Political Insider

We’ve picked up word that the tea party in Atlanta — which started minutes ago — has been trimmed from a three-hour event down to two hours, which means it will end at 9 p.m.

That’s when Sean Hannity is set to go on air from the stage at the state Capitol for his Fox News program.

We’re being told that Fox originally wanted the active crowd in the background, but have now decided against it.

The environment is very, very tight, with stages dedicated to the TV set and entertainment right on top of Washington Street. Giant TV screens have been erected at Mitchell and Martin Luther King streets, to give the crowd a reason to gather on those avenues.

And it’s surprisingly cold and windy.

Hannity will still do the broadcast, but without the crowd behind him — or trying to compete with tea party speakers in the confined area.

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Continue reading Atlanta tea party trimmed back by an hour »

One never likes to hold a politician responsible for the actions of a teenager, but U.S. Rep. Paul Broun’s son, a high school senior, has apparently run into a spot of trouble. This from Blake Aued at the Athens Banner-Herald:

U.S. Rep. Paul Broun’s son was arrested and charged with drug possession early Saturday morning at a party in Athens.

Paul Collins Broun III, 18, of Knob Creek Drive in Oconee County, was at a party at an apartment on West Cloverhurst Street at 2:30 a.m. when Athens-Clarke police responded to a complaint.

Broun smelled of alcohol and marijuana and had a pill bottle in his pocket containing marijuana, according to a police report.

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Continue reading Teenager problems for a congressman »

Word from the Sam Olens camp is that the withdrawal of Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle makes it far more likely that the Cobb County Commission chairman will enter the 2010 Republican race for governor next week.

Before announcing his decision to reporters, Cagle talked to state Sens. David Shafer of Duluth and Eric Johnson of Savannah — both of whom have announced for the post that Cagle now intends to keep.

Cagle also had a conference call with the Senate Republican caucus.

In this post, we’ll be adding more reaction to the news sweeping the state Capitol, but here’s what we have so far:

Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) said he would not enter the race, but said that Cagle’s departure could lure more than one new candidate.

“Anytime the perceived front-runner leaves the race, that certainly sends the message that there’s an opening,” he said.

From state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, who announced himself available to all Cagle supporters for questioning:

As I …

Continue reading Cagle’s withdrawal could mean more than one new GOP candidate for governor »

This is a little odd, but then it’s been an odd day. Casey Cagle’s office just distributed a statement from the lieutenant governor’s surgeon — but declined to identify the physician, citing confidentiality issues.

Here it is:

The Lt. Governor has sustained significant nerve damage in his neck, which requires prompt surgical treatment. His prognosis for a full recovery is excellent, but this is a challenging surgery and one that will require time for rest and recovery.

While his activities will be limited temporarily, we expect the Lt. Governor to remain fully capable of performing the duties of his position for almost all of the treatment and recovery period.

If the surgery proceeds without complications and no further issues are revealed, he is expected to be back at full speed well in advance of the next legislative session.

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Continue reading A word from Casey Cagle’s unidentified surgeon »

Here’s the statement from which Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle read on Wednesday afternoon, withdrawing from the 2010 race for governor:

For the past several months, it has been my full intention to campaign aggressively for election as Georgia’s next Governor.

We have recruited a top-notch team, raised over a million dollars, and I’ve worked to help my family understand the kind of stress we will face.

I did this because I truly believe our state is at a crossroads, and the next Governor will play a critical role in determining whether our kids and grandkids have an opportunity to enjoy prosperity and opportunity here in Georgia.

I have experienced pain in my back and neck for years, but during this past legislative session, the pain worsened. At times my arm was numb and the pain spread. Therefore, as part of preparing to run, I visited my physician. That doctor’s appointment significantly changed the way my life will look for the next several months.

I’ve been diagnosed with some …

Continue reading Cagle’s statement: ‘I’ve been diagnosed with a degenerative spinal condition’ »

Something big is up with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle.

He’s scheduled a 1:15 p.m. conference call with the Senate Republican caucus. And a 1:30 p.m. press conference, with “a major announcement” promised.

No details have been confirmed, but Cagle was to be the featured speaker Thursday at the 22nd annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Cookout down in south Georgia.

Wayne Dasher, a member of the state corrections board, said that Cagle has canceled, citing a “family emergency.”

Continue reading Something’s cooking with Casey Cagle »

Bill Hanawalt with In Concert Productions sends hand signals for an associate to direct the TV lights, in preparation for tonight’s event at the state Capitol. John Spink/jspink@ajc.com

How much does it cost to put on a tea party at the state Capitol?

With two stages — one for Sean Hannity of Fox News and the other for entertainers — more than $25,000, say the organizers.

And where do you put counterdemonstrators who have threatened to crash a party that includes live television? Police will attempt to contain them in an area one very long block away, in front of a parking lot on Courtland Avenue.

Organizers and stage hands are out in front of the state Capitol now. Checks are being written by the national anti-tax group Americans for Prosperity — but will be backfilled by local donations, said spokeswoman Virginia Galloway (no relation to the author).

Galloway said that so far, House Speaker Glenn Richardson — who like Galloway lives in Paulding County — is the largest donor. …

Continue reading Cost of a tea party: $25K, and counterprotests »

InsiderAdvantage is out with a poll this morning that shows Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle ahead in the Republican race for governor.

Here’s the breakdown:

Cagle: 28 %

John Oxendine: 14%

Karen Handle: 6%

Austin Scott: 4%

Sam Olens: 2%

Obviously, this far out, the real winner is Undecided, at 46 percent.

So far, no polls we’ve seen include the name of Ray McBerry, the states’ rights candidate who ran against Sonny Perdue in ’06. 
The IA poll was conducted Monday, and has a MOE of 3.6 percent.

By the by, we just heard from Olens, the chairman of the Cobb County Commission. He said that — while he indeed intends to make up his mind Friday on whether to run for governor or something else — a county commitment will prevent a public announcement. He’s now set aside Tuesday afternoon as his decision day.

On the Democratic side, The IA poll names former Gov. Roy Barnes as the leader — despite his status as an unannounced candidate.

The breakdown:

Roy Barnes: 35%

Thurbert Baker: 11%

Dubose …

Continue reading Early IA poll says Cagle, Barnes ahead in 2010 race for governor »

This from the Washington Whispers blog at U.S. News and World Report:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin/Associated Press

Worse than Dan Quayle before her, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s bright star has fast faded in the eyes of Washington Republican officials and analysts, calling into question her efforts to become a national party figure ready to run for the White House.

“She’s just not ready for prime time,” said a party strategist who has worked for former President Bush. “I mean, she’s starting to look like she’s having trouble being governor of Alaska.”

At issue is her weak debut, hampered by the mishandling of her by Sen. John McCain’s campaign, and subsequent family issues such as the most recent tiff with Levi Johnston, the father of her first grandchild and ex-fiancé of her daughter Bristol.

Arguments within her staff haven’t helped, the article notes. Advantage: Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney.

For instant updates, follow me on …

Continue reading Sarah Palin fading as a GOP choice in 2012? »

Much going on today:

— Last night, an entity called Southern Polling Group gave an automated phone to the house in Kennesaw.

One couldn’t call it a push-poll, but it was oriented toward the Republican race for governor, and did ask respondents to choose a candidate: Secretary of State Karen Handel, state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, or state Rep. Austin Scott.

The key point of the survey could be found in these two questions: Do you consider Gov. Sonny Perdue to be a “solid conservative,” and would you prefer “a solid conservative” as governor?

A Google search, by the by, turns up nothing called the Southern Polling Group.

— Tim Echols, a Christian conservative in Athens who had been considering a run to replace state Sen. Ralph Hudgens (R-Hull), has decided against the move. “It’s the wrong time for me with my young family,” Echols said.

Echols was one of the organizers opposing the Sunday sales bill in the Legislature this session. Hudgens is …

Continue reading Your morning jolt: On a poll for governor in the field, tea parties, and a state Senate race »