I was surprised to find Congressman Tom Price’s photo with the lead story on the front page of the Marietta Daily Journal (MDJ) today (June 1).  The paper made no mention of his failure to show up at the earlier LWVGA/GALEO forum that same night.

Tom Price had earlier agreed to appear at the forum sponsored by the League of Women’s Voters of Georgia and the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials at 6:30 PM last night (May 31st) at Marietta City Hall. He had promised to appear with both our Democratic candidate Steve Sinton and his Republican Primary opponent, John Konop to discuss the critical issues now facing Congress and the 6th District. This forum had been coordinated and scheduled with Price’s staff. In fact, the scheduling of the forum had been adjusted to accommodate Price’s busy schedule.

But, at the appointed hour, Price failed to appear. Instead, he sent his campaign director Debbie DeLong to deliver his letter of apology. She read his statement to the nearly 200 assembled that he was across the county attending a meeting with a “veterans group.” From the photo on the front page of the MDJ's June 1st issue, it seems this was a LIE! He instead had elected to appear at the East Cobb Civic Association forum where he knew his opponents would not be there to face him. Not only is he a liar, but a bad one as well. His photo on the front page is proof of that. If he had wanted to cover up his lie, he should have lain low and not appeared at either event. But, no. He couldn’t resist the temptation. So he went to the Republican love fest at Mountain View Community Center instead, giving proof to his lie.

So now we know his is a liar. But a coward? How else do you explain the fact that he ducked out just before Sinton and Konop arrived at the Mountain View forum after rushing over from the debate where Price had promised to appear? Where was Price going? To meet with another “veterans group across the county?” I’m sure his campaign staff will try to spin this in one way or another. I can hear it now. “The veterans group event ended early, so I went to the community center forum instead.” Or, “The dog ate my directions to Marietta City Hall.” But we are not fools. Tom Price, your constituents are on to your lying, cowardice, and incompetence. Your time in Congress is just about up.  Time to get back to your medical practice.

Contact Sander Bellman