With the runoff today, the two 12th District Congressional Republicans candidates – Ray McKinney and Carl Smith – appeared on Monday’s “Mornings unPHILtered” show.
    McKinney came on first and show host Phil Boyum asked him if he wins the runoff election, how would he unseat John Barrow, the incumbent Democrat. McKinney said its all about the message.
    He said people are looking for someone with solutions. He said he has been a job-creator for years. McKinney said he understands how the economy works, and that he could bring many more jobs to the 12th District.
    Asked by Boyum if Barrow is really responsible for not bringing jobs to the district, McKinney said Barrow has failed to clear the Plant Vogel construction delays because of government regulations to facilitate the new power plant construction.
    McKinney said he would love to serve in Barrow's seat in the Congress and on some of the committees Barrow is a member of, particularly those that focus on energy and commerce. McKinney said he speaks the language of the nuclear power industry.
    He said that would allow him to help build more nuclear power plants in both the United States, as well as sell plants to be constructed overseas. McKinney said currently all of the plants being constructed overseas are being built by companies from other nations.
    Boyum commented that Barrow is listed as a moderate, Blue Dog Democrat and asked McKinney why he should be removed, McKinney said he finds it hilarious that people call Barrow a moderate Democrat.
    Barrow, he said, voted for almost all of the Obama agenda, and said if elected he would work to oust Nancy Pelosi from her job as Speaker of the House.
    Asked by Boyum why he initially worked to support his opponent Carl Smith, McKinney said he has been working behind the scenes since 2007. He said he supported all of the candidates in the various races.
    Once former 12th District candidate Wayne Moseley pulled out of the race, McKinney said he sat down and looked at who could win the seat and decided he was the one who could reach out across the state and the country.
    McKinney said he has the private sector experience, and knows how government affects smaller businesses, and this would make him the better of the two candidates to face Barrow.
    Boyum asked McKinney about his relationship with several PAC's (Political Action Committees) who also sent out flyers championing his cause along with the numerous flyers already sent out by McKinney.
    McKinney said he had nothing to do with the mailing of those flyers.
    Carl Smith called in next. The current volunteer Firefighter Chief for the city of Thunderbolt, Smith said that Barrow is a three-term incumbent who has beaten candidates with lots of money.
    Smith said he has been working to bring all sorts of folks together, and believes he can win the trust and votes of Republicans, Independents and even Democrats, and said that is what it will take to defeat Barrow in November.
    McKinney, he said, has taken a radical attitude towards working with those who aren't members of the Republican Party. Smith said that attitude would deter others from supporting or working with McKinney if he were elected.
    Smith said concerning getting industries to come to Georgia, that just across the border in South Carolina they signed a contract for a new Wood Pellet plant that could have been built in Georgia.
    Smith said Barrow isn't working to speed up construction of all sorts of industrial facilities in Georgia that are currently underway by stepping in and helping those plants meet all the various governmental regulations that were causing the delays.
    Boyum asked Smith if he would characterize Barrow as a liberal Democrat. He said anyone who votes along with Nancy Pelosi and the National Democratic Party's line is championing liberal policies and is therefore by definition a liberal.
    Smith said Barrow has not supported improving the Port of Savannah nearly as strenuously as he should have. Constantly deepening the port is essential in order to be able to handle the largest ships carrying cargo between the east coast of the United States and the European and Asian markets.
    Boyum asked Smith how difficult is had been campaigning with a grassroots organization, while McKinney is much better financed.
    Smith said he has raised an averaged of $60 per donation to help pay for his campaign, and has been able to afford very little in the way of media advertisement. McKinney, on the other hand, has had a media blitz on for weeks.
    Asked by Boyum why he thought he would be the best candidate, Smith said the bottom line is that he has been a public servant for the last 25 years and has always tried to help his fellow Georgians. Smith said he wants to go to Washington, so he can continue to work for the people of the 12th District.
   
    “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