My Prediction for Tuesday

We are now down to hours before the voters will make key decisions across the nation. Democrats have poured millions into races, like the race for governor here in Georgia.

Pollsters are crunching the numbers and giving their opinions. I am not a pollster. I do observe and I have been right more often than many of the pollsters.

Four years ago there was a lot of speculation that there would be a run-off in the governor’s race and possibly Senate race because of the Libertarian candidates. It didn’t happen.

I do not think it will happen this time either. I think that Brian Kemp will get 53 – 55% of the vote.

I believe that Republicans will pick up Senate seats. I believe that Republicans will hold the US House of Representatives.

One of the things that I believe is happening with polls this time around is similar to 2016. In 2016 there were a lot of people who voted for Donald Trump but did not want to say so to anyone but perhaps their closest of friends.

President Trump has nationalized races across the country. A lot of people understand that in US Senate and House races, the election is about the party, not the person.

American voters are smarter than media talking heads, pollsters, and political consultants believe them to be. The huge numbers showing up at Donald Trump rallies, such as the one in Macon, Georgia today is proof of that.

Whether we want to say it or not, this election is a national referendum on President Trump. I believe that the nation is happy with strong economic growth, record low unemployment, growing wages, and yes, even a strong stand on border security.

The American people are also sick of the Democrat willingness to outright lie to stop President Trump. The latest news is that one of the accusers of Judge Kavanaugh admitted to fabricating a false accusation saying (1) she “just wanted to get attention”; (2) “it was a tactic”; and (3) “that was just a ploy.” (letter from Senate Judiciary Chairman Grassley, November 2, 2018 to Attorney General Jeff Sessions).

I see Trump voters coming out as they did in 2016, and bringing others with them. Democrats have a powerful ground game across the nation and here in Georgia so their numbers will be up as well. I think; however, when all is said and done on Tuesday evening, we will see that the American people validated the great things that are happening.

So, I leave you with my prediction. If you have not voted, then Tuesday is it. Go vote and take someone with you who hasn’t voted already.

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Your Vote Counts

Your vote counts. It is so easy on election day to get busy or have something unexpected come up and, at the end of the day, you realize that you forgot to vote. Then you rationalize and tell yourself that it doesn’t really make any difference anyway.

Two candidates for Board of Education, District 3, Lanier County, Georgia will quickly tell you differently. In the Republican Primary held on May 22, three candidates ran for School Board, District 3. Phillip Connell fell just 9 votes short of winning without a runoff.

I do not live in Lanier County but I do know Phillip Connell. If I lived there Phillip would have received my vote.

In the July 24 runoff, when all the votes were cast, the result was a tie – 170 votes each. So they go another round on August 21, but there is yet another cliff hanger.

One of the candidates, JJ Strickland, is an attorney. He has filed a lawsuit “demanding” an injunction to stop the 2nd run-off and give one of his supporters an opportunity to cast a second vote in the runoff. Here is what happened.

On election day, Tyler Westlake, went to vote. He received a ballot for School Board District 4. Tyler Westlake lives in District 3. When he looked at his the ballot, the candidates for District 3 were not on the ballot.

I know you are thinking that the problem should be easily resolved. He simply had to call an election official and point out that he did not see the candidates from his district.

The election official could void the erroneous ballot and give a correct ballot, or at least a provisional ballot, until they can straighten out the matter of which ballot the voter should receive. Election officials will tell you that these questions come up in every election.

The voting machine itself has a large notice on the screen before the ballot is cast. After making all selections and before casting the ballot, there is a final large screen to make a final review before casting the vote. At the very top of the screen, in large letters is this notice:

Photo of Voting Machine with Notice

“Carefully read all instructions before proceeding. If you have any questions, DO NOT touch anything: contact a poll worker.”

Step 3 of the instructions clearly states, “Your vote is FINAL when Cast Ballot is touched.”

Westlake proceeded to cast his vote. It was only after he voted that he told the election official of the mistake.

Instead of contacting a poll worker, as soon as he saw that District 3 candidates were not on the ballot, Mr. Westlake ignored all the instructions and went ahead and voted. After he cast his ballot, he told the poll worker that received the wrong ballot.

Even with paper ballot voting, the rule is always clear: After you drop your ballot in the ballot box, the vote is final. It is too late to change your mind. It is too late to ask questions. All questions, concerns, doubts, are to be resolved before pushing the button on a voting machine, or releasing the ballot to fall into the ballot box.

Until that moment, a voter can change as often as he or she wants. But once the ballot is cast, it is cast and that vote is final.

Mr. Strickland’s lawsuit is a desperate Hail Mary pass. I suspect that there are more than a few voters in Lanier Board of Education District 3 who view this as grasping for some technicality instead of honestly doing the work to ask every voter for his or her vote.

Common sense and bold faced instructions are clear, “DO NOT touch anything: contact a poll worker.” One cannot change the rules after the game has been played. This sounds more like Democrats in 2000 and hanging chads or Hillary blaming the Russians than it does a Republican Primary in South Georgia.

From a political point, this stunt is an extremely unwise move. I predict that it will hurt Strickland in the 2nd runoff.

Lanier County is a small close-knit community. It is one thing for a person to choose to not vote in an election. Tell that same person that a candidate is asking a judge to take away his or her right to vote and “thems fightin words.”

Lawsuits like this are why lawyers are not held in high esteem in the first place. This “demand” to take the election away from the people and have a judge give Strickland’s supporter a second vote is ludicrous. This kind of thing only adds to the greasy reputation of the legal profession.

There will be a hearing on August 16 to make a determination. Strickland has already said that if the judge rules against him, he intends to file an appeal. Yet, another unwise move on his part. In the mean time, early voting has started and the election is still on for August 21.

I suspect that more than a few voters who voted for Strickland in the primary and first runoff, will not be voting for him in this one. There are probably a few who did not vote in either of the previous elections but will go vote in this one just to vote against Strickland. Voters do not like politicians who who try to find a technical loophole that robs them of their right to vote.

This November, you will have your opportunity to vote. Go vote. Your vote counts.

Signature-Donald E. Cole

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Preachers and Politics – No Subject is Off Limits

Be assured, God is not deaf to the cries of the millions of innocent babies callously killed as if a sacrifice to the god of convenience. Then as if mere killing was not enough, Planned Parenthood and other organizations determined that if they killed the baby is just the right manner, they could butcher the body and sell the parts to highest bidder.

Our nation cannot continue down this path and expect that there will not be consequences from the just and righteous Creator who watched over us and formed this nation of freedom. Do not think for a moment that the great United States of America cannot fall under God’s judgment. Continue reading

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Who Will Fill the Void?

Who will fill the void? The language and tone of the political season has deteriorated to a repugnant cesspool. Most of us grew up being taught the value of good manners, treating others with respect, and having humility.

Name calling and making fun of others was a punishable offense. So, it is understandable to hear people wish for the campaign season to be over. They just want the conflict to finally end for a season at least. Continue reading

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