What They’re Saying: Kemp’s “Unacceptable” Pick Ignites a “Bitter,” “Tumultuous” “Fiasco”

Expected Appointment of “Political Mega-Donor” Kelly Loeffler Risks “All-Out Republican Feud on Next Year’s Ballot”

Governor Brian Kemp’s expected appointment of a political “mega-donor” may have earned Mitch McConnell’s seal of approval but has ignited a firestorm from conservatives who have wasted no time in slamming Loeffler as  “unacceptable,” “the wrong choice,” and “disqualified.” 

Kelly Loeffler is best known for giving millions to politicians — including thousands of dollars to Kemp — and is now facing growing scrutiny from activists in state suspicious of her level of support for President Trump, affiliation with Stacey Abrams and stance on policy. 

Here’s what they’re saying about the “all-out Republican feud” Loeffler’s expected appointment has sparked:

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Loeffler has been targeted by conservative activists who have scrutinized her degree of support for Trump”

• 11Alive: Who is Kelly Loeffler? The political mega-donor
  “A number of political insiders have said that Trump would prefer to have Collins in the Senate and has been very vocal about the matter.

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Greg Bluestein: 

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Jolt: Sean Hannity urges followers to deluge Brian Kemp over U.S. Senate choice

• NPR: Georgia Governor Sparks Fight With Trump Allies Over Senate Appointment

• Associated Press: “By picking Loeffler, Kemp might have set up a bitter GOP clash over the seat, as Collins has publicly left open the door to running against her next year.”

• Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Stephen Fowler:

• Georgia Public Broadcasting: Political Rewind: Tumultuous Storm Gathers Over Isakson Seat

• Washington Post: Georgia governor’s pick for Senate seat could set up potential clash with Trump

• WABE: “The reported choice, which is set to be officially announced Wednesday, comes despite strong pushback against Kemp and Loeffler herself”

• Wall Street Journal: “Mr. Collins’s entry could split the Republican vote and aid a Democratic candidate in a state long dominated by the GOP.”

• CBS News: “Loeffler has emerged as Kemp’s choice amid public pressure on the governor to appoint Republican Congressman Doug Collins… But in choosing Loeffler, Kemp is signaling concern that his party is struggling to maintain the support of women”

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Collins told the AJC two weeks ago that he’s ‘strongly’ considering a run for the seat if he’s not appointed. Trump has directly pressed Kemp to appoint Collins at least three times, including a secretive meeting in Washington last week that involved Loeffler.”

• POLITICO: The choice could face serious backlash from conservatives. President Donald Trump has told Kemp he favors GOP Rep. Doug Collins, a staunch ally and the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, for the appointment.

• Roll Call: Gov. Brian Kemp has chosen Kelly Loeffler, but Rep. Doug Collins may run anyway

• 11Alive: Tea Party founder: Gov. Kemp’s U.S. Senate choice is a ‘fiasco’

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Kemp plans to tap Loeffler to the seat instead of Collins, despite intense pressure from Trump and many of his top allies”

• Fox News: “there could be political consequences if Kemp decides not to choose President Trump’s reported favorite for the state’s expected U.S. Senate vacancy.”

• POLITICO: Georgia governor faces heat from right over woman he favors for Senate vacancy

• Talk Radio Host Mark Levin: 

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “tapping Loeffler could be… tricky. Collins has amassed a legion of grassroots supporters who have flooded social media with messages of support – and Kemp’s office with phone calls and letters urging him to back the four-term congressman.”

• Wall Street Journal: Georgia Governor, Trump Appear at Odds Over Senate Pick

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Collins, a four-term congressman who is one of Trump’s most vocal defenders, has fueled the push for his appointment by threatening to run even if he’s not tapped for the job, a move that could trigger a nasty Republican rift in an election year.”

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: In secretive trip, Georgia governor tried to sell Trump on Senate pick 

• Tea Party Patriots Founder Jenny Beth Martin: 

• Washington Examiner: Opinion: Conservatives warn of ‘setback’ if WNBA owner put in Georgia Senate seat

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “a dramatic increase in pressure from Collins’ allies… raises the possibility of a bitter Republican clash over the race.”

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