GA Gubernatorial debate review, Part two

<p>Still more to digest from the (likely only) Georgia gubernatorial debate broadcast across the state Tuesday night. There&#39;s (at least) <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ola.the.creative/video/7693974347387620621" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>nine lies or distortions from Rick Jackson&#39;s lips to dissect</strong></a>, and whether it&#39;s telling supporters Brian Kemp will use the National Guard at polling places (<a href="https://www.ajc.com/politics/2026/08/georgia-election-rick-jackson-suggests-brian-kemp-will-use-national-guard/?gift_article_code=eExoeHRTd1pfNkxzMjVLUTZqcDExOVE1Y2tFbnVPcE5Yd1NRYUhnTDRqazoxNzk0MDU3MTMyOjY5ZjBhOTM5ZjgzZTE4ZmQ&utm_campaign=articlegifting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>at a Jackson rally, August 13th</strong></a>) or each candidate&#39;s roles in current or <a href="https://www.ajc.com/politics/2026/09/why-a-texas-data-center-project-is-roiling-georgias-race-for-governor/?gift_article_code=aDJsSUxTMzRHU085V0c0SlRRNTl0ZmUwT2gwMTlrbGYwaldpN3pKWmpHSToxNzkzNzE5MzExOjBiM2EzMDFjYjViMWI3MmU&utm_campaign=articlegifting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>future data centers</strong></a>, there was plenty of fodder for campaign staffers and surrogates to take to their various forms of social media to either further distort or make clear facts vs fiction.</p><p>Then there&#39;s crime - and how to address it. Jackson&#39;s tens of millions in ad dollars have done their dead-level best to portray Atlanta - when Bottoms was mayor - as ablaze and in the throes of record-setting lawlessness. But <a href="https://www.ajc.com/politics/2026/09/why-a-texas-data-center-project-is-roiling-georgias-race-for-governor/?gift_article_code=aDJsSUxTMzRHU085V0c0SlRRNTl0ZmUwT2gwMTlrbGYwaldpN3pKWmpHSToxNzkzNzE5MzExOjBiM2EzMDFjYjViMWI3MmU&utm_campaign=articlegifting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>the data is actually mixed</strong></a>, and even then, as most sensible people can assert, the situation was as unique as could be. Spikes in crime were also occurring in most states and in most cities of size, then, too, and we gave that President a second crack at politics, no?</p>