The following is from conservative activist Bryan Miller, via his Facebook page. In the comments on it, Maria Sheffield re-iterates what she had earlier said on twitter about not appearing where Ray McBerry is. Karen Handel made similar claims today at a forum hosted by Jim Galloway, while other candidates had a much weaker response.
Anyway, here’s Bryan’s post:
It has come to light in recent weeks that long shot GOP candidate for Governor Ray McBerry, a former teacher, carried on an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl while he was the girl’s youth pastor. While I will not go into specific details of the allegations, and what McBerry himself admits to, the information can be found here via the AJC: http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2010/04/29/parents-church-and-judge-told-future-gop-candidate-for-governor-leave-the-girl-alone/
Last week McBerry wrote a $4,180.18 check and qualified to be on the ballot this July as a republican. Party officials are barred by law from preventing his candidacy. Thus, the Georgia GOP should do everything it can to separate itself from all things Ray McBerry. State party officials should donate McBerry’s qualifying check to charity and make it clear there is no room in the GA GOP for candidates who have demonstrated such behavior.
It is up to local party officials and event organizers not to invite or allow McBerry to participate in any candidate forums, party meetings, events, and so on. Any invitation currently out there should be rescinded. It is frankly nauseating that we have people who will applaud and cast straw poll votes for such a disgraceful individual as Ray McBerry. Those voters should be ashamed.
While I have not, and have no plans to, endorse any gubernatorial candidate for governor until after the primary, I applaud Karen Handel for her stance on this issue. Handel has been the most critical of McBerry’s actions and has gone further to say she will no longer appear on stage at forums with him. If you recall, Handel was also the first, and only, GOP candidate for governor to call on former Speaker Glenn Richardson to resign amidst news he carried on an affair with a utility lobbyist while sponsoring legislation that would have benefited her employer.
Lastly, Ray McBerry has said he has no intention of getting out of this race. McBerry blames everyone but himself for this problem. He has continued to act in a way that only enhances his own ego. It is time for him to take responsibility for his actions. It is time for him to do what is best for his family and the people of this state. It is time for Ray McBerry to get out of this race and out of the public eye.
They should take his check and get him the professional help he needs.
I hear there is going to be a press conference today from his campaign. Could he be dropping out?
Brian Keahl
I wouldn’t want to disappoint you by letting your post be the last word. So I’ll just add the letter he wrote apologizing for lying about his clandestine meetings with their daughter and his behavior: http://tinyurl.com/y5fba5w. I guess he lied about himself too. Or maybe the restraining order with the judge indicating there was … See Moresufficient evidence … http://tinyurl.com/y7l9adz. I’m sure it all doesn’t matter. He’s a man of great character, totally misunderstood, and his actions were all the fault of a little 16 year old slut. Yep, that’s the line and we’re sticking to it.
40 minutes ago
Aja Brooks
I read it, so I’m not disappointed that you’re bringing it up after the fact, as I address it in my note on my own page!!! Hey Brian, you actually have to sleep with a person more that once or have multiple partners, and since Rachel didn’t do either, she’s NOT A SLUT — JUST NOW A GROWN-UP LIAR!
Ya know, the link that you have of the mother’s letter to the court, yeah, I caught wind of that too because they were talking about it in 1999 when I was in college…. you see, maybe I have a different vantage point, as I am c/o 1998 Henry County Alumni and an actual band nerd.
Not to sound too tawdry, but I make Ray McBerry look like a choir boy! Maybe if we want the new GA Capitol to be all about “BUBBLE GUM ROMANCE and CHURCH GOSSIP”, we should elect Handel.
20 minutes ago
I do not believe Rachel is necessarily lying… but that it was consitual. In any event it was inappropriate.