Sunday, July 09, 2006

Telegraph Endorses Cox

My hometown newspaper, The Macon Telegraph, has endorsed Cathy Cox this morning. They said:

Telegraph picks Cathy Cox for the Democratic primary

Describing herself as an agent of change from "good ol' boy" politics, Cox
has promoted ethics reform, use of farm-grown alternative fuels, more passenger
train service, training incentives for teachers, improved early childhood
education and using state tax credits to help Georgians put more money into
retirement accounts.

On balance, we endorse Cathy Cox on the basis of
her past efforts on behalf of consumers and voters and her potential to move
Georgia government into new directions.


http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/opinion/14989310.htm

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13 comments:

Tina said...

I applaud the Telegraph editorial staff for endorsing Cathy Cox. Cox has surely shown a great interest in our part of the state by her numerous appearances here.
Knowing she is interested in us and our issues is an important plus to mid-state voters.

Button Gwinnett said...

I am "guessing" that the majority of the big state papers are going to endorse Cox, if they endorse anyone at all in this race. I think the AJC practically invented their new "Reality Check" series in large part because of the false advertising done by Taylor. But we'll see what happens there.

The Savannah Morning News and the Augusta Chronicle have already dropped us hints as to how they feel about both candidates. And I'm thinking it's a safe guess that the Athens paper will also endorse Cathy. As one of the largest progressive counties in Georgia, Cathy will do well there.

I think it's a safe bet that the Albany paper will endorse their hometown guy. But it will be interesting to see what the Columbus and Gwinnett newspapers do.

I picked up this week's Creative Loafing and was happy to see that they endorsed Cathy, even if they did express some doubts about some of her campaign decisions. They essentially called Taylor the better campaigner, but touted Cox to be the better governor. I believe that's pretty representative of how most metro progressives feel.

These are just all my gut feelings. And I hope that I'm right.

MelGX said...

I know you were waiting for this one. This is excellent news! Fingers crossed for Atlanta, Savannah and Augusta endorsements as well.

Amy Morton said...

Yes, this is good news. There's lots of work left to do this week!

Button Gwinnett said...

"We still believe that, once the campaign is over and the smoke clears, Cox will be the best person to lead the state of Georgia. She ran the secretary of state's office effectively and efficiently. She has demonstrated a commitment to reforming the state government and pushing for ethics reform. And she has a genuineness that is rare in politics, and that is even more noticeable when she's standing in a room next to the polished and borderline smarmy Taylor.

Being governor is about more than just getting elected. It's about representing the people. And we think Cathy Cox is the best person for the job."

http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A93489

CL's reasoning for endorsing Cathy goes beyond Mark Taylor's style. I think the last couple of lines make that pretty clear.

But you're right about newspaper endorsements. They don't mean that's who their respective readers will vote for necessarily. However, outside of Atlanta, they often times do.

Amy Morton said...

No, they don't always lead to votes, but I would rather have the endorsements than not, wouldn't you? ne of the reasons the endorsements are important is because I think (hope) that the newspaper's editorial boards take the time to actually look at the candidate's policy statements, somthing many voters fail to do.

Amy Morton said...

If Taylor did not consider the endorsement important then why did he bother to show up for the interview? He's already demonstrated that he has no problem blowing off the press. And, if polls could vote, Milner would've been Gov. in 1998, Barnes would've been Gov. in 2002 and Cleland would've beat Saxby.
And, Ed, if HOPE was the answer, then our schools would not be bringing up the rear. Scholarships are great- for the kids who get through high school. Mark doesn't say that he wants preschool for all kids- he says that he has already provided it. Big difference, and just another example of him being willing to make statements the facts do not support.

Button Gwinnett said...

"THe polls which were touted by CC supporters when she was up by double digits meant something, why don't these polls?"

Because it's still about beating Perdue. And in the last two years, there hasn't been a single poll that's indicated that Taylor would be within a boar's roar of Perdue. And there still isn't.

Taylor's been a polarizing figure his entire career. People just don't forget those kinds of things. And let's not forget why Cox's numbers have dropped. Taylor's lies and distortions about her record (how many objective sources do you need to hear before that sinks in?) have been quite effective.

Taylor would need a lot more help than Cox would in attracting moderates from outside the Democratic base. Without those people, no one is going to defeat Perdue this Nov. That's not a slap at Taylor. That's just reality.

Button Gwinnett said...

Ed, Ed, Ed, you can stick your head in the sand while a news channel in Macon, a national fact checking service in public advertising, the AJC, and the Augusta Chronicle all point out numerous errors in SEVERAL of Taylor's ads all you want. But it doesn't make it go away. You are aware of them all because they've all been cited and linked to here on this blog. So lets not pretend that we're only talking about the editor in Colquitt and the lottery vote here. It's not a one time thing......it's a pattern.

Now we can continue to fight about this, but it's not going to do anyone much good. As has been pointed out to you and others, there's no votes to be won or lost here; there's no battles to be won or lost. So lets at least be truthful with one another. Otherwise you're wasting your time and energy.

Amy Morton said...

Yes, that's right, the media is out to get poor Mark Taylor. Tell you what Ed, who'd you vote for in the last presidential election? Kerry? Bush? Whatever you say, I'll believe you only when you produce objective proof. Show me the ballot. Can't? Too bad, then because someone (who was not with you when you voted) swears they know how you voted, and of course, they have more credibility than you do. That's the basic argument you are making about Cathy, and I have not bothered to respond to it to this point because it was so illogical.

Button Gwinnett said...

Ed, Cathy Cox could press your face into the voting booth with her so you could see everything she did the instant that she did it and it still wouldn't be good enough proof for you. Someone could drop a boatload of evidence on top of your head and it wouldn't phase you in the last bit. You'd rather argue anyway. Sort of like a troll.........

Let's face it. Every time someone has come forward to point out a Taylor lie or defend Cox, you and your ilk are quick to open fire on that individual. Not because you have any proof of wrongdoing. But simply because they don't agree with you. And you're following the Taylor playbook right down to the last word. Lie, distort, insult, distract, fabricate and when all else fails, call them a liar. Damn the truth!

I'm just trying to think of anyone who has questioned the integrity of pullitzer prize winning journalist Randall Savage who passed Cox's ads on the truth test and failed Taylor's ad.......on several points, not just one or two. And I've not seen anyone question factcheck.org. They're a national watchdog group. They probably don't know Taylor or Cox from a hole in the ground. But they know a lie when they see one. I've seen no one complain about the AJC's "Reality Check" series that's taken apart not one, but several of Taylor's ads.

If you're not a troll or a Republican, then why don't these observations - NOT from Cox supporters - bother you? And furthermore, why did you try to suggest that Amy (and through her the Cox campaign) said that HOPE wasn't helping education? Anyone with a 3rd grade reading comprehension knew what she was talking about. Your comment didn't strike me as being from someone that's interested in a conversation about education and HOPE. It struck me as being from someone who's very interested in trolling.

Button Gwinnett said...

"All I said is that there are people who have managed to question the accuracy of the statements by those organizations."

Gotta link? Walk the walk, Ed.

Button Gwinnett said...

"I have questioned the editor of the newspaper using my experience and knowledge as a journalist of good journalistic practices, when he said CC's statements were taken out of context."

That's weak. I could tell you that I'm an astronaut and that everything NASA is doing is wrong. You don't need a journalism degree to figure out the job that Toole did. All you have to do is use common sense and know that the bottom line on that issue is its his word vs. what you want to believe. Frankly, it's a wash for you at best.

"There have been others on this site who have posted critiques of the factcheck report, find them yourself."

WHAT?!!! Taylor supporters (some paid) questioning and casting stones towards people with good professional reputations just because they don't go along with Taylor's ads just because he says so. I thought you were going to come up with some CREDIBLE and objective news source or watchdog group that had a problem with the reporting of MULTIPLE sources who are all obviously out to get Taylor.

"May I point out that its been hard to take apart CC's ads for truth 'cause she hasn't put much in them."

WMAZ in Macon had no problems in dissecting a Cox ad. They passed it verifying each of her claims, and calling only a minor detail (that Taylor Trucking is one of the largest trucking companies in the state) "a stretch." And the AJC Reality check passed TWO of Cox's ads.

"Never once have I called anyone a liar with out being able to back up what I say. You guys are teh first to do as much."

Do you really want to take that position? I'd iggy that one if I were you.

"Amy said something along the lines of HOPE has failed the education system or HOPE has not helped..."

Amy said:

"When four in ten Georgia students fail to graduate on time and SAT scores are in the cellar, Mark Taylor bragging about the HOPE Scholarship is a bit like the Captain of the Titanic complementing the ship’s décor."

then she went on to say:

"Cox has earned my vote in the July 18th Democratic primary because she not only supports the HOPE Scholarship: she offers real hope for the future of our schools."

Ed said...
"you think HOPE has failed GA's students????????

Is this sentiment echoed within the official CC campaign?"

At least you were truthful about one thing........

"Button, first off, Ive admitted to being a troll."

And I'm done feeding the troll and feel foolish for having gone this far.