David Perdue (R. GA) & Jack Kingston (R. GA) duke it out before tomorrow's runoff election.
Tomorrow the GOP will finally figure out who their nominee is to go up against Michelle Nunn (D. GA) and Tea Party Rep. Jack Kingston (R. GA) is going super negative against David Perdue (R. GA):
http://politics.blog.ajc.com/...
Jack Kingston may be telling us that tomorrow’s GOP runoff against David Perdue, for the U.S. Senate seat of Saxby Chambliss, may be closer than we think.
Below is the partial flipside from a comparison mailer sent out by Kingston, accusing his Republican rival, David Perdue, of hobnobbing with terrorists. Or the French. One or the other:
The accusatory line is: “Investor in a French bank that did business with terrorists.” Take your pick as to which half of that sentence should scare you. - Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7/21/14
Here's a little background info:
http://politics.blog.ajc.com/...
Citizens for a Working America recently bought another $500,000 of airtime in Georgia, bringing its runoff investment to $1 million. At least some of the spending will be dedicated to the above 15-second ad, passed along by our friends at Channel 2 Action News.
It is all about Khalid Satary, a Palestinian felon accused of funneling campaign money to Kingston via illegal straw donors. Kingston has said he didn’t know Satary and returned the disputed funds after the press started asking questions.
CWA’s donors are unknown at this point.
Speaking of guilt-by-association, the Jack Kingston campaign had some fun with Monday’s news that French bank BNP Paribas pleaded guilty to money laundering for clients wishing to do illegal business with Iran, Sudan and other nations hit with sanctions for supporting terrorism. The bank will pay a record penalty of nearly $9 billion.
The Kingston camp reminds us that David Perdue has between $100,000 and $250,000 invested in an Equity Index-Linked Note with BNP Paribas. It’s a small part of Perdue’s extensive holdings — and infinitesimally small for the bank. - Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7/21/14
The Chamber of Commerce also isn't taking anything for granted either:
http://politics.blog.ajc.com/...
Well, on Election Eve, here comes the Chamber with an ad blasting Perdue and pumping Jack Kingston as voters go to the polls. It even stole his baby theme. Here’s the script:
“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce stands up for American enterprise. We fight for jobs. So why is David Perdue attacking us?
“Well, he sought our endorsement several times but didn’t get it. Now, losing and desperate, David is crying like a little baby.
“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce proudly stands with conservative champion Jack Kingston. This Tuesday, get out and vote.” - Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7/21/14
The Chamber of Commerce has invested heavily in Kingston's campaign:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
The Chamber of Commerce, the largest business group in the country, has spent more than $2.3 million for Kingston. The big investment is the organization's latest attempt to shepherd a preferred Republican candidate to victory in a contested primary -- something it has done successfully in several high-profile contests this year.
"To me, Georgia is perfect reflection of what we are trying to accomplish, which is to elect candidates who have the ability to win but also have the courage to govern," said Rob Engstrom, the Chamber's political director.
The race in Georgia, which polls show is close, will culminate two weeks ahead of another big test for the Chamber in Michigan. U.S. House primaries there will demonstrate whether the group can dislodge unfriendly Republicans from office for the first time this year. So far, it has served as an effective firewall for incumbents and a strong booster for open seat contenders. The group is backing primary challengers to Reps. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) and Kerry Bentivolio (R-Mich.).
The runoff between Kingston and Perdue is the result of neither candidate winning a majority in the May 21 primary. Perdue led the way with 31 percent of the vote. Kingston finished second with 26 percent. - Washington Post, 7/21/14
Kingston's also been hitting Perdue hard on this:
http://blogs.rollcall.com/...
For Kingston and Perdue, it's all about who turns out to vote tomorrow, that's why they're heavily focused on this area:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
Neither Republican running in Georgia's closely watched Senate race has a natural advantage in metro Atlanta, where the state's most populous area and a ring of northern exurbs are serving as the key battleground ahead of Tuesday's runoff.
Both Rep. Jack Kingston of Savannah and former Dollar General CEO David Perdue have been spending a major portion of their time and money wooing voters along the busy stretches of Interstates 75 and 85 just before they merge south of downtown Atlanta and then as they split off heading for north Georgia and some of the most Republican parts of the state.
It marks a gigantic "X'' on the map, and both campaigns are zeroed in on running up their support in the area. Kingston spent all day Friday in the northern Atlanta suburbs and was back again on Sunday. Perdue has been crisscrossing all of north Georgia and the northern suburbs and exurbs of Atlanta as part of an RV tour launched nearly two weeks ago.
"It's up for grabs," said veteran Republican strategist Chip Lake, noting that up to 70 percent of GOP primary voters live within the metro Atlanta media market which covers much of north Georgia. - Huffington Post, 7/20/14
While the runoff comes to an end, Nunn's grassroots army is ready to go:
http://www.gpb.org/...
Michelle Nunn has never held political office. But her supporters see that as an asset. They believe her experience as a nonprofit executive is preparation for politics. Nunn helped merge volunteer organization Hands On Atlanta with the Points of Light foundation. The foundation is now the largest volunteer organization in the world.
Arlene Meyer is a mother of three from Metro Atlanta. She volunteers for the Nunn campaign because of what she says Nunn has already accomplished.
“She knows how to manage. She knows how to manage a large budget,” said Meyer. “She knows how to manage people. Managing people are one of the hardest things to do – to get people out to get involved.”
Meyer volunteers frequently for various groups, and has tried to corral others, which she says isn’t easy. But inspiring others to get involved is a talent Meyer believes Nunn has.
“I would go down a school hallway and people would often run the other direction because they knew I was going to ask them to do something," she said. "And I think she is asking people to do things – people who wouldn’t have necessarily gotten involved but may be interested in getting more involved because of the kind of enthusiasm she brings.”
That describes Margaret Reiser of Atlanta. She’s never been involved in politics before, but now she organizes Nunn’s women volunteers around the state. She says women can relate to Nunn.
“I think the fact that she’s a working mom, she really gets it,” said Reiser. “She gets what life is like for women today.” - GPB News, 7/21/14
And that has the GOP nervous:
http://atr.rollcall.com/...
With the Georgia Republican Senate runoff ending Tuesday, an outside group focused on eradicating wasteful government spending launched a TV ad against Democratic nominee Michelle Nunn.
The group, Ending Spending Action Fund, spent more than $200,000 to produce and place the ad, according to an independent expenditure report filed Sunday with the Federal Election Commission. It also spent more than $28,000 on opposition research.
The 30-second ad, which is running statewide and kicked off over the weekend, was timed to run just as either Rep. Jack Kingston or former corporate CEO David Perdue wins the Republican nomination and the general election officially begins. The seat in this Republican-leaning state is one of Democrats’ only pickup opportunities. - Roll Call, 7/21/14
But Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D. NY) wants to give Nunn a head start:
Tomorrow is Georgia’s Republican primary runoff, which means that tomorrow night, Michelle Nunn will officially have an opponent in her campaign to turn Georgia’s Senate seat blue.
That means tomorrow is day one of the race – one of only ten races this year that will determine Senate control. Michelle has been polling within single digits of both Republicans seeking nomination – but everything could change when Republican support is unified behind one candidate.
We have to support Michelle right now if we’re going to save the Democratic Senate majority. I told Michelle we could raise $10,000 by midnight to ensure she hits the ground running tomorrow when the race is locked in.
Can I count on you to give now?
Contribute now to bring Michelle Nunn to the Senate and defend our Democratic majority!
https://secure.actblue.com/...
When Michelle was deciding to run, we talked about being working mothers and public servants – if elected, I know Michelle will fight for more policies that support women, children and families.
Michelle is not just an ally, but a champion of our values – fighting for equal pay, military sexual assault reform and affordable early childhood education.
Let’s show Michelle we stand behind her 100 percent from now until Election Day. Join me in helping her raise $10,000 by midnight to start the general election off strong.
Give now to Michelle Nunn and elect a champion of our values in Georgia and in the Senate.
https://secure.actblue.com/...
Thank you for joining me in supporting a woman who stands for our values. We need her voice in the Senate.
Kirsten
Click here to help give Nunn a head start:
https://secure.actblue.com/...