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THE HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL Georgians sound off on voting, politics Special to the HHJ ATLANTA - Strategic Vision, LLC, a public rela tions and public affairs agency, announced the results of a three-day poll of 800 likely Georgia voters this week. The poll has a margin of error of ±3 per centage points. In the poll, 350 (44 percent) Democratic voters were surveyed; with 330 (41 percent) Republican voters surveyed; and 120 (15 percent) Independents and other party affiliation polled. The poll found that 57 per cent of respondents approved of Governor Sonny Perdue’s job performance, with 31 percent disapproving, and 12 percent undecided. Senator Saxby Chambliss received a 50 percent approval rat ing with 39 percent disap proving, and 11 percent undecided. Senator Johnny Isakson received a 53 per cent approval rating, with 32 percent disapproving, and 15 percent undecided. “Georgians seem pleased with their elected officials,” said David E. Johnson, CEO and Co-founder of Strategic Vision, LLC. “This is a trend that seems to dominate in the South compared in the Northeast and Midwest, where we have been polling and there is a great deal of dissatisfaction toward both state and federal officials.” President Bush’s overall approval was 45 percent approving, 46 percent disap proving, and 9 percent unde cided. When asked if they approved of the President’s handling of the economy, 43 percent approved; 50 per cent disapproved; and 7 per cent were undecided. When asked if they approved of the President’s handling of the Iraq War, 47 percent approved; 47 percent disap proved; and 6 percent were undecided. When asked if they approved of the President’s handling of the war on terrorism, 49 per cent said approved; 42 per cent disapproved; and 9 per cent were undecided. When asked if they approved of the President’s handling of the immigration issue, 40 per cent approved; 51 percent disapproved; and 9 percent were undecided. “The President’s poll num bers continue to be far below what one would expect in a state like Georgia,” said David E. Johnson, CEO and Co-Founder of Strategic Vision, LLC. “The reasons for this can be attributed to the continuing immigration debate and a continued loss of support among described conservative Republicans.” When Republicans were asked if they viewed President Bush as a conser vative in the mode of Ronald Reagan, 31 percent said yes; 54 percent said no; and 15 percent were undecided. “The President was viewed as the ideological heir of Ronald Reagan by conser vative Republicans,” said Johnson. “This view sustained him during his first term. He lost that mantle among Republicans with the spend ing after Hurricane Katrina and the Miers nomination last summer and has never regained that support and trust. This, more than any thing else, attributes to his low poll standings.” When asked if they thought Georgia was headed in the right direction or wrong direction, 51 percent said right direction; 41 percent said wrong direction; and 8 percent were undecided. “This is a number to watch for incumbents and the number saying the state is headed in the wrong direc tion can be attributed to concerns about the econo my, particularly rising gas prices,” said Johnson. “Still, those feeling the state is headed in the right direction is far higher than in states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and New Jersey where we have polled.” When asked if they would like to see the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, 55 percent said yes; 35 per cent said no; and 10 percent were undecided. When asked if they expect ed another terrorist attack in the United States in the next six months, 74 percent said yes; 14 percent said no; and 12 percent were unde cided. When asked if they favored an immediate withdrawal of United States military forces from Iraq within 6 months, 36 percent said yes; 54 per cent said no; and 10 percent were undecided. When asked if they favored granting amnesty to illegal immigrants currently in the United States, 7 percent said yes; 76 percent said no; and 17 percent were undecided. When respondents were asked if they favored build ing a wall along the southern border of the United States to stop illegal immigration, 86 percent said yes; 6 per cent said no; and 8 percent were undecided. “In Georgia, as in any every state that we have polled, there is strong feel ings on the issue of immigra tion and a desire for tough enforcement that crosses Party lines and income,” said Johnson. On the issue of banning same sex marriages in Georgia, 64 percent of the respondents favored a ban on same-sex marriage; 29 percent opposed a ban; and 7 percent were undecided. Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor received a 54 percent job approval rating; with 34 percent disapproval; and 12 percent undecided. Secretary of State Cathy Cox received a 52 percent approval rating; 38 percent disapproval; and 10 percent undecided. When Democrats were asked their choice for Governor in 2006, Taylor led Cox in the poll with 46 per cent to 42 percent for Cox with 12 percent undecided. “This is the first time in our polling that Taylor has led Cox and this can be attributed to his advertising and strong support among African-American voters,” said Johnson. “Additionally, the damage being done to Cox can be seen in the decline in her job approval numbers.” In potential match-ups between Governor Perdue and Lt. Governor Taylor, the results were Perdue 50 per cent; Taylor 44 percent; and 6 percent undecided. Against Cathy Cox, the results were Perdue 53 percent; Cox 40 percent, and 7 percent unde cided. “This poll shows that Taylor now runs stronger than Cox against Governor Perdue which can be expect ed with the advertising under way,” said Johnson. “However, Governor Perdue is in strong shape as he seeks re-election, especially when compared to Governors like Jim Doyle in Wisconsin and Jennifer Ganholm in Michigan.” On the Democratic race for Lieutenant Governor, the poll found Jim Martin with 29 percent; Greg Hecht with You buythepo<)l~jrrr\a%\\\\ WeUMnwmthe Tjggjj (prior —lee excluded) fe j SUPER SUMMER SAVINGS! The Mariner 31 x 19 o d Family Size Pool 825 Includes: sundeck. fence & filter Installation optional/extra + STATE AND OPINION 24 percent; Steen Miles with 20 percent; Griffin Lotson with 4 percent; Rufus Terrill with 2 percent; and 21 per cent undecided. In the Republican contest for Lieutenant Governor, the poll found that Ralph Reed led State Senator Casey Cagle in a match-up 44 per cent to 41 percent with 15 percent undecided. Ralph Reed is viewed favorably by 38 percent of Republicans with 47 percent viewing him unfavorably and 15 percent undecided. State Senator Casey Cagle was viewed favorably by 43 percent with 20 percent viewing him unfavorably and 37 percent undecided. “This race will be watched throughout the nation,” said Johnson. “While both candidates increased their support, Cagle showed the strongest increase and has now basically drawn into a tie with Reed. Reed still retains a strong base of sup port around 40 percent to 45 percent that appears willing to stand with him no matter what and that could be deci sive in a race where turnout will be key.” When Republicans were polled on whom they would support in 2008 for the Republican Presidential nomination, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani received 27 percent; Senator John McCain received 22. per cent; Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich 15 percent; Virginia Senator George Allen received 8 percent; Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney received 4 per cent; Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist received 4 percent; Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum received 1 per cent; New York Governor George Pataki received 1 percent; Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel receiyed 1 per cent; and 17 percent were undecided. “At this point, the Republican race is more one of name identification which explains the numbers for Giuliani, McCain, and Gingrich,” said Johnson. When Republicans were asked if they would like to see Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice run in 2006, 44 percent said yes; 35 per cent said no; and 21 percent were undecided. When Secretary Rice was included the poll, the results were, Giuliani with 23 per cent; McCain 16 percent; Gingrich 14 percent; Rice 12 percent; Allen 4 percent; Romney 4 percent; Frist 3 percent; Santorum 1 per cent; Pataki 1 percent; Hagel 1 percent; and 21 percent undecided. On the Democratic side, New York Senator Hillary Clinton led with 32 percent; former Vice President A 1 Gore received 18 percent; for mer North Carolina Senator John Edwards received 14 percent; Virginia Governor Mark Warner received 5 percent; former General Wesley Clark received 5 per cent; Massachusetts Senator John Kerry received 5 per cent; Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold received 4 See POLL, page 6 A 3-DAY INSTALLATION! [ www.poots-diamondindiistri«.co(Ti Call Us Now! 24/7! Free Home Survey! 1-866-237-22171 The terrorist-tipping times The New York Times (proudly publishing all the secrets unfit to spill since 9/11) and their reckless anonymous sourc es (come out, come out, you cowards) tipped off terror ists to America’s efforts to track their financial activi ties. Guess what? It isn’t the first time blabbermouth journalists have jeopardized terror-financing investiga tions since Sept. 11, accord ing to the government. I remind you of the case of the Treason Times, the Holy Land Foundation, and the Global Relief Foundation. As the New York Post reported last September, the Justice Department charged that “a veteran New York Times foreign correspon dent warned an alleged ter ror-funding Islamic charity that the FBI was about to raid its office - potential ly endangering the lives of federal agents.” Times reporter Philip Shenon was accused of blowing the cover on a Dec. 14, 2001, raid of the Global Relief Foundation. “It has been conclusive ly established that Global Relief Foundation learned of the search from reporter Philip Shenon of The New York Times,” U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald wrote in an Aug. 7, 2002, letter to the Times’ legal depart ment. Shenon’s phone tip to the Muslim charity (which occurred one day before the FBI searched the foundation’s offices), Fitzgerald said, “seriously compromised the integrity of the investigation and potentially endangered the safety of federal law enforcement personnel.” The Global Relief Foundation (GRF) wasn’t some beneficent neighbor hood charity sending shoes and Muslim Barbie dolls to poor kids overseas. It was designated a ter ror-financing organiza tion in October 2002 by MB'- v*- • > - jjBPgjMK liokJMmSa ComSOT* Michelle Malkin Columnist malkin@comcast.net the Treasury Department, which reported that GRF “has connections to, has provided support for, and has provided assistance to Usama Bin Ladin, the al Qaida Network, and other known terrorist groups.” The Muslim charity had “received funding from individuals associated with al Qaida. GRF officials have had extensive con tacts with a close associ ate of Usama Bin Ladin, who has been convicted in a U.S. court for his role in the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.” Moreover, the Treasury Department said, “GRF members have dealt with officials of the Taliban, while the Taliban was subject to international sanctions.” Shenon’s then colleague, Judith Miller, had placed a similar call to another Muslim terror ist-front financier, the Holy Land Foundation, a few weeks before Shenon’s call to the GRF. She was suppos edly asking for “comment” on an impending freeze of their assets. According to Fitzgerald in court papers, Miller allegedly also warned them that “government action was imminent.” The FBI raided the Holy Land Foundation’s offices the day after Miller’s article was published in the Times. The Times’ reporters - sur prise, surprise - refuse to cooperate with investiga tors trying to identify the leakers. The government is appealing a ruling protect ing the loose-lipped report 1357-D Sam Nunn Blvd. Perry, GA 31069 476-987-01 72 questions@comsouth.net www.comsoutti.net SATURDAY, JULY 1, 2006 ♦ ' - mi HME- - ers’ phone records. Which side are they on? Actions speak louder than words. Oh, and while they con tinue to sabotage terror financing investigations, the blabbermouths of the Times should be reminded as the conservative blog gers Bill Keller despises so much are doing - of their own call in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 for vigor ous counterterrorism mea sures to stop the bankroll ing of terror: “The Bush administration is prepar ing new laws to help track terrorists through their money-laundering activity and is readying an executive order freezing the assets of known terrorists. Much more is needed, including stricter regulations, the recruitment of specialized investigators and greater cooperation with foreign banking authorities. There must also be closer coor dination among America’s law enforcement, national security and financial regu latory agencies.” “Much more is need ed?” Right. And when the Bush administration came through, the Times stabbed them, and us, in the backs. The lesson is clear. When terror strikes, don’t believe a word the know-it-all Times prints. They are opportunistic, hindsighted hypocrites who endanger us all. Michelle Malkin is author of the new book “Unhinged: Exposing Liberals Gone Wild.” Her e-mail address is malkin@comcast.net. The tradition of neigh bors serving neighbors has deep roots in Georgia. When telephone service was first introduced in this region over 90 years ago, neighbors helped each other learn to use the "new technol ogy"— and Com South was the company that started it all. Today, the tradition of serving and helping continues as Com South delivers the latest technologies in • Telephone • Internet • Television • Wireless With Com South, “Neighbors Serving Neighbor#" is more than a slogan - it is our way of life. If you are not a Com South customer, try us. We are neighbors serving neighbors - the way it ought to be. Ask about our money-saving bundles called Value Packages. Digital Cable TV High Speed Internet Local & Long Distance Telephone Business Services Wireless 5A