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STATE SEN. HAWKINS CALLS GRAVES “JOBS BILL” A SHAM, CALLS FOR HONEST CONSERVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO CREATE JOBS

CUMMING, Ga. – Republican candidate for Congress State Sen. Lee Hawkins said Friday that a bill being promoted as a “jobs” bill by State Rep. Tom Graves is a sham and, urged legislators to replace it with Hawkins’ own jobs bill.

“Graves’ so-called jobs bill is a sham,” said Hawkins. “His legislation contains fine print that would only allow it to take effect if there is a budget surplus in the state of Georgia. But he knows full well that today we have more than a billion dollar deficit, and we are years away from having a budget surplus. It won’t create a single job. It’s just another fake gimmick that politicians have used for years to trick voters.”



“Georgians demand real tax cuts and a genuine plan to create jobs. They want genuine conservative leadership and genuine tax cuts.”

“This legislation is like so much of what comes from Washington politicians from both parties. It’s time for real conservative tax cuts, not more fake legislation designed to get people elected to office. “

“We need tax cuts, this year, to spur job creation, not years from now,” said Hawkins. Hawkins has led and is supporting an alternative jobs bill of tax cuts that would take immediate effect in fiscal year 2010 and would spur immediate creation of jobs. Hawkins bill, which is starting in the State House as HB 1204, will help employers begin creating jobs immediately. Hawkins will be the Senate sponsor.

Hawkins, a candidate for Georgia’s Ninth district congressional seat, further stated that last year he had supported the 2009 Senate version of the JOBS bill. “It was very different from what later passed the House, but neither 2009 version contained the $500 million surplus requirement.”

I spotted this YOU LIE! bumper sticker in east Cobb this afternoon. You gotta love east Cobb Republicans…

Rusty Paul and Bob Shaw singing the National Anthem

Rep. Tom Price

Rep. Tom Price and Volunteers

John Albers running for State Senate District 56

Roswell Mayor Jere Wood

Ray McBerry, Republican Candidate for Georgia Governor

Sen. Eric Johnson, R-Savannah, Republican Candidate for Governor

U.S. Rep Nathan Deal, Republican Candidate for Governor

Rep. Harry Geisinger, R-Roswell

I got there a little after 12 and was in the food line when the speeches started so I had a front row view for Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, Ray McBerry and Rep. Melvin Everson, R-Snellville.  Oxendine, Scott and McBerry are running for Governor and Everson is running for Labor Commissioner. Other statewide candidates were there but I got busy eating and mingling and missed most of their speeches. I left around 2:15 p.m. and I don’t know if Sec. of State Karen Handel, Sen. Eric Johnson, R-Savannah or U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal showed up, the rest of the candidates for Governor.

I was able to snap a few pictures so look below. I look forward to attending more of these local rallies so I can get to know the candidates, the staff, the consultants and ultimately the kingmakers…

Ray McBerry speaking at the Gwinnett County GOP BBQ on Memorial Day

John Oxendine at the Gwinnett County GOP BBQ on Memorial Day

Austin Scott at the Gwinnett County GOP BBQ on Memorial Day

Melvin Everson at the Gwinnett County GOP BBQ on Memorial Day

U.S. Representatives Phil Gingrey, Tom Price, Lynn Westmoreland, John Linder and Paul Broun have given their support for Deal’s bid for the Republican nomination for governor in 2010.

“Nathan has been an outstanding member of Congress and he is going to be a great governor for Georgia,” said Gingrey, who is chairman of the group of Republican House lawmakers from Georgia, known as the “G-7.”

Westmoreland, who served as a leader in the state House of Representatives before coming to Washington said Deal is respected for his leadership in Washington. 

“When Nathan speaks, everyone listens,” Westmoreland said. “He is respected on both sides of the aisle and never compromises his core conservative beliefs.”

Linder, who is a key sponsor of the Fair Tax, said Deal was an early supporter of the effort to replace the current income tax system. 

“When we began to line up supporters for the Fair Tax, Nathan was right there and has never backed away from his commitment to real tax reform,” Linder said. 

Price, a physician, said Deal is known for his efforts on healthcare reform as chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health. 

“Nathan has been instrumental in getting sweeping reforms for Medicare and Medicaid through Congress,” Price said.  

Broun said Deal has stood firm, even when that meant opposing his own party, president and party leadership. 

“If Nathan takes a stand, I’ve learned that he’s not going to back down or back away from it,” Broun said. “I believe Georgia needs Nathan Deal as it’s next governor.”

Deal, who served as president pro tempore of the Georgia State Senate before being elected to Congress is the only candidate for governor with both state and federal elected experience.

The kingmakers are the ones who pull reporters aside and give them the real story, before and after the interview with the candiates. The kingmakers I knew were the ones in the back of the crowded room, with subtle smirks on their faces. I’ve been out of the game for a few years. I need to understand how it’s played in a digital, wireless world. 

So pass a few names, emails, Twitter addresses or Facebook profiles to me. I’d like to see who the players are.

Just an idea of what I’m going to be talking about in coming months and years…

Georgia House and Senate news and campaigns for seats in Cobb, Cherokee, Fulton, Gwinnett, Douglas and Paulding – and any others that seem interesting or relevant. I’ll be discussing statewide and federal elections in regards to north metro candidates or local reactions to those campaigns. 

Twitter will be part of my social media to spread the news, so please follow me at https://twitter.com/120politics.

Also, check out the About 120Politics page here to learn more.