Top Georgia Democrats running for US Senate spar in debate

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By BEN NADLER

ATLANTA (AP) — Two of the top Georgia Democrats vying to take on Republican Sen. David Perdue in November took hard swipes at each other during a virtual debate Sunday as criticism of the official response to the coronavirus took center stage.

Former Columbus mayor Teresa Tomlinson took an opening shot against former congressional candidate Jon Ossoff, citing a recent internal GOP poll that showed him struggling outside metro Atlanta against Perdue. “People know you, but not enough want to vote for you,” Tomlinson said.

Ossoff fired back by saying that Tomlinson’s “campaign is so weak they didn’t even bother polling your name.”

The evening debate, conducted by online video conference with candidates joining from their homes because of the virus, was awkward at times with coughing and heavy breathing interrupting speakers and, at one point, a dog barking in the background.



FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2018 file photo, Georgia Democrat and former Columbus mayor Teresa Tomlinson poses for a photo in Columbus, Ga. Former congressional candidate Jon Ossoff and Tomlinson, two of the top Georgia Democrats vying to take on Republican Sen. David Perdue in November, took hard swipes at each other during a virtual debate Sunday, May 3, 2020, as criticism of the official response to the coronavirus took center stage. (Mike Haskey/Ledger-Enquirer via AP, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/7c023711e978abb688fb51a864a6ff7e

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Tomlinson is a graduate of Sweet Briar College, my Alma Mater!

[NewJeffCT]

3. She also has a JD from Emory law school

and 2 terms as mayor of Columbus, GA. So, she has the experience and education needed to succeed.

Ossof is a good guy, but he doesn't have the overall background of Tomlinson.

[japple]

2. I'm in favor of Tomlinson. She spoke at a meeting I attended last year and I was

very impressed. She's smart, experienced, gutsy and has a good sense of humor.

[CurtEastPoint]

4. I hope she gets better name recognition. I like what I see!

[oldsoftie]

5. Ossoff will likely win the primary easily.

A ton more people in the state know who he is. That matters a LOT. It shouldnt, but it does Local, state & national.

[40RatRod]

8. I hope so!

[abqtommy]

6. I've been in Columbus and have a longtime friend there. Politicis aside, Teresa appears to me

to be a Real Georgia Peach! She'd get my vote for sure...

[greymattermom]

7. It's an interesting race.

I contributed to one of them, who actually called me, but I voted for a different one after watching all of them live before the shut down.