Congressional numbers fight

So, which is more valuable: Money or time?

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In the past couple of weeks, the two (so far) Republican contenders for the 10th District U.S. House seat - incumbent Paul Broun and challenger Barry Fleming - have released statements about their status.

Fleming brags about money. Broun boasts about time.

How? Well, Fleming's statement points out that he has already raised more than half a million dollars to prepare for a run against Broun. Meanwhile, thefreshman incumbent sends out a statement quantifying the amount of time he's spent traveling the district.

Fleming says the money shows how much support he's received in the 10th District; Broun contends that his announcement, complete with an Excel worksheet detailing nearly 100 locations he's visited since he's been in office, demonstrates his commitment to serving the entire district.

So, which is more valuable - Fleming's money, or Broun's time?

It all depends on the exchange rate - as in how that money or time can be exchanged for votes in the Republican primary on July 15.

Time to vote early

Speaking of primaries, early voting for Georgia's Presidential Preference Primary begins Monday.

I. Can. Hardly. Wait.

Because the national media assure me there should be an electoral frenzy, I'm sure something is wrong if none of the candidates excite me in the least.

Actually, a friend of mine - I won't give you his name, because Gene Sullivan would probably be embarassed - sent me a diagnosis. It seems I'm suffering from something called "electile disfunction," which is an inability to be aroused by any of the candidates.

Why? Well, the Democrats seem to be fighting over which one can do more to advance the cause of socialism; the Republicans aren't consistent enough to advance anything, least of all conservatism.

One guy who was at least a little aligned with my way of thinking without acting like a raving lunatic was Duncan Hunter, a Republican California congressman. I first gave him a look when one of those online match-your-views-to-the-candidates quizzes put us in agreement on most issues.

But then Hunter dropped out. Ah, well. He'll still be on the ballot in Georgia, so maybe I'll vote for him anyway. A wasted vote at least can't be any worse than some of the alternatives.

Preston Blanchard

And then there were three.

John Pierce Blanchard, an educational icon of Columbia County, had five sons - the visual alliteration of Pierce Jr., Pat, Preston, Phil and Perry.

Perry died several years ago. Preston passed away last week. The other brothers, and their father's legacy, lives on.

Preston's role in carrying on that legacy was, in part, through his business support of the Columbia County schools through Carter-Blanchard Office Supply.

But it was also through his service, 30 years ago, as editor and publisher of this newspaper. Back when the Blanchard family owned The News-Times, Preston ran the publication for seven years before going into the office supply business.

Even so, Preston was much less a public figure than his older banker brothers. The caption of a newspaper photo last year even misidentified him as Pierce - a slight that Preston didn't complain about, though his older brother lamented the missed opportunity for recognition.

Preston's final months were spent in a struggle with cancer; ultimately, as it often does, cancer won the battle - but it can't win the war for eternity.

As a result, I'm sure Preston's reunion with his dad and brother is a joyful one.

(Barry L. Paschal is publisher of The Columbia County News-Times. E-mail comments to barry.paschal@newstimesonline.com.)