^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

for 28 JUN 04: CAIN IS ABLE?

Two top Republican candidates for U.S. Senate in Georgia debated each other at the RiverCenter Sunday night. Johnny Isakson was NOT among them - as he apparently has bought enough TV time to explain all his positions already.

Senate candidate Herman Cain began the debate, introducing himself by saying: "I'm not a politician. I am a problem solver." Oh no! How much did WRBL pay him to make that statement on another station?

Herman Cain says he believes in each person's desire to achieve their dreams "the old-fashioned way.... by working for it." So a vote for him may be a vote to do away with signing bonuses for pro athletes.

Herman Cain warned some people want to "redefine our moral foundation" in the U.S. Perhaps that's why this debate wasn't held at the Civic Center. The Victory Drive nightclubs simply were too close.

Rep. Mac Collins told the debate audience his top priority is national security and defense. For one thing, he wants "more bases like Fort Benning" - so smoke clouds from controlled burns may spread from coast to coast.

Mac Collins said during his years on the House Ways and Means Committee, he's helped to improve agreements on the textile industry. Just think - the Pillowtex employees in Phenix City might have been laid off even sooner.

The most contentious moment of the Senate debate involved a proposed "fair tax." Neither candidate went into great detail about what that means - but I haven't been to the fair at South Commons in a few years, so that's not really my issue.

Herman Cain's idea of a "fair tax" is a national tax on consumption, doing away with the income tax code. He says the income tax system provides a "disincentive to earn money." For instance, Karl Malone and Gary Payton took pay cuts to play with the Lakers this past season....

(C'mon now - if the income tax system really discourages people from making money, why will there be long lines at lottery windows today for that $210 million jackpot?)

Herman Cain wants an overhaul in the tax system, instead of what he calls a "band-aid on the tax code." In fact, he spoke against Band-Aids so many times I get the feeling he attends a Christian Science church.

Mac Collins responded to this talk by saying Herman Cain never contacted him in the U.S. House about backing a fair tax. Perhaps Cain thought a public opinion poll was sufficient - but Republicans claim they NEVER govern based on polls.

The funniest moment at the Senate debate occurred when the candidates discussed the opponent who wasn't there. Herman Cain asked what sort of "distinguished leadership" Johnny Isakson had shown in the House - and after a moment Mac Collins said, "Final answer!" Maybe if Isakson had taught Sunday School inside the Capitol....

The Republican candidates agreed on several issues - such as the question of same-sex marriage. Mac Collins says he hopes to vote within 60 days on a constitutional amendment defining marriage. The major holdup to this now is: Webster's or American Heritage?

Herman Cain told the audience when it came to marriage being between men and women, "God knew what He was doing." Apparently he needs to convince other Republicans of this - such as Newt Gingrich in Georgia, and Jack Ryan in Illinois.

From what I saw of the debate, Mac Collins seemed to read "canned answers" to questions several times. If he fails to win the U.S. Senate race, he has a great future holding State Department news conferences.

If you were scoring the debate on stage presence and speaking style, Herman Cain had to win by a wide margin. And given his background, he's much more likely to throw pizza parties for his Senate staff.

I couldn't help noticing there were empty seats inside the RiverCenter's Legacy Hall at the Senate debate. Maybe Rob Doll should have offered to apply the three-dollar ticket charge to the down payment on a new car.

To be fair: Johnny Isakson is scheduled to make a campaign stop in Columbus today. But is this really a good thing for a Senate candidate in 2004 - to appear 24 hours behind the times?

Lest we forget: today marks the start of a one-week filing period for independent candidates in Columbus. Sheriff Ralph Johnson is expected to submit his name for re-election. And we'll know by Friday whether David Glisson quietly moved across the state line, to provide some REAL opposition.

THE BIG BLOG QUESTION resurfaced Sunday night, in the wake of the Senate debate. You can vote for four big-name candidates, or write in one of your own - and before you ask, Candace Cook is NOT running.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Messages keep coming about another contest on the Columbus primary ballot:

In response to your recent postings about Bobby Peters and Judge Daniel. I have to state that Bobby Peters is the most honest and qualified candidate for the position. He has an excellent character and Columbus will be better off with him sitting on the bench than with Judge Daniel. I know both candidates and Daniels is a bit underhanded. You seem to also be making an issue of his ex-wife being involved in his campaign. Which I guess would seem odd to someone who didn't know them. She is a good business woman. They discovered they were better suited to friendship with each other than romance and were lucky enough to divorce and remain friends. Bobby wanted to maintain a quality atmosphere for the sake of his daughter, and nothing else. That is something in Bobby's favor, usually an ex-wife wants a lifetime of revenge!

I know for certain that they each have separate romantic interests.

I love your Blog, it is a lot more interesting than the L/E!

Concerned Citizen.

Updated score: free Peters plugs 2, free Daniel plugs 0. This is getting to be like the count of campaign signs....

So, Mr./Ms. Citizen, Roxann Daniel is "a bit underhanded"?! Since when did softball pitching become an issue in the Superior Court Judge race?

You're right to point out ex-wives usually would want revenge, while Bobby Peters's wife apparently does not. But I'd also point out that a steady job as a judge is more likely to mean regular alimony checks.

(I'd also make an issue of Roxann Daniel's marriage - but for some reason, her supporters have yet to write the blog. Perhaps they're afraid of what I might say about it....)

Hmmmm - who is this "separate romantic interest" of Bobby Peters? And does she really swoon for him, or that classic T-Bird he drives?

Wow - this blog is more interesting than the Ledger-Enquirer? Imagine if I hired away Kaffie Sledge....

COMING TUESDAY: What was all that gunfire in Chambers County? We'll have reports from several witnesses....

To offer a story tip, make a donation or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post a reply.

If you quote from this in public somewhere, please be polite enough to let me know.

© 2003-04 Richard Burkard, All Rights Reserved.