The Political Vine

By PV Staff

There are nearly 86 hours to go until the polls close at 7:00 PM on July 20th and the vote count REALLY begins for Primary 2004. But, we have so much left to cover before Drop Dead Day, so, let's get right into this...

6th District Re-Dux - Part 1

Well, wouldn't you know it? We issue a correction stating that we couldn't track-down the official record of the voting on HB 191 in 2003, and, someone kindly faxed us the applicable Senate Journal.

On pages 1933-1941, we have the record of the vote. Sorry to disappoint you, but we are not going to give you a blow-by-blow, but give you the Cliff's Notes version:

1) There was a bill introduced, HB 191

2) Sam Zamarripa introduced an amendment that included allowances for individuals who are citizens of another country to, IF they met certain criteria and had certain identification, obtain a driver's license. That's in his amendment, no ifs, ands, or buts. And, we have the record, the Department of Motor Vehicles' legal counsel's opinion notwithstanding.

3) Several amendments to the Zamarripa amendment were offered, some were withdrawn, and some were passed and tacked-on.

4) When the vote came down to the Zamarripa amendment, the senate leadership gave it a due pass, and the amendment passed 32-21, with Clay voting "no" and Lamutt and Price being one of the ones voting "yes."

BUT, as Lamutt points out in his press release dated July 15, 2004: "Sen. Clay knows that it was never our intention to give illegal immigrants driver’s licenses. This issue has been thoroughly covered at numerous public forums and he knows the truth. The vote in question was a result of an error in judgment by Senate leadership. I have never supported providing drivers’ licenses to illegal immigrants and I never will. Sen. Clay also knows that it was I that made certain this legislation did not pass."

PV Sez: Folks, the fact is, the senate leadership just plain got snookered on this amendment. As one observer of the proceedings said to us, "They [the senate] have a gentleman's code that they will not slip things into nebulous bills. It saves them all the time of having their staffs read every word of everything. Sam Zamarippa screwed them on this, trying to slip it in. They really gave him a spanking and his bills will always be read word for word as his word means nothing."

So, on this issue, Clay has a legitimate issue with regards to the votes occuring as they did. Were the GOP votes in favor of the amendment a deliberate act? We don't think so. It was April 2003, it was the end of the first session that the GOP took over the state senate, and, frankly, they were just getting their feet wet. Does this mean that everyone who voted for the amendment should be burned at the stake for the error in not reading the amendment carefully? That's up to the voters to decide.

6th District Re-Dux - Part 2 (aka "Fred Davis Redeems Himself From 'Gooder'")

Now, for the fun part. Before we get to that point, we need to clear the air a bit in the 6th. Contrary to what you might believe, the PV is not backing Clay in the primary. We covered his attack ad because it was the first broadside shot anyone has taken in this up-to-now-gentlemen's-game. Now, the race gets more interesting as the punches really start being thrown.

We are, on a personal level, backing Lamutt in the primary, and if he gets 2nd seat, in the run-off. Nothing against Price or any other candidate. We just happen to believe Lamutt will be able to provide more balance and more knowledge on all issues in the congressional world between the doctors, the lawyers, the teachers, the computer programmers, and the military veterans.

All THAT being said, we have to turn our readers on to a particularly humorous ad produced by veteran media genius, Fred Davis of Strategic Perceptions.

Does anyone remember the ad from the 1998 runoff between Clint Day and Mitch Skandalakis that showed the Days Inn sun logo setting and crumpling in a heap? That was Fred Davis' work.

In 2002, he was Sonny Perdue's media guy who produced the rat video. In 2002 as well, he also produced the unfunny, and downright ridiculous political ad theme for Bob Barr titled "Gooder" ("John Linder is good, but Bob Barr is just 'gooder'"). After watching that ad more than twice, we just wanted to barf at the stupidity of it.

But, now Fred has redeemed himself with the production of the 2nd hit ad by Clay, and this one is against Lamutt.

Similar to the Clint Day ad in 1998, Lamutt is being hit with accusations of failing to pay three FiFas on a piece of property. FiFas are a collection fee that the county charges someone for not paying their taxes on time, and not paying the interest and penalty.

Now, in fairness, Lamutt has responded by stating that he sold the property in question before the tax was due and he never should have been assessed the taxes, and, therefore, not the FiFa. And, as we have (ahem) on occasion performed the fun task of political research and pored over county tax records, he could very well be in the clear.

Not all municipalities, especially big ones, keep up-to-date track of the properties being sold and bought on a timely basis, and there is somewhat of a "disconnect" between the tax collection department and the real estate record-keeping department.

All THAT being said, this commercial is freakin' hilarious. Fred Davis has, apparently, hired a private detective to follow Ollie, the St. Bernard in Robert Lamutt's commercials, around and has caught him on a cigarette break in-between takes of Lamutt's commercials...You can go on Clay's site here to play it and view this ad using a Quick Time player.

About Those Trial Lawyers In The 27th District

Rumors have it that the reason why the trial lawyers are after Senator Bill Stephens in the 27th race against Bubba McDonald is because Stephens refused to vote their way.

There was a fundraiser held where approximately $35,000 was given to Stephens by members of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. At the time, Stephens told them that, while he appreciate the contributions, they wouldn't sway him on issues. The lawyers present acknowledged that they understood and that was fine with them.

Then, when bills started coming-up with the trial lawyers' interest at heart, Stephens voted against their position. In fact, the contributors assailed Stephens precisely with the fact that "Hey! we gave you all this money and you'd better vote our way or else!"...but, Stephens didn't vote their way.

PV's Analysis: What does this say about Bill Stephens? That he cannot be bought. Which, if you kinda think about it for a few seconds, that's a really good quality to have in a legislator.

Now, one observer on this race has told us his take on how the votes will come down: "The voters in Forsyth County comprise 2/3 of this district, and Cherokee the other 1/3. Forsyth County hasn't had its own senator [i.e., one living in Forsyth] in years. So, it is likely that they will vote for McDonald just for that reason."

Well, we gotta tell you, if Forsyth County wants to have their very own senator who can and will be bought by every shyster that fills his campaign coffer with cash, they can do no better than Bubba McDonald. McDonald has the clearest record of being someone who couldn't care less about the integrity of the elected position, and, instead, will seek as many ways as possible to enrich himself and his interests on whoever pays him enough money.

We know this because Bubba has the documented experience with the legislative $2.5 million slush fund operated by himself, Terry Coleman, and then-Speaker of the House, Tom Murphy, way back in the late 1980s. Then AG Mike Bowers determined that the slush fund was "illegal". To this day, Bubba has said only that "I don't think there was anything wrong" with doling out government money in secret to pay-off certain constituencies off the government budget record. Yeahhhh...nothing wrong with that, is there? Nahhhh...just your typical quality every Republican wants in their state senator...

This is what we need in the legislature. We need a guy who doesn't see corruption as being wrong. We need a guy who will take money from anyone and trade money for legislative favors. That's certainly why the trial lawyers are out to kick Stephens out and replace him with Bubba. So they can directly influence him. So he will do their bidding.

Heck, after the big story a few days ago about the Forsyth County sheriff's candidate who was allegedly caught on tape by an FBI undercover agent promising that those folks who gave him money would get favors, and those who didn't support him would find their business ruined, we think Forsyth County would be as well represented by Gary Beebe as they would a guy like Bubba McDonald.

Beebe is now claiming he was "entrapped" by the FBI. Perhaps that is why Bubba was involved in the slush fund as well...because Murphy and Coleman roped him into it...yeah, that's a viable defense (well, maybe to a UGA grad...or a Klansman...).

You folks in Forsyth will get exactly what you deserve if you vote for McDonald. Sure he'll give you everything you want...if you pay him enough attention...and money. Just get in line behind the trial lawyers and Bobby Kahn...

Marilyn Gilhuly Rears Her Ugliness Again

Rumors have it that former Cobb County GOP Chair Marilyn Gilhuly and current die-hard volunteer for the Mac Collins for U.S. Senate campaign has oozed out of the woodwork again and into the spotlight.

This time it was last Monday's monthly meeting of the Vinings Civic Club. Senator Ginger Collins was the target. Marilyn reportedly used profanity [Gasp! No! Not a Southern Nutcase Like Marilyn! Oh, Lawdy, lawdy...the PV is feeling faint...] and commented in a negative way about Senator Collins' weight. Gilhuly reportedly finished-up her tirade with a promise to "kick [Senator Collins'] ass."

PV Observes: After we warned Mac Collins last year about the hazards of having Gilhuly in such a prominent role on his campaign last year, he told us that he was glad to have her on board.

The person who observed this attack by Gilhuly on Senator Collins wrote the Mac Collins campaign with a complaint. Campaign manager Chris Herdner wrote back that "The person you are referring to is not employed by this campaign."

Yeah...she's not being "employed", but she is a very involved and dedicated volunteer. For the Mac Collins campaign to not apologize to Senator Collins for the behavior of Gilhuly when being apprised of her actions demonstrates to us that this campaign manager has about as much class as Marilyn herself.

He should admit that she is the volunteer we ALL know she is, and state that he cannot control her (no one can, by the way), but that he is sorry she engaged in that verbal attack. But, that would reguire class and class is something too few campaigns possess these days, isn't it?

Looks Like Joey's Abacus Broke Recently

Rumors have it that Senator Joey Brush is having a bit of a problem understanding how business works.

His primary opponent, Jim Whitehead, sold $67,000 worth of tires to the state last year through legitimate state contracts. Of that, he retained approximately 5% for himself in Gross Profit, or $3350.

Brush has put out a hit piece on Whitehead accusing him of making over "$67,000 in illicit profit" from the state with an implied reference to recently indicted Charles Walker for doing the same thing.

PV's Analysis: Joey Brush claims to direct the single largest budget in the state, yet he doesn't know the difference between Gross Sales and Gross Profit. Whitehead is a private citizen who sold the state some tires. Just because the total of the sale was $67,000, that doesn't mean that was all pocketed by Whitehead. There are these minor expenses like, say, the cost of the tires and the administrative costs of managing the contract and delivering the tires.

A few other interesting things about Brush...Brush has been promising his constituency for seven years that he could obtain funding for a tech school in Columbia County and, to date, not a shovel of dirt has been turned.

Brush also has been inducted into the Americans for Tax Reform Hall of Shame for the Years 2002 and 2003 for violating his pledge not to vote for taxes. This is the pledge he signed:

I, (write your name), pledge to the taxpayers of the _____ district of the State of _________ and to all the people of this state, that I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.

__________________________
signed (candidate) Date

_______________________
Witness

__________________________
Witness

So, Senator Brush has broken his pledge to not vote for taxes about as many times as he's broken his vow to remain faithful to his wife. This guy is such a class act...no wonder there's a rumor that the female contingent at the Gold Dome have nicknamed Brush "Senator Predator."

Mike Sheffield & Phil Kent...Candidates For Political Fraud of The Year

We're fed-up. In an e-mail exchange with GOP huckster Phil Kent earlier this week, Kent challenged us on our accuracy in reporting on the voting record of court of appeals candidate Mike Sheffield. In that issue, we displayed the following voting record for Sheffield:

1990 Dem Primary
1990 Dem Primary Runoff
1992 Dem Presidential Preference
1992 Dem Primary
1992 Dem Primary Runoff
1996 Dem Presidential Preference
1996 Dem Primary 1994
1998 Dem Primary
1998 Dem Primary Runoff
2000 Dem Presidential Preference
2000 Dem Primary
2000 Dem Primary Runoff
2002 Democratic Primary

...and, coincidentally

2004 GOP Presidential Preference

To this, Kent sent us an e-mail stating that Sheffield "voted for Bush in 2000 and Perdue in 2002." And, an explanation for voting in 2002 Democratic Primary was given by Kent: "Well, that was the year all of the Republicans crossed over to vote against Cynthia McKinney. I did as well. Does that make me a Democrat? Look, if I'm being fooled, then I need to know. But, Sheffield is a conservative Christian, and blah...blah...blah..."

Well, here's the funny thing, guys. Sheffield can claim all he wants to, and Kent can babble all he wants to about there being a "whisper campaign" against Sheffield, but the facts demonstrate otherwise.

On October 3, 2001, Sheffield contributed $1000 to Roy Barnes for his primary race. On September 10, 2002, AFTER the GOP primary was decided and Sonny Perdue was the candidate, Sheffield contributed another $1000 to Roy Barnes for the general election.

He contributed to Barnes AFTER we knew Sonny Perdue won the primary. So, if you're going to "vote" for Perdue, why do you give money to Barnes? Why not wait until after the election to give money to Barnes if he wins or to Perdue if he wins? That would, at minimum, indicate that a person could have voted for Perdue. Not in this case.

Plus, Sheffield has given no money to Perdue since Perdue was elected...why not? If he's such a strong supporter of Perdue's and "voted for him," why not contribute money like he did to Barnes?

It's all crappola. Sheffield is a sham who has been coached and told how to fill-out the Christian Coalition survey to get an acceptable score. Kent is a huckster who is just as big a political fraud as Sheffield. That he got elected as a delegate to the GOP national convention from DeKalb ahead of other people we KNOW were more deserving of such an honor means the people in the DeKalb County GOP are as gullible and naive as anyone who believes Phil Kent is a good "PR person." Sheesh!

Not that you asked, but our pick for the court of appeals is Debra Bernes. Unlike Sheffield, she's not a liar, and she's well-qualified for the seat.

PV Staff