With the primary election less than a week away, Tuesday's “Mornings unPHILtered” show on the gubernatorial race – both Democrat and Republican. Democrat Carl Camon and Republican candidates Nathan Deal and Jeff Chapman came on the show.
    The first guest was Deal, whose family live in the Bulloch County area for some 200 years. Show host Phil Boyum asked Deal what sets him apart from all the other candidates.
    Deal said he is the only candidate who has, first and foremost, served in America's military. Secondly, he has been appointed to numerous local and state positions in both the legislative and judicial fields.
    Finally, Deal said, he is the only candidate who has served in the US Congress, or for that matter, the only one to hold any federal office.
    Deal said the Tax Foundation has ranked his campaign's plan as one that moves Georgia to a position on top of all the Southern states as far as potential economic growth.
    He added that no other campaign would even submit their plans to be judged by the non-partisan and impartial panel of legislative and economic experts.
    Concerning how to best solve the pressing water issue in the northern part of the state, Deal said we must first meet and come to agreements with the surrounding states as to how best share these resources.
    Next, he said, is to build a system of reservoirs that are not controlled by the federal government, but rather solely under the control of Georgia.
    Deal served on the Energy and Commerce Committees in the Congress. Furthermore, Deal also served as the chairman of the Health Sub-Committee.
    As chairman, he passed a requirement that you had to show proof of citizenship in order to receive free medical care. Illegal immigrants could no longer expect the state of Georgia to pick up their bill.
    Deal said he has the most extensive voting records in the state, and has been ranked as one of the most conservative politicians in the United States.
    Deal asked the voters to ignore all the campaign promises being made by his opponents in the current campaign. Look instead to see what they have actually done. That, he said, should help you decide for whom to vote.
    The next guest on the show was Democratic candidate Carl Camon. Camon said he is the best candidate because he can identify with ordinary people. As mayor of Ray City in south Georgia, he is used to dealing with the public, and would continue to do so as governor.
    Camon said he would put Georgians back to work by marketing the state on a global level, and reach out beyond the state’s boundaries to partner with nations around the world.
    He said the state has the Port of Savannah, Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta, and the United States Army at Fort Stewart, all of which are excellent resources for potential employees and great sites for establishing new businesses.
    Asked how he would deal with the water issue, Camon said we must unite as one state and treat it as a statewide issue. The water wars that have been raging for two decades with Alabama and Florida must be put to an end.
    He advocates a state-wide water conservation plan, establishing more methods of collection such as by digging new reservoirs, and end all the litigation on-going in the courts which are costing the citizens of Georgia phenomenal amounts of money.
    Camon said he would fully fund public schools and stop educator furloughs, as education reflects the way we are perceived by those around us. He said a quality-based education is what we must strive for.
    Camon said he owes special interests nothing, and would have no debts for others that he would have to repay.
    The final guest on Tuesday's show was State Sen. Jeff Chapman. Chapman said he is the only Republican candidate who is willing to stand up against national party leaders.
    Chapman said he would always fight for Georgians, even if the Republican national leadership didn't agree. Asked what he could do to put more Georgians back to work, he said the first thing is to get the state out of the way.
    Regulations that restrict the growth of business must be examined to see if they're even needed. Tax exemptions given to businesses need to be re-examined, and if there is no real value to Georgia, the exemptions need to be eliminated.
    Asked how to solve the water issue, Chapman said there are several steps that need to be taken. First, he said, people need to stop talking about water being pumped up to Northern Georgia.
    Water conservation will help, especially if you build the reservoirs where they are needed, and not just in order to draw attention to yourself. It is much less expensive to take measures to save the water that's already there.
    Asked about electing a politician from outside of the Atlanta area, Chapman said we need to elect responsible persons who will work for the best interests of the people, and not someone who will be making decisions that will help them get re-elected.
    Chapman has served as a public servant in many positions, including several terms as county commissioner, several terms as a state senator, and serving for years in the National Guard.
    Chapman said we are in an ethics crisis in Georgia, and he promised to initiate open door politics for Georgia, which would end the back-door politicking and deals that have been going on for years.
   
    “Mornings unPHILtered” airs live Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on statesboroherald.com and also simulcast on WWNS-AM 1240 on the radio. You also can listen anytime at BoroLive.com on statesboroherald.com