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In Ga. Senate race, crying babies rule TV ad wars

By WTOP Staff

CHRISTINA A. CASSIDY
Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Baby, you’re a star in Georgia politics.

Three candidates in the state’s rollicking GOP primary race for an open Senate seat have aired television ads featuring crying infants as the campaign cacophony rises over taxes, who’s the most conservative and more ahead of Tuesday’s nationally-watched primary.

Leading the way is former Dollar General CEO David Perdue, who aired the first ad depicting his opponents, some of whom are members of Congress, as crying, fidgeting infants. A baby wearing pearls represented former secretary of state Karen Handel, the only woman in the race. Another baby wore glasses like Rep. Jack Kingston, and two more sported stethoscopes. Reps. Paul Broun and Phil Gingrey, also GOP contenders, are doctors.

“If these politicians had any understanding of the free enterprise system and knew how to make a difference, wouldn’t they have done it already?” Perdue says in the ad, which flashes an image of hundreds of babies on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol. “Help me change the childish behavior up there. If we want different results in Washington, we have to send a different type of person to Washington.”

Gingrey responded with an ad that opens with what appears to be the babies from Perdue’s spot. But Gingrey quickly pauses it and says, “Clever. But you deserve better than politics as usual.”

Kingston also chimed in, portraying Perdue as the child.

“Meet Davey Perdue,” the narrator says as the ad opens on a crying toddler who later covers himself in cake. “He’s been distracting you with babies, but he’s the one who’s made a mess.”

The race is among a dozen with national implications as Democrats look to hold off Republicans who could take control of the Senate. Republicans need to gain just six seats to claim a majority and can’t afford to lose the one in Georgia. Democrat Michelle Nunn is likely to advance in her primary, and the daughter of former Sen. Sam Nunn has proved to be a formidable fundraiser.

Perdue’s ad, which started airing before the other candidates were on television, helped vault Perdue to the top of the crowded Republican primary field, tapping into Congress’ low public approval ratings by portraying his opponents as career politicians with a combined 63 years in elected office. Before the ad, Perdue was perhaps best known as the cousin of former Gov. Sonny Perdue.

The architect of the ad is well known Republican media strategist Fred Davis, who has advised presidential campaigns and is known for pushing the envelope. The crying babies ad was typical Davis: over-the-top, provocative and a conversation starter.

One of his most memorable spots came during the 2008 presidential race, when he was working for Arizona Sen. John McCain. The “Celebrity” ad likened Barack Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, calling the then-senator from Illinois “the biggest celebrity in the world.” It currently has 2.4 million views and is frequently cited as one of Davis’ signature contributions to politics.

Another classic was an ad for Perdue’s cousin in the 2002 Georgia governor’s race, in which the sitting governor, Democrat Roy Barnes, was depicted as “King Roy,” a giant rat with a gold crown stomping across the state. The ad was credited with helping Sonny Perdue win, the first time a Republican was elected governor in Georgia since Reconstruction.

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Follow Christina Almeida Cassidy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Christina.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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