Deal or Handel

This is what I received from a dear friend in Georgia who is very active in the conservative movement. Take from it what you will. It seems my dear Sarah, picked the wrong person.

I support Sarah Palin. I have learned a long time ago to not let endorsements qualify or disqualify a person. Handel took a check from the Log Cabin crowd. That told me enough. If it were Maine, maybe. Not Georgia. If a single awful endorsement disqualifies a candidate, then we’d have no one to vote for. Santorum (Specter), DeMint (Romney) are other examples of good men making bad endorsements.

I would definately read http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2560975/posts and read some other threads about the GA governor’s race before making a decision

Why did Sara support her, then? I don’t think Sara takes these things lightly and without research?

How much is the Georgia “good ole boy” mentality playing into the non-support for Handel?

I don’t know... I am still trying to make up my mind on which to vote for.

I’m like you, I support Gov. Palin too, this has not changed that. I realize there are times I will disagree with politician and times that politicians will “get it wrong”. They are far from perfect.

I wrote Gov. Palin last week and told her that I (and others) believe either she or her staff dropped the ball endorsing Handel and explained why. I’ll let you know what her response is.

Deal is a crook.

Please elaborate.

Um, Good old boy? I’m a woman.

And many of us were telling folks all these things *before* the primaries.

If you wanted someone outside the good-old-boy system, you would have looked at Johnson or Chapman. They would have shaken up the GOP.

All politicians are crooks. Difference between Handel and Deal is Handle is a lier.

Deal will get the job done for Ga, Handle has neither the experience, connections, or moral compass needed for the job.

In your own words please.

From last night....

Black Pro-Life Advocates Oppose Palin Endorsement of Pro-Choice Karen Handel

I don't know Handel. But I do know Dr. Alveda King. And I trust and respect her.

I believe Right to Life made a bit of a retraction, but it was not publicized by the msm. I wonder who the msm is trying to manipulate into running for office? Could it be the ususal Washington “insider”, deal?

Pretty weak on your part. You have enough time to call a man a crook. Stand behind your accusation. I have a job too, and it is not my job to to validate your charge. I was genuinely interested in your reason for the accusation, but apparently you just want to throw stones. I don't have a reason to call him a crook and don't want to vote for a crook.

Here is GA Right to Life’s statment (on Handel) - it hasn’t changed that I can see:

Mrs. Karen Handel Oversees $1.2 Million Grant
for Planned Parenthood

Dear Friend

Mrs. Karen Handel is not pro-life, regardless of her statements to the contrary and despite her “many pro-life endorsements”. During her tenure as Chair of the Fulton County Commission, Planned Parenthood received $1.2 million over three years. The initial award amount in March 2005 was $425,568 along with two renewals for September 2005 and October 2006; each for $425,568. The total amount of the award was $1,276,704. We have a transcript of the meeting (available on our website) which clearly indicates that she did not raise an objection or speak-out in any way against the original provision which ultimately funded Planned Parenthood each year, for three years at $425,568/yr. She voted “YES”.

In her own words she defended the action,

“Because of the criteria, regulations and parameters of the grant, Planned Parenthood was the only eligible vendor approved to meet the state criteria. Additionally, none of the services were related in any way to abortions or abortion related services.”

This statement is an evasion of the truth. All truly pro-life legislators and candidates are aware that the money which Fulton County taxpayers provide to Planned Parenthood go toward paying salaries and other non-abortion overhead; this, in turn, allows for other undesignated money to be used for the “services” that are mentioned in the grant.

“Vendor is recognized nationally for providing excellent, culturally appropriate reproductive health services to women and teens.”

“Culturally appropriate reproductive health services”, as any pro-lifer knows, is a euphemism for abortion. How many children died as a result of this $1.2 million grant to Planned Parenthood under her oversight?

On March 16, 2005 the Fulton County Commission met to discuss five funding requests for various “services” provided to the county. They ranged from providing concrete, to monitoring storm drains, trash disposal and fence repair. There was sharp debate on the issue of trash disposal, but sadly Chair Handel had nothing to say regarding the $425,568.00 of funding to Planned Parenthood which was item number two. Item 2 elicited no debate. Trash trumps children.

From the March 16, 2005 minutes:

“A motion was made by Commissioner Lowe and seconded by Commissioner Riley to approve numbers 1, 2 [Planned Parenthood], 3, and 5.” (click here)

Commission Chair Handel: “All right. Please vote on one, two, three and five.” (click here)

“The motion carried by a unanimous vote of 7-0-0. Commission Chair Handel, Vice Chair Darnell, and Commissioners Pitts, Riley, Lowe, Boxill, and Edwards voted yes. (click here)

Commission Chair Handel: “That item’s passed. I need a motion to hold four, please.”
(click here)

She asked for a motion to table a trash disposal bid, while remaining ominously silent on provisioning America’s leading abortion provider and filling their coffers with taxpayer funds, that in turn, released other revenue to fund abortions and abortion referrals.

From the grant (contract is available on our website):

“Purpose: Planned Parenthood of Georgia, Inc. will continue to provide family planning services to a minimum of 5,000 unduplicated users. Services will be available on a walk-in basis to the target population.”

Mrs. Handel alleges (on her website) that these funds were appropriate and used only “to provide screening for sexually transmitted diseases, cervical and breast cancer.” However, no where in the grant does it so stipulate. It does mention a “target population”. When we consider that all of Georgia’s Planned Parenthood “clinics” are located in majority minority neighborhoods, it throws a new light on “who” the “target population” is. Couple that fact with the fact that Georgia, according to the CDC, kills proportionately more black children through abortion than any other state in the nation and Mrs. Handel’s silence is chilling.

Planned Parenthood is the largest provider of abortions in the US. Nationwide, the organization is responsible for one out of every five abortions in the US. Planned Parenthood receives 33% of its revenue from government grants and contracts such as those supplied by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under Karen Handel and funded by taxpayers.

Georgia has one of the ten highest abortion rates in the nation. In 2006, Fulton County had the highest number of abortions in the state. Fulton accounted for 15% of all of the abortions in Georgia.

For these and many other reasons please reject Mrs. Handel’s pro-life claims. Georgia Right to Life has rejected her claim through the years and we are not alone. The Susan B. Anthony List, a nationally acclaimed organization with ONE purpose . . . to elect pro-life women, has chosen not to endorse her candidacy. What does this say of her false claim to being pro-life?

Please vote as if someone’s life depended on it; because someone’s does.

http://app.e2ma.net/app2/campaigns/archived/31756/de0071d70b7ff645eff2253b53f35aaa/

And here is their explanation on supporting Deal (posted today)

Setting the Record Straight
Lawrenceville, GA, July 26, 2010. Georgia Right to Life PAC (GRTL PAC) is proud to support Nathan
Deal in his bid to become the next Governor of Georgia. He firmly opposes abortions except in cases
where the life of the mother is at stake. Regarding his 1993 vote appropriating funds for fetal tissue
research and Planned Parenthood, Mr. Deal stated, “a lot of us were not fully convinced of who
Planned Parenthood was and what they were doing with their money,” according to Access
NorthGa.com’s article entitled, Abortion Divides GA. GOP Gubernatorial Rivals (7/25/2010).
Over the years, Mr. Deal’s opposition to Planned Parenthood has increased. Mr. Deal says, “…it was
a personal change of opinion. It was one that I had prayerful thought about for a very long period of
time…” He had discussions with his “minister, friends who are religious advisors and friends with the
pro-life community.”
Since 1997, Nathan Deal has had a strong pro-life record as evidenced by a rating of 90% and
above from National Right to Life (NRLC) and, since 2001, he has received a rating of 100% from
NRLC. Georgia Right to Life welcomes converts like Mr. Deal to the pro-life position just as it
welcomed Zell Miller & Ronald Reagan.
Karen Handel says she does not support the mission of Planned Parenthood but as the Fulton
County Commission Chair she approved over $1.2 million in funding for the organization over 2005,
2006 and 2007. During the March 16, 2005 meeting, the Fulton County Commission discussed five
funding requests for various “services” provided to the county. They ranged from providing concrete,
to monitoring storm drains, trash disposal and fence repair. There was sharp debate on the issue of
trash disposal, but sadly Chair Handel had nothing to say regarding the $425,568 (one of three
installments) of funding to Planned Parenthood which was item number two on the agenda. Item 2
elicited no debate.
She approved the contract that states, “Vendor [Planned Parenthood] is recognized nationally for
providing excellent, culturally appropriate reproductive health services to women and teens.” As
many pro-lifers know, “culturally appropriate reproductive health services” defined by Planned
Parenthood includes abortion referrals and services.
When her approval of the Planned Parenthood funding was discovered, she backpedaled by stating
the Planned Parenthood clinics would have received the funding anyway because, according to
KarenHandel.com, it was a “pass-through grant from Congress…” If that is the case, why not vote
“no” to support pro-life principles?
The same $1.2 million dollars that Karen Handel used to fund Planned Parenthood could have been
distributed to other Title X clinics across the state of Georgia that provide the same “reproductive
health” services as Planned Parenthood, except these clinics neither provide nor profit from abortion
services.
Nathan Deal took responsibility for his vote 17 years ago, described his change of heart and has
been a staunch supporter of the sanctity of life ever since.
“We need a true conservative as the Governor of Georgia who is willing to say “no” to the federal
government, stand on principle and take responsibility,” states Nancy Stith, the Executive Director of
the GRTL. “Nathan Deal has demonstrated that he is the candidate for Governor of Georgia who is
able to do just that.”

http://www.grtl.org/docs/SettingtheRecordStraightPressRelease7262010.pdf
___________________________

I’m not a “one issue” voter, I oppose Handel for other things she’s done or not done, but I did want to put out there where GRTL stands on all this.

Deal is getting my vote.

I can’t Handle Handel.

What pro-life leaders say about Karen Handel Sarah Palin Former Alaska Governor and Republican Nominee for Vice-President “I’m proud to lend my support to a great commonsense conservative woman running for Governor this year in the Peach State. My recent visit back to this beautiful area allowed me to meet more of the patriotic Americans who call Georgia home and who are ready for a reformer to help strengthen their families, businesses, state and, ultimately, our United States. “Karen Handel is that reformer. Throughout her career in public office – from serving as Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners to Georgia’s Secretary of State – Karen has brought the common sense fiscal discipline and positive change in government that is needed now more than ever. “Though considered an underdog candidate (more power to her!), this pro-life, pro-Constitutionalist with a can-do attitude and a record of fighting for ethics in government is ready to serve in the Governor’s Office. She’ll balance budgets and help spur Georgia’s economy. Her plan will contribute to America’s roadmap which can benefit all of us. “Please join me in supporting this good conservative reformer who will work tirelessly for the Peach State. Sue Everhart Chairman, Republican Party of Georgia “Karen Handel is pro-life. I don’t care what any other group says.” Adrienne Susong Former Director, Georgia Right to Life PAC “Karen is a loyal and trusted friend to conservatives in the pro-life, pro-family movement in Georgia. As Secretary of State, she championed conservative causes like Photo ID and Proof of Citizenship for Voting. I’m supporting Karen because I believe that she will be a pro-life, pro-family, conservative Governor. Please join me in supporting Karen Handel in the Republican Primary for Governor.” Dr. Benny Tate Senior Pastor, Milner, Georgia “I have known Karen and Steve for a number of years. They’ve worshipped with me and my congregation often and are strong, committed Christians. I’m supporting Karen because I know she’ll be led by her faith as Governor and will hold true to her strong conservative values.” Stephen Dillard Georgia 8th Congressional District Chairman for Governor Mike Huckabee (2008) “Karen Handel is absolutely committed to promoting a culture of life here in Georgia. And while I happen to share GRTL’s views on the issues in question, I am disappointed that it has chosen to make the perfect the enemy of the good. I have spoken with Karen at length about these issues, and I am convinced that she has a heart for protecting unborn children. Her willingness to permit abortions in certain rare circumstances is grounded in the reality of the current political landscape, and should in no way be interpreted as a belief on her part that children conceived by rape or incest are somehow less than fully human. Karen firmly believes that each and every unborn child has inherent dignity, that every abortion is a tragedy, and that government has a role, along with the faith community, in encouraging women to choose life in even the most difficult of circumstances. I am proud to support Karen Handel’s candidacy to be the next governor of our state, and I strongly encourage my fellow pro-lifers to do so as well.” Elaine Boyer DeKalb County Commissioner “My husband and I got involved in politics through the pro-life movement in the 1980′s and I have been a pro-life office holder since 1992. I was shocked to see Georgia Right to Life’s endorsements yesterday and I found their comments about Karen Handel to be insulting. I have been and continue to be a proud supporter of my friend, and pro-life candidate, Karen Handel to be Georgia’s next Governor.” ------------------------------------------------------------ "[T]he Office of Congressional Ethics released its report [despite Deal's resignation], concluding that Mr. Deal appeared to have improperly used his office to pressure Georgia officials to continue a vehicle inspection program that generated hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for his family’s auto salvage business. The 138-page report details how Mr. Deal and his chief of staff intervened in 2008 and 2009 on behalf of the company, Recovery Services Inc., also known as Gainesville Salvage and Disposal. The report also said Mr. Deal had improperly failed to disclose that he was a corporate officer at the company, meaning that the $75,000 he earned from the business in 2008 violated a House limit on members’ outside income." http://www.redstate.com/erick/2010/07/29/why-a-federal-grand-jury-could-put-georgias-governors-mansion-in-democrat-hands/ -------------------------------- "Buried in the comments from Deal about this is not just an admission against interest that his vote for funding offset tax dollars to free up money for abortion, but also an attempt to play dumb on what Planned Parenthood was all about. [Explaining his 1993 vote, Deal initially said “a lot of us were not fully convinced of where … Planned Parenthood was and what they were doing with their money.”] http://www.redstate.com/erick/2010/07/28/georgia-congressman-claims-he-didnt-know-much-about-planned-parenthood-before-voting-to-give-them-money/

Federal grand jury sought documents, interviews regarding Nathan Deal

A federal grand jury subpoenaed records and testimony from a top state official last month involving gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal and a business arrangement he had with the state for nearly 20 years.

Georgia Revenue Commissioner Bart Graham was subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury in June, according to documents obtained Tuesday by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution through the Georgia Open Records Act.

Deal's attorney, Randy Evans, said Tuesday evening that his client has not been subpoenaed and is not the subject of an investigation. "We became aware of an investigation and my office inquired if the U.S. attorney considered Nathan Deal to be a target, and we were told no," Evans said. He declined to say anything further regarding the inquiry.

The subpoena, issued May 24 by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McBurney, ordered Graham to appear June 8 and provide documents "concerning the contents of the sidebar discussion between Commissioner Graham and then-U.S. Representative Nathan Deal" last year in the office of the governor's chief of staff. The AJC reported last year that Deal called the meeting in the hope of preserving his business with the state.

The same day the subpoena was issued, Graham met in his Department of Revenue office with an FBI agent and McBurney.

Little else, however, is known about the inquiry. Graham, the U.S. attorney's office in Atlanta and the FBI all refused to comment Tuesday. It is not clear whether the grand jury met June 8 or whether Graham testified.

The AJC reported in August 2009 that Deal personally intervened with Graham and other state leaders to protect an obscure state program that earned his company nearly $300,000 a year. The newspaper's report led to a congressional ethics investigation that determined Deal possibly violated U.S. House rules. But Deal resigned from the U.S. House before any formal accusation against him was made.

(More...)

http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/federal-grand-jury-sought-579989.html