Georgia Charter Schools Amendment Appears to Pass

The constitutional amendment grants the state authority to approve charter schools, whether local school boards want them or not.

Georgia voters gave the state more authority over charter schools on Tuesday, passing a constitutional amendment empowering a commission to overrule local school districts that reject charter school petitions. With all counties fully reporting, the hotly contested amendment had support of 58.5 percent of voters. See selected county results below. It was an emotionally charged issue that in some ways united Georgians across political and demographic lines. A Peach Pundit poll from late October had found "no significant difference [in support] based on whether a voter is a Republican or a Democrat, a male or a female, or based on race." Camille Cottrell, an Emory University instructor and card-carrying Democrat, is an example of the …

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Flash Poll: No Clear Winner in Monday Night's Debate

Not surprisingly, Republican respondents said Mitt Romney won and Democrats said Barack Obama won. But Democratic respondents were much stronger in their opinion.

  Your view of Monday night’s presidential debate on foreign policy may come down to who you already supported for president. A Patch flash poll of influential Republicans and Democrats in Georgia found that opinions on who won generally fell along party lines: Republicans thought Gov. Mitt Romney was the winner and Democrats thought President Barack Obama prevailed. It was a strong contrast to the first time the candidates faced off on Oct. 3, when the consensus of both parties was that Obama looked bored or annoyed and that Romney succeeded in presenting himself as presidential. Republican respondents said they felt Romney won the final debate, with 26.7 percent saying it was “by a wide margin” and 40 percent “by a slim margin.” Another …

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Charles Darwin Challenges Rep. Paul Broun, from the Grave

A University of Georgia scientist has mounted a write-in campaign on behalf of the famous evolutionary scientist. Who will you pick?

Charles Darwin, the father of the science of evolution, can't speak for himself or run for Congress because he's not alive (and not an American citizen). But a University of Georgia scientist hopes supporting Darwin in a write-in campaign can help get U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-GA, booted from his position on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. UGA plant biologist Jim Leebens-Mack has started a Facebook page promoting Darwin as a fantasy alternative to Broun, who was recorded last month dismissing evolution and the Big Bang theory as "lies straight from the pit of hell." Leebens-Mack told the Associated Press that the write-in campaign isn't serious, but the AP reports people behind the movement hope enough support could goad …

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Who Won the Debate? Georgia Patch Poll Says it Was Romney

Patch polled Georgia elected officials and activists in both parties to find out who they felt won the debate between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney.

  A flash poll of influential members of Georgia’s GOP and Democratic parties found rare agreement on the question of who won Wednesday night’s presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney. As a Democratic respondent put it, “Mitt is back in the race.” Patch tapped our panels of Democrats and Republicans who hold office, are former elected officials, candidates or party activists for twin polls that were conducted in the first hour after the debate ended. Patch received responses from 32 Republicans and 15 Democrats. The poll is not scientific. Of the GOP respondents, 87.5 percent said Romney won “by a wide margin” and 12.5 percent said he won by “a slim margin.” Democratic respondents were less emphatic about …

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David

3:18 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012

What black guy? Obama is black?! I saw a picture of his mother and she is lily white!!   more ›

Ann Romney Brings Husband's Message to Alpharetta

UPDATED 2 P.M.: Ann Romney brought a message of family values to Smokejack's in downtown Alpharetta during lunchtime today, with an overflow crowd clamoring to see her. Romney told supporters her husband will win the nomination and beat President Barack Obama, statements that brought applause from the crowd that was predominantly made up of women. "This is our message. This is what we are going to do and this is our purpose," she said. "Our purpose is to go out and save America. And I'm proud to get that out every single day." The campaign may be tough, but she said it hasn't been her toughest battle. "I will tell you that my battle with MS is a little tougher than this battle. I can make it. I won the other battle. I can win this battle. …

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How Would You Rate Obama's State of the Union Speech?

Do you think the president's speech swayed any undecided voters?

Our Patch live blog of the State of the Union has wrapped up, but that doesn't mean the discussion is over! The White House has offered to answer a few questions submitted by Patch users across the nation now that the speech is done. It's a great opportunity to take your question right to Washington without leaving home. The result will look something like this video of first lady Michelle Obama answering a fitness question. To submit your question, post it in the comments below with your real name, the town where you live and, if you'd like, your Twitter handle. You have until 11 a.m. Wednesday to post your question. And if you missed the live blog, just hit the "play" button above to review the lively discussion from your fellow Patch …

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