Wednesday, September 13, 2000

By JANET McGREGOR
jmac_snippets@hotmail.com

Mack Mattingly's message to local Fayette County Republicans was clear the majority of Georgia voters chose to elect a conservative candidate when they elected Sen. Paul Coverdell, and he believes they will do so again in November.
His message to opponent Zell Miller was: "There is a Democratic aisle and a Republican aisle in the Senate there is not a middle aisle and there is no place for you."
Mattingly is running for the seat vacated by the untimely death of Republican Sen. Paul Coverdell. Gov. Roy Barnes appointed former Gov. Zell Miller, a Democrat, to fill the post until the elections in November. While there are five other candidates running in the non-partisan election, Miller and Mattingly are the prime contenders for the seat. Mattingly has been traveling the state talking to Georgians to garner support. He said that consistently he was told they don't want two Democratic senators along with a Democratic governor. Quoting a supporter from Moultrie he said, "We don't want two liberal Democrats voting for our judges."
He cited a number of concerns expressed by independents, conservative Democrats and Republicans.
He highlighted some key issues he would address including Medicare reform, education reform and national defense. He decried the loss of pride that he believes those in the military are experiencing, saying while the military is not in as bad a shape as it was in the '80s, it is not good.
He received a round of applause when he said, "One way to restore pride in the military is to get Clinton out of Washington and put someone in office they can be proud of." He said U.S. troops are over-deployed throughout the world, citing some facts and anecdotes from military personnel.
Mattingly acknowledged that the race will be a tough one, but he said, "This is a fun race." He expected the presidential race to have a strong impact on his race, predicting that if George W. Bush carries the state, he will too.
Asked about Miller's recent television ads, he said former Sen. Wyche Fowler did the same thing when he ran against Coverdell, starting his ads right after Labor Day. Fowler lost to Coverdell. Mattingly said, "Things are headed in the right direction."
With little bits of humor interspersed in his presentation, the group enjoyed a few laughs with him. One light moment occurred when he discussed the enjoyment he would experience being sworn in after his victory in November. Vice President Al Gore, who serves as the president of the Senate, will swear him in if he is elected.
Coverdell's widow, Nancy, has written a letter endorsing Mattingly.
The state Republican Party and other Republican groups have rallied around Mattingly also.
Asked if he would be in any debates with Miller, he said he is willing to debate. His finance chairman, local Fayette County Republican Chairman Eric Dial, said, "He is willing to debate whenever and whereever. I don't believe Zell is that willing."
Regarding challenging Miller's education record, Mattingly said Miller could take credit for the Hope Scholarship, but he felt he would also need to take credit for the education deficits from kindergarten through high school, and the large contingent of students who cannot maintain grades to keep the Hope Scholarship. Mattingly was the first Republican to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Georgia since 1871 when he won the seat in 1980. He spent six years in the Senate, from 1981 - 1987. He served on the Appropriations Committee, the Banking and Housing Committee, the Ethics Committee, the Joint Economic Committee and was chairman of two Senate subcommittees.
In 1987 President Ronald Reagan appointed him to become the assistant secretary general for defense support at NATO Headquarters in Belgium. He served from 1987 to 1990. In 1992 President George Bush appointed Mattingly to become the ambassador of the United States in the Republic of Seychelles.
Mattingly is married to Leslie Davisson and has two children, Jane and Anne, by his former wife, Carolyn, now diseased.
To reach Mattingly's campaign headquarters, phone 404-442-7627.

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