Abramoff scandal should be a leveler for Democratic upstart candidates

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Ralph Reed's first shot at elected office showing signs of trouble

February 3, 2006 10:53 AM
GREG BLUESTEIN, Associated Press Writer
http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=NATIONAL&ID=564675950722549623

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ATLANTA (AP) - For a while, former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed looked almost unstoppable in his bid for lieutenant governor of Georgia. Then he got tripped up by the Jack Abramoff scandal.

In recent months, it was reported that Reed's public relations and lobbying businesses received $4.2 million from his longtime friend Abramoff to mobilize Christian voters to fight the opening of casinos that would compete with Abramoff's Indian tribe clients.

In a poll conducted for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in late December, voters were asked about hypothetical match-ups between Reed and an unnamed Democrat, and Cagle and an unnamed Democrat. In the race involving Reed, 36 percent chose the Democrat and 33 percent picked Reed. As for the Cagle race, 35 percent preferred the lesser-known lawmaker, while 30 percent choose the Democrat.

If he beats Cagle, Reed would face a Democrat with negligible name recognition in November. The current lieutenant governor, Democrat Mark Taylor, is running for governor. (In Georgia, the lieutenant governor is elected separately from the governor.)

full article: http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=NATIONAL&ID=564675950722549623