially if you send your $25 right now, and follow me on Twitter.

Mercer University President William Underwood, in an e-mail evidently sent to alumni this last week, extols them to protest any cut to the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant Program, targeted to be eliminated from the budget. In the missive, Underwood makes this ludicrous point:

For many of our students, this $1,000 grant makes the difference in being able to attend Mercer.

Really? That’s amazing since one year of undergraduate tuition (including room and board) at Mercer costs approximately $37,476. Just who are these parents who can afford $36,476 to have their child attend Mercer but just soil themselves when the bill is revised upward $1,000.00? If you said that scholarships make up the difference, I would tend to agree, but I doubt that in the final estimate children are denied an ability to attend Mercer because of $83 dollars a month.

In the midst of a recession, billions of dollars are being cut across the board in the State budget. Students in state schools are facing tuition increases. But for William Underwood, he’d rather cry for his University and shriek like a little girl over the temerity of elected officials who think that in a time of budgetary constraints everyone should be treated equally and that Mercer University should handle a little bit of the budgetary load.

Underwood’s full letter after the jump…

Dear Mercer Alum:

I am grateful for the assistance many Mercer alumni from across the state have provided in helping advocate for the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant program, which has been targeted for elimination in the Governor’s proposed budget.

This program, which was established in 1974, provides approximately $1,000 per year to Georgia residents who attend private colleges and universities. Many Mercer alumni – perhaps you – directly benefited from this program, which contributes to making a Mercer education affordable. Today, 29,000 Georgia families directly benefit from this program. The purpose for the TEG is to preserve private higher education as an option for Georgia residents and thereby preserve a rich diversity of higher education choices for our citizens.

For many of our students, this $1,000 grant makes the difference in being able to attend Mercer. Eliminating this program could force many students at private colleges and universities into an already overburdened and overcrowded state system, where the cost to taxpayers per student exceeds $7,000. As a result, the proposed elimination of the Tuition Equalization Grant would adversely impact the quality of higher education available to students from Georgia, would diminish the higher education options available to those students, and cost taxpayers more than would be saved.

We are making progress in our efforts to preserve this vitally important program. However, more work is required. Many Mercer alumni have already contacted their representatives in the Georgia House of Representatives, and their voices are being heard. Our students now need you to contact your representative in the Georgia State Senate as soon as possible to advocate restoring this program. If you attended Mercer after 1974, be sure to tell your senator how important the program was to you and your family.

Contact information for your state senator is available at http://www.congress.org/congressorg/state/main/?state=GA&view=myofficials – 0.

Our students appreciate your assistance.

William D. Underwood

The Rubio-Crist race for Senate in Florida has captured national attention. Erick has mentioned Rubio time and again. The race is a classic battle of establishment vs. grassroots, status quo vs. the Right direction.

On Saturday Jim Galloway gave an excellent synopsis of the Ninth District Republican race for Congress. Galloway paints a clear picture of the CD-9 race by using Florida as an example.

Backed by tea partyists and GOP hard-cores, the 39-year-old Rubio is mopping the floor with the 53-year-old Crist, who started the race with the backing of the Republican establishment, in both Florida and Washington.

A single embrace by a stimulus-peddling President Barack Obama has crippled the well-tanned governor. The latest primary polls put Rubio 18 points ahead.

That kind of success is bound to encourage imitation. In Georgia, the resignations of U.S. Reps. John Linder and Nathan Deal, within the space of three days, have virtually guaranteed that the dynamics of the Rubio-Crist fight will dominate state GOP politics through the July primary.

Two candidates have dominated the fund-raising — state Rep. Tom Graves of Ranger and state Sen. Lee Hawkins of Gainesville. Graves, a 40-year-old developer and builder, has tied himself closely to the tea party movement. He uses the language of insurgency, referring to his supporters as “freedom fighters.”

“I think people are fed up. They’re saying enough’s enough. They’re an energized group of people,” said Graves campaign manager Tim Baker. In 2008, FreedomWorks, the group led by Dick Armey that helped kick-start the tea party movement, gave awards to two state lawmakers. One was Rubio. The other was Graves.

Hawkins, 59, is more a traditional Republican — a practicing dentist for 30 years, first elected to the Legislature in 2006. His focus in the congressional campaign is small business. He pitches himself as a steady conservative and has had little contact with the tea party movement. “He’s not really associated with it at all,” said his spokesman, Steve Holman.

“He’s not really associated with it at all”, really? I’m from CD-9 and can attest to the growing number within the Tea Party movement. The very last thing I would do as a Congressional candidate in the Ninth District is explain that I’m not associated with the Tea Party.

This statment opens Hawkins to more “good ole boy” criticism. I would argue that Hawkins should not be running as an establishment candidate in our current political environment. Establishment is “out” and limited government is “in”. Graves has continually reached out to the Tea Party and set himself up as a conservative looking to “bring the Party back”. This race seems to mirror the Rubio-Crist race in Florida and is rapidly becoming just as interesting.

State Senator Lee Hawkins‘ campaign manager, Bradley Hix has left the campaign.

Hix was hired on a temporary basis to Hawkins’ Congressional campaign. Hawkins made a conscious decision last August not to hire a full time manager until closer to the election to save money, nearer the end of the legislative session. Hix joined the campaign in mid-December to help out over the holidays and into January and February. Hix moved back home about a month ago.

Jim Gallloway brings us the latest:

Saxby Chambliss’s office just confirmed that the U.S. senator and Gov. Sonny Perdue will host a March 15 fund-raiser at the Georgian Club for Florida Gov. Charlie Crist.

Crist is locked in a bitter Republican primary with former Florida house speaker Marco Rubio for a U.S. Senate nomination.

Our very own Erick Erickson has been pushing hard for Rubio over at Redstate. Rubio is the conservative in this race and needs to be the next Senator of Florida. A lame duck Governor doesn’t have too much to fear by backing who he wants, but will receive criticism none the less. Disappointment with Saxby caused him to have a runoff back in 2008. Chances are he will take some heat for helping Perdue throw this fundraiser for Crist.

Well, tonight marks yet another round of Oscar awards for the lib’ral Hollywood elite to pat themselves on the back for solving global warming, eliminating poverty in the third world, and adopting a child from every continent. And, when you think of the Oscars, what icon of Georgia politics do we all think of? That’s right, my main man John Oxendine.

We all know Ox has a history with the Oscars, but I was worried that Ox might not get to go this year because of his souring relationship with Dr. Jeffery Gallups. You don’t remember Dr. G? He’s the dude that bundled over $100K in family contributions to Oxendine’s campaign, and took him to the Oscars not once, but twice. He also took Ox hunting and lived to tell about it. Must be a brave man.

But, the worry for Ox at this year’s Oscars appears to be over. According to the following memo that may OR MAY NOT be from the Ox’s campaign, it looks like plans to attend this year’s Oscars are in full force:

To: Illustrious cultists staffers of the John Oxendine for King Of The World Governor

From: Your Godlike Tweeter In Chief

Subject: While I’m hangin’ with Elton

I’ll be too busy partying it up with my Hollywood peeps to take care of many things this weekend, so here’s a few instructions for Oscar weekend:

1) James Cameron is likely to win big, so please make sure we get a good tweet off. Something like “Congrats to Cameron for a worthy Best Picture Nomination. We’re pulling for Titanic all the way”

2) Remember if anyone asks, we refunded the cost of our travel to our stooge major contributor. We have already lost the documentation for this, right? Hahahaha.

3) If anyone back home asks why I’m hanging at a party with a major advocate for gay rights, please be sure to tell them how much I’m against gay rights. Unless they’re for them. Remember, just like you guys answer the Sunday Sales issue, please make sure all staffers who get questions on my position tell whomever is asking that I agree with their position, and they should ask me personally about it. Just make sure I know which answer they want to hear before they ask me. This telling different people different things can get confusing.

4) Hey, how about another tweet? Don’t we have a best actress nomination for a Southerner who filmed a large part of her movie in Georgia this year? Tweet “Best of Luck to Sally Field for her role in Smokey and The Bandit” at some point.

5) It’s Sunday, so if any of you didn’t plan ahead, just get an insurance exec to take you to an early dinner. Make sure you take a bottle of wine or two home with you. To make sure you look like a real connoisseur, don’t order anything under $600 a bottle. Don’t worry, it will taste just like the stuff we get at Trader Joe’s.

O.K., that’s all for now. If Westmoreland calls, be sure to tell him I’m at the Oscars and he’s not. If he wants to be here next year, tell him to play ball next time.

XOXO,

OX

According to the New York Times, Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) will resign from Congress Monday.  Massa was a liberal “No” vote for the House’s healthcare reform, because he didn’t think the bill went far enough.  What this means though is that the magic # for health care passage is back down to 216 from 217.  You will recall that when Nathan Deal said he was going to resign, that dropped the number from 217 to 216.  When conservatives like John Fund started going crazy about that, Deal walked back his resignation saying he’d wait until after the vote.  Well, with Massa leaving the House, it’s back down to 216 (and for the record, if Deal now left it would still be at 216 because these things move in multiples of 2).

So essentially, Deal now gets no benefit from staying in Congress because his vote doesn’t change the Health Care calculus.  But…they might find time to hit him with that ethics report.