Angusta Chronicle
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Qualifying period starts for contests
By Brandon Larrabee| Morris News Service
ATLANTA --- Political hopefuls and experienced officeholders fired opening shots Monday in some of the highest-profile political races this year as candidates trekked to the state Capitol to qualify for the 2008 campaign.
Several Democrats have already lined up to challenge U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and one qualified Monday: former Human Resources Commissioner Jim Martin, who promptly moved to tie Mr. Chambliss to President Bush, whose popularity ratings are at near-historic lows.
But Mr. Chambliss said anyone who tried to say he was too closely tied to President Bush wasn't looking at the senator's record.
"I have agreed with the president when I think he's right," Mr. Chambliss said. "But there are issues we disagree on. ... If that's the worst anybody can say about me, I'd say I'm in pretty good shape."
Meanwhile, the state Democratic Party highlighted Army veterans who will run in congressional districts, including the Athens-centered 10th District.
Bobby Saxon, running in the 10th District, said he would set a different tone for his campaign than the already bitter rhetoric flying between U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Athens, and his primary challenger, state House Majority Whip Barry Fleming, R-Harlem.
"We're already seeing them be very partisan and very mean with standard, bad politics out there," Mr. Saxon said. "And I don't want to be that way. And I don't think that Americans in this country want that kind of representation, either."
Mr. Broun and Mr. Fleming traded shots Monday, with the incumbent saying he would try to steer clear of a tit-for-tat with his challenger.
"It's going to be very negative," Mr. Broun said. "I'm not going to get in the pigpen with him."
But Mr. Fleming said he had done nothing more than highlight Mr. Broun's brief history in Congress since winning a special election last year to complete the term of the late Charlie Norwood.
"The only comments I've made about Congressman Broun (concern) his own voting record," Mr. Fleming said. "And if he thinks his own voting record is negative, then well, I'll let him explain that to the people of the 10th district."
Lee Anderson, of Grovetown, and Brett McGuire, of Appling, both qualified in the GOP primary for Mr. Fleming's seat.
Reprinted from
augustachronicle.com,
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/042908/met_196715.shtml
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News... |
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02/25/2008
"Bobby calls "Hogwash on the doctor" |
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02/15/2007
"Bobby believes you should spend your own money" |
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01/25/2008
"Bobby Saxon to fight the real fight for Georgia's
children" |
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10/15/2007
"Saxon raises over $44,000 in four weeks setting record in
GA-10" |
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09/26/2007
"What will Dr. Broun do for you? Not much if you're a Georgia
child in need of healthcare" |
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08/25/2007
"Bobby Saxon Announces Candidacy for United States Congress" |
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08/21/2007 "Broun's first challenger emerges" -
Athens Banner Herald |
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08/16/2007 "Democrat Files to challenge Rep.
Broun in Georgia's 10th" - CQPolitics.com |
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