GEORGIA U.S. SENATE RACE: Observations from the Gwinnett County Debate

Letters to Editor | 5-2-2004 | UlsterDavy

[UlsterDavy]

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE GWINNETT U.S. SENATE DEBATE

My wife and I got to the event two hours early. To pass the time, we casually walked around the parking lot and met people coming for the debate. At that time we counted around 30 vehicles with Isakson stickers and around 12 with Cain stickers. Evidently Isakson's supporters were enthusiastic to see their candidate in a debate given the fact that this was to be his first appearance at one out of a total of three in the last two weeks (Johnny was absent at Cobb and Cherokee counties).

We entered the lobby and the first candidate table was that of Johnny Isakson's. Scratch the "enthusiastic" comment I made earlier. These guys looked like they were all hired hands. Stiff, somber and unwelcoming. With multiple events going on at the Gwinnett Center that night, I almost asked one of them if this was the funeral home director convention.

We walked by the Mac Collins and Herman Cain tables and from both we were pleasantly greeted. As time passed by, more people seemed to hover around these two tables. The Cain and Collin’s supporters were clearly more social with each other. The Isakson people tended to stand against the wall looking on.

With about an hour before debate time, Herman Cain walks into the lobby. Fifty people surround him. He talks and listens to some of his supporters. He then gives a short speech which finished with loud applause. Chants of "Cain Cain Cain" echo down the halls of the Gwinnett Center. One of the things he was asked was why he thought it was possible that he could become the next Georgia Senator. He told a story of how the bumble bee was not supposed to fly based on the laws of aero dynamics and physics. “It’s body is too heavy, it’s wing’s are too small, it’s not supposed to be possible” he said. “No one told the bumble bee that it could not fly” he added. This campaign certainly has the buzz.

Unbeknown to me, Mac Collins had entered the lobby at the same time. He hovered around his supporters and stayed and listened to what many of them had to say.

A few minutes later, Johnny Isakson enters the lobby. He greeted a few people. There was no applause, no cheer, no anything. You wouldn't have known he was there. He almost ran through the lobby as if he was a nervous teenager that was late for the prom.

As the debate was about to get underway, we noticed the odd seating arrangements. Each campaign was designated their own sections. The Gwinnett County party managed to place the Isakson supporters right in front of the TV cameras with the Cain and Collins areas to either side. Gwinnett local access TV was recording the event and this was to be shared with CSPAN. WSB radio also recorded the event. Upon closer observation, there was as much (if not more) Cain supporters there as there were Isakson supporters. Collins fans were definitely third.

Johnny Isakson was introduced as "the honorable Congressman” and they failed to do the same introduction for Collins.

Throughout the debate, the Collins and Cain supporters showed a good amount of solidarity. Clearly showing the conservatives in the race.

At one point moderator Dick Williams said that in campaign literature and advertisements, Mac Collins called Johnny Isakson a moderate. When asked to expand on that, Mac Collins said “If the name fits, wear it”.

There was no denial from Isakson on this statement, more like "I've been called that before and I won back then". Isakson and Collins go at it again for a little while longer about “conservative” and “moderate”.

Herman Cain steps in amongst the bickering. “I will tell you how to spell conservative" he says. "C-A-I-N" he said receiving loud applause.

The best discussion of the night came on the issue of taxes.

Collins and Isakson explained that they were for lower taxes. Herman Cain responded firmly saying “With all due respect to my opponents, they are a part of the status quo. They are career politicians, I am a career problem solver. They described ways to put a band-aid on our tax problem. We don’t need to do that. We need to replace it with the Fair Tax”.

When asked if the Fair Tax was a realistic goal in the next ten years, all three candidates agreed. Herman Cain then slam dunked his opponents. “I am glad to hear you say that you support this" he said "but what is taking so long?" he added to loud applause.

Exiting the Gwinnett Center, Cain's people were handing out literature on the rights of the unborn and on the Fair Tax. As I was approached by one of those people she reached her hand out to give me the literature. I pointed at my fresh new Herman Cain sticker, raised my fist in the air and said "I am a believer!"

[edeal]

You Isakson supports are Democrats. You steal their campaign tactics, their ideas and their rhetoric.

Your tirade on SS is straight out of the Liberal manual on divisive politics. Is this what we can expect from Isakson? Is this the best he can offer? Why not have him run as a Democrat, and at least he could be true to himself.

If you or your candidate were the slightest bit a conservative, you would know that the entitlement system in this country is messed up. It is why we have a budget deficit. Congress is unable to say know because people like Isakson care only about election and have no moral character on which to base their beliefs.

A leader is supposed to be an adult. A leader is supposed to make tough choices and explain to the electorate why those choices are necessary. You and Isakson believe the raw power of government should be used to buy votes in order to stay in power. At least you are finally being honest about where you stand blessed.

As blessed has stated, if you want a pander-bear who will give anyone what they want at any time, no matter the cost as long as it brings in votes, elect Isakson.

If you want to save this country from mediocrity and economic collapse, elect for Cain.

Isn't it time for a change for once?

[edeal]

What exactly does your best buddy Isakson do that demonstrates he cares one lick about ordinary Georgians? He is part of the system that is ratcheting up the tax burden to a point where we are virtual slaves to the federal government. Even with this incredible tax burden, the government still can't afford to pay for itself, so it mortgages the future of our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. All because he the other liberals in congress cannot say no to more government.

Like you said before, blessed, Isakson will not make the tough choices about entitlements out of fear of losing votes. He, quite simply, is not man enough to explain the need for reform to the voters.

That's what we need in Congress representing Georgia, someone who has already surrendered to the status quo.

[Blessed]

>He is part of the system that is ratcheting up the tax burden to a point where we are virtual slaves to the federal government.<

Looks like your Knowledge of history is on par with your economic understanding.The tax burden in this country has been coming down since 1985 not going up.You guys are good at calling people names when you run out of one-liners.You have appointed yourself arbiters of who is and is not a good republican but refuse to support nominee of the party if he doesn't drink your koolaide.

[Blessed]

>A leader is supposed to be an adult. A leader is supposed to make tough choices and explain to the electorate why those choices are necessary.<

Mr Cain had a chance to be a leader and take a tough stand on base closings Saturday night.He chose to say he would stop the entire process. That wasn't pandering? That assured an efficient expenditure of my tax dollars? I guess he just wants to reward our friends the Germans and Belgians.

>Your tirade on SS is straight out of the Liberal manual on divisive politics.<

What tirade was that? The suggestion was made that we cut entitlement programs.I think it is pretty reasonable to assume anyone that anyone seriously suggesting we can cut $500 billion dollars from entitlements either doesn't know what they are or never wants to see another republican elected in our lifetime.

[NewLand]

Blessed,

You were the first one I saw calling names here...in post #40 when you refered to Herman Cain as "One more gas bag".

Secondly, you did not answer my question about if you are satisfied with the status quo or not. So, that means your answer is YES, you are satisfied with the status quo. So please vote for Isakson and take your status quo.

Cain supporters are not interested in status quo. We want to bring real, fundamental, and sustainable change at the federal level. You don't. You are clearly an 'insider', part of the political machine.

That's fine. Just stop calling names and start answering direct questions. You lost your credibility when you began the name calling of a fellow conservative.

On this post here,you stated..."You have appointed yourself arbiters of who is and is not a good republican but refuse to support nominee of the party if he doesn't drink your koolaide."

Does this mean you will you support Cain if he is the nominee?

[Blessed]

yes.Will you support Isakson or Collins?

[NewLand]

I will never vote Dem. I won't waste my vote on screwball 3rd parties. Yes I will. Isakson, as I have previously stated, is an honorable man. Collins is a good conservative but not a strong leader.

And...they won't win the nomination... :-)

[Blessed]

>You were the first one I saw calling names here...in post #40 when you refered to Herman Cain as "One more gas bag".<

Check out these Names.Sound familiar.

No wonder these buffoons. Pastell Republicans.

[NewLand]

Fair enough...but what is a Pastel Republican? SNICKER SNICKER...

[Blessed]

Don't get me wrong.I am for all these great ideas like the fair tax.I agree with Dick Williams many conservatives have latched on to this as the silver bullet and quit working on the things that are within our reach.(death tax, Capital Gains tax and permanent tax cuts)We need visionaries.Cain will be a great candidate when he gets a little more experience and a better grasp of the issues.He just was not prepared to discuss issues Saturday night.Based upon his resume I would suspect he will be better prepared next time.I would not be surprised if he modifies (or Clarifies)a few of his positions.Collins is rock solid but he puts people to sleep.He needs an infusion of Cains charisma.

[NewLand]

"Cain will be a great candidate when he gets a little more experience"

Imagine if voters said that about GWB for Governor in TX...Reagan for Governor in CA...look at Gov Craig Benson in NH...this is how we renew ourselves...let's take the 1996 Pres election as a perfect example of promoting the deserving insider...Bob Dole. Enough said?

[edeal]

Its not about who is and who isn't a good republican. If you moderates would allow even a few conservatives to be elected, perhaps there would be no divisions in the party.

Why do we need another cardboard cutout of what's already saturating congress.

I noticed how you chose an arbitrary date to make your comparison. Of course taxes have been ratcheting up over time. Also, the government is very good at hiding taxes in places people can't easily see them. How big do you liberals want the government to be? How much money do you need?

[edeal]

Pastel Republican was a term I came up with when the entire Isakson section at the Gwinnett debate was filled with women wearing Pastel suits. It is an unnatural (fake) color, which I think is a good metaphor for the Isakson group.

[edeal]

Don't blame him for my name calling. I call them as I see them. You were every bit as insulting of Cain and his supporters, I was just more direct about you and your ilk.

Plus you have a history of being insulting in other threads, so you have little room to complain.

[edeal]

This is the problem with Blessed. This type of language is every bit of an insult and anything else. He is doing what Liberals do to conservatives. Infer they are out of touch or not as smart as the people who "truly know the issues".

Isakson and his supporters love to steal the tactics and lingo from the left, one wonders how much of their agenda they will steal.

[Blessed]

>I noticed how you chose an arbitrary date to make your comparison.<

You made my point for me.You have no knowledge of History and just want to call names when you can't come up with facts.(I believe most people attribute that practice to Liberals)Just a hint:Reagan was in office in 1985.

[Blessed]

>Don't blame him for my name calling.<

Work on your reading comprehension. I did not blame him.I simply answered the charge that I started the name calling.

>Plus you have a history of being insulting in other threads, so you have little room to complain.<

I have atttempted to discuss the issues and make comments on where I found Cain lacking.I have been sarcastic on several threads after you have fired unsubstantuated broadsides like the one above but I have not labeled Cain or felt it neccesary to call names as some have on each of their post.If using the term gas bag to substitute for pontificator in refering to senators is calling Cain names then I am guilty as charged.

When are you going to deal with Cains position on the Base closings or explain which entitlement programs the $500 billion should come from? One-liners will not solve the problem.

[Blessed]

>Imagine if voters said that about GWB for Governor in TX...Reagan for Governor in CA...look at Gov Craig Benson in NH...this is how we renew ourselves...let's take the 1996 Pres election as a perfect example of promoting the deserving insider...Bob Dole. Enough said?<

I agree but I am not sure either Reagan or Bush are analogies for Cain.

Reagan:Had political experience.(Screen actors gild President)He ran for office several times before he was elected.He had specific proposals for California not just selling a philosophy.

Bush:was a policy adviser to his dad's first campaign.Had been involved with issues and campaigns since his National Guard days.Like Reagan he had specific proposals (no child left behind)

[onyx]

OH excellent report!
I love Herman Cain.
I continue to pray for him
since I'm not a GA resident,
I can't vote for him.

[NewLand]

I agree but I am not sure either Reagan or Bush are analogies for Cain.

Let's wait and see...