Graves Demonstrates He is Top Candidate at Dawson County Forum

Hawkins finally admits to giving money to Democrat Max Cleland

(RANGER, GA) – Conservative Republican Tom Graves and his runoff opponent met today for the final time before 9th District voters go to the polls next Tuesday and Graves demonstrated why he is best candidate to fill Congressman Nathan Deal’s unexpired term.

Graves said a proven, tested leader is needed to combat the liberal agenda being pursued in Washington and will fight for an agenda that includes lower taxes, less government and more personal responsibility.  

Graves said the Obama healthcare bill was unconstitutional and that his top priority would be to cut wasteful Washington spending.  

The Republican from Ranger then went on to say that reduced spending coupled with fundamental tax reform would unleash job creation here in the United States.  

When asked by the moderator about party activism and ensuring the Republican Party puts the best candidates forward, Hawkins said he gave money to former Democrat U.S. Senator Max Cleland.  

“As far as what I’ve done in the Republican Party, I’ve never voted for a Democrat president.  You know it’s been said I gave some money to Max Cleland, I did.”
Records from the Secretary of State’s office also show Hawkins contributed to Roy Barnes’ campaign for Governor.

Graves is a lifelong conservative Republican and has never contributed to a Democrat candidate.

Regarding earmarks, Graves said he didn’t care what bill earmarks were included in they were wrong.

“When it comes to earmarks, I oppose earmarks.  I’ve signed a no earmark pledge,” said Graves.  “I don’t just say I’m against earmarks in other bills I stand against them all together where as my opponent says hey it’s ok to have earmarks when they are in spending bills.  Look earmarks are earmarks.  If you want to know what the swine odor is, I don’t want to pay for it.  I don’t care about turtle tunnels in Florida. I don’t care about tattoos on Californians.  Earmarks are earmarks and we’ve got to stand against them.”

In the last week of this campaign, the conservative Graves and Hawkins have differed significantly on tax cuts, special interest earmarks and the support of the $787 billion Obama stimulus bill.  

Graves wrote the Georgia Jobs, Opportunity and Business Success Act (JOBS Act) when he was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, which provides tax credits, cuts and eliminations to spur job creation in Georgia.  The JOBS Act specifically provides a tax credit to employers who hire unemployed Georgians, cuts Georgia’s capital gains tax in half and eliminates the net worth tax.  

Hawkins called the legislation “a sham” and joined 20 of Georgia’s most liberal Democrat State Senators and Representatives in opposition. 

Graves has been an outspoken critic of wasteful Washington spending and pledged against supporting earmarks.  Hawkins support for earmarks is well noted as he has been campaigning and circulating talking points saying “We need a Congressman who will stop our tax dollars from being shipped elsewhere” and “No one will work harder than someone from Hall to protect our economic interests. Tens of millions of dollars of transportation and infrastructure is at stake.”

Finally and perhaps one of the most significant contrasts between the two candidates is Hawkins’ support for President Obama’s $787 billion stimulus bill.  Hawkins bragged about joining Vice President Joe Biden at a stimulus event pep rally in support of the stimulus funding in a press release last year.

Graves has repeatedly called for repealing the unused portions of the stimulus bill to reduce spending.

Last week House Republicans in Washington announced plans to eliminate $1.3 trillion in spending and included repealing the unused portions of the $787 billion stimulus and the TARP funds to achieve these savings.  Graves says he supports this effort.

Graves finished first in the May 11th Special General Election, receiving 35.4 percent of the vote and out polled his runoff opponent by 12 points.

Graves has been endorsed by FreedomWorks, RedState’s Erick Erickson, the Club for Growth PAC, Jim Gilchrist’s Minuteman Project, Congressman Lynn Westmoreland, Republican Whip Eric Cantor, House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence, Congressman Patrick McHenry and the House Conservative Fund and former 9th District candidates Bert Loftman and Eugene Moon.  Graves was the first candidate to be certified 100 percent pro-life by the Georgia Right to Life PAC.

Graves represented the 12th House District from 2003 until March 23, 2010.  Graves announced over a year ago that he would seek the 9th District Congressional seat that was vacated by Congressman Nathan Deal, who is running for Governor.