if the powers that be will let it.
You see, apparently, per this post on frequent SWGAPolitics.com commenter Kyle Constable’s blog, there are at least three people vieing for a shot at being the Republican challenger to Sanford Bishop next year.
One is State Rep Mike Keown (R-Coolidge). Keown first won election to that post in 2004, and has served as pastor of First Newark Baptist Church in Thomasville since 1996. He is also a native North Georgian, like myself, having been born in Canton, GA and graduating from Cherokee County HS in 1972 – right around the same time as some of my mom’s siblings, and only a few years ahead of my mom herself. In this past session, he sponsored one bill to give more private school teachers creditable service in the Teacher’s Retirement System of Georgia, one bill to provide a sales tax exemption for regional technology authorities, and another to provide the town of Ochlocknee – State Senator John Bulloch’s hometown – with a new charter.
Another is Don Cole, the 2nd District GOP Chair. Cole is a small business owner from Cordele who, on Facebook at least, supports Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin.
The third candidate Kyle mentions is Lee Ferrell, the guy who only got 31% of the vote against Bishop’s 68.9% in the 2008 election. As best I can tell from Ferrell’s website, he lists his current occupation as ‘artist’ and currently lives in Albany.
The one possible candidate that Kyle didn’t mention is SWGAPolitics.com’s own Bill Waller, currently a stay at home dad living in Albany.
Kyle talks quite a bit about how Keown, Cole, and Ferrell are talking behind closed doors about only one of them running. Personally, I find this completely anti-democratic. If you want to run, run. Don’t make some kind of deal behind closed doors to avoid a primary because you are afraid of Bishop – which is EXACTLY what is going on here. Instead, use the fire of the primary to strengthen your own candidacy for the war that challenging Bishop truly is.
After all, a primary fight is a GREAT tool to get your name in the news, and when it comes to beating Bishop, you’re going to need all the press you can get.
A local prominent Republican made mention to me some time back of an interesting tidbit. That is, based on the demographics of Albany and how these groups vote in this area, the Georgia 2nd isn’t exactly a fertile ground for the Republicans. As such, there won’t be any money coming in from the Party, who will instead direct it towards more viable races.
Just something for candidates to keep in mind.
I heard about this meeting. Nobody decided to step down as was reported. Lee Ferrell sent a passionate letter saying that he is still in the race, and I just asked permission to post it as a comment.
I too think that a primary is a GREAT way to get a name out prior to the race in November. I’ve also been told not to expect financial support from the party, but I think with some creativity that can be an asset.
I’ve heard of two others that may run, but they want to keep their cards close to their chest at the moment.
Good point about the lack of financial backing from the party possibly being a benefit. It more easily paints one as an “outsider” Republican (or even Democrat for that matter).
That same Republican once told me the same thing. I plan on discussing that and similar issues in a future post though.
If we are talking about “the same Republican” when President Obama was considering Rep. Bishop for Agriculture Secretary, he told me that he did not want that congressional seat if it came from an appointment from the governor because he thought it would be hard to hold in the next election.
Since my county is divided between two congressional districts, I will be following the race in the 8th but it would be nice seeing an intelligent discussion of issues from serious candidates (and the three men mentioned in this post are that) rather than someone asking if SDB was actually born in Moblie…have seen his birth certificate..has he been naturalized. Peace
.-= Slyram´s last blog ..Elite Blacks: From Adam Clayton Powell to Henry Louis Gates =-.
Kyle just posted an update on his blog that reports Don Cole and Mike Keown are headed to Washington today to see who should best represent the party in the 2nd District. What?? Are these two that dense? That is what a primary is for. While they are up there, they need to see if the NRCC will send any money down this way. If the answer is no, then their opinon about who should run is worthless!
I am reading the blogs with interest. I appreciate the opportunity to perhaps clarify a few of the points.
Several weeks back I started making plans to come to Washington and meet with the NRCC about making a run the District 2 seat. It is just part of doing my homework. When Representative Keown announced his interest in running, I invited him to come along. After all, we are on the same team and seeking the same goal. No one on this trip is presuming to pick the nominee.
We live in a cynical world and our elected officials have given us every right to be cynical. May I have a moment to share a few thoughts?
First, I ask you to hear me out on my perspective of the meeting that I asked for with Lee Ferrell and Mike Keown. What is it that all candidates do after a primary election? They all get together and ask their supporters to join hands together with the winner of the primary, united and moving toward November. If we are going to do that after a primary, then should we not at least meet each other and talk with each other before the campaign? We are on the same team. A team will not get very far without communicating with one another. Why wait till a few weeks before the general election to talk about our common goal? Our common goal is to put a representative in Congress who will stand firm against Pelosi and Obama. Do not let anyone distract you from that goal.
Now, let me share my thoughts on the matter of a primary race. I agree that a primary race can strengthen and hone a candidate. There is another side to a primary race to consider. I have seen times after a primary that those who poured their heart and soul into the race on behalf of a losing candidate are often burned out, discouraged, and find it hard to put as much energy into the general race. In most races a certain percentage of after primary fatigue and drop out could be viewed as just part of the cost of having a primary.
In this case that percentage could also be the cost of the general election. This is not a matter of being afraid of Sanford Bishop. This is also not a matter of trying to block the democratic process or dictatorial party bosses. Please don’t turn me off just yet.
To beat Sanford Bishop, it will take getting every single voter who shares our conservative values to go to the polls and vote to remove the ally of the liberal Pelosi/Obama agenda. That means that country club Republicans, Ron Paul Republicans, Libertarians, Constitutionalists, Independents, and conservative Democrats will have to work toward the same end with a laser-like focus on victory.
In my humble opinion, we are far better off to unite behind a candidate early in the game and work to energize everyone for the full race. Any discouragement – let me say that again – any discouragement or burnout that comes because of a supporter’s candidate losing a primary could very well be the missing vote that allows the incumbent to return to Washington and keep supporting the Pelosi/Obama agenda. Every single vote is vital.
We stand at a critical crossroads in our nation. Concerned Americans from Southwest Georgia have taken up the cause to get involved and are writing letters, signing petitions, showing up at protests and rallies. There is a powerful movement afoot to regain some common sense in government. Right now we are focused on making the life-critical course correction for our nation. My focus is not on being the Republican nominee. My focus is on taking one vote away from Nancy Pelosi and the liberals.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts with you and your readers.
Sincerely,
Don Cole, Chairman
2nd District Georgia GOP
P.S. I also had a few comments for Kyle on his blog. Here is the link: http://kyleconstable.com/2009/07/georgias-2nd-congressional-republican-primary-conflict/
Hey Don — I’d like to publish this or a version of this (if you’d like to rewrite it for a newspaper) in the Albany Journal. Please let me know if that’s OK. Thanks, Kevin(ajournal@thealbanyjournal.com)
.-= Kevin Hogencamp´s last blog ..Lee County Taxpayers Association formed =-.
The main argument I would make to do a primary with multiple candidates is with a one candidate primary, that candidate will be nonexistent in the media’s eyes for the first half of the election year. there’s no story, no drama, no reason to cover the candidate’s campaign. By having a contested primary, you force the local paper, radio, newspaper, and blogs to cover your campaign. Which is more chances to get your name, face, and message out to the public over a longer timeframe.
Don: First, thanks for giving your perspective on this. It’s always enlightening to have the words of those who are actually part of the story.
As for Libertarians joining with Republicans of all stripes, I’m afraid I can’t just do that. If the candidate is clearly a pro-freedom, minimal government type, that’s possible. But if he’s like so many Republicans in Washington right now, I can’t. After all, it’s taken both parties to get us into the mess we find ourselves in today. Of course, we’ll see how things shape up as the primary campaign season draws closer
Good point on the newsworthiness of a primary, Ed. Tom, I hope that I did not convey that any old Republican will do. I’m talking about a conservative, pro-freedom, smaller government type of Republican who can get votes because he or she advocates these values in practice – not just in campaign rhetoric. These candidates do exist.
I absolutely agree with Ed, there should be a open primary where the candidates are vetted and strengthened.
The free press that debates and townhall meetings garner will be invaluable.
We are long past the days when the party machine picks a candidate and tells us to support them. Office’s will have to be earned. Not just my showing up at an event someone else planned and giving a pretty speech. The candidate that wins the nomination must have the ‘fire in the belly’ to make a positive change in our government. They will have to be educated on all issues–yes this means a great deal of reading/research. They will have to articulate their goals in a way that mobilizes people to take action. This list is endless. Anyone considering running must be willing to turn their lives over to the campaign because it will take a mind, body and soul completely devoted to winning.
[...] http://swgapolitics.com/index/2009/07/29/lee-ferrell-doesnt-have-a-clue/ http://swgapolitics.com/index/2009/07/28/looks-like-weve-got-an-interesting-race-shaping-up/ http://swgapolitics.com/index/2009/04/22/musings-on-the-2nd-district-candidates/ [...]
Donna is soooo right on this.The 2 party system is really a 1 party system,them against us.I’ve been a rep party loyalist my entire adult life,but the past frw years I knew something wasnt right.I just couldnt figure out what it was.Now I know.I was betrayed.While I worked 7 days a week to build a future for my kids both sides were stealing it faster than I could build it.
So anyone planning on running.You better know that WE,the AMERICAN CITIZENS that played by the rules are not going to put up with more of the same anymore.We will be all over you.Gone are the days of our jobs being done at the ballot box.Just look at how Bishop is trying to hide,but he is being found.We will not tolerate that ever again.You will be held accountable to us.
Bll,
Have you checked out the Libertarian Party? You can join us online…
and if you DO join the Party and want to discuss it, I’m open to the possibility of running a Libertarian in this race. That battle will be even more uphill than the GOP one, but if I can find a candidate that wants to work his tail off to do it, I’m willing to at a minimum talk to them and possibly do everything I can to support them.
There is no way in hell a republican, no matter how conservative he or she is will defeat bishop. this is a very rural & poor district dominated by agriculture, which drives this district. plus with a very high black population, he will hold this seat until he retires.
I’m astonished that there is not even one conservative black or hispanic doctor who would want to run in this district. In my opinion, that’s the way you beat Bishop. With this health care battle going on, a conservative doctor, especially a minority with strong convictions, would be a natural enemy of Pelosi. This may not sound PC, but it’s my opinion and I feel strongly about it. I moved back home in 2005 and when I realized Bishop was still here, I knew nothing had changed. We need to do more then open our doors, we have to find these minority conservative men and women who are leaders in their communities and court them. I would beat the RNC would cough up money for that. Just sayin’