 Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Michael Coles said Saturday in Albany that Congress’ scheduled recess this week would unfairly and unnecessarily prolong the presidential impeachment issue. He also said Capitol Hill is led by a “do-nothing” group of lawmakers who have victimized Georgia farmers. “I think the idea that the Congress is going to recess with this (impeachment issue) hanging over the American people is irresponsible,” he said. “ ... I think that the Congress has a constitutional duty and an obligation to move this process to conclusion as quickly as possible.” Coles also said farmers deserve to be adequately assisted by Congress before the recess. “For them to go home without hammering out a deal to give farmers the relief that they have been so desperately needing for months now, I find (that) shameful,” he said. The importance of veterans’ benefits and more medical treatment options for patients were other top issues cited by Coles, who faces incumbent Paul Coverdell, R-Ga., in the Nov. 3 general election. Both candidates are from Atlanta. Coles was in Albany to attend an AFL-CIO picnic also attended by other Democratic candidates for state offices. On hand were lieutenant governor candidate Mark Taylor, a state senator from Albany; state insurance commissioner candidate Henrietta Mathis Canty of Atlanta; secretary of state candidate Cathy Cox of Atlanta; and labor commissioner candidate Michael Thurmond of Athens. Ed Tynes, president of the Albany / Southwest Georgia Labor Council, said the picnic enabled the candidates to mingle with the “working people” who they have supported and who have supported them. ‘These candidates that we have invited here today have a history of voting for the working people of Southwest Georgia and throughout the whole state and they’ve got a good track record,” he said. Coles, the millionaire founder of the Great American Cookie Co., said in the interview that he is pleased with his campaign. “I think we’re doing very well and we’re on the right side of the issues," he said. “What we’re out there talking about are the things that people are really concerned about; my opponent is on the wrong side of what I believe every issue that families in this state face.” Coverdell, sitting on a daunting 22 percentage-point lead in the latest poll, has ignored Coles’ attacks in the campaign while claiming credit for helping Republicans lower taxes, balance the federal budget and reform welfare. But Coles said Coverdell hasn’t served the interest of all Georgians equally. |
