The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: on Principles & Values


Latham Saddler: I will put Georgia first and keep America first

[On reasons for candidacy]: "I will put Georgia first and keep America first," he said. "I will not back down in the face of our enemies who seek to destroy us, or from those among us who seek to divide us. I'll fight for you with honor, hard work, respect and resilience because that's the American way." Saddler said he's running in part because he's concerned about China's growing influence and fearful that "our country is being undermined from within by a broken political system lacking authentic leadership."

"The most important thing we do as a country is restore national confidence and pride. My goal is to ignite the patriot in everyone I come across."

Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2022 Georgia Senate race Apr 15, 2021

Kelly Loeffler: Donated maximum $2800 to Trump recount fund

When asked for a response to the president's statements about the election and Georgia's role in it, Sen. Kelly Loeffler's office directed media inquiries to the senator's Tweet, posted before he spoke at the White House, in which she said she is "praying for four more years of Donald Trump." The AJC has learned that Loeffler has also donated the maximum $2,800 contribution to the Trump campaign's "Recount Account," a fund designated for financing post-election recounts and election contests.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Const. on 2019-20 Georgia 2-year Senate race Nov 5, 2020

Kelly Loeffler: TV ad: She's more conservative than Attila the Hun

OPENING SCENE: A couple compares notes about Loeffler's conservative record backing Pres. Trump

WIFE: Did you know that Kelly Loeffler was rated the most conservative Senator in America?

HUSBAND: Yep, she's more conservative than Attila the Hun.

CUT TO SCENE: Headquarters of Attila the Hun, who was ruler of the Hunnic Empire during a reign of terror that pushed back Roman expansion and conquered vast parts of Asia and eastern Europe.

"Hmph-rr," Atilla says from a makeshift throne.

"Fight China, got it," answers a note-taker sitting at his feet.

"Hylt-grr," Atilla commands.

"Attack big government. Yeah," responds the lowly aide.

"Drr-schfl," Atilla answers.

"Eliminate the liberal scribes," translates the staffer, before turning to the camera. "Uh oh."

NARRATOR: "More conservative than Attila the Hun. Kelly Loeffler, 100% Trump voting record."

CUT TO SCENE: Kelly Loeffler with Donald Trump.

TEXT: Kelly Loeffler. Ranked most conservative Senator in America.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution AdWatch on 2020 GA Senate race Sep 21, 2020

Raphael Warnock: 2008: Joined black pastors defending controversial sermons

Warnock's national profile grew when he joined a group of black pastors who defended a prominent Chicago pastor whose sermons became a flashpoint in Barack Obama's 2008 bid for president. The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the no-holds-barred former senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, was known for his fiery, and some would say inflammatory, sermons. Warnock was among the religious leaders who said Wright had been taken out of context and misinterpreted by the mainstream.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Const. on 2019-20 Georgia 2-year Senate race Mar 2, 2020

Kelly Loeffler: Will abide by Senate ethics rules, won't address conflicts

She faces questions about whether she'll serve on committees that oversee the financial industry or cast votes that could influence her husband's company or the Bakkt cryptocurrency firm she runs. Loeffler said she would abide by Senate ethics rules but would not say how she planned to manage her finances or whether she would sit out votes that could influence her business. Nor would she say whether she would pursue positions on committees that have oversight over the financial industry.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Const.on 2019-20 Georgia 2-year Senate race Dec 10, 2019

Matt Lieberman: Supports impeachment process; would likely vote to remove

I'm in favor of the impeachment proceeding going forward. If I could wave a magic wand, I would remove him from office. If I were in the Senate, I would presumably vote to remove him from office after hearing the testimony. We can't have the most powerful person in the world using that power that we have given him for his private political purposes.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on impeaching Trump Oct 3, 2019

Jon Ossoff: Early campaign pledge: "Make Trump Furious"

One topic Ossoff diligently avoided: Trump. Ossoff jumped into the 6th District contest earlier with a pledge to "Make Trump Furious," but the 30-year-old political newcomer has since largely distanced himself from that rhetoric in a bid to win over independents and wobbly Republicans.

Overall, Republican Karen Handel aligned herself with the president when asked about the biggest items on his agenda, but she also indicated she wasn't afraid of disagreeing with him. She backed the Trump's proposal to temporarily block visitors from six primarily Muslim Middle East nations, but was also was critical of Trump's constant social media use.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2017 Georgia House debate Jun 6, 2017

Jon Ossoff: Interned for Rep. John Lewis and Rep. Hank Johnson

Ossoff's interest in politics was first stirred as a 17-year-old student at the Paideia School when he read John Lewis' autobiography and was moved to ask the congressman for a job. That turned into an internship in the Atlanta Democrat's Washington office. As a student at Georgetown University, Ossoff volunteered for Hank Johnson's 2006 campaign to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney. After Johnson's congressional victory, Ossoff worked as a legislative aide to the new congressman.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2017 Georgia 6th House race Apr 18, 2017

Jon Ossoff: Promises to move to 6th district after girlfriend graduates

Ossoff, a north DeKalb County native, does not reside in the 6th Congressional District, living just south of it so his girlfriend of 12 years, an Emory University medical student, can walk to work. Members of Congress don't have to live in their districts, but Ossoff has said he will move to the 6th after she graduates.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2017 Georgia 6th House race Apr 18, 2017

Jason Carter: I've passed 21 bipartisan bills in the legislature

The sharpest attacks [in the gubernatorial debate came over less lofty policy platforms. Early in the debate, Deal panned Carter as a two-term state senator who had little to show for his time in the statehouse. "You've never passed a bill. Never offered an amendment to many of the bills you now are criticizing," he said. "Why should Georgians vote for you with this absolute lack of leadership experience?"

Carter, in a curt response, said the attack was misguided. "There are 21 bipartisan bills that have my name on them, that you signed into law," Carter said. "And at the same time, the attacks on my leadership are frankly just an attempt, I believe, to pass the buck."

Source: Atlanta Journal-Const. on 2014 Georgia Gubernatorial debate Oct 19, 2014

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: Atlanta Journal-Const. 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: Atlanta Journal-Const. AdWatch on 2014 Georgia Senate race Dec 5, 2013

  • The above quotations are from Media coverage of GA political races in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Principles & Values:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Dec 18, 2021