Posted on 02/08/2006 3:04:21 PM PST by NapkinUser
Ralph Reed took the Republican fight for lieutenant governor to his rival's home ground, accusing state Sen. Casey Cagle of neglecting a vote to rein in the use of eminent domain by local governments.
"Casey Cagle claims he is a strong supporter of private property rights, but his record shows the opposite," said Reed campaign manager Jared Thomas in a Monday news release.
Cagle defended his record on property rights and called the accusation — which centers on a vote last March — a distortion based on ignorance of the legislative process.
The Reed assault came on the heels of a petition signed last week by 21 Republican state senators — all Cagle supporters — asking Reed to withdraw from the primary, claiming Reed's ties to Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff endanger the state Republican ticket.
"Part of any responsible campaign is examining the other person's record," Thomas said.
Senate Bill 86 would bar local governments from condemning private property "solely or primarily" for economic development purposes.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Chapman (R-Brunswick), passed 40-10 — but has yet to be approved by the House. Cagle was one of three Republican senators excused from the vote.
"We need a leader as lieutenant governor, not someone who takes a walk on property rights," said Thomas, the Reed campaign manager.
Cagle, who is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said Monday that his staff was still researching his calendar to find out what pulled him from the floor vote. He said the fact that his vote was excused indicated he was on some other Senate business.
"An excused absence is in no way a vote against property rights. If [Reed] has ever been in the Senate, he would understand that," Cagle said. Cagle has repeatedly noted Reed's lack of experience in the chamber.
Cagle also noted that last Friday, he joined a majority in approving Senate Bill 391, which would impose a 120-day moratorium on governments' use of eminent domain.
Are you kidding me - actually campaigning against opponents = desperate?! Why don't you address the merits?
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