“Bring It On!” is not only Republican candidate for Georgia State Governor Karen Handel's (http://www.karenhandel.com/site/c.nmL0KhN0LxH/b.5131835/k.5597/Karen_Handel_for_Governor_of_Georgia.htm) campaign slogan, but also her approach at life.
Speaking yesterday evening, April 12, at (http://mlc.uga.edu/) the University of Georgia Zell B. Miller Learning Center to an accommodating crowd of approximately 75 students, Handel gave an informative and intriguing speech on her campaign goals and her background in politics.
After introducing herself and shaking hands with the majority of the room, Handel began her speech with a personal look at her adolescence. Handel’s home life growing up was anything but supportive. She left home at 17 to escape the hostile environment. After staying with friends and graduating from high school, Handel supported herself through night classes at college and entered the job market. Against all odds, Handel worked for some of the most prestigious companies including CIBA Vision (http://www.cibavision.com/favicon.ico) and the accounting firm KPMG (http://www.kpmg.com/favicon.ico).
Through her struggles, she has made creating opportunities to succeed one of her top priorities in her campaign mainly through education. Handel stated that education “needs to be driving our thinking.” She also stated that the teacher to administration ratio needs to be less to include more teachers and have less administration. According to a campaign flier, Handel also wishes to expand the number of charter schools, expand virtual learning, and “embracing our teachers as partners in solving the issues.”
“Furlows (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_furlow_day_in_the_work_place) have to stop,” exclaimed Handel. She feels that they waste money, and reducing is her key stance for the Georgia government. This means a reduction in the state budget. Through the reduction of administrative services and other areas, she plans on saving Georgia taxpayers millions of dollars. “We need to fundamentally change what we’re doing and how we’re doing it.”
Handel claims that she was always a business person first before a politician. Even today, she values the lessons learned and acquired while working at such companies. When she worked as Chairman of the Fulton County Commission, she was well under represented as a Republican. But as she stated before with her “can do” attitude, she rarely lets things get in her way. As former Georgia Secretary of State, she discovered that the finance investor was embezzling copious amounts of money, but managed to keep the organization out of bankruptcy and back on track in a brief 2 years through campaigns and fundraising. Handel was also the CEO of North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. Her involvement in these positions has led many to agree that she is “a strong, passionate, experienced candidate for bettering our state,” according to Matt Baker, the introductory speaker at the event.
Handel would describe her governing style as “extremely open-door.” She stated that being honest and candid are key while the worst in being disingenuous. Communication is also a vital factor in efficient governing. When asked about her leadership style, Handel responded saying, “We have lost sight of problem solving in the state.” She claimed that Georgia needs to change considerably to ensure progress and modification, and she plans to lead the state in doing so.
“The next governor is going to have significant challenges,” proclaimed Handel. She included that Georgia needs a governor “with rock-solid principles” who is “a real leader and a tenacious problem solver.” So, in the words of Republican candidate for Georgia State Governor, “Bring it on!”
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2 comments:
I couldn't figure out how to get my links to copy properly from Word to the blog so that it didn't post the whole link and just highlighted the name.
Yes, the links are kind of messed up. In terms of the substance of the story, some of the background you have near the top of the story could be moved down later.
Like many of the other stories on here, audience reaction is needed and would greatly improve this article. The audience reaction could also help balance out the story. It's a bit one-sided toward Handel. Who else is running for governor? At least mention them here. Put in context. Why was she speaking here? etc.
Good job getting quotes and summarizing the speech. Overall, a solid effort.
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