Democrats courting Dooley (Georgia)

AccessNorthGA ^ | 6/20/03 | staff

[CFW]

ATLANTA - As Georgia Democrats struggle to find a candidate for next year's U-S Senate race, a new name is being raised as a possibility: the University of Georgia's popular outgoing athletic director, Vince Dooley.

Whether he would choose to run is another question, and Dooley didn't immediately return a telephone call. His wife, Barbara, ran unsuccessfully for Congress last year -- as a Republican.

Some Democrats would like to see him in the 2004 race for the Senate seat now held by Democrat Zell Miller, the popular former governor who does n

State Representative Calvin Smyre of Columbus, chairman of the Georgia Democratic Party, said -- quote -- ``I know there are some discussions with him.''

The 70-year-old Dooley became Georgia's football coach in 1964 and has been athletic director since 1979. His contract expires June 30th, 2004. The school's president, Michael Adams, touched off a furor among football fans recently by refusing Dooley's request for an extension.

Dooley flirted with the 1990 Democratic race for governor and the 1986 Senate race but did not enter either one.

[CFW]

Support for Adams on the decline

Alumni tighten wallets in response to Dooley's future departure

By LUCAS KLAUSS Published , June 19, 2003, 12:00:01 PM EDT

Employees of Lamar Outdoor Advertising Company put up a billboard on Lexington Road Wednesday afternoon. The sign, paid for by supporters of Athletics Director Vince Dooley, is part of a campaign to get rid of University President Michael Adams.

Voices of discontent continue to be heard across the state over University President Michael Adams' decision not to extend Athletic Director Vince Dooley's contract.

Angered alumni and benefactors continue to threaten to withhold donations to the University as a result of Adams' refusal.

In addition, a media campaign has begun on behalf of numerous displeased alumni.

Atlanta-based public relations firm Hope-Beckham is heading up the campaign.

Bob Hope, owner of Hope-Beckham, said the purpose of the campaign is to "make (Adams and the Board of Regents) realize that (Adams' decision) was a mistake."

To that end, Hope-Beckham will be putting up billboards in Athens reading "40 Years of Excellence. Extend Dooley."

A billboard in Atlanta will read "aDAMsorryDAWG," a critical play on Adams' name.

Other facets of the campaign include a Web site (www.axe-adams.com),bumper stickers, and the possibility of free T-shirts for incoming students in the fall.

Hope said he feels the campaign will be effective and public opinion is on his side as Adams has "no constituency."

A recent poll conducted by political research firm InsiderAdvantage seems to confirm at least part of Hope's thoughts.

According to a press release, the firm surveyed 500 Georgians statewide during June 10 and 11. The poll has a margin of error of 4 percent. Statewide, those polled indicated a 46 percent disapproval of Adams' decision and only a 15 percent approval rating for the decision. The rest had no opinion or were undecided.

The release said, however, that nearly half of the polled statewide population "do not consider themselves fans of (University) athletics." Among University sports fans, the disapproval rate for Adams' decision rises to 60 percent with an approval rate at 17 percent.

All of these factors combine to create a generally unfavorable response to Adams.

Tom Jackson, Associate Vice President for Public Affairs at the University, declined to comment on whether or not such a volatile response would have an effect on Adams' decision.

Despite threats by many to withhold donations, he said, "There's no way to tell how this will affect fundraising at this time."

Jackson also wished to emphasize what he sees as the essentially friendly nature of the relations between the University and Dooley.

"The University is always concerned when a member of the University community is upset. Of course there will be disagreements about such a complex issue," he said.

In the midst of these ongoing issues, the University is already searching for an athletic director to replace Dooley when his contract expires next year.

The 14-member committee, consisting of numerous University officials as well as Student Government Association president Latham Saddler, held its first meeting on June 17.

Jere Morehead, Associate Provost of the University Honors Program and chairman of the committee, said the meeting was a "basic organizational meeting."

Morehead said the committee established a basic profile of the kind of person they will be looking for and received a charge from Adams, amongst other activities.

Neither Adams nor Dooley could be reached for comment.

[rvoitier]

The rats will probably run Dooley to get the win then have him resign before taking office so they can put in their chosen skel.

[Mr. Bird]

If he runs, he better hope Steve Spurrier doesn't move to GA and run as a Pub. Dooley never could beat him...

All kidding aside, Dooley would have to be NUTS to run for office in GA. Most of his constituents would consider it a demotion. And at 70, you'd think he'd like to enjoy himself a little.

[CFW]

If he runs, he better hope Steve Spurrier doesn't move to GA and run as a Pub. Dooley never could beat him...

oooohhh. that was cruel.........

[CFW]

ping

[Mr. Bird]

It would be more fun to have Lindsey Scott enter the race:..."Run, Lindsey, Run!"

[Mr. Bird]

And do you suppose Buck Belue Dog Democrat would run?

[Koblenz]

He's 70 years old. Geez, the Dems sure are the party that's picking the really old. Lautenberg. Mondale. This guy...

[writmeister]

One problem with that theory: The Governor of Georgia is a Republican.

[samanella]

Gov. Perdue played for Dooley as a walk-on in the 60's. Herschel Walker has stepped down from his fund-raising post and a big DAWG contributor here in SC has reneged on a $6 million pledge to the University until Adams is fired. How many times has Adams' old school (Pepperdine?) gone to a national championship game? And we understand that a non-revenue generating sport coach at the University is being touted for AD!

[jmaroneps37]

Sitting up here in Saten Island, I can smell the Georgia evil donkey's desparation.

[CFW]

Buck Belue to Lindsey Scott. What a play that was!!!!

That time, I was sure Larry Munsen was going to have a heart attack.

[CFW]

If Dooley runs, he'll get elected.

Everyone is so p.o.'d at Adams right now, they would figure a vote for Dooley would be a vote against Adams.

Everyone at UGA has a reason to dislike Adams. This is not the only issue.

[fieldmarshaldj]

GA US Senate *ping*

Seriously, I would hope Dooley's wife would slap some sense into him and not let him get used by the 'Rats.

[Theodore R.]

The OK coach Switzer was said to have been instrumental in the election of clintoid Brad Henry as the new Democrat governor of OK.

[Impy]

FYI He ain't runnin.'

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/932929/posts

[fieldmarshaldj]

I thought Henry's election was due to the inspired campaigning of Steve Largent. :-|

[Impy]

And that "Independent" Ex-Repub and Largent out hunting on 9/11 when his staff was saying he condemed the attacks and all those hick dems brought out by the cockfighting thing.