(Other debate evaluations will follow)
Candidates: Tom Williams, Greg Kirkpatrick, Clark Dean, Ken Yasberg, Burt Jones, Chris Carr, Rick Jackson, Brad Raffensperger.
I was not familiar with Tom Williams, Clark Dean, or Ken Yasberg prior to the debate. I know Greg Kirkpatrick personally. Burt Jones immediately took on the role of victim. Carr said he would investigate criminal acts of politicians though he has not investigated or prosecuted the act of any. Carr said the Leadership Committee law was illegal so declared by a court. I am not familiar with any effort on his part to put the law back to the legislature for repeal. As he is the legal arm of the Georgia executive branch it was his job to do so but he did not object until it effected his bid for governor personally. That says more than I can.
Jackson said his company only received 1.5% of the amount of his contract with the state. I think he has said before he would have no state contracts if elected but he skirted it this time. Raffensperger eyes blinked excessively every time he opened his mouth which if memory serves me correctly fbi profilers say indicates lying. He also blamed the legislature for not appropriating more money to fix the illegal voting system that Raffensperger selected and the contract for it bears his name as well as SOS candidate Gabriel Sterling. Greg Kirkpatrick questioned Raffensperger about elections. Raffy gave his elevator speech but did not answer the question.
Dean Clark mentioned unity, a lofty intention, but unity at the sacrifice of common sense will not accomplish needed efforts. He mentioned reducing the cost of government with which I have no quarrel since it seems state and local governments have become the target of every vendor coming down the pike.
Ken Yasger is a veteran who acknowledged a previous alcohol addiction two years sober and a previous suicide attempt. He claims to relate to the citizenry in many respects. However he may not have experience needed to adapt to the job of governor.
Several candidates mentioned their faith but it seemed more like a currency or commodity more than a character or action guidance.
The clincher for me was an amiable Tom Williams. Aside from the most pleasant demeanor of the pack his closing referred back to the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding and that being basic to everything else depended on accurate elections. Those who have held office stood as defendants for failing to do the job to which they were already elected. Any promising to eliminate or cut taxes and start programs are not going to be able to do both. That would amount only to election rhetoric. As the governor does not have a vote in legislation, reality is a governor can lead only as well as others choose to follow. Check out Tom Williams and remember later qualifying by independents, minor parties, and write-ins may produce more viable candidates. I will try to follow with + or – as events occur.
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