Blogging for Max

1:50 a.m. - Well, we’re going to bed for the night. As of right now, Barrow has a 3,146 vote lead on Burns with 95% of precincts reported, but it is FAR FROM OVER. To the best of our knowledge, it will be days, weeks or possibly longer before this race is decided. There’s a huge mess with nine precincts in Effingham County and a few precincts across the district are still unaccounted for. There is also a good chance that there will be a recount. What happens next? We have no idea. But Blogging for Max will continue to bring you every possible bit of information we can until this thing is finally decided.

12:19 a.m. - They’re closing up shop for the night and we’re packing it up. It’s too close to call and we won’t know about Effingham until the morning. It looks like we’re going into extra innings and we’ll have complete coverage as soon as we know what’s going on.

12:16 a.m. - Some more numbers are showing on the SoS site from Richmond County. They’re showing 93% of precincts reporting with Burns down to 48.65% and Barrow up to 51.35%. If true, Burns is now down 3,552 votes. But there’s so much confusion and legal technicalities that we can’t confirm that. As of now we’re hearing Burns is trailing between 800 and 3500 votes. There’s still one precinct from Richmond County showns as outstanding, a few others from a handful of counties, and the mess in Effingham County. We’ve heard that the votes have been sealed and lawyers from all sides are meeting with law enforcement officials in Effingham to work on the situation.

12:04 a.m. - We’re holding tight at the Victory Celebration, still unsure of what’s going on in Effingham County. It’s looking like we probably won’t know anything tonight. On a side note, we want to wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Max Burns! We were hoping to get him a birthday present in the form of a win, and we still probably will, but it possibly will not come until tomorrow. We’ll let you know about the Effingham situation as soon as we have more.

11:24 p.m. - Right now there’s a confirmed report that the ballots in Effingham County have been “sealed” due to a malfunction with the vote-counting machines. Lawyers from Savannah are en route to work on the problem, but it may a be a while before we have anything from Effingham. Stay tuned.

11:19 p.m. - We’re hearing that Effingham County is having computer problems and that Burns is now unofficially withing 977 votes of Barrow.

11:11 p.m. - Burns just addressed supporters gathered here in Statesboro. He told the crowd that the numbers are inside of a point and come down to nine precincts in Effingham County. This is going to be a nail-biter to the bitter end.

11:04 p.m. - UPDATE: 92% of precincts are in: Barrow holds 50.5% of the vote to Burns’ 49.5%. Barrow holds a very slim 1,277 vote lead. This thing really comes down to Effingham and a recount is looking like a possibility.

10:59 p.m. - All of Screven County is now in: Burns won 2319-1579. That bumps Burns’ total percentage to 48.78%. Barrow is now at 51.22%.

10:54 p.m. - The numbers have hit a lull. We have 86% reporting, with Barrow at 56,342 votes (51.25%) and Burns at 53,598 votes (48.75%). We’re still waiting on precincts in Toombs, Effingham, Bulloch, Richmond, Screven and a few others.

10:35 p.m. - All of Chatham and most of Richmond are in: Barrow has won 64% and 65% respectively. Richmond has 36 of 44 precincts reporting and Chatham shows all 73.

10:24 p.m. - The official results are holding steady at 74% reporting: Barrow is up 51.15% to 48.85% for Burns.

10:19 p.m. - With 67 out of 73 precincts in from Chatham County: Barrow leads the county total 16,228 to 9,071.

10:09 p.m. - New totals. With 70% of precincts official reporting: Burns 49.1 %, Barrow 50.9%.

10:02 p.m. - All of Screven, Treutlen and Montgomery are in: 2319-1579 Burns, 753-715 Burns and 1247-802 Burns respectively.

9:56 p.m. - With eight of 14 precincts from Burns’ home base of Screven County in: Burns 877 votes, Barrow 605 votes.

9:49 p.m. - The SoS site has 60% of precincts reporting and Burns holds an 86 vote lead (50.05%) out of a total of 66,718 votes.

9:47 p.m. - Our source is telling us that, with 59% of precincts reporting, Burns has 52.1% to Barrow’s 47.9 %.

9:41 p.m. - The new numbers include crushing wins for Burns in Jenkins and Glascock Counties, carrying 60.23% and 58.13% respectively.

9:34 p.m. - We have just heard that, with 56% of the vote reported, Burns has 53% to Barrow’s 47%.

9:30 p.m. - More from Richmond County: Barrow has 55.57% of the vote with 28 of 75 precincts reporting. Burns has 3419 votes (44.25%).

9:27 p.m. - The official Augusta Elections site is reporting that, with 28 of 75 precincts reporting in Richmond County, the votes there are: 4294 Barrow, 3419 Burns.

9:24 p.m. - We’re hearing that with 49% reporting, Burns has won 52.47% of the vote to Barrow’s 47.53%.

9:22 p.m. - With all 17 precincts from Burke County reporting, Burns has won by exactly 100 votes. A total of 2188 voted.

9:13 p.m. - We’re hearing that, with 45% of precincts reporting, Burns is at 53%, Barrow at 47%.

9:07 p.m. - Four more precincts from Bulloch County: Burns 3074, Barrow 1604. With 35% reporting, Burns is at 51.52% and Barrow is at 48.48%.

9:03 p.m. - With six more precincts from Chatham County: Burns has 1877 votes to Barrow’s 3237. New totals: 25694 votes (29%), Burns 12,952 (50.41%), Barrow 12,742 (49.59).

8:59 p.m. - Seven of seven from Jenkins County, Burns 1141 votes, Barrow 822 votes. In Baldwin County, nine of 15 precincts are in and Burns took 918 votes to Barrow’s 1434. More from Warren County, with seven of eight in, 768-669 Barrow.

8:52 p.m. - More from Chatham County: with 18 of 73 precincts reporting, Burns has 1606 votes, Barrow has 2339 votes. From Evans County: four of 12 in, 616-342 Burns. Totals: 26% of precincts reporting, Burns 52.45%, Barrow 47.55%.

8:44 p.m. - More numbers:.Washington County, four of 10 reporting: Burns 675, Barrow 622. With reports from five of nine precincts from Johnson County, 557-316 Burns. With six of eight precincts in Warren reporting: Burns 425, Barrow 382. New totals: 78 of 349 precincts in, 54.57 % Burns, 45.43% Barrow.

8:38 p.m. - BIG ONE for Burns. With four of 18 precincts in from Bulloch County: Burns 2016 votes, Barrow 948 votes. New totals: 18% of precincts in, Burns 54.3%, Barrow 45.7%.

8:32 p.m. - New numbers from Glascock County: with five of six precincts in, Burns 324, Barrow 85. From Chatham, with seven of 73 precincts reporting, Burns 345, Barrow 320. New totals: with 6320 votes and 49 of 349 precincts reporting, Burns has 52.02% of the vote, Barrow is at 48.98%

8:24 p.m. - New reports. From Burke County: 17 out of 17 precincts reporting, Burns 414 votes, Barrow 335 votes. With three of eight precincts from Treutlen: Burns 153 votes, Barrow 90 votes. With three of four precincts from Taliaferro: Burns 169 votes, Barrow 311 votes. Totals: 5210 votes - Burns 50.12%, Barrow 49.88%.

8:16 p.m. - An update from Jenkins County: with five of seven precincts reporting, Burns 711 votes, Barrow 597 votes. From Baldwin County: with 5 of 15 precincts reporting, Burns 297, Barrow 694. The new totals are 3738 votes, Burns 50.16%, Barrow 49.84%.

8:11 p.m. - Report from a precinct Johnson County: Burns 167 votes, Barrow 94 votes.

8:03 p.m. - Two new counties with precincts reporting: Jenkins County is dead even with 380 votes a piece for Burns and Barrow; in Candler County, Burns picked up 509 votes while Barrow grabbed 272. Totals: 2219 votes, Burns 1247 (56.2%), Barrow 972 (43.8%).

7:57 p.m. - Precinct report from Glascock County. Out of 54 total votes, 39 for Burns, 15 for Barrow.

7:50 p.m. - We’ve got reports from precincts in Oconee and Riddleville. Votes: in Riddleville, Burns 146, Barrow 105; in Oconee, Burns 93, Barrow 130.

7:42 p.m. - The first numbers for the 12th are showing up on the SoS site. It still shows 0% reporting and only 624 votes from Washington County, Max Burns is up 51.1% to 48.9%.

7:38 p.m. - People are beginning to file in here at Victory HQ. Cash bar and refreshments. Entry is free, so if you’re in the Statesboro area and support Max Burns, swing on by. We’re starting to see numbers on the Secretary of State site, but it’s still WAY TOO EARLY and there’s nothing on the 12th. On a side note, the campaign staff is in good spirits and the mood here is tense but upbeat.

7:15 p.m. - We are at the Max Burns “Victory Celebration 2006” in Statesboro and are ready to LIVE-BLOG. Blogging for Max will have ALL of the news and information from the 12th District race between former Congressman Max Burns (R) and Rep. John Barrow (D) as it happens, in REAL-TIME. The polls have JUST closed, the event is about to kick-off, and we’re ready to bring you LIVE information as we get it. We are your only source for UP-TO-THE-MINUTE coverage of the FINALE to this heated race - so keep your browser REFRESHED and stay logged-on to www.bloggingformax.com through the night until a winner is called. We will be here till the end, bringing you live election results, interviews, quotes, photos and other news/thoughts/observations. Spend your Election Night 2006 with Blogging for Max!

Flailing Democrat runs TV ads supporting Bush; radio ads attacking him – simultaneously

SAVANNAH, Ga. – In a bizarre end game even for a politician nationally-known for flip-flopping, Athens Congressman John Barrow’s final campaign ads were blasting Bush on the radio, while praising him on television – at the same time.

“This latest flip-flop would probably take the national prize for two-faced politicians this election cycle if there were such an award,” says Burns’ Campaign Manager Tim Baker, “but only because this time the flip-flop is occurring simultaneously on the air.  He’s done the same thing over his two years in office with gay marriage, amnesty for illegal aliens, voter photo IDs, and raising taxes.   But it’s absolutely hilarious to finally hear and see him contradicting himself in his own ads.”

Barrow’s radio ad criticizes Burns for bringing President Bush to the district, claiming Bush and Burns will block raising the minimum wage, while his TV ads brag that Barrow “voted with George Bush on Iraq and the war on terror every single time.”

“While this is gallingly amusing, it’s prime evidence of why it’s time for Barrow’s political career to come to an end,” says Baker.

“Friend and foe alike have come to learn you have no idea where Barrow stands on anything, because he couches everything in Harvard-lawyer speak to make you believe what you wanted to hear.  He had the Boston Globe believing he was for amnesty, but has the Savannah Morning News believing he’s against it.  He had Savannah’s Gay Pride Day festival believing he was for gay marriage, but has the Augusta Christian TV station WBPI believing he’s against it.  He had the Atlanta Press Club believing he was strongly for voter photo ID, but has the Savannah and Augusta Chapters NAACP thinking he’s really against it.”

Baker says Georgians can take comfort in the fact they should only have another couple days to put up with Barrow’s deceptions.  “With Max Burns, you may agree or disagree with a particular position, but you know without a doubt where he stands.  He says the same thing in Waynesboro and Vidalia as he says in Washington, and votes that way, too.  And completely outside political issues, there’s a heck of a lot of just plain public service work a Congressman provides to his district and individual constituents, so this issue of reliability is critical for voters of all political persuasions - Republican, Democrat, independents, conservatives, moderates, and liberals alike.   We got tricked in 2004 by the double-speak, but now we’ll fix it come Tuesday.”

Columnist Robert Novak, in his weekly Evans-Novak Political Report, has moved Georgia’s 12th U.S. Congressional District race between educator Max Burns (R-Sylvania) and trial lawyer John Barrow (D-Athens) into the “Leans GOP” column. It is the only Democratic-held House seat that he has listed as a Republican takeover.

He had this to say:

Georgia-12: This is now the Republicans’ best chance for a House takeover, and they are extremely confident in their ability to win this reconstituted district. The campaign of former Rep. Max Burns (R) in Savannah is on a tear, with Rep. John Barrow (D) on the defensive. President Bush’s recent visit, and his response from Georgia on the comments of John Kerry, will help the GOP here, in one of the few places where the President can show his face without hurting Republicans.

The NRCC is spending money here to make up for the many seats they expect to lose elsewhere. Leaning Republican Takeover.

Updated: 11/02/2006, 1:09 p.m.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Americans for Immigration Control, the Dustin Inman Society, and the Minuteman Political Action Committee will weigh in on key Georgia congressional races Friday during a series of news conferences in Macon, Augusta, and Savannah.

WHAT:

IMMIGRATION REFORM CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS

WHO:

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE AND FORMER U.S. REP. MAX BURNS
CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE AND FORMER U.S. REP. MAC COLLINS (MACON ONLY)
U.S. REP CHARLIE NORWOOD (AUGUSTA ONLY)
AMERICANS FOR IMMIGRATION CONTROL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PHIL KENT
DUSTIN  INMAN SOCIETY PRESIDENT D.A. KING
MINUTEMAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE PRESIDENT CHRIS SIMCOX

WHEN AND WHERE:

9:30AM MACON: CITY HALL, 700 Poplar Street
1:00PM AUGUSTA:  MUNICIPAL BLDG, 530 Greene Street
4:30PM SAVANNAH: CHATHAM CO SHERIFFS DEPT, 1050 Carl Griffin Drive

Presidential Council Chairman Confirms Barrow Quote from Council Fabricated

ATLANTA, Ga. – John Barrow’s re-election campaign imploded last night live on GPTV, as Republican candidate Max Burns released incontrovertible evidence that Barrow fabricated quotes from the Presidential Advisory Council on Federal Tax Reform[2] used in his “Max Tax” negative ad campaign.

In the ad, Barrow claims the Presidential Advisory Council on Federal Tax Reform said “Max Burns’ National Sales Tax would increase taxes on 75% of Americans.” However, Burns revealed during last night’s debate that the Chairman of the President’s Advisory Council, former U.S. Senator Connie Mack reviewed Barrow’s ad yesterday and found Barrow’s claim patently false.

“The President’s Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform did not examine any proposal by Max Burns,” says Senator Mack. “Furthermore, the panel did not score H.R. 25.”

While Burns has never authored any national sales tax proposal, Barrow has continued his “Max Tax” campaign based solely on Burn’s support for U.S. Rep. John Linder’s (R-GA) proposal for a national sales tax, HR 25. Senator Mack’s findings therefore rule out even Barrow’s indirect deceptive claim against Burns.

“Mr. Barrow, take down this false ad,” demanded former 12th District Congressman Max Burns. Burns also demanded Barrow formally apologize to the voters of the district for airing false advertising. Senator Mack’s findings confirm reports last week from WSAV TV investigative reporter Paul Rea, who also found that the Council report[3] from November, 2005 in fact did not examine any proposal by Burns, or even any specific bill supported by Burns, and that the claim is “untrue.”

“Findings of false advertising by John Barrow from two independent, unrelated sources provides more than adequate justification that these ads be immediately pulled from the air by all broadcasters,” says Burns for Congress Campaign Manager Tim Baker. “We are formally requesting this action immediately, as every airing of this false advertising is financially damaging to Max Burns for Congress and personally damaging to Dr. Burns.”

[1] http://www.wsav.com/midatlantic/sav/search.apx.-content-articles-SAV-2006-10-23-0017.html

[2] http://www.taxreformpanel.gov

[3] http://www.taxreformpanel.gov/final-report/TaxReform_Ch9.pdf

Secures endorsements from the two major dailies in the new 12th District
From the Augusta Chronicle, 10/29/2006: 

Return Max Burns

He has proved himself once. Now we need his leadership again

There are many reasons why voters in Georgia’s redrawn 12th Congressional District should elect Max Burns to the U.S. House of Representatives next month, but this is the most telling: That seat, now held by Democrat John Barrow, could determine which party controls the lower chamber.

Max Burns was elected president of his Republican freshman class when he became a U.S. House member in 2002. Now he needs to bring his ideas and values to Washington in 2006.

If Democrats win, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will be speaker and her far-left San Francisco values - gay marriage, cutting and running from Iraq, coddling terrorists, raising taxes, amnesty for illegals - will become the House agenda.

That would cripple our commander in chief’s ability to lead. This is surely why he plans to campaign for Burns on Monday in Statesboro - the second time this year the president has come to Georgia to help his fellow Republican.

Burns represented the 12th District with distinction in the 108th Congress, but lost to Barrow two years ago. Since then, the 12th was redrawn to be more competitive, and more geographically sensible. There is now a “community of interest” in the district that needs Max Burns to look after those interests.

Barrow may be proud of standing up to his party’s leftist leadership on occasion, but he’s clearly swimming upstream - and every time he goes under, so will Georgia. Under a Speaker Pelosi, the undertow would only intensify.

Why take that risk, when you can vote for Max Burns, who’s an authentic conservative with a record in the previous Congress that proves it. He was hailed as one of the most prolific freshmen representatives in history, writing and passing legislation to help farmers and the elderly.

Barrow, on the other hand, is listed on Congress.org as one of the 10 least-effective congressional members by a government relations management company - less effective, even, than Cynthia McKinney.

Burns, a former Screven County commissioner, is supported by groups concerned about taxes and the economy. The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s foremost small-business advocacy group, endorsed Burns on Thursday.

That’s the reality. Yet Barrow’s “Max Tax” TV ads have disingenuously accused Burns of supporting a 23 percent national sales tax increase without making it clear he’s referring to a replacement tax that gets rid of all other federal taxes, including income and payroll taxes. The FairTax, as it’s known, would also greatly simplify the tax code and scrap the IRS. Barrow’s smear of this innovative tax reform plan has been independently documented by a Savannah TV station as a gross distortion.

Burns has not committed to the tax revamp, but says he’s for considering it. Barrow should be too, unless he thinks the current monstrous tax code doesn’t need change. The FairTax deserves serious debate, but that’s impossible when one candidate distorts the issue for political advantage.

You don’t need to worry about Max Burns having to swim upstream toward Georgia values. He’s already there.

This might be the nation’s pivotal congressional race, upon which control of the House rests. Voters in Georgia’s 12th Congressional District may provide the entire nation with lower taxes, greater national security and rational immigration policy.

But only by voting for Max Burns on Nov. 7.

From the Savannah Morning News:

12th District Race
Return Burns to House

WHO ARE the two candidates running for Georgia’s 12th Congressional House seat? Judging from the advertising, one is a loony liberal and the other is a twisted conservative.

Fortunately for voters in this district, which includes portions of Savannah and southeast and eastern Georgia, that’s not the case. These ads are mostly caricatures. John Barrow, the Democratic incumbent, and Max Burns, the Republican who wants to regain his old seat, are thoughtful men who bear only passing resemblances to the negative images on TV and radio and in direct mail pieces.

However, differences do exist. Our recommendation in the Nov. 7 general election is Mr. Burns.

Voters sent the Screven County resident to Washington in 2002 to represent the 12th District, which at the time was the most Democratic district in the nation with a Republican congressman. In 2004, the Democratic National Committee made Mr. Burns’ defeat a top priority. It succeeded, despite the fact that Mr. Burns was an effective lawmaker who supported President Bush’s tax cuts and the president’s war on terror and who diligently tended his Georgia roots, especially in farm country. (Example: He supported the buyout of the state’s tobacco growers).

We believe Mr. Burns deserves a return trip to Washington, and give him the edge over the incumbent for one major reason: tax reform, likely to be a major issue in the next Congress.

While both candidates rightly support the end of the “death” tax, Mr. Burns goes one additional step and wants to abolish the convoluted income tax and Internal Revenue Service. Instead, the revenue that the federal government needs to operate would be collected through a national sales tax.

Georgia Rep. John Linder has championed this proposal, which would slash the costs of complying with the existing tax code, boost real wages, give workers more control over their money and create more opportunities for business and job growth.

Mr. Barrow opposes it. Although the incumbent says he favors tax reform, we believe Mr. Burns would be a better advocate for the changes that would do the most good for the most working Georgians.

Mr. Burns’ advocacy of lower taxes is just one way to foster economic growth and investment. Another is his support for improving transportation, education and agriculture. He supports changes that would help move truck traffic into and out of the mammoth Georgia Ports Authority facility in Garden City and connect this vital resource with other areas of Georgia and the Southeast, largely through the construction of the proposed Interstate 3 that would run north from Savannah to Augusta.

The next Congress will reauthorize the farm bill, and Mr. Burns has a solid record supporting farmers. Pairing him with Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, would give Georgians a one-two punch in Congress on issues important to the state’s agricultural industry.

Mr. Burns had a solid record on supporting the military and supported the Bush Doctrine of pre-emption - engaging terrorists overseas. He supported the Patriot Act to give anti-terror agencies needed tools to better protect Americans.

Mr. Barrow, an attorney who relocated to Savannah from Athens, has a voting record of a Southern Democrat - not as hard left as the national party. For example, the ACLU graded him at 36 percent during the last session, compared to a perfect 100 percent for Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and soon-to-be former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney of Atlanta.

We also have supported some of his initiatives, such as hiking the mileage reimbursements to veterans who drive long distances for medical treatment from veterans’ health-care facilities.

However, we disagreed with him on the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which we supported and he opposed. We also disagree with him on raising the minimum wage, which will eliminate jobs.

He also voted for an unneeded “hate crimes” bill. He voted against the fiscal 2006 budget resolution to limit spending and impose tax cuts, and he voted against a bill that would help the United States become more energy independent by opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas exploration.

Mr. Barrow is no knee-jerk Democrat. He broke ranks with the party and voted to protect gun manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits, for instance.

However, we believe Mr. Burns would be a more effective representative. We support his candidacy.

An amazing new web site has been created called “‘John the Con’ Barrow” at www.johnthecon.com. By far one of the best sites of the 2006 election cycle, it really does a great job of hashing out the Barrow lie machine for voters.

“You, or someone you know, right now is being targeted by ‘John the Con’ Barrow.”

The site features four “scam alerts” on issues about which Barrow is notorious for lying: Gay Marriage, National Security, Taxes and Immigration. Check it out, it certainly clears up a great deal regarding Johnnie Athens’ propaganda.

“Education is the best form of prevention. It would be wise for you and those you love to familiarize yourselves with ‘John the Con’s’ scams in order to avoid falling into his trap.”

Touche! The site, which is paid for by Friends of Max Burns, ends with the tag line, “Don’t buy what ‘John the Con’ Barrow is selling!”

Most voters know that the “Max Tax” commercials being run by Athens trial lawyer John Barrow and the DCCC present a distorted and misleading version of the Fair Tax, and a misappropriated link between Max Burns and the Fair Tax itself, but WSAV 3 in Savannah put the advertisements to the “truth test” and found that Johnnie Athens has been lying to voters.

In a segment that aired on Channel 3’s 6 pm and 10 pm news, WSAV’s Paul Ray did a great job of exposing the depth to which Barrow and the DCCC have lied in these commercials.

“As the Truth Test found the ads present the sales tax as an increase when it is designed to replace all income and other payroll taxes. Another misleading element is referencing the tax as new, it’s been around for years and while support is growing the “new” tax is going nowhere fast.”

And these ads are essentially the hub of Barrow’s campaign.   With no record to run on, and a great deal of mistakes to hide, Barrow can do little more than lie.  He lied to voters about the tax itself, but he has also distorted Max Burns’ support of the tax.  Larry Peterson of the Savannah Morning News recently wrote:

“At a forum with Barrow last week, [Burns] said he still thinks it’s ‘a good idea,’ but he suggested it could use some tweaks.  ‘There are some things we can take from it and make it better,’ [Burns] said.” (emphasis added)

Even more outrageous is the notion that Barrow has gone so far off the deep end in lying to voters, that he is claiming that he is aligned with President Bush.  At the end of one of the ads he says “I’m John Barrow and I approve this message because I agree with George Bush on this one.”  But that could not be further from the truth.

“The fact is President Bush said ’send Max Burns back to the U.S. Congress,’” said Tim Baker, Burns’ campaign manager. “It’s Barrow trying to run from his true colors and his party.” (emphasis added)

Johnnie Athens lying to conceal his record?  Sounds familiar.  But WSAV saved the most damning evidence for last:

“One of Barrow’s ads claims, ‘President Bush’s commission on tax reform said Max Burns’ national sales tax would raise taxes on 75% of all Americans.’ Then the candidate intones, ‘I’m John Barrow and I approved this message because I agree with George Bush on this one.’  WSAV has confirmed the council looked at a national sales tax plan, but they did not look at the specific plan Burns and others support meaning this part of the Barrow ad is untrue.” (emphasis added)

The bottom line is that Barrow’s a liar.  It’s not quite libel, but it’s close.  Whatever the case, in the words of Ricky Ricardo/Dezi Arnaz, “Johnnie, you have a lot of ’splainin’ to do.”

Burns’ election extremely important to small-business owners across the country

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Max Burns, former Congressman and candidate for Georgia’s new 12th District, today received the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).  NFIB’s Save America’s Free Enterprise (SAFE) Trust made the announcement at Very Vera’s, a member of the NFIB.

“It’s an honor to have the support of small business,” said Burns.  “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and are the ones that create good paying jobs in our communities.   This endorsement shows that the voters of Georgia’s new 12th District want a Congressman who will work for lower taxes, less government and less regulation so America’s small businesses can continue growing jobs and opportunities in Georgia.”

“Your election is extremely important to the NFIB member small-business owners across the country,” said Dan Danner, Executive Vice President of the NFIB Public Policy and Political.  “Hardworking and spirited entrepreneurs in your district are continuing to battle burdensome regulation, taxes and other unnecessary government intervention.  They need your support in Congress to defeat obstructionists and secure a pro-free-enterprise business environment that is vital to their success.”

While serving in the 108th Congress, Burns received a 100 percent rating from the NFIB and was awarded the “Guardian of Small Business” for his support in championing small business legislation.  With less than three weeks before Election Day, the endorsement is a major boost for the Burns campaign because Athens Congressman John Barrow is a member of the Small Business Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, which has oversight of all small business legislation that comes before the House.

“It’s shocking that a member of the Small Business Committee didn’t get the endorsement of small business,” said Burns Campaign Manager Tim Baker.  “But after taking a closer look at John Barrow’s voting record, one can understand their hesitation in supporting him.  John Barrow is masquerading around as a lower taxes, less government kind of candidate, but he’s really a liberal trial attorney that’s out of touch with folks in the district.  Small business saw through his disguise and so will the voters in Georgia’s new 12th District.”

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Max Burns, former Congressman and candidate for Georgia’s new 12th District, will hold a press conference tomorrow, Oct. 19, 2006, in Augusta to discuss issues important to small businesses and receive the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business.  NFIB will endorse Burns at 11:30 am at NFIB member Very Vera’s, an Augusta restaurant.  Burns will be joined by other members of the NFIB and Burns supporters.  The public and press are invited and encouraged to attend.

WHO: Max Burns and NFIB Members

WHAT: Endorsement of Max Burns’ Campaign for Congress

WHEN: Thursday, October 18, 2006, 11:30 AM

WHERE: Very Vera’s

3113 Washington Road

Augusta, Georgia

For more information, contact Tim Baker (912) 353-9626.

We’re just beginning our coverage of this HUGE debate.  Burns and Barrow squared off for round 2 at Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro.  We’re quite suprised that Barrow - who is comically unfamiliar with 12th district terrain - even made the event.  WTOC’s Sonny Dixon moderated.

WTOC Channel 11 reports:

“…One race that’s being watched closely on a national front is the congressional race right here between incumbent Democratic Representative John Barrow and the man he unseated two years ago, Republican Max Burns.  Monday night the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce held debate for the two candidates trying to convince the people who are still on the fence…”

Secretary Johanns: “Max Burns will be that strong voice Georgia farmers need in Washington.”

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Max Burns, former Congressman and candidate for Georgia’s new 12th District, today campaigned with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns during visits in Georgia’s new 12th District.  Burns and Secretary Johanns met with farmers who’s fields have been affected by disaster, discussed farm policy with local 12th District farmers at a listening session in Bulloch County and toured a cotton gin and onion operation in Candler County.

“I appreciate Secretary Johanns visit to Georgia’s new 12th District,” said Burns.  “I am glad the Secretary was able to see what I already know: Georgia farmers grow the best food and fiber in the world.  I wanted the Secretary to hear first hand the needs of our farming community so he can take back to Washington what he learned from them and craft agriculture policy that is beneficial to Georgia farmers.”

“I am glad to be in Georgia and supporting Max Burns,” said Secretary Johanns.  “Max Burns is a farmer.  He understands agriculture.  He has a track record of getting things done and watches out for Georgia’s peanut and cotton farmers.  Max Burns will be that strong voice Georgia farmers need in Washington.”

Burns, who is the third generation to live on his family’s farm in Screven County, has spent a lifetime working in and around agriculture, growing corn, soybeans, hay, oats, and timber, and raising beef cattle.  During the 108th Congress, he served on the House Committee on Agriculture and the first bill Burns introduced in Congress was an agriculture disaster relief bill, which parts of Burns’ bill were eventually included in the final Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2003.  Burns also authored the Sudden Oak Death Research Act, which President Bush signed into law.

Burns has made agriculture a central theme in his campaign to return to Congress.  The 110th Congress will re-write the farm bill, which dictates farm policy for the United States, and Burns wants a seat at the table so Georgia farmers are protected.  Burns also wants to expand the use of bio-fuels in Georgia, which will ultimately open up additional markets for Georgia’s farmers.  Burns will seek a seat once again on the Agriculture Committee work to advance policies beneficial to Georgia’s agriculture community.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Athens trial lawyer John Barrow continues his pattern of lies by launching yet another false, negative attack ad against Max Burns.  Barrow’s latest ad continues the same negative tactics used in 2004 to scare voters into believing Burns will raise their taxes.  Burns will never raise taxes and has an extensive record of cutting taxes and simplification while in the 108th Congress.  On the other hand, Barrow voted three times to put the death tax back on the books and supports raising Social Security taxes and cutting benefits.

“It’s absolutely laughable to think Max will raise your taxes,” said Burns Campaign Manager Tim Baker.  “Max will never raise taxes.  It’s pitiful John Barrow has resorted to lies and false attacks in order to cover up his votes to renew the death tax and raise Social Security taxes and cut benefits.  Voters in Georgia’s new 12th District are much smarter than he gives them credit for and will reject these shameful, negative campaign tactics.”

Burns established a solid record of tax cuts and reforms during his term in the 108th Congress.  Burns voted for H.R. 2, the Economic Growth and Jobs Act of 2003, which cut taxes for millions of Americans and small businesses; voted to end the death tax once and for all; introduced and the U.S. House passed with bi-partisan support the Simple Tax for Seniors Act (418-0), which created the first-ever short-form “1040S” for America’s seniors; and the Tax Simplification for Americans Act of 2004, which expanded the use of the short 1040EZ form to millions of Americans.  Burns supports making all of President Bush’s 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent.

Burns earned the Friend of the Taxpayers Award by the National Taxpayer’s Union while in Congress.  However, Barrow was named “Unfriendly to Taxpayers” by Citizens Against Government Waste for his support of wasteful programs and pork-barrel spending and received a failing grade of 12 percent from Americans for Tax Reform.

“John Barrow wants you to believe that Max Burns will raise your taxes, but that’s a joke,” said Baker.  “Max Burns will always vote to cut your taxes and never vote to your raise taxes.”

The National Association of Manufacturers, one of the manufacturing industry’s most powerful voices, today released its Congressional Voting Record for the 109th Congress. The rankings are based on 24 recorded floor votes on “pro-growth, pro-job” bills. The NAM is non-partisan, does not have a political action committee and does not endorse candidates.

In a Monday press release, NAM President John Engler said the record was a way to “honor” legislators that have been “champions for a pro-growth, pro-job agenda.” Engler also reiterated the non-partisan nature of the report.

“Manufacturing is the cornerstone of American innovation and economic strength, and this program is a clear record of those who safeguard a robust manufacturing economy,” said Engler. “On behalf of the nation’s manufacturers, I’m proud to say ‘thank you’ to the lawmakers who have given their support and crucial votes toward American competitiveness.”

Not surprisingly, Athens trial lawyer John Barrow is at the bottom of the Georgia House delegation in 3rd-to-last place; finishing just ahead of his liberal pals John Lewis and Cynthia McKinney. During the 108th Congress, Sylvania Educator Max Burns received a perfect score.

The Georgia House rankings:

1. Jack Kingston (R): 100%
1. Tom Price (R): 100%
3. John Linder (R): 96%
3. Lynn Westmoreland (R): 96%
5. Nathan Deal (R): 91%
6. Phil Gingrey (R): 88%
7. Charlie Norwood (R): 86%
8. Sanford Bishop (D): 58%
8. Jim Marshall (D): 58%
10. David Scott (D): 50%
11. John Barrow (D): 42%
12. John Lewis (D): 5%
13. Cynthia McKinney (D): 0%

Johnnie Athens is once again proving to be “quite the effective Congressman.”

The NAM’s mission is to “aggressively seek to influence the terms of public-policy debates, to reward members of Congress who have supported our agenda and to tell those who have been on the wrong side of the issues that America’s manufacturers and workers expect better from our elected officials.”

For more information on the NAM, visit www.nam.org.

Our buddy Erick over at Peach Pundit made an interesting observation. In a brief post directed to Athens trial lawyer John Barrow, he claims that Johnnie Athens is campaigning on misleading facts. This certainly fits Barrow’s m.o.

From Peach Pundit:

NOTE TO JOHN BARROW

You’ve been going around trumpeting the appropriation of $7 million for Air Force Construction and Land Acquisition Projects. But, you might want to check with Congress, which attributed that earmark to Reps. Jack Kingston and Jim Marshall in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2007.

Perhaps this is just another example of Barrow being ranked as the least influential member of Congress from Georgia — behind even Cynthia McKinney.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A new campaign advertisement by Athens trial lawyer John Barrow is catching a lot of flack from Southeast Georgia voters.  The Democrat launched the ad Tuesday which claims that his opponent, former Congressman and Educator Max Burns, would raise taxes if elected.

The Burns camp calls the advertisement a lie and says Barrow is using the same scare tactics he used when the two last met in 2004.  Burns’ Campaign Manager, Tim Baker, believes the Athens Democrat is lying in order to intimidate voters into believing Burns will raise their taxes.

“First and foremost, Max’s record on taxes is crystal clear: an honest tax code that is simple, fair and less burdensome to families and small businesses,” said Baker.  “Our current tax system is broken, too complex, and onerous.”

Burns served in the 108th Congress before narrowly losing to Barrow in 2004.

While in Congress, Burns introduced the Simple Tax for Seniors Act, which created the first-ever short-form “1040S” for America’s seniors and the Tax Simplification for Americans Act of 2004 which expanded the use of the short 1040EZ form to millions of Americans.  Both passed the House with strong bi-partisan support.

“Max knows we are well beyond rectifying the unfairness of the IRS by tinkering around the edges,” Baker said.  “Instead, the system is in need of transformation and Max is willing to examine any number of proposals that will lower the tax burden on Georgia’s working families.  What he cannot support is the IRS.”

Earlier this year, Burns signed the Tax Payer Protection Pledge, agreeing to oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and businesses.  In 2004, Burns was at the forefront of the “death tax” debate, working to repeal a system that Baker says “kills so many small businesses and family farms.”

Burns also voted for President Bush’s 2003 tax cuts and has said he supports making all of President Bush’s tax cuts permanent.

For his efforts in the last Congress, Burns earned the Friend of the Taxpayers Award by the National Taxpayer’s Union.  Barrow received an “F” from the National Taxpayers Union for his support in reducing spending, regulation and opposing higher taxes during the First Session of the 109th Congress.

“John Barrow knows he is lying about Max’s record to cover up his own miserable record, which supports the IRS and opposition to making President Bush’s tax cuts permanent,” said Baker.  “John Barrow should do the honorable thing and stop using these false attacks immediately, but based on his previous campaigns he will say and do anything to get elected.”

Burns represented the old 12th District from Jan. 7, 2003, through Jan. 3, 2005.  Prior to serving in the 108th Congress, Burns, a Fulbright Scholar and Army veteran, served two decades as a Professor of Information Systems at Georgia Southern University, as well as being a farmer.

He is a former Screven County Commissioner and served as its Chairman.  Burns earned the endorsement of the Business-Industry PAC for his commitment to a pro-growth agenda.

Burns takes to 12th District airwaves discussing Barrow’s support of assimilating illegals

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Max Burns, former Congressman and candidate for Georgia’s new 12th District, today began airing his first radio commercial of the 2006 election cycle.  The sixty second radio ad, entitled “Bill, Tommy and Don,” features three 12th District voters discussing Athens Congressman John Barrow’s radio ads and his immigration policy, which includes assimilating illegal immigrants already in our country and making Georgia’s Medicaid benefits more accessible to them.  The ad began playing all across Georgia’s new 12th District today.
Text of “Bill, Tommy and Don”:

Tommy: Say, Bill.

Bill: Yep?

Tommy: You hear those fellas Earl and Eddie bad mouthin’ Max Burns, but claiming John Barrow hung the moon?

Bill: Yep.

Tommy: Well, I’ve never seen ‘em around here before.

Bill: They’re voice talents.

Tommy: Voice talents?  What’s that mean?

Don: Means paid actors.

Tommy: How’s that Don?

Don: Barrow’s payin’ ‘em to bad mouth Max Burns, but say good things about him.

Tommy: So Earl and Eddie wouldn’t know John Barrow if he bit ‘em on the you-know-what?

Bill & Don: Yep.  Umm hum.

Tommy: So they don’t know John Barrow said he’s for “assimilating” 11 million illegal aliens.

Don & Bill: Uh-Oh.  Yep.

Tommy: Or, that John Barrow’s voted to help illegal aliens get taxpayer funded benefits.

Bill: Yep.

Tommy: Well, my support’s not for sale.

Don: I understand that.

Tommy: John Barrow’s lost my vote.

Bill: Yep.

Don: Well, he never had mine.

Max Burns: I’m Max Burns.  I’m running for Congress and I approve this message because I’d appreciate your vote and I’m thankful for these ol’ boys.

Tommy: These ol’ boys didn’t get paid a dime.

Bill: Yep.

Tommy: But this message was paid for by Friends of Max Burns

Burns’ campaign, which also began running television advertising on selected cable systems, has been running broadcast television since after Labor Day and will use this radio advertising to compliment its ongoing paid media campaign.

An article in Sunday’s USA Today featured in-depth coverage of Georgia’s 12th U.S. Congressional District race between Sylvania educator and former Republican Congressman Max Burns and Athens trial lawyer John Barrow. The piece highlighted Barrow’s vulnerability and confirmed that Democrats are all but counting this race out of their strategy for regaining control of the U.S. House of Representatives. They need gain only 15 seats. From the story:

Elizabeth Billips is a Democrat who sticks with her party for president and voted two years ago to send John Barrow to Congress.

But Billips, 36, said she’ll vote on Nov. 7 for the man Barrow ousted from the House of Representatives in 2004: Republican Max Burns. Chatting as she sold T-shirts proclaiming this the “Bird Dog Capital of the World,” Billips said she likes Burns’ tough stance on illegal immigration and said he’s “personable and very available.”

Then, as if on cue, Burns ambled up to say hello. “See,” Billips said, “he shows up.”

Barrow, 50, also showed up at the recent Burke County Farm Festival. He dashed along the festival’s parade route just behind his rival, who waved from atop a huge “Farmers for Burns” tractor.

Judging by the numerous voters we’ve talked to in the last few months, there are A LOT of Elizabeth Billips’ in the 12th District. These few opening paragraphs also briefly capture the Max Burns that people know and love. “He’s personable and very available.” And that’s the truth.

The imagery of Barrow pathetically trailing along behind Max at the farm festival – acting as if he cares or even KNOWS ABOUT the area while Max waves to friends, family and scores of local well-wishers – is quite amusing. That’s local roots.

The article goes on to highlight the key points in the race like immigration, redistricting, Barrow’s sudden “conservative” change-of-heart, Barrow’s cut-and-run foreign policy, etc. Two paragraphs popped up on an issue that many people have overlooked but is absolutely vital to winning this race:

Chris Grant, a political scientist at Mercer University in Macon, said the race will be decided in rural towns such as Waynesboro and Vidalia, the sweet-onion capital, where Burns campaigned last week. Voters here are deeply religious and tend to vote Republican, though their loyalties to Georgia or Georgia Tech football may run deeper.

Many are concerned about a flood of illegal immigrant farmworkers who have taxed local schools and hospitals,” Grant said.

BINGO! We’re so glad to see the USA Today pick this up. Immigration, agriculture and other local issues will determine the outcome of this election. It quite literally comes down to a choice between a local guy with a record for standing up for the 12th, or an outsider who can’t find the 12th on a map.

…when it comes to Medicaid Funding

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Athens Congressman John Barrow’s not on the straight and narrow when it comes to fixing Medicaid funding for Georgians. This week, Barrow held a press conference touting legislation which he introduced yesterday to directly address the funding short fall in Medicaid. The problem, Barrow voted two times to make it easier for illegal immigrants to received Medicaid benefits, which is the leading cause of the financial crisis due to fraudulent claims by illegal immigrants.

John Barrow claiming to fix the PeachCare Funding Shortfall:

“Here in Georgia, PeachCare has helped hundreds of thousands of children get the health coverage they need,” Barrow continued. “It’s been extremely successful. That’s why it’s important that Congress fix the projected federal funding shortfall, so that we don’t turn back the clock on the progress that’s been made here, or keep any eligible child from enrolling…If states like Georgia are forced to cut enrollment because of funding shortfalls, many of the low-income children now enrolled in PeachCare will lose their health coverage,” Barrow said. “Congress created programs like PeachCare, and we have an obligation to adequately fund them. Now’s the time to act, and act quickly.” (Barrow Press Release, 9/18/06)

John Barrow voting 2 times to give illegal immigrants easier access to Medicaid benefits, which funds the PeachCare program:

Illegal aliens siphon off hundreds of millions of dollars a year in taxpayer funded Medicaid benefits intended to pay for health benefits for low-income Georgians. John Barrow voted twice to give illegal immigrants easier access to these taxpayer funded benefits. (Roll Call Vote 601, 11/18/05; Roll Call Vote 670, 12/16/05)

Nearly 62 percent support Republican in 12th race

By Adam Fogle, Editor-in-Chief
Blogging for Max

SAVANNAH, Ga. – For Kelly Gagne, the day is not complete without logging on to Facebook.com. In fact, the 20-year-old Georgia Southern University student said she visits the site roughly six times each day.

“I use it for a lot of things,” said Gagne. “I use it to promote my employer, connect with friends and other stuff.” And Gagne is not alone. She is one of more than 9 million people who log on daily to the networking phenomenon Facebook.

Besides instant access to an enormous network of friends and colleagues, subscribers can use their profile to keep friends updated on their whereabouts, relationship status, interests and even who they are supporting in the upcoming elections. All of the election information is automatically compiled in a section on the Web site called “Election Pulse.”

And that election data has unveiled a few surprises about student voters. Most notably, in Georgia’s hotly contested 12th Congressional District race, the traditionally left-leaning 18-to-30 crowd is overwhelmingly supporting the Republican candidate.

As of Wednesday morning, Sylvania educator Max Burns was backed by 61.33 percent of Facebook users while his Democratic opponent, Athens trial lawyer John Barrow, held only 38.67 percent support.

Gagne, who said she holds “moderate beliefs,” was not surprised by the results. “Max Burns is a home grown tomato. He’s not out looking for publicity; he’s just trying to do the right thing,” she said. “He was raised to do that and he raised his kids to that.”

The Georgia Election Pulse displays polling for the gubernatorial race and each of the 13 U.S. Congressional races “based on users supporting that candidate on their profile.”

Hayden Brantley, 20, a Political Science major at Georgia Southern University, thinks the results show student initiative. “A lot of people are starting to think clearer,” Brantley said. “They want to find a candidate who knows what he’s doing.”

Facebook has recently expanded the Web site to include high school students and young professionals.

Elizabeth Hilderbrand, 25, is one of those young professionals. The Armstrong Atlantic State University alumna said she believes the 18-to-30 demographic is strongly supporting Burns because the upcoming election is vital to her generation and that, “[Burns] supports the same things that [we were] raised to believe in.

“In my group of friends, defining marriage as one man and one woman is important,” she said. “And immigration is important.”

But admittedly for Hilderbrand, it is Burns’ economic platform that she feels entices student support. “His stances on taxes and the workforce mean a lot to us,” said Hilderbrand. “Planning on what to do once you graduate is important to students because we don’t know if social security is going to be there when we retire.”

Although 18-to-25-year-olds are the least likely to vote in elections, the addition of young professionals – generally 25 to 30 years old – to Facebook means that a large number of the Web site’s Burns supporters are apt to hit the polls.

The impact that Burns’ strong 62 percent showing will have on the election is yet uncertain. But the revelation already has South Georgia Democrats worried they are losing a critical base.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Athens Congressman John Barrow continues his pattern of lies when he claims he voted against amnesty in his latest television ad and refuses to explain to Georgians in the new 12th District what he meant when he told the Boston Globe that “We have 11 million illegal aliens we need to do a good job of assimilating into the country first.”

“John Barrow claims he voted against amnesty, but H.R. 4437 did nothing to address amnesty for the illegal immigrants in our country,” said Burns Campaign Manager Tim Baker. “In fact, the word amnesty appears no where in the 257 pages of the bill. However John Barrow did tell folks in Boston that ‘We have 11 million illegal aliens we need to do a good job of assimilating into the country first.’ Assimilate means ‘absorb,’ which beyond a shadow of doubt means amnesty. He is a Harvard-educated lawyer. He knows what assimilate means.”

On an April 9, 2006, Barrow told the Boston Globe, when asked what should be done with the illegals already in the country, “We have 11 million illegal aliens we need to do a good job of assimilating into the country first.” Barrow never said a single word about amnesty until after April 10, 2006, when Max Burns criticized Barrow’s plan to assimilate the illegals already in the country. Barrow then ran back to the district and tried to clear up any confusion by claiming his opposition to amnesty and now claims he voted against amnesty.

“John Barrow can claim he’s against amnesty till he’s blue in the face,” said Baker. “It’s been 159 days and John Barrow has never explained what he meant when he told his college’s hometown newspaper he’s for “assimilating” 11 million illegal immigrants. What did this Ivy Leaguer think ‘assimilate’ means – round’em up and send’em home?”

Documentation:

H.R. 4437: The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005:

This legislation only strengthens enforcement of our immigration laws, but does nothing to address the unauthorized immigrants currently in the United States. In short this bill:

· Requires every employer to ensure their employees are legal residents

· Strengthens and coordinates border security operations in order to prevent would-be terrorists from sneaking into the United States

· Boosts penalties for individuals found guilty of smuggling illegal immigrants across the border

· Subjects illegal immigrants to criminal penalties

· Protects against detained illegal aliens from being released back into American communities

(Source: House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Homeland Security)

John Barrow’s response when asked what should be done with the illegals already in the country:

“We have 11 million illegal aliens we need to do a good job of assimilating into the country first.” (Fence Sitters, Boston Globe, April 9, 2006)

as•sim•i•late:

· to absorb (groups of different cultures) into the main cultural body (Webster’s New World Dictionary, Second College Edition)

· to absorb (a minority) into the prevailing culture (The American Heritage College Dictionary, Third Edition)

It appears that people outside of Georgia are beginning to notice the struggle for Democrats in Georgia. In both of the state’s highly competitive U.S. House races, the Democrats are losing ground. In the 12th District, Athens trial lawyer John Barrow is desperately pleading with swing voters to ignore his two-year leftist voting record and accept his “conservative” change of heart.

Barrow has tried to dodge the “limousine liberal” tag with recent campaign ads in which he sells out his party and liberal idealogy for a more “rural traditional” look, but it seems that voters are seeing directly through the facade.
Eric Kleefeld of The Coffee House had this to say about the race:

While Dems are poised for big gains in House races around the country, there’s one place where Dems are struggling: Georgia. That’s because a recent redistricting —- which immediately followed a GOP takeover of the Legislature in 2004 -— has left two Democratic Congressman, Jim Marshall and John Barrow, fighting tough challenges from former Reps. Mac Collins and Max Burns, respectively. In Barrow’s case, the redraw actually removed his longtime hometown, Dem stronghold Athens. As Larry Sabato told the Los Angeles Times: “I really don’t think there is another state where there are two Democratic seats that are at least somewhat vulnerable.”

By Adam Fogle

SAVANNAH, Ga. - President Bush was in Coastal Georgia Thursday at a fundraiser for U.S. Congressional candidate Max Burns. The luncheon, held at Pooler’s Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, was an opportunity for Bush to reiterate the importance of the 12th Congressional District race between Burns and Athens trial lawyer John Barrow.

Bush hailed Burns as the “best candidate.” “Max Burns understands the stakes,” he said. “He’s going to be the right guy to represent you in Washington.”

The president supported that statement by referencing Burns’ prolific background in education.

“In order for America to be a great nation, we have got to be sure that we have an education system that is actually giving kids the skills necessary to compete in the global economy,” Bush said. “Max is an educator; he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to education.”

A former Georgia Southern University professor, Burns was on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce during the 108th Congress. He holds a Ph.D. and M.B.A. from Georgia State University and a B.A. from Georgia Tech.

Bush further noted that Burns, who served in the United States Army Reserve, had an encouraging record on military finance. Said Bush, “We need to make sure that our troops… have all it takes to defend the United States of America.

“Max understands that. He understands that when you put a kid in harm’s way, they deserve the full support of the United States government.”

The president further noted the importance of homeland security in Chatham County. “You need a Congressman who will pick up the phone and say, ‘Mr. President, you came and talked about the Port of Savannah when you campaigned for me,’” he said, referring to the importance of port security. “That Congressman is going to be Max Burns.”

The 30-minute speech also hit on tax cuts, unemployment and the resurging economy, underlining Bush’s message that “Max understands.”

“Today, the national unemployment rate is 4.7 percent, we’ve added over five-and-a-half million jobs since August 2003 and our economy is the strongest of any industrialized nation in the world,” the president said. “Lowering your taxes has worked.

“I want to work with Max to make sure the tax cuts we passed are permanent.”

By Adam Fogle

President Bush will be in Chatham County tomorrow at a fundraiser for U.S. Congressional candidate Max Burns. Bush will be the featured speaker for the Thursday luncheon at Pooler’s Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.

Burns, a former Georgia Southern University Professor, is in a heated race with Democrat John Barrow for Georgia’s 12th District. Burns narrowly lost the seat in 2004, and polls suggest this year’s rematch is a dead heat.

The president will attend the fundraiser after delivering a policy speech in Atlanta.

Besides the expected financial boost, many believe that Bush’s visit demonstrates the importance the National Republican Party is placing on this race. Democrats need to pick up only 15 seats to regain control of the House, so the Georgia 12th could be crucial in determining the outcome.

For coverage of the president’s 1:15 pm speech in Pooler, turn to WSAV 3. The feed will also be going out to FOX News, CNN, and every other major news network.

…when it comes to getting tough on illegal immigration

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Athens Congressman John Barrow’s not on the straight and narrow when it comes to getting tough on illegal immigration. In the first debate of the election cycle, John Barrow claimed he voted for every anti-illegal immigration measures, but a closer look at the Congressional Record shows John Barrow actually opposed 4 measures that would get tough on illegal immigration.

John Barrow claiming to be tough on illegal immigration:

“’I voted for every measure that has been proposed and been passed out of the House to secure our borders and help us begin the process of enforcing our laws,’ said Barrow after the debate.” (Emphasis added) (Savannah Morning News, 8/29/06)

John Barrow voting 4 times against measures to get tough on illegal immigration:

John Barrow voted against an amendment that would prevent state and local governments from receiving funds if they refused to enforce federal law. These so called “sanctuary cities” refused to report immigration violations to the federal. (Vote 177, 5/17/2005)

John Barrow voted to extend temporary protected status (TPS) to hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the United States following natural disasters in Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua in 1998 and 2001. The countries have since rebuilt and recovered from the devastating effects of the hurricanes and earthquakes, yet because of John Barrow’s vote their citizens residing in the United States continue to enjoy amnesty and do not have to apply for legal residency as other would-be immigrants from around the world are required to do so. (Vote 222, 5/25/06)

John Barrow voted twice against legislation that included key provisions by fellow Georgia lawmakers Nathan Deal (GA-10) and Charlie Norwood (GA-09) that would require all Medicaid applicants to prove U.S. citizenship before being granted benefits. Illegal aliens currently siphon off somewhere between $300 million in Georgia Medicaid funds, intended to pay for health benefits for low-income Georgians. (Roll Call Vote 601, 11/18/05; Vote 670, 12/19/05)

but around here … we trust those who “walk the line”

For documentation, call Tim Baker at (912) 353-9626

For explanations, call John Barrow in ATHENS at (706) 613-3232

… This is the first report that we know of; from the AP wire:

Barrow, Burns spar in first debate of 12th District rematch

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. (AP) - U.S. Representative John Barrow and his Republican opponent, Max Burns, had the first debate of their rematch tonight. Barrow called himself an independent unafraid to buck the Democratic Party, while Burns insisted that Barrow’s party affiliation matters more than his policy stands.

The candidates are battling in their second straight election for eastern Georgia’s 12th District seat, which Burns held for one term before Barrow narrowly defeated him in 2004.

Facing off before an audience of 300 students at Georgia College and State University, both men agreed on some of the most divisive issues facing Americans. Both support staying the course in Iraq rather than pulling out. And both called for tighter border security as the answer to illegal immigration, opposing amnesty for illegal workers already in the US.

Barrow boasted about taking his stances that often put him at odds with fellow Democrats.

“No boss, no leader, no caucus can tell me how to vote,” Barrow said. “And none of them has.”

But Burns said Barrow’s party affiliation matters, because if Democrats wrest control of Congress a majority would support drawing troops out of Iraq and relaxing immigration enforcement — with or without Barrow’s support.

“He is the least effective members of the Georgia delegation, right behind Cynthia McKinney,” Burns said, referring to the Georgia congresswoman who lost her Democratic primary runoff this month. “The bottom line is his party will influence his vote.”

Meanwhile, Burns admitted he’s not always in lockstep with the GOP leaders - including President Bush, who will travel to Georgia next week to raise money for Burns.

Burns said he opposes Bush’s proposal for a guest worker program to allow some of the nation’s 12 million illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S.

“He’s my president,” Burns said. “But I don’t agree with everything he says or does.”

Barrow and Burns both said the U.S. made serious errors in conducting the war in Iraq, such as deploying insufficient troops early in the war and disbanding the defeated Iraqi army, opening its soldiers to recruiting by insurgents. Unlike many Democrats who have been quick to blame Bush, Barrow said he’s not pointing fingers.

“I don’t believe we’ve got time to argue about who’s at fault with the mistakes that were made,” he said, “but rather we need to focus on how do we get out of the mess we’re in.”

Again dismissing Barrow’s policy position, Burns said re-electing Barrow would help Democrats retake control of Congress and forgo any chance of success in Iraq.

“If my opponent’s party has their way, America will suffer and the security of our nation will be in jeopardy,” Burns said.

The candidates did engage in a heated exchange over trade agreements.

Barrow accused Republicans of giving away American jobs with trade deals such as the Central American Free Trade Agreement. He pointed to the small town of Millen, south of Augusta, where underwear manufacturer Jockey announced last month it will lay off 200 workers by November. The company plans to move those jobs to Central America, Barrow said.

“American workers are getting it from both ends,” Barrow said. “Illegal immigration is selling out American jobs to the lowest bidder. And bad trade deals are shipping out good American jobs overseas.”

Burns, saying he’d talked with Jockey’s president, denied CAFTA had influenced the Millen layoffs. He said he doesn’t support all such agreements, but insisted strong trade helps fuel job growth in city’s such as Savannah, where the port is booming.

“We have to trade. We cannot build a wall,” Burns said. “We cannot cut off the market. In Georgia alone, we would lose half our cotton production if we did not have the authorization of exporting raw materials.”

Two years ago, Burns of Sylvania was the incumbent defending his seat against Barrow, who defeated the Republican with 52 percent of the vote. Burns announced his comeback bid six months after he lost.

Burns figures his odds have been improved since the Legislature redrew the 12th District last year to exclude Barrow’s hometown of Athens. The Democratic incumbent has since moved to Savannah.

The eastern Georgia district now covers 22 counties in eastern Georgia - including the cities of Augusta and Milledgeville to the north, Vidalia and Savannah to the south. The changes pack more conservative-leaning, rural voters into the district, which was originally drawn to give an edge to Democrats.

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Max Burns, former Congressman and candidate for Georgia’s new 12th U.S. Congressional District, has been officially endorsed by the Georgia Right to Life. The announcement came Friday and is part of Burns’ bid to return to Congress.

Georgia Right to Life, a non-partisan organization established in 1971 to protect human life from abortion, said Burns received their support for his “willingness to stand for the sanctity of life.”

The announcement will likely deliver a major blow to Burns’ opponent, Athens trial lawyer John Barrow, who in recent months has attempted to appeal to the new 12th District by developing a more conservative image. By losing pro-life supporters, many believe that it is unlikely that Barrow can elude his liberal, pro-abortion image.

For Burns, the endorsement could not be any more important. “Life is precious, and I am honored to receive the support of the pro-life community,” said Burns. “While in Congress, I’ve fought for the protection of life and I am proud to have supported several initiatives, including the banning of the horrific procedure know as partial-birth abortion.

“I appreciate Georgia Right to Life’s endorsement and will continue to protect life in the 110th Congress.”

Georgia Right to Life defines their endorsement criteria simply as going to “those who believe abortion should be legal only to save the life of the mother.” And Daniel Becker, Director of the Georgia Right to Life PAC, believes Burns entirely meets their principles.

“I would like to thank you for your pro-life commitment to the protection of human life, born and unborn,” Becker told Burns. “As a candidate who has demonstrated a willingness to stand for the sanctity of life, we are especially pleased to commend you and look forward to working with you…”

With the nomination, Burns echoed the pro-life beliefs of more than 70 percent of Americans who find the act morally wrong except in extreme cases. “Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a home with loving and caring parents,” said Burns. “We must take every opportunity to offer alternatives to abortion by providing counseling and assistance to women with unplanned pregnancies.”

The role of the Georgia Right to Life is to encourage and support candidates who they believe provide the strongest and most effective voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Georgia Right to Life represents over 240,000 households across the state.

For more information on protecting the right to life, call Georgia Right to Life at (770) 339-6880 or log on to http://www.grtl.org.

* Graph courtesy of the Georgia Right to life

An almost fair rundown of the two big Georgia U.S. House races, the 12th and the 8th, popped up in today’s Gwinnett Daily Post.

Of note was this tidbit toward the end:

But Democrats argue that Barrow showed voters a commitment to the district by relocating. The law doesn’t require House members to live in their districts.

First, let us grab our box of Kleenex as we weap for poor Johnnie Athens. Then, let us propose a better way to show commitment to this district: Commit to the “Straight and Narrow” by commiting to the issues that reflect this constituency.

Try these novel suggestions:

Perhaps NOT voting for restrictive gun laws might show commitment.

Perhaps NOT being an INEFFECTIVE Congressman might show commitment.

Perhaps NOT waiting until August to open an office WITHIN THE DISTRICT might show commitment.

Perhaps NOT abandoning Georgia’s students for pork barrel projects might show commitment.

Perhaps NOT fundraising outside the district with your “fearless leader” might show commitment.

Perhaps NOT begging for face time with cut-and-run liberals like Mother Sheehan might show commitment.

Or perhaps NOT resolving to be Nancy Pelosi’s lap dog might show commitment.

…when it comes to “protect[ing] our gun rights”

SAVANNAH, Ga. – In his new radio ad, Athens Congressman John Barrow’s not on the straight and narrow when it comes to “protect[ing] our gun rights.” John Barrow claims he “protect[s] our gun rights,” but John Barrow led the fight for some of the most restrictive gun laws in Georgia. Incredibly, John Barrow even proposed a ban on center-fired rifles.

“John Barrow voted…to protect our gun rights.” (Friends of John Barrow radio ad approved by John Barrow)

“…all of us on the commission appear to agree that we need some controls on shooting that are in addition to those provided for the State Law.” (Emphasis added) (John Barrow Letter to the Editor, 11/17/92)

“…Barrow wanted a ban on center-fire rifles altogether… Vote 5: “Barrow and Taylor proposed a total ban on center-fire rifles. It went down to quick defeat, 2-8.” (Emphasis added) (Athens Banner-Herald, 12/2/92)