Cagle and Kemp Play the Blame Game in Bloody Runoff

Long, Ugly Runoff Already Unnerving Many Republicans

Just how worried are Republicans about the runoff between Sec. of State Brian Kemp and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle?
It’s been a little over a week, and the only thing the candidates can agree on is that the runoff is bad news for both of them.
Cagle and Kemp are now fighting over whose fault it is that the race is so long. Kemp instituted a longer runoff period as Secretary of State – with the support of Gov. Nathan Deal. But, despite previously support, Cagle had no problem attacking Kemp for putting Republicans through the longer runoff.
Republicans are reportedly “unnerved” by the prospect of a drawn out fight, and based on the early attacks, it’s clear they have good reason to be.
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution report:

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp have scrapped over gun rights, immigration crackdowns and which candidate for governor is the most effective conservative. Now they are adding blame for the state’s nine-week runoff to their lengthy list.
 …The prospect of a drawn-out July 24 GOP runoff between Cagle and Kemp – while Democrat Stacey Abrams works to unify her party and focus on the November vote – has unnerved many Republicans. Which is likely why Cagle invoked the issue in one of his sharpest post-primary attacks against Kemp.

As the story notes, these two seem happy to fight about everything, and have no problem subjecting Georgia voters to their bickering. Just check out the attack launched by Cagle today, calling Kemp “incompetent” and “untrustworthy.” With friends like that, who needs enemies? The only thing these two can agree on is that this runoff is going to get a lot uglier from here.
Meanwhile, Stacey Abrams has sky-high approval ratings, a unified party behind her, and an early lead in head-to-head matchups against both candidates.  Democrats are focused on winning in November.
“It’s going to be an ugly, bloody two months for Casey Cagle and Brian Kemp in this runoff, and that’s bad news for Georgia Republicans,” said DGA Spokesman Alex Japko. “Cagle and Kemp are more than willing to tear each other down with petty attacks and nasty campaigning, and it’s going to hurt whoever eventually makes it out of the primary. On the other side, Stacey Abrams has an energized Democratic Party united behind her, and is ready to win in November.”