2014 GA Senate debate: on Principles & Values


Amanda Swafford: Judeo-Christian values aren't threatened by Shariah

Question topic: Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution.

Swafford: Agree.

Question topic: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.

Swafford: Agree.

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Georgia Senate race Sep 30, 2014

David Perdue: Judeo-Christian values established our government framework

Question topic: Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution.

Perdue: Strongly Disagree

Question topic: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.

Perdue: Strongly Agree.

Question topic: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

Perdue: Based on my faith, I have deeply held personal convictions that I share with a majority of Georgians. These principles shape my belief in the limited and clearly defined role of government. Additionally, there are certain issues on which I will not waver. I believe that we should promote a culture that values life and protects the innocent, especially the unborn. I also believe that we must protect traditional marriage, keeping it between one man and one woman.

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Georgia Senate race Sep 30, 2014

Rick Allen: Shariah law is a threat; keep Judeo-Christian framework

Q: Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution?

Allen: Disagree

Q: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government?

Allen: Strongly Agree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Georgia Senate race Sep 30, 2014

Paul Broun: Biblical morality is spiritual foundation of our nation

Question topic: Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution.

Broun: Strongly Disagree

Question topic: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.

Broun: Strongly Agree.

Question topic: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

Broun: I am an evangelical Christian who upholds the orthodox, cardinal doctrines of the faith. I believe in the eternal existence of one, true, living, triune God. I believe that Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, was God manifested in human flesh and that He came to earth to be the Redeemer of the human race through His vicarious, atoning death on the Cross as foretold in prophecy. I believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. I believe that biblical morality and biblical principles are the spiritual foundation of our nation and that our Founders recognized their importance.

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Georgia Senate race Jul 2, 2014

David Perdue: Change diapers & politicians frequently: not a D.C. insider

The battle to be the Republican candidate in the race to replace retiring Sen. Saxby Chambliss features David Perdue, Georgia Ports Authority board member, and the former CEO of Dollar General, and U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, [At the debate, Kingston] was unapologetic in presenting himself as an experienced Washington insider, despite strong attacks from Perdue who argued only an outsider can reign in the federal debt. "I am not going to apologize for being a long time soldier in this fight," Kingston said, noting his strong ratings from the National Right to Life campaign and National Rifle Association. He also said that he is the best candidate to broaden the appeal of the party given his success in a more Democratic leaning district and willingness to engage liberal media. "The reality is MSNBC is where you have to go sometimes," he argued.

Perdue argued that "politicians are like diapers" and need to be changed frequently. "We look like Democrat lite," he complained.

Source: The Hill e-zine on 2014 Georgia Senate debate Apr 19, 2014

Jack Kingston: Broaden appeal of GOP by engaging liberal media

The battle to be the Republican candidate in the race to replace retiring Sen. Saxby Chambliss features David Perdue and U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, [At the debate, Kingston] was unapologetic in presenting himself as an experienced Washington insider, despite strong attacks from Perdue who argued only an outsider can reign in the federal debt. "I am not going to apologize for being a long time soldier in this fight," Kingston said, noting his strong ratings from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, National Right to Life campaign and National Rifle Association. He also said that he is the best candidate to broaden the appeal of the party given his success in a more Democratic leaning district and willingness to engage liberal media. "The reality is MSNBC is where you have to go sometimes," he argued.

Perdue argued that "politicians are like diapers" and need to be changed frequently. "We look like Democrat lite," he complained.

Source: The Hill e-zine on 2014 Georgia Senate debate Apr 19, 2014

Michelle Nunn: Daughter of Sen. Sam Nunn: legacy of bipartisanship

Nunn was met with questions and anecdotes about her father, as she often is on the campaign trail. Former four-term Sen. Sam Nunn was the last Georgia Democrat to win re-election to a Senate seat, in 1990, and his legacy of bipartisanship is still revered by voters of both parties.

"It gives me an entry point with people who remember my dad," Nunn said of her last name. "It gives me a hearing. And then as I talk to a lot of young people, they're interested in my non-profit career and work with volunteers. So I think I'm able to have an entry point with voters in both ways."

Never far removed from the tongues of Democrats and Republicans alike in attendance were comparisons between the younger and elder Nunns. "She has the stamina and the tenacity that he has," said a Senate aide to Nunn's father for 14 years. [The elder Nunn] "could speak up to his party when he needed to and cross the aisle to work with Republicans. I think Michelle can do that, too--she says she can."

Source: Rollcall e-zine on 2014 Georgia Senate race Apr 17, 2014

David Perdue: CEO of Dollar General & Reebok; cousin of Gov. Sonny Perdue

Perdue, the former CEO of Dollar General and Reebok and cousin of former GOP Gov. Sonny Perdue, is positioning himself as a relatively non-ideological outsider. He has been critical of Senator Ted Cruz's recent efforts to use the debt ceiling as a bargaining chip, for example, which he warns could frighten investors. While strongly opposed to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law, he's said that he favors working with Democrats to amend it instead of the usual repeal calls. "I don't believe I have to give up my conservative ideals to offer up a compromise position in order to get progress," he told MSNBC. "I'd rather take an 85% solution on the economic issues then sit here and get 0%."

The former governor is now backing his cousin's campaign.

Source: MSNBC on 2014 Georgia Republican primary Senate race Mar 26, 2014

Paul Broun: Lost campaigns in 1990, 1992 & 1996 before winning in 2006

If At First You Don't Succeed... The CQ Roll Call members database reveals that 18 members of the 113th Congress mounted multiple unsuccessful campaigns before finally winning a seat.
Source: Cong. Quarterly Rollcall mag. on 2014 Georgia Senate race Mar 20, 2014

Paul Broun: Separation of church and state is a mistaken idea

Broun, in a speech from the House floor, mixed personal religious testimony with Christian-nation claims. Broun's remarks start with a core Christian Reconstructionist principle: that God ordained family, church and government and gave each a specific area of authority. But, he says, because of "this mistaken idea that we're supposed to have a separation of church and state, the family and the church have abdicated a lot of its duties over to government." (Reconstructionists believe that God did not authorize government to be involved, for example, in education or the reduction of poverty; that role is meant for family and church.)

Broun calls the Bible "the basis of our nation," and says the fact that we aren't running society accordingly will mean the death of our Republic. The founding fathers, he says, were "Bible-believing Christians" who believed that "every aspect of life should follow the dictates of God's inerrant word. That's what I believe in. That's what we should all believe in."

Source: Huffington Post AdWatch on 2014 Georgia Senate race Dec 11, 2013

Jack Kingston: Endorsed by McIntosh County Commissioner over Handel

The Senate campaign of Jack Kingston challenged an endorsement cited by GOP rival Karen Handel. Kelly Spratt, the chairman of the McIntosh County Commission, said: "While I did actively support Handel's primary bid for governor in 2010, I have not endorsed her Senate campaign and have in no way given her permission for my name to be used. I fully support Jack Kingston."

The Handel campaign responded by releasing two emails from Spratt. The second email, dated May 9, assesses Kingston's strengths and weaknesses: "Kingston is a fence-rider and has no track record of making strong stands. Karen, you and I are both anti-establishment candidates. If you choose to run for Senate, all of your announced opponents are beltway boys."

The Kingston campaign responded by saying, "Many Georgians have come to the conclusion that Jack Kingston is the most consistent conservative in the race. Our growing coalition of support most certainly includes those who previously supported our opponents."

Source: Journal-Constitution AdWatch on 2014 Georgia Senate race Dec 5, 2013

Karen Handel: Endorsed by McIntosh County Commissioner before Kingston

The Senate campaign of Jack Kingston challenged an endorsement cited by GOP rival Karen Handel. Kelly Spratt, the chairman of the McIntosh County Commission, said: "While I did actively support Handel's primary bid for governor in 2010, I have not endorsed her Senate campaign and have in no way given her permission for my name to be used. I fully support Jack Kingston."

The Handel campaign responded by releasing two emails from Spratt. Both were written after Kingston joined the race. The first, dated May 2, said, "I campaigned for Karen in the 2010 election and she carried my county. Please let her know that I will be very happy to help her if she decides to run for the Senate seat."

The second email, dated May 9, assesses Kingston's strengths and weaknesses: "Kingston is a fence-rider and has no track record of making strong stands. Karen, you and I are both anti-establishment candidates. If you choose to run for Senate, all of your announced opponents are beltway boys."

Source: Journal-Constitution AdWatch on 2014 Georgia Senate race Dec 5, 2013

  • The above quotations are from 2014 Georgia Senate debates.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Principles & Values.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Michelle Nunn on Principles & Values.
  • Click here for more quotes by Karen Handel on Principles & Values.
Candidates and political leaders on Principles & Values:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R)
Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R)
Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 06, 2018