Posted on 07/18/2004 6:06:29 AM PDT by Amish
ATLANTA - Dylan Glenn became the focus of an 8th Congressional District debate Friday night, as his opponents repeatedly questioned him on whether he lived in the district and on the nature of his working relationship with President Bush.
Glenn, a 35-year-old former deputy chief of staff for Gov. Sonny Perdue, said he lived in Fortson in Muscogee County.
But state Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Newnan, said he knocked on the door of Glenn's stated residence. Westmoreland said he found a vehicle in the driveway with Texas plates. He said the person who answered the door had never heard of Glenn.
"You've lived in six different places, including Albany, Washington, D.C., and downtown Atlanta," Westmoreland said, adding that he had lived his entire life in Coweta County and had represented the area in the General Assembly for more than a decade. "You've raised 70 percent of your money from outside Georgia."
Glenn responded during the debate that aired on Georgia Public Broadcasting that he was born and raised in the 8th District and that Westmoreland might have visited the wrong house in Fortson.
Glenn and Westmoreland have raised the most money in the race to fill the House seat being vacated by Republican U.S. Rep. Mac Collins, who is running for the U.S. Senate. The 8th Congressional District covers 18 counties and includes parts of Bibb County, metro Atlanta and Columbus.
Through June 30, Westmoreland had raised $1.3 million and had $357,000 in cash on hand, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Westmoreland's total included a loan to himself of $130,000. Glenn had raised $1.1 million for the same period and had $492,000 in cash on hand.
Glenn also came under heavy questioning to explain his role as an official in the Bush White House. Westmoreland accused Glenn of saying he was a member of the President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security, when in fact he had only served on its staff.
"He needs to say he was a staffer, not that he was on the commission," Westmoreland said.
Glenn responded that he had never claimed he was on the commission.
When asked what his official title was with the Bush administration, Glenn responded, "special assistant to the president."
"They give those (titles) out like M&Ms though," said Tom Mills, a Troup County middle school teacher who is also running for the GOP nomination.
"This is not about my relationship with President Bush," Glenn said, who also added that he was the highest-ranking Georgian on Bush's staff and the only candidate who would not have to introduce himself to Bush. "It's about my experience at the federal level."
Race was also an issue during Friday's debate, as moderators asked state Sen. Mike Crotts about some of his recent comments.
In an interview on Tuesday with the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Crotts questioned whether Glenn, who is black, could win in the district, which is 88 percent white.
"Dylan is a bright and articulate individual who has a good political future," Crotts told the Ledger-Enquirer. "The biggest problem Dylan has is he is running in the wrong district. I told Dylan - I am not a prejudiced man and know he is not a prejudiced man - but the 8th District is not ready for you even though you are capable of serving."
Asked what he meant by the statement, Crotts said he was simply relaying comments he had heard from voters in the district.
Crotts also was asked why he introduced a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
"I'm more concerned about the voice of the people than some activist judge rewriting the law from the bench," Crotts said.
Crotts, who owns a commercial real-estate firm in McDonough, had raised $536,000 and had $415,000 in cash on hand. Crotts' total included a $437,000 loan to himself.
If the GOP is really serious about minority outreach, then this is the time to act. Herman Cain for Senate and Dylan Glenn for Congress!
If these two gentlemen lose, then expect Je$$e Jacksona and Cythnia Tucker to use the opportunity to paint the GOP as a party of racists once again.
I have the opportunity to vote for both these fine candidates, and I just hope and pray others will follow suit.
My husband and I both commented that Glenn is very impressive. Our first introduction to him was through his many campaign commercials. I had never heard of him and was going to see what district he was in.
Does he have a shot in the 8th (I'm in the 6th)?
You moved?
Yes. Just in time!
;-)
I have met Dylan Glenn, a few times, heard him speak a few times...he is very articulate , conservatiive, and a decent human being who was raised in the District he is running from. This attack by Westmoreland is a desperate act of a man who has nothing else to run on, AND by the way Westmoreland Camp..IT IS NOT VERY "BECOMING" FOR A REPUBLICAN.KNOCK IT OFF!
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