Is the Governor Following Obama's Playbook?

Press Conference on steps of Valdosta City Hall - Today! For Details, Contact: Nolen Cox Phone: 229-247-4111; cell 229-563-4926 Email: Nolen Cox         Date:   Monday, June 18th   Place:  Valdosta City Hall, 216 E. Central Ave,  Valdosta, GA 31601 Time:  1:30 am Lowndes County Republican Party  Chairman Objects to Gov. Deal’s  Request for Pro T-SPLOST List of  City Council Members On Thursday, June 14th, city manager Larry Hanson  received a request reportedly from the Connect Georgia  campaign of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s  Transportation Alliance to provide a list of the elected   city officials who support T-SPLOST, and committing  the governor to campaign for their reelection in exchange  for their support of T-SPLOST. Hanson sent this email: "Mayor and Council; Governor Deal has requested a list of all elected  officials who support T-SPLOST.  He is willing to  make a commitment to campaign for the reelection  of any local elected official who will publicly support  T-SPLOST.  How should I respond?  If each of you  could respond to me I would appreciate it and I will  merely pass it along.  I want to be sure I say this was  presented in no way as a threat or a negative, just  as a commitment to help and support those who  support T-SPLOST.  Lt. Governor Cagle is also   coming down for a fund-raiser for T-SPLOST soon.   Both of those are vocal supporters and advocates  for T-SPLOST. Thanks, Larry" Nolen Cox, Chairman of the Lowndes County  Republican Party said“This is an unprecedented  offer for a governor’s involvement in local elections.  The majority of the Valdosta City Council run as   Democrats, how would the governor fulfill his  reelection support pledge? The impracticality  of this offer makes it look more like a thinly-veiled  threat to Republican anti-T-SPLOST members  of city government, or possibly to provide cover  for Mayor John Gayle who was originally against  T-SPLOST when he was campaigning, but who  recently switched his position after dining with  Doug Calloway of the Chamber’s Transportation  Alliance.” “Governor Deal signed a “no new tax pledge” when  running for governor, yet he has supported the voter  referendum for taxpayers to approve a transportation  tax in July. Deal has partnered with the GA Chamber  to raise millions to promote a new transportation tax;  that is supposed to be the voter’s choice. Deal is  pro-tax on the largest tax increase in Georgia’s history;  a massive tax increase of $18.7 billion over 10-years -  on top of the other $19 billion already being spent on  transportation.” “This is a bad tax in a bad economy. The governor  has made political points as a tax-friendly governor  by again rescinding a one cent tax on fuel, yet at  the same time he is promoting a one cent sales tax  on everything you buy: food, beverages, clothes,  fuel, etc. In fact, the T-SPLOST would add over  three cents on a gallon of fuel.” Cox further stated; “It looks like Governor Deal has  taken a page from Obama’s play book and is building  an enemies list of T-SPLOST opponents and trying to  use intimidation as a tactic for support. Or possibly  Doug Calloway, the hired gun for the Georgia Chamber,  has thrown Governor Deal - their biggest fundraiser  - “under the bus” to save Calloway’s job and reputation  in a failing effort to convince Georgians to vote  themselves a tax during the worst recession in   modern times. The people of Georgia deserve an  explanation of this Quid pro Quo.” PV Note: Mr. Cox did offer the Governor's Office a  chance to respond via an emailed note to Stephanie  Mayfield of Friday, June 15th at 1:30 PM.  Apparently,  no comment was offered from the Governor to Mr. Cox. Tired of the Pro-TSPLOST Hype? IF you are tired of the propaganda emanating from  the special interests (i.e., the various chamber of  commerces, the CIDs, pro-Big Government  Republicans, Republican con-artists, and others)  who are declaring that "If we don't pass this  1-penny tax, Atlantans everywhere will DIE!", then  YOU need to get plugged-in to the effort to  correctly educate the public on the facts about   the unconstitutional, political slush-fund that the  TSPLOST will become if it passes, and what the  true alternatives really are that no one on the  "Pro-Political Slush Fund" will dare tell you. Go to TrafficTruth.net and download their 2-Page  FACT Sheet, and enter your email address to get   subscribed to the updates.  If you pride yourself in being a good public  speaker and want to join the crew of informed  advocates who are appearing in forums throughout  the metro-Atlanta region (and elsewhere in the state)  to challenge the pro-tax/pro slush-fund boondoggle  hype, send an email stating what county you live in  and how you'd like to get involved to:   info@traffictruth.net What is The Political Vine? The Political Vine was established on July 24, 2000  and is based in Georgia. We have gone though many  incarnations, first as only an e-mail newsletter, then a  Website, and now a Blog with an e-mail sent out to a  list of about 5000 people. All material is produced by Republican activists whose  sole agenda it is to deliver facts, information, humor,  opinion and rumors in a satirical/sarcastic environment  that is far different from any news source you may be  familiar with. If you are receiving this issue of the Vine via a FWD  from one of your friends, you should sign-up for your  very own via the link below. Simply Click and when the  form pops-up, enter your email address and hit the  "JOIN" button.  You will receive a confirm-request email  that you will need to respond to in order to get on the list. I want my own Vine newsletter! NOTE: Your email address will not be shared, swapped  or sold to any other list in the state or galaxy (unless you  are a member of the news media, in which case, we  presume you may wish to be included in certain email  news blasts by other parties desiring to give you info).