Pawlenty Puts Georgia in Play

Former Minnesotta governor and top-tier Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty is planning to open a campaign office in Atlanta, sources from his campaign organization told the Beacon Broadcast Network. Pawlenty's national campaign manager is Nick Ayers, a close friend and ally of former governor Sonny Perdue, and the former executive director of the National Governor's Association (RGA). Ayres ran Perdue's two successful campaigns for Georgia governor, and supported Karen Handel in the 2010 Georgia GOP gubernatorial primary. Sources close to Ayres -- who were not authorized to talk to the press -- said that the Pawlenty camp is putting Georgia in play. 

Graves to Obama on Debt Limit: No, Sir! 

Washington, DC –U.S. Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-09) issued the following statement that he will vote against H.R. 1954, President Obama's request to increase the debt limit from $14.3 trillion to $16.7 trillion, when it comes before the U.S. House for a vote this week: "The debt crisis poses such a serious threat to our economy that I will not support this request from President Obama to raise the debt limit. The federal government has enjoyed an era of unprecedented recklessness, behaving as if the American taxpayers have given it a blank check. It's long past time to permanently end Washington’s party, and that's why I joined with others in drafting the 'Cut, Cap and Balance' approach. This is a proposal from the Republican Study Committee to cut the deficit in half next year, cap spending at 18 percent of our gross domestic product, and send a Balanced Budget Amendment to the states.

"The American people work too hard and are taxed too much to be wrongly burdened with debt in excess of $14 trillion. I sincerely hope the President and Senate leaders come back to the negotiating table ready to do the right thing for this country, and pass a proud legacy of fiscal responsibility to future generations of Americans."

Josh Belinfante Eyes State Senate Race, Plans To Resign Ethics Post 

Republican House leaders are continuing to stand by House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan's Medicare plan, even as Democrats vow to make it an issue in races nationwide next year.

Asked if voting for the plan was a mistake, Rep. Tom Price (R-GA/6)  said on ABC's "Top Line" today that he doesn't think it was a mistake to support major changes to a program that’s on a track toward bankruptcy.

"What the American people want and understand is that we've got to have something different than business as usual," said Price, who serves on the House Ways and Means and the Budget committees.

Asked about Democratic attacks, he said: "I think they'll try. ... But we didn't do this because it was the smart thing politically to do -- we did it because it's the right thing to do. And it’s the right thing because the American people understand that you just can't keep doing this craziness up here in Washington."

Price defended yesterday's vote on raising the debt limit -- even though all involved realize the vote will fall far short -- to "demonstrate to the president" that Congress does not support a higher debt ceiling without corresponding budget cuts.

And Price had kind words for former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whose odd bus tour of the East Coast is drawing wide media attention.

"I don't think she's the one that dictates how much political oxygen is sucked up because of her activities.  I'll tell ya, anybody that's out there energizing the American people is positive.”

Asked if he wants her to run for president, Price said: "I like a broad cross-section of individuals on our side of the aisle. I think we're going to have a great race. And I think the president -- and unless he does something to change his policies and moves in a direction that the American people are demanding -- I think the president will have a very challenging election in 2012."