Reed Hopes Voters Keep Faith, Forget Abramoff

[Judi Lynn]

Reed Hopes Voters Keep Faith, Forget Abramoff
His foe in Georgia's GOP primary criticizes the PR work he did for his lobbyist friend.
By Richard Fausset, Times Staff Writer
July 18, 2006

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — For former Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed to succeed in his first bid for public office, he's going to have to pray for the help of voters like Norma Saunders.

Saunders, 83, has heard about Reed's ties to Jack Abramoff, the disgraced Washington lobbyist. But, she said, she still plans to vote for Reed in today's Republican primary for Georgia lieutenant governor.

"I have read about Ralph Reed through all of his troubles and triumphs, and I'm going to vote for him," Saunders assured a group of campaign volunteers who knocked on her door Friday. "I think he's articulate and capable."

For years, Reed has been the clean-cut, boyish face of the conservative Christian movement — a behind-the-scenes whiz whom many credit with helping the GOP solidify power in Washington. Now, however, it appears he will need every ounce of that talent to survive his bid for the powerful post of lieutenant governor.
(snip/...)

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-reed18jul18,1,6390399.story?coll=la-headlines-politics

[Sherman A1]

1. Articulate and capable

and perhaps a thief, but that's okay.....

[depakid]

2. "she still plans to vote for Reed..."

Memo to the so called "centrists" who sell out traditional Democratic values whenever it seems to suit the beltway consultants-

Ms. Sauders has a message for you.

[acmavm]

3. Age has seemed to catch up with old Norma. He's capable allright.

He's liable to have the fillings whipped out of her mouth before her old cadaver is even cold.

[bklyncowgirl]

4. It should help the Democrats if Reed wins.

I refuse to believe that the majority of people in the state of Georgia are gullible morons. Reed would at least get angry Democrats to turn out and vote.

[Debau2005]

5. I hope so.

I am hoping he wins, he is an easier target the Cagle. And to be honest Cagle is scary. He is just as conservative and right wing, and will be harder to beat. His skeletons are still in the closet!

[LionInWinter]

6. Oh Puhleese!

I have two words for you: Max Cleland. If they could "vote" a hero like Max out, there's no way Reed would be allowed to lose in a general election. Those who count the votes win, and in Georgia it's Diebold.

[Judi Lynn]

7. Reed faces voters for first time

Posted on Tue, Jul. 18, 2006
Reed faces voters for first time
GREG BLUESTEIN
Associated Press

ATLANTA - After years of working as a behind-the-scenes campaign strategist, Ralph Reed faced voters for the first time Tuesday as the candidate.

The former leader of the national Christian Coalition and the state's Republican Party is running to become Georgia's lieutenant governor, a mostly powerless post seen as a stepping stone to the governor's office. Now the typically low-profile race has turned into a fight for Reed's political future and personal reputation.

When he entered the race for Georgia's No. 2 job last year, he broke early fundraising records and scared other would-be Republican contenders out of running. But that was before revelations over his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff emerged, energizing the campaign of his sole Republican opponent, state Sen. Casey Cagle of Gainesville.
(snip)

Contributions have poured into both campaigns - which have raised roughly $2.5 million apiece - and recent polls show the two in a dead heat. Endorsements have followed, with Reed landing the support of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Cagle earning the nod of former presidential candidate Steve Forbes.
(snip/...)

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/local/15062188.htm

[brentspeak]

8. Here's quote from Reed that he's not likely to highlight in his campaign:

"I want to be invisible. I do guerrilla warfare. I paint my face and travel at night. You don't know it's over until you're in a body bag." (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, November 9, 1991)

Ralph Reed is slime incarnate.

[underpants]

10. Yeah he's really highspeed isn't he?

Look I don't know the specifics of anything Reed did or didn't do and that is the problem I have with this. What was so great about what he did (if anything)? Who else wouldn't look like great with the piles of money and mounds of support from the party leaders that he had behind him? What happened to his organization in their great movement?

If someone could answer those questions then maybe I would be impressed.

From what I have seen it appears to me that without all the backing he used to have Reed is a boat out of water. I suspect that his "genius" label is more the work of propaganda for the organization and self-promotion.

Gosh he is great isn't he?
Oh yes Jerry we sure do know what we are doing huh?
We sure do.

Wow I hear he is great
Me too and how boy golly I sure would like to be a part of his group
Me too
Lets all join in and come in for the big win whatta you say?

[Mad_Dem_X]

17. From the first moment I saw him...

I refered to him as Damien, because he reminded me of the kid from The Omen. I've always thought he was sneaky and evil.

[CottonBear]

9. The old folks don't know how slimy Reed is. They think he's a Christian

and that's why they'll vote for him. These old folks are gullible. They probably watch Pat Robertson and Falwell on the teevee and send money to religious charlatans. :(

Cagle is equally as evil and much more electable. I'm hoping that Reed wins the primary because I think that moderate and business type Republicans will be more reluctant to vote for Reed in the general election.

I detest Reed and Cagle. Cagle has played dirty politics and split my Democratic town into two R-state senate districts. He is scum, pure and simple.

[Judi Lynn]

11. Thanks for the background. Found a photo of Casey Cagle:

He LOOKS like one of the "good ol' boys," for sure. I've seen more than enough people like this in my life. Compulsive, mentally limited, over-bearing, obnoxious, lacking consciences.

[CottonBear]

12. You're welcome! Here's a web site link: Stop Ralph Reed.com

http://www.stopralphreed.com/srr_background.html

[CottonBear]

13. You're welcome! Here's a web site link: Stop Ralph Reed.com

http://www.stopralphreed.com/srr_background.html

[go west young man]

16. Too true of Reed.

I had the displeasure of waiting on him for dinner back in the early 90's when I worked at a resort hotel. He and his wife were equally obnoxious. It was a party of 8 people and the whole time they were talking shop about political strategy and money. There was plenty of cursing going on and at the end of the meal I specifically remember how rude his wife was to me when she wanted a hot chocolate. I've waited on plenty of assholes and Ralph and company are right up there with the worst of em. Christian my ass!

[arwalden]

14. I'll Bet He Does.

[RebelOne]

15. Well, I voted today and it sure as hell wasn't for Reed. n/t