BISHOP -- Political candidates nearly outnumbered their constituents Tuesday at a community potluck dinner in this small Oconee County town.
Then again, it's not hard to outnumber the residents of Bishop, with a population less than 200.
But despite its size, Bishop's twice-annual "town supper" -- held every year since 1988 -- packs some political clout, especially during election years, when candidates for local, state and national offices flock to the town's community center for an old-fashion meet-and-greet with voters.
The tone was always civil, if not always nice, in the case of the two Republicans who will meet each other in the July 15 GOP primary for the 10th Congressional District seat.
State Rep. Barry Fleming, the Harlem Republican challenging U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, traded jabs with Dr. Broun's wife, Niki, over Dr. Broun's recent comment that Social Security is unconstitutional and his recent vote against a bill to increase small business assistance for veterans.
Mr. Fleming said Dr. Broun's comments on Social Security don't gel with his recent actions to reform the program.
"If you do need to reform it, you don't start out saying it's unconstitutional," Mr. Fleming said.
Niki Broun countered that her husband did say that Social Security is unconstitutional, but he won't act on that belief because "we have to keep our promises."
She also pointed out that, unlike Mr. Fleming, Dr. Broun served in the military and "is not going to vote against veterans."
The Brouns live in Oconee County, but the congressman is in Washington during the week, his wife said.






