That video was one of the most talked about things to happen at the GOP convention last night, and I expect it to garner a lot of attention moving forward.
First, let me point out that it is no more of an attack on Ox than his emails last weekend were on her, so while both are guilty of ‘going negative’ already, Ox really doesn’t have any room to complain, as he was the first one to fire.
Second, I will point out a major issue I have with the video: where Ms. Handel points out that she has ensured ‘fair elections’ in this state. Quite frankly, our elections in this state are anything but fair, as they are rigged in favor of the single party that has dominated all recent elections – the Big Government Party. Georgia’s ballot access laws are some of the most restrictive in the nation, and Ms. Handel wants to promote that she has ensured ‘fair’ elections? Only if you are a member of the Big Government Party – maybe.
If you dare to oppose the Big Government Party, the hoops you have to jump through are pretty extreme. But there ARE those who are working to change that. John Monds is one of them. There are also currently 79 members of the Facebook group I created, Equal Ballot Access For All (GA Chapter), and I hereby challenge everyone who reads this blog to join this group and work to allow genuinely ‘fair’ elections in this State – including any and all politicians that read this.
What nonsense these are baseless charges based on rhetoric and not facts. SWGA Politics wants illegal aliens to vote and anything that prevents that it deemed to be unfair.
Handel is merely enforcing federal and state law. She did not pass the laws – she is enforcing them. Wow what a concept!
What hoops are you referring to, proving you are a US Citizen and proving you are who you say you are?
By law you have to prove the same thing to get a job in GA – so are you advocating for the unemployed and illegal residents to vote?
The GA Voter ID is free, the supreme court has held up the constitutionality of voter ID and it has survived many court challenges.
Where is the evidence that those who are legally entitled to vote are being disenfranchised? Where is the beef?
Why is enforcing the rule of law deemed to be unfair?
South Fulton Guy: Now that you’ve typed that long diatribe, you should consider googling the term “ballot access” so you’ll understand what Jeff is talking about.
Ballot access has nothing to do with non US citizens voting, and not one place has anyone said anything. While I believe the immigration laws on the books are unbelievably bad, ballot access has nothing to do with voting.
Ballot access is the ability to actually get ON the ballot. The elections in this state are ridiculously difficult for anyone who is not either a Democrat or Republican to get on the ballot. Above, Jeff has linked to a post I made about “viable candidates”. I talk about what an alternative party candidate has to do just to get on the ballot.
No, Karen Handel isn’t in a position to change those laws. However, to say she ran “fair” elections is a misnomer as well. The elections in this state are far from fair. Is it Mrs. Handel’s fault? Not really. But she’s not exactly being accurate when she says they were fair.
Tom,
Duly noted about the distinction between ballot access and having to receive a provisional ballot because of registration challenges.
As you correctly pointed out ballot access statutes are not established by the Secretary of State.
Again if Jeff wants to blame someone for this, it is not Karen Handel, it is the legislature or the State Election Board on which she only has ONE vote.
SFG:
If Karen Handel comes out and says she supports easing restrictions on ballot access -and comes with a plan, not just words – or even if she would do something so simple as to join that Facebook group I linked to, you have my word I will withdraw my objection.
As it stands right now, she is in PRIME position to influence election laws in this State, and she has remained silent on this issue, and this thereby guilty by association if nothing else.
This is a good commercial! I think the timing is right to change the access laws as well. Do you have anyone sponsoring a bill?
Donna,
Honestly, Jason Pye is the expert here, but to my knowledge no, this is not an issue ANYONE in the Big Government Party (at least as far as its elected officials goes) will touch.
The ad that Karen ran was an affective ad. The speech that she gave after was good also, much better than the one she gave at the 2nd Congressional Dinner. Having been there, though, she left out a number of points that to me were on the top of my list of priorities. The top most being states rights.
Which she did not talk about at all. OX has only been talking about them for 2 or so weeks. Ray McBerry has been talking about them for 10 years. I’ve been told that most of the delagates are far more conservitive than the average GOP person. That being said, at the convention, Ray got the most applause from the crowd.