AJC..."Gays feel slighted by Cox, Taylor"
lolol, what editor allowed this headline to pass?!
Gays feel slighted by Cox, Taylor
Governor hopefuls to pass on Pride Festival
By JIM THARPE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/23/06
The Democratic gubernatorial primary shifts into high gear this weekend as Secretary of State Cathy Cox and Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor crisscross Georgia en route to their July 18 showdown. But don't expect any head-to-head battles over the issues.
Cox and Taylor will show up only once at the same place at the same time — Saturday in Savannah at the summer convention of the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials. But they won't debate, taking part instead in a forum where they each get a few minutes to state their case for becoming the state's next governor.
Cox and Taylor will both skip Atlanta Pride Festival in Atlanta, an event that is expected to draw about 250,000 people amid a new battle over constitutionally banning gay marriage in Georgia. The state Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday on the legality of Georgia's ban.
The absence of the state's two most visible Democrats — both were invited to a Saturday candidates' forum — has further angered the metro area's politically active gay community, which has threatened to boycott the gubernatorial primary.
Cox, who plans a Sunday afternoon rally in Gainesville, will also attend a gubernatorial debate scheduled at the Georgia Municipal Association's convention in Savannah on Monday. However, it will be a one-sided affair — Taylor said he has another commitment and has taken a pass.
Cox spokesman Peter Jackson accused Taylor of "ducking debates." Taylor earlier avoided a planned debate at the Georgia Press Association, leaving Cox alone at the podium.
"He doesn't want to answer the tough questions about his public service record and his record as a top executive in his family's trucking business," Jackson said.
Taylor spokesman Rick Dent said the lieutenant governor will meet Cox in several televised debates before the primary.
"How many debates do we need to do with her," Dent said. "When you're behind like her and you're throwing dirt, I'd want debates too."
Some political scientists say Taylor has a good reason to avoid Cox and the publicity assured from a showdown. The few polls conducted recently show Taylor in the lead, and frontrunners often avoid head-to-head confrontations with opponents.
"They (Taylor's campaign) have apparently chosen not to make simultaneous personal appearances," said Emory University political scientist Merle Black. "They have little to gain with a debate, and they have a lot to lose."
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Originally Posted by xPhantomSolx
