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Some see Collins faltering in GOP Senate bid [Go Cain!]
Associated Press ^ | 7/8/2004 | DICK PETTYS

Posted on 07/09/2004 12:42:02 PM PDT by UlsterDavy

Some see Collins faltering in GOP Senate bid

DICK PETTYS

Associated Press

ATLANTA - Six-term U.S. Rep. Mac Collins has surprised a lot of people in his bid for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, but maybe not quite the way he intended.

With the campaign in its last 10 days, he is dead last in fund-raising among the three GOP candidates for the seat of retiring Sen. Zell Miller, and until his TV ads began airing this weekend, he had forfeited that medium to rivals Johnny Isakson and Herman Cain.

Collins insisted Friday he's "in good shape" and will peak exactly when he plans - July 20, election day.

But others aren't so sure.

"My sense is, things are not going well for that campaign," said University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock. "I wouldn't be surprised to see him finish third."

"I've been surprised at his low visibility," said Rusty Paul, a former chairman of the state Republican Party and Isakson supporter. "I think Mac is operating on the theory you can win races in Georgia still with grass roots campaigns ... but it's a much more difficult race to win."

Early on, the race looked to be a contest between two incumbent congressman - Collins, who has been in Washington since 1992, and Isakson, who won a special election in 1999 to replace Newt Gingrich and who had run two statewide races before.

Out of nowhere came Herman Cain, former CEO of Godfather's Pizza and political neophyte who dazzled audiences with the skills he honed as a motivational speaker. He is the first black to seek a statewide office in Georgia under the GOP banner since Reconstruction.

With the race now winding down, Isakson leads in fund-raising, Cain is second and Collins is third, and some think that's the way the race will end, with the only question whether Isakson and Cain will meet in a runoff.

Collins doesn't see it that way.

"We're running a very positive campaign that's far from being over or a flop or a dud," Collins said. "You'll see that July 20."

Paul, however, sees a campaign that just isn't catching any breaks.

"His failure to achieve any momentum is not because there's anything inherently wrong with Mac Collins, his philosophy or ideas. He just waited late to get into the race, doesn't have the resources and he assumed he would inherit the right flank. But every day he's had to compete with Herman Cain for the right flank and he hasn't been able to nail that down."

The political arm of the anti-abortion group Georgia Right to Life gave an equal endorsement to Collins and Cain, who allow only one exception for abortion - to preserve the life of the mother. Isakson would also allow exceptions for rape and incest, a position unacceptable to that group.

In addition, Collins' campaign has experienced an unusual amount of staff turnover. He's now operating with his fourth campaign manager and his second press secretary, both brought down from his Washington staff.

"It's generally not thought to be a good thing to have turmoil on your staff," said political scientist Bullock.

"I wouldn't go so far to say it was 'turmoil,'" said Dan Kidder, the campaign's new press secretary. "I would say 'creative differences.'"

He explained: "U.S. Rep. Collins is not one who will be managed. He's been a successful businessman, a very successful leader in Congress ... the only person who's going to manage Mac Collins is Mac Collins."

All that aside, Kidder said Collins has quietly assembled a huge grass roots network that will take the state by surprise on July 20. "Mac Collins is an expert on grass roots campaigning ... people have underestimated him before."

Paul said Gov. Sonny Perdue's victory two years ago shows it is possible to win a statewide campaign with a grass roots campaign, "but everything has to go right."

And one important factor is missing now that helped lift Perdue to victory, Paul said.

"Two years ago you had a very unpopular incumbent. There was a lot of pent-up anger and frustration. In this case, it doesn't exist."


TOPICS: Politics/Elections; US: Georgia
KEYWORDS: cain; collins; georgia; hermancain; maccollins; ussenate
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1 posted on 07/09/2004 12:42:03 PM PDT by UlsterDavy
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To: UlsterDavy; All
For whatever it's worth, long as God give me breath, I'll vote for Herman Cain- click the picture to visit his website now:


2 posted on 07/09/2004 1:56:32 PM PDT by backhoe (Just an old Keyboard Cowboy, ridin' the Trackball into the Sunset...)
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To: UlsterDavy

Rusty Paul is a moron. He said, "I've been surprised at his low visibility," said Rusty Paul, a former chairman of the state Republican Party and Isakson supporter. "I think Mac is operating on the theory you can win races in Georgia still with grass roots campaigns ... but it's a much more difficult race to win."

Neither Mac or Johnny have done anything grassroots. Johnny hired "college kids" to go to county meetings. The kids are not effective, they merely have turned a lot of people off with their snooty ways.

Isakson has thrown his moeny in every direction and is failing miserably. He is relying soley on old school techniques, mail, email and tv.

Mac has done little to nothing and calls it grassroots. He knows how to run a district race but not statewide.

Cain has redifined political campaigning. The law of sowing and reaping is legitimate. He will earn every vote he gets.


3 posted on 07/09/2004 4:38:50 PM PDT by Maurice1962 (Just Got To Believe In Miracles)
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To: backhoe

Please God, let Mr. Cain win!


4 posted on 07/09/2004 4:42:53 PM PDT by Claire Voyant ((visualize whirled peas))
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To: Claire Voyant

Well, I'm cautiously optimistic- this is the first time, in 19 years of marriage, my normally apolitical wife has registered to vote, and I suspect Mr. Cain was the motivator.


5 posted on 07/09/2004 4:59:35 PM PDT by backhoe (Just an old Keyboard Cowboy, ridin' the Trackball into the Sunset...)
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To: backhoe
Cain's campaign is the first one I've gotten involved in. So far I've put out 100 yard signs around Atlanta. I plan to keep putting them out until election day, July 20th.

The main reason I'm working for Cain is the abortion issue. He'd make a great spokesman for the unborn in the Senate.

6 posted on 07/09/2004 5:16:39 PM PDT by Atlantian
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To: Atlantian
Cain's campaign is the first one I've gotten involved in. So far I've put out 100 yard signs around Atlanta. I plan to keep putting them out until election day, July 20th.

God bless you, neighbor- and I need to make a note to myself to get some Cain signs- been meaning to do it, and keep forgetting. We're on a major truck route in town.

7 posted on 07/09/2004 5:30:58 PM PDT by backhoe (Just an old Keyboard Cowboy, ridin' the Trackball into the Sunset...)
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To: backhoe; Veritas_est
If anyone in GA wants Cain signs, his headquarters is easy to get to. It's just off the I-75, State Farmers' Market exit in Forest Park.

Come on down and get yard signs. Put them out while you run errands. It's not hard to do.

8 posted on 07/09/2004 5:42:23 PM PDT by Atlantian
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To: AuH2ORepublican

Ping


9 posted on 07/09/2004 5:49:25 PM PDT by kalt
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To: UlsterDavy; NewLand

This is great news to us Cain supporters. While Mac Collins is a solid conservative and would make a fine Senator, Herman Cain would make a magnificent Senator, and his election could be a harbinger of a political realignment among blacks in the South and eventually nationwide. 30% of the black vote is all we need to forge a permanent majority in Congress.

But I would be remiss if I didn't comment on this statement by the author of the article:

"The political arm of the anti-abortion group Georgia Right to Life gave an equal endorsement to Collins and Cain, who allow only one exception for abortion - to preserve the life of the mother. Isakson would also allow exceptions for rape and incest, a position unacceptable to that group."



Can you believe this tripe? Johnny Isakson is, by his own admission, pro-abortion (or at least bragged about it when he ran statewide in 1996) and he has voted in favor of abortions in military hospitals every time the issue has come up (and it comes up pretty much every year). How the heck can the author claim that Isakson merely allows exceptions for rape and incest, which happens to be the position taken by President George W. Bush, who I'm sure will be endorsed by Georgia Right to Life? How much is Isakson paying these reporters to lie about his abortion record?


10 posted on 07/09/2004 6:06:49 PM PDT by AuH2ORepublican (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.)
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To: AuH2ORepublican; Veritas_est; WoodstockCat; UlsterDavy; mhking; Tatze; onyx; cyborg; ...
((((( THE OFFICIAL HERMAN CAIN PING LIST )))))

FReepMail me if you want to be ON or OFF this list

Go Herman Go! Pray for Herman Cain!

Click Here for the Herman Cain for US Senate Web Site

Click Here to see Herman Cain's Campaign Commercials

Click Here to Speak Up on the Cain Blog Spot

11 posted on 07/09/2004 6:33:22 PM PDT by NewLand (Two John's get flushed everyday on Free Republic!)
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To: AuH2ORepublican
Although I agree with you on abortion issue (I believe in adoption, not abortion) I don't believe it should be a political issue to hinge a campaign on.

The victory on abortion must be won in the hearts of people worldwide...only the Dems want to keep it a political dividing line.

12 posted on 07/09/2004 6:35:56 PM PDT by NewLand (Two John's get flushed everyday on Free Republic!)
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To: backhoe

Contribution made.

Bump!


13 posted on 07/09/2004 7:06:20 PM PDT by BlessedBeGod ('I went to Vietnam, yada yada yada, I want to be President...")
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To: NewLand

I see three Herman Cain articles today!
Can that possibly be an indication of him winning?
I am still praying for him.


14 posted on 07/09/2004 7:56:20 PM PDT by onyx (Kerry/Edwards: It's the hair, stupid.)
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To: onyx

It's just the beginning, onyx!!!


15 posted on 07/09/2004 8:01:09 PM PDT by NewLand (Two John's get flushed everyday on Free Republic!)
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To: backhoe
If Herman Cain wins that Senate seat not only will that be a historic first in the South but will drive the Democrats nuts. Cain would be the first black Republican senator since Edward Brooke of Mass. was in office. In fact he would be only the 2nd black U.S. Senator ever unless someone else knows different.
Although we can expect the NAACP and other blacks, like Jesse Jackson, to denounce Cain and call him a Uncle Tom like they do to all blacks that don't tote their kind of thinking.
16 posted on 07/09/2004 8:11:48 PM PDT by Captain Peter Blood
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To: NewLand

He's looking GOOD.
Dear God in Heaven,
reach enough hearts
so that Herman will win.


17 posted on 07/09/2004 8:12:35 PM PDT by onyx (Kerry/Edwards: It's the hair, stupid.)
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To: AuH2ORepublican
> How the heck can the author claim that Isakson merely allows exceptions for rape and incest, which happens to be the position taken by President George W. Bush, who I'm sure will be endorsed by Georgia Right to Life? How much is Isakson paying these reporters to lie about his abortion record?<

Because that is Isakson's position and George Bush's.Georgia right to life has chosen to insist on the moral but politically indefensible position that life of the mother is the only acceptable stand.The position they take is supported by less than half the voters in the US.This is probably the only issue that can cost the Republicans the election in Ga. this year.Cain vs Marjette- the democrats start with the 40% of the vote.If they drive home Cains abortion position they will get over half the swing voters and win the race.We are only one election cycle removed from a democrat majority in statewide races.

65% of voters agree abortion is wrong when the 3 exception position of Bush and Isakson is used.Isakson would carry Ga. 60% to 40% against Marjette.
18 posted on 07/09/2004 9:28:51 PM PDT by Blessed
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To: Captain Peter Blood
If Herman Cain wins that Senate seat not only will that be a historic first in the South but will drive the Democrats nuts. Cain would be the first black Republican senator since Edward Brooke of Mass. was in office. In fact he would be only the 2nd black U.S. Senator ever unless someone else knows different. Although we can expect the NAACP and other blacks, like Jesse Jackson, to denounce Cain and call him a Uncle Tom like they do to all blacks that don't tote their kind of thinking.

I could ramble on & on about how the South is unfairly stereotyped regarding race, but we've all seen how the Jackal Pack Media works to drive its agendas- one of them being "the South is like "Deliverance"- full of ignorant, racist ( and sexist ) rednecks..."

But rather than that, let me tell you a story.

There's a perrenial candidate for local office here in my town- his name is Joe Jaudon, and while he's never won office, I always vote for him.

And so you ask, "Why? Why vote for a man who never wins?"

Simply this- the first time he ran for office here he came up to me, shook my hand, and asked for my support, and while talking to him I naturally asked him why I should vote for him- and his answer was so simple and compelling-

"You've got a friend in Joe Jaudon."

So everytime Joe runs, I cast my vote for him, and maybe one day, he'll win some kind of office here...

...and yes, Joe is black and I am white. The color of a man's skin has nothing to do with the color of his heart.

19 posted on 07/10/2004 1:11:10 AM PDT by backhoe (Just an old Keyboard Cowboy, ridin' the Trackball into the Sunset...)
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To: Captain Peter Blood
If Herman Cain wins that Senate seat not only will that be a historic first in the South but will drive the Democrats nuts. Cain would be the first black Republican senator since Edward Brooke of Mass. was in office. In fact he would be only the 2nd black U.S. Senator ever unless someone else knows different.

Although we can expect the NAACP and other blacks, like Jesse Jackson, to denounce Cain and call him a Uncle Tom like they do to all blacks that don't tote their kind of thinking.

You are forgetting the black woman from Illinois who was booted out after her first term. I forget her name. Also there we a few during reconstruction.

Anyway, I gave Cain $250 today, and also stopped by the office and made signs for a few hours. The people who work for him are real people, not the type that Johnny seems to recruit, the purely political animals.

Anyway, I will admit that Isakson has experience that Cain does not have. That's in losing embarassingly to a Democrat statewide. Let us hope that Mr Moderate does not get a second chance to repeat that.

20 posted on 07/10/2004 1:28:15 PM PDT by edeal
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