Congressional candidate questions opponent's religious convictions in Augusta

U.S. Rep. Paul Broun (R-Athens) is questioning the religious convictions of his opponent in the Republican primary for the 10^th congressional district seat as the election on Tuesday approaches.

“It’s unfortunate that he doesn’t understand redemption and salvation and a changed life in accepting Jesus as lord and savior,” Broun says of state Rep. Barry Fleming (R-Harlem) in an interview which aired Thursday on Georgia Public Broadcasting’s WACG 90.7 FM in Augusta. “It’s not about religion but about a relationship with Jesus.”

But Fleming is a Christian, and according to his website, is an active member of Harlem Baptist Church. He has served as chairman of the board of deacons there, among other duties, the website says.

“Paul is wrong on that,” Fleming says of Broun’s remarks in an interview scheduled to air on Friday. “My Christian faith is the center of my life and I’ve tried not only to witness to other people in my life but I’ve tried to live a life as an example for others, and I’ll continue to do that.”

Broun, meanwhile, repeatedly accuses Fleming of “bearing false witness,” as he put it, by distorting votes he’s made in Congress, adding that lying violates the Judeo-Christian Ten Commandments. Fleming denies he has lied and invites doubters to check the Congressional Record.

The candidates, who have similar positions on social and fiscal issues, have been distinguishing themselves by questioning each other’s integrity in a negative campaign spiral.

In a debate at the Atlanta studios of Georgia Public Broadcasting last week, Fleming hammered Broun over a bankruptcy and also a quibble Broun had over alimony with one of his three former wives. Both incidents happened nearly 30 years ago.

He suggested that those issues are a sign of bad judgment that lasts for Broun as he serves in Congress. It’s an assertion that Broun takes strong personal offense to.

Fleming has also criticized votes Broun has made against several issues, such as veterans benefits and making laws tougher on child predators and use of the internet. Broun has rebutted Fleming’s criticisms, saying he voted against the measures because they would needlessly expand government.

Broun speaks openly and frequently about his faith, in churches, candidate forums and interviews. He often says he lived a prideful life until he renewed his Christian faith as a middle-aged adult.

He also says Jesus is his number one constituent and speaks of how he once converted one of his former wives to the Lord via telephone.

Nichols' death penalty trial spurs legislation

A special committee investigating a high-profile death penalty case has recommended legislation that would reform how Georgia handles death penalty cases. Republican House Majority Whip Barry Fleming heads the committee which looked into the case of Brian Nichols. Nichols is charged with killing four people two years ago while fleeing custody at the Fulton County court house. His defense has already cost taxpayers 2-million dollars.

Representative Fleming blames out-of-control spending on the part of public defenders.

"This is not what should be expected. This was beyond what should have happened. There was mismanagement that went on in this situation and we want to send a strong signal that we don't want that to happen again."

Additional legislation recommended by the committee would only allow active elected judges to hear death penalty cases.

"Having that local, elected judge involved with his county commissioners who have to help fund this, at some point, we think will bring some responsibility and someone watching the till at the end of the day."

Finally, the committee has recommended the state negotiate a flat fee -- rather than an hourly arrangement for state-paid defense attorneys in death penalty cases.

Nichols judge quits case

There will be a new judge appointed to the case of accused Atlanta courthouse gunman Brian Nichols. Superior Court Judge Hilton Fuller stepped-down yesterday. The move comes in the firestorm of comments attributed to him in a recent magazine article. In the New Yorker article, Fuller says of Nichols "everyone in the world knows he did it". Fuller later said he didn't recall making the comment, but that damage had been done. Fuller said he was no longer hopeful he could provide a trial preceived to be fair. Nichols is accused of killing four people in a 2005 shooting spree.

The case has been plagued by funding problems for the defense. Barry Fleming, Republican Representative from Harlem, led the committee looking at the finances of the Nichols-case.

"I think it was the correct thing for the judge to do, given all the trouble that has gone on with bringing this case to trial. I think he did the right thing...unfortunately I wish it would have occured maybe much sooner than now, and we would have saved three years of time for the victims and the families going through this, and also millions of dollars to the taxpayers".

No word yet as to who the next judge in the case will be.

Republican money shifts to Fleming

Republican money in the 10th Congressional District is again lining up against newly elected GOP Representative Paul Broun of Athens. Broun was a surprise winner in the July election to succeed the late Charlie Norwood in Congress. Fundraising reports show he had less than $35,000 in the bank this quarter. In contrast is state Representative Barry Fleming, a Republican challenger from Harlem who raised $273,000 in September alone.

New Congressman already has challenger

Newly-elected Congressman Paul Broun already has a challenger. Today Republican state Representative Barry Fleming announced he will challenge Broun next year for northeast Georgia's 10th District congressional seat. Fleming is an attorney from Harlem who has been in the state House for six years. Broun was sworn in to the seat in July. He is a doctor in Athens.

Lawmakers hear support for Grady training program

State lawmakers studying Georgia's growing doctor shortage say Atlanta's financially troubled Grady Hospital is critical to training physicians across the state.

Researchers told the state house committee that Georgia needs more physicians to keep pace with its growing and aging population. They say Grady Hospital's residency program attracts young doctors who otherwise would not come to Georgia. Presidents of Morehouse School of Medicine and Emory's medical school say Grady is a "magnet" for doctors, and the loss of the public hospital training program would give them "heartburn." Yet local officials say Grady may close at the end of the year unless it gets more that $120 million.

State Rep. Barry Fleming, the committee chair, was listening.

"There's not a better teaching program probably in the Southeast than in Grady as far as educating doctors on how to work on patients," Fleming said during a break in the meeting. "That's why the health of Grady is vital."

Fleming says Georgia should shore up current programs, including Grady's residency training, before launching new ones. He represents Harlem, a suburb of Augusta, and supports an expansion of the Medical College of Georgia there. But eventually, Fleming says, the state will need a second public medical school at the University of Georgia in Athens.

State lawmaker arrested for drunk driving

Police say Georgia House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans) crashed his car into a utility pole in downtown Atlanta early Sunday morning. Harbin now faces charges of driving under the influence. He is out of jail on bond.

Colleagues say the incident is completely out of character.

"He's never had any problems whatsoever in the past like this," says Rep. Barry Fleming (R-Harlem). "He is one of the hardest working elected officials that I know and he serves his people very well. I would think that one instance like this is an aberration."

Fleming is part of the House leadership team, and he expects members will wait to hear all the facts before considering whether Harbin should lose his chairmanship. Harbin now leads the committee responsible for writing the $20.2 billion state budget.

A spokeswoman for House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) refused to comment.

"I do not have any details on this situation," says Clelia Davis. "It is a personal and legal matter."

But Tom Crawford, editor of Capitol Impact.com, thinks, in the end, Harbin will keep his plum assignment.

"No legislator has been force to lose his committee chairmanship," Crawford notes.

Most recently, Rep. David Graves (R-Macon) was arrested twice, in 2004 and 2005, for driving drunk. He resigned his chairmanship of the committee that oversees liquor regulations. The scandal that followed also led Graves to decide not to run for re-election.

In 2000, however, then-Senate Appropriations Chairman George Hooks (D-Americus) was arrested for DUI. He checked himself into a rehabilitation center and resumed his duties, Crawford recalls.