Barnes: I made mistakes, ready to move forward
Former Gov. Roy Barnes, in announcing his return to electoral politics, said Wednesday he made mistakes in his first term, but that he has learned from those days.
Now, he said, he’s ready for another shot.
“When I was governor before, I didn’t do enough listening,” Barnes said from a small stage in a packed meeting room at the Hilton conference center and hotel in Marietta. “I realize I was impatient and I had an aggressive agenda. I didn’t take time to explain why I thought certain issues were important or time-sensitive and critical to make a Georgia that could be instead of a Georgia that was.
“But, let me tell you, my momma told me I was the hardest-headed kid God put on the face of the Earth. And momma was always right. But I did learn from those experiences and from those mistakes and I learned also from my successes.”
Barnes said he called the three other Democrats already seeking the party’s nomination Wednesday morning.
“They’re all good folks,” Barnes said. “This is who has the training and the experience and the vision to do what we need to do right now.”
Barnes said he believes the obstacles that blocked his path to re-election in 2002 have been, or will be, minimized. The teachers who were angry at him over his plans for increased accountability or loss of tenure have come to work and thrive in just those environments, thanks to federal and state programs like No Child Left Behind, Barnes said.
And as for the battle over the state flag, where Confederate heritage supporters turned on him over his support for a compromise that included a reduced rebel emblem, Barnes said there are more important issues at hand.
Barnes reached for the current Georgia flag, standing behind him.
“This flag is fine with me,” Barnes said, and turned toward the U.S. flag. “But there’s one flag I like even better and it’s this one right here. And for all those who say we ought to secede from the Union and we ought to start our own nation, that’s about what drove me into this race.”
On the issues, Barnes said transportation and education top the list. First priority, he said, is to stop the bleeding in education but to immediately get to work on solving transportation. Water and the future of the resource for the growth of the region is also a top need.
Barnes showed the fire that helped him go from country lawyer to state lawmaker to governor (and back to country lawyer). When told that some Republicans appear to lying in wait for him, ready to re-fight the battles of the 2002 campaign, Barnes came close to borrowing Republican Karen Handel’s new slogan: “Bring it on.”
“I’ve been cussed by experts for 30 years,” Barnes said. “And some of these folks are just rank amateurs.”
Barnes said he hopes the race is on a higher plane, that issues rule the day. But Handel’s campaign has already taken a shot at Barnes, referencing the “rat” video that helped sink him in 2002.
“Have we got to this, that we can’t talk about water and transportation and education?” Barnes said Wednesday. “The only way you know to run a race is to call somebody names and dress them up in rat suits? Do you think the people of Georgia are so less informed that they don’t have enough sense? I believe they do.
“My mistake before was I should have called them on it. This is about the future. It’s not about that. If they want to rehash things, fine. I’ll talk about specific things to solve the problems that affect them every day.
“Let them do what they want to do on petty politics.”
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183 comments Add your comment
EVL
June 3rd, 2009
2:52 pm
Welcome back Governor, Welcome back!!
CPP
June 3rd, 2009
3:02 pm
I agree wholeheartedly, Welcome back, Governer!!
Fergit, Hell!
June 3rd, 2009
3:05 pm
KKKaren don’t need no college degree! She’ll just call him a rat!
Mickey
June 3rd, 2009
3:07 pm
Rat
Lucy
June 3rd, 2009
3:07 pm
Ditto! Welcome back governor, welcome back!
Sheryl
June 3rd, 2009
3:08 pm
We missed you Roy!
Lucas
June 3rd, 2009
3:09 pm
Barnes is good for business.
Cobb EMC Member
June 3rd, 2009
3:10 pm
How could Barnes possibly expect any Cobb EMC members to vote for him? He has chosen to represent none other than Cobb EMC CEO Dwight Brown in the criminal investigation of Brown by the Cobb Prosecuting Attorney. The fraud perpetrated by Brown and his cronies is pretty well know statewide. When money is more important than morals and priciples, voters tend to get turned off. Choosing to stand in support of Brown is a huge mistake that will cost dearly at the polls. Barnes will do worse in the Primary than Cobb’s Bill Byrne did when he ran for Governor. In Cobb County, Barnes may as well have defended OJ Simpson!
Reverie
June 3rd, 2009
3:11 pm
Like we really need ANOTHER lawyer in politics. Roy, we ran you out of office not because of the flag, but because you never met a liberal policy you didn’t support. The last thing we need in this state is another professional politician.
jt
June 3rd, 2009
3:12 pm
barf
DanDawg
June 3rd, 2009
3:12 pm
The status quo has got to go! We need true leadership and problem-solving more than ever. The status quo has got to go!
12Gauge
June 3rd, 2009
3:13 pm
Fool me once, shame on you, Fool me twice, shame on me…..
I’ve known you for many years in Cobb Co…even run into you when you go shopping with your wife…but the way you changed once in office tells me that I cannot support you in any political office. Good Luck but don’t expect a different outcome from that last election.
SB
Ab
June 3rd, 2009
3:13 pm
Run Roy Roy!!!!We need you.
Fred
June 3rd, 2009
3:13 pm
You would not listen then and you will not listen now. Trying to SAVE us from video poker machines,when gambling is legal as long as you do it with the state. How many jobs did that did that stupid law cost the state?
And since you brought up that flag let just say that it might not mean much to the people of Atlanta but it does to the rest of the state. The people that have ancesters in the ground fighting for that lost cause. Thats the people who’s vote you need. AND THEY DON’T FORGET.
Welcome back Governor my butt.
Reverie
June 3rd, 2009
3:14 pm
Cobb EMC Member, you are a gutless moron. Comparing Dwight Brown with OJ Simpson proves you are an idiot. The civil case was THROWN OUT OF COURT, not on a technicality but on it’s merits (or lack of). The greed of the nine people behind this lawsuit is well recognized and the desperation of those greedy and pompous blowhards was sickening to watch.
Turd Ferguson
June 3rd, 2009
3:15 pm
I salute you Roy with a Welcome back *POOT*
jdawg
June 3rd, 2009
3:17 pm
There were 22 votes in our family against Barnes, all teacher oriented and they will remain the same…I said many, many times..the silent voter north of the Macon line and south did not vote for him because the state flag was changed over a weekend in Atlanta…and he has a new home now…maybe he can enjoy the pictures that we saw a few weeks ago on the AJC….jdawg
Bill
June 3rd, 2009
3:20 pm
Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. Come on folks be smarter than this.
Volgrad
June 3rd, 2009
3:20 pm
Who wrote this article? Read this …”On the issues, Barnes said transportation and education top the list. First priority, he said, is to stop the bleeding in education but to immediately get to work on solving transportation. Water and the future of the resource for the growth of the region is also a top need.” … then tell me if this is a series of complete thoughts. Good grief. I guess someone was in a rush to make a deadline or was worried about getting scooped.
Jack
June 3rd, 2009
3:21 pm
I will GLADLY vote for Roy Barnes for Governor . Georgia has the HIGHEST unemployment EVER right now after 8 years of these clowns. Georgia leads the nation in unemployment,crime and uneducated people.
Sonny Perdue and the other stooges have destroyed our beloved state in 8 short years.Time to go back to democrat voting.
Eric P.
June 3rd, 2009
3:21 pm
What we need is a leader with a vision for the future. Welcome back, Governor Barnes! Your policies are thoughtful, insightful and progressive. Make it happen! We support creative solutions.
brenda
June 3rd, 2009
3:21 pm
Happy to see you in the race Barnes. You will certainly get my vote!
DannyX
June 3rd, 2009
3:23 pm
What’s not to like? The past 6 years have been just peachy!
If you ignore the petty fighting between Richardson and Cagle. The financial shenanigans of “ethics reformer” Gov Sonny Perdue. The ridiculous refusal to tackle our transportation issues. The soap opera DOT. The complete lack of leadership from our Governor. The stupid Tennessee border dispute. The helicopter rides and flashing red lights. The Insurance payola. Pray for Rain. No Sunday alcohol sales. Georgia Power give away. End of homeowner exemption in exchange for corporate tax giveaways.
If Karen or any other Republican candidate think they can run solely on the rat issue I think they will find themselves caught in one big trap.
Gary C.
June 3rd, 2009
3:24 pm
You’re right, Roy. The flag is a non-issue, but only because Sonny Purdue had the guts to take a stand and do away with that atrocious, typical Democrat effort to please everyone that you brought us.
And, again, you’re right when you talk of the importance of education and the success of “No Child Left Behind”. Oh, don’t forget to tell the good people of Georgia (in your best country drawl) that it was the evil Bush administration that brought that program to the nation.
holly
June 3rd, 2009
3:25 pm
welcome back
hopefully we can put the good ole boys network to rest finally
Rule .303
June 3rd, 2009
3:25 pm
Country lawyer my ass! I was sued by the Barnes group. His client, was pumping gas and my Uhaul nicked the car’s bumper. He sued my insurer for head and neck injury even though he was not in the car and I wasn’t going more than 5mph. The case was later dropped…lol
Ms. Gwinnett
June 3rd, 2009
3:25 pm
I will vote for Barnes and work to get the Gwinnett vote out for him in strong numbers.
The Democrats must look for a strong candidate for the 2010 US Senate race against Johnny Issakson. Also, if Thurmond and Baker leave their statewide offices (Labor Commissioner and Attorney General) the Democrats must have strong replacement candidates and work on getting the Secretary of State office back in the Democratic column too.
There are enough young/new voters, people of color, and progressives to make Georgia a “BLUE” state in 2010 and in the 2012 presidential election. Gwinnett will also have its first Democratic Commissioner in 2010, too.
Bob
June 3rd, 2009
3:26 pm
Great, another old white guy running for office.
Jones
June 3rd, 2009
3:26 pm
Roy Barnes is an arrogant tool.
kidd huff
June 3rd, 2009
3:26 pm
Don’t fear Roy, fear the other idiots under the “Gold Dome”
TIMinSUGARHILL
June 3rd, 2009
3:28 pm
terrific……..now I have to go back to worrying whether or not the proposed outer perimeter is going to run through my backyard (literally)
History
June 3rd, 2009
3:28 pm
Wasn’t it Barnes who said that “children die everyday” when he was trying to defend Jim Martin’s (and his) mishandling of DHR?
Gwinnett Parent
June 3rd, 2009
3:29 pm
MS. Gwinnett,
I am right behind you in Gwinnett. Add to that, a first Democrat on the school board.
Ron N' Mexico
June 3rd, 2009
3:29 pm
The flag flap will never be behind him in my eyes, this douche bag should stick to being what he does best, a lieing crook of a lawyer.
J.D.
June 3rd, 2009
3:31 pm
Sorry Roy… it doesn’t work that way. You don’t ignore the voters and then simply say you’ve learned your lesson and now you’re ready to come back. The proverbial ice-cube in Hades has a better chance at surviving than you being elected again.
Nomore Barnes
June 3rd, 2009
3:33 pm
Go away…..we already got rid of you once!! You had your chance and blew it, now your back again saying your a reformed man? Go back to being a Country Lawyer and leave the law making to the professionals!!
Mark
June 3rd, 2009
3:34 pm
Hmm. Water’s an important issue? What did you do about that the last time you were in office, Roy?
Rgs
June 3rd, 2009
3:34 pm
Roy the Boy!!! My wife is a retired teacher that runs a retired teacher organization and when she heard that “King Roy” was running, she has already begun campaigning against him. Good Luck with the teacher vote!!!
Stephen
June 3rd, 2009
3:37 pm
If it is not Roy Barnes, whoever is elected the next Governor of Georgia needs to be a FORWARD THINKING person that is prepared to lead and get things accomplished instead of just another GOOD ‘OL BOY occupying the title of Governor. We’ve been there and done that way too many times recently (Perdue/Cagle/Murphy), so I am hoping that the citizens of Georgia will move forward in the next elections.
The Georgia state legislature and the metro county elected officials need new progressive people who will put the needs of the people and the metro region above their own personal gains and quest for power. As an example, having all these separate county bus systems in the metro area is not effective and just outright stupid. It is a shame what happened during this last state legislative session in terms of what they ACTUALLY accomplished (not the spin that they spouted to the media when it ended).
PEOPLE..we can do better than the people that are currently in charge!!!!
Jeff
June 3rd, 2009
3:38 pm
Reverie–So Roy is a bit more liberal than is Perdue. So what? At least the state of Georgia was thriving back in the days of Barnes’ leadership. Look at what has happened during Perdue’s leadership. If ever there is a reason to call conservatives to the carpet for being pro-economy, just look at our state and country in present day 2009. Conservative rule has run our economy into the ground, while at the same time providing bailouts to the corporate cronies that helped get us into this mess in the first place, increasing unemployment and exploding welfare rolls. Most of these arguments are what conservatives have used against liberals for years (favor welfare, bad tax policy that creates a weak economy, blah, blah, blah). Those arguments are all crap, and conservatives know it. That doesn’t mean Georgia will re-elect a Democrat for Governor next year (Lord knows it takes GA a few extra years to wake up and see what is happening around them than it does most states…just look at the lack of ability to buy beer and wine on the “Lord’s Day”). How pathetic! At the end of the day, Georgia was much more prosperous during Barnes’ years than we could have ever hoped to be during Perdue’s. Will the people of Georgia realize it? We’ll see.
Sandy
June 3rd, 2009
3:38 pm
Roy your attitude as Kong Rat gave us the failure called Sonny and his crowd.You are doing the Dems a disservice by running. You couldn’t solve transportation or education the first time.
BehindEnemyLines
June 3rd, 2009
3:39 pm
Quite possibly the sorriest piece of human waste in the history of Georgia politics, and his treachery concerning the state flag will never be forgotten. He’s a perfect candidate for the Dems.
No more taxes
June 3rd, 2009
3:41 pm
There is no way I want to go back to Roy Barns. He is for big money, big taxes and fits right in with all the other liberals. Hes against schools, and safety.
I am from Texas, state of no sales tax, low corporate taxes and less government intervention. They are not hurting in this recession. If it werent for my employer being here I would not be. I will not support a Roy Barns when we have another candidate that wants to govern like Texas Governs. If you elect Barns look for total back lash and nothing for you. Can you say more corporations will relocate to states like Texas where they have been going for the last 10 years? Yes you can.
I will go with Oxendine who wants to be like Texas and knows where to get the companies and how to relocate them here. He will also do away with state sales tax and lower property and corp taxes. Go John.
Rocky
June 3rd, 2009
3:41 pm
I lived in Florida while Barnes was governor, but he was in our news constantly–as an example of what was wrong with Georgia in general and Democrats in particular. I can’t wait.
Bdawg
June 3rd, 2009
3:42 pm
I think Roy was a good governor, obviously made some mistakes, changing the flag wasn’t one of them. Roy had an agenda and plan for our state, more than I can say for Sonny. I hope the teachers can forgive Roy. Surely they wouldn’t support someone like Karen Handel. I’m telling you this woman will not be good for Georgia. Unfortunately our state is one of like three that is getting more and more Republican. I don’t know Roy’s chances. Hopefully at least Nathan Deal will be the GOP nominee, I think I can live with him.
Jessica
June 3rd, 2009
3:42 pm
What is wrong with everyone? It’s no wonder Georgia keeps getting worse and worse. Why would you vote for the same incompetent loser over and over again? Get rid of all of these moronic politians!!!
Stupid is as stupid does.
June 3rd, 2009
3:43 pm
Have you people who are excited about Barns forgot what he was about. Or did you even live in the state when he was governer. Roy Barns was not good for the people, only big money and his friends. He even took away our right to the Rebel flag. Forget about it being a part of what Georgia is. Good gosh, you really want to go back to that?
JESSICA
June 3rd, 2009
3:43 pm
I’ll support Roy.
JESSICA
June 3rd, 2009
3:44 pm
To stupid is as stupid does:
PERFECT NAME FOR YOU!
JESSICA
June 3rd, 2009
3:46 pm
Excuse me. I have friends who live in Texas (Dallas and Houston) and they are hurting during this economy. My friends have degrees and cannot find jobs. So, don’t tell me Texas isn’t hurting because it is!!!!
Zup
June 3rd, 2009
3:47 pm
Hey Roy,
I’ve been a Democrat for 22 years, and I voted against you in 2002–the first time I’ve ever voted for a Republican. Stop shoving teachers around and remember your base. You lost a lot of teachers’ votes.
EVL
June 3rd, 2009
3:47 pm
all of you teachers were lined up proudly at ERS to protest when the dear Gov. Perdue tried to stop your COLA’s. He still has one more session. You better hold on to your checkbook..that’s not all he will cut. And as far as the flag, Perdue didn’t have any plans to let you vote on the Confederate flag, now did he…How did that work for all of you teachers and flaggers? I don’t think you got what you wanted.
Zup
June 3rd, 2009
3:48 pm
P.S.: Good luck!
EVL
June 3rd, 2009
3:49 pm
And I would bet to apply for 90% of the jobs at Sec of States office you must have some sort of college degree, just not to be the Secretary of State….what’s up with that?
Egbert
June 3rd, 2009
3:50 pm
Roy Barnes = Tom Murphy with hair (albeit really BAD hair), Eugene Talmadge without suspenders, and Joe Frank Harris with a law degree. For those of you new to Georgia, ol’Roy is the worst caricature of the good-old-boy 1950’s Georgia yellow-dog Democratic demagogue that you can imagine. He is a multi-millionaire who claims to be the friend of the working man. Plus, if his challenge to Georgia’s voter ID law had withstood legal scrutiny, how many illegals would have voted in our last statewide election?
Here’s hoping that the voters of this state rise up and crush King Roy’s kingly aspirations, as we did in 2002.
Zup
June 3rd, 2009
3:50 pm
EVL, you’re borderline illiterate.
EVL
June 3rd, 2009
3:52 pm
and you know this how?
GaGo10 – Well, Barnes does get some credit « The Perimeter Progressive
June 3rd, 2009
3:52 pm
[...] – Well, Barnes does get some credit Via Aaron Gould Sheinin at the AJC – And as for the battle over the state flag, where Confederate heritage supporters turned on him [...]
Cobb EMC Member
June 3rd, 2009
3:53 pm
Reverie, nice to hear from a member of the Brown family. You are correct, my apologies to OJ.
EVL
June 3rd, 2009
3:56 pm
I am certainly not illiterate, and everything I say is true. Your teacher wife must really need tenure!!
Jennifer
June 3rd, 2009
3:56 pm
Welcome back, Governor!!
Bryan
June 3rd, 2009
3:56 pm
Sonny Perdue’s 02 victory was a huge mistake, now let’s get Barnes back and get this state going in the right direction again!
ERS
June 3rd, 2009
3:56 pm
Hey Ms. Gwinnett….Take your DEMOCRAP arse back on up north to one of those “BLUE” states, oh yeah, Take Roy with you, we don’t want him.
Honesty
June 3rd, 2009
3:58 pm
What’s on your Sonny Do List?
Sp Ed Teacher
June 3rd, 2009
4:00 pm
A lot of us teachers voted AGAINST Roy and it sure payed off. Just because we are finished for the 2008-2009 school year doesn’t mean we stop thinking about school. I was at that meeting when you bashed us and your wife sat on the stage behind you with tears on her cheeks. She retired as a teacher.
45-42
June 3rd, 2009
4:00 pm
Make Gwinnett blue? LOL. This is a Republican county, not to mention STATE. Good luck with that chick.
ERS
June 3rd, 2009
4:02 pm
Jessica, you asked “Why would you vote for the same incompetent loser” we didn’t, that is the reason King Roy was put out of office !!
County Commissioner Jim
June 3rd, 2009
4:03 pm
Guv’ner….Man, I thought I was done for when I bought all that “useless” property on the Northern Arc right of way and ol’ Perdue killed the road. Now that you might be coming back to momma’s house, how about starting that Northern Arc back so me and all my County Commissioner buddies can make a lot of money. You know, you scratch my back, and I’ll get your back (wink-wink)
Mutts-R-Stupid-especially-journalism-majors
June 3rd, 2009
4:04 pm
RoytheCrook gave 100 million medicaid dollars to his out of state lawyer pals for telling Ga medicaid how to cheat the feds on the state cost share. RoytheCrook gave Ga 400 Toll money to his fat cat developer cronies for Atlantic Station. Just say NO to crooks in the Guv’s mansion.
Dr. Craig Spinks /Evans
June 3rd, 2009
4:04 pm
“This is about the future!” Welcome back, Governor!
aps
June 3rd, 2009
4:06 pm
Does anyone remember the Outer Loop and how Barnes and his buddies were all going to benefit from having bought land that just happened to be in the Outer Loop path?
Less-than-fond memories of Barnes’ first-term | Fresh Loaf
June 3rd, 2009
4:09 pm
[...] says he’s learned the importance of humility since his defeat. For the state’s sake, I hope he has. It was his hubris that so much damage [...]
Captain
June 3rd, 2009
4:10 pm
The King of Egos cannot stay away. Sir Roy absolutely MUST be involved in politics, we couldn’t do without him in his mind. His massive ego and arrogance got him beat last time and his association with various Democrat radical groups will bite him this go round. Many of us cannot forget nor understand why Barnes chose to challenge the Voter ID bill in Georgia. Maybe Roy can explain why it is asking too much of a voter to furnish the same identification to vote as that person used to buy their favorite adult beverage at the liquor store, what say you Roy? Some of us will not forget his re-appointment of Don Leebern to the Board of Regents and all the personal issues Leebern and his girlfriend brought along.
johnatl
June 3rd, 2009
4:11 pm
Welcome back, indeed! I have been PRAYING for this day for 8 LONG YEARS. It is time to join the 21st Century, and this is the man that can get us there.
There was a time not so long ago that this State was considered the progressive vanguard of the region. We can regain that status now.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Roy for “coming home.”
I will be willing to go door to door for you!
Rusty
June 3rd, 2009
4:15 pm
I think the “Obama buyer remorse” has killed any chance for a Democrat to get elected for anything,anywhere for a VERY long time. Thank God.
matt
June 3rd, 2009
4:15 pm
2004 was a good year. We are able to vote against John Kerry AND gay marriage in the same election.
In 2010 we get another chance to vote against King Rooooy, thats almost as good …
deezanutz@hotmail.com
June 3rd, 2009
4:19 pm
HELL NAWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!! STAY AT HOME
The Dogfighter Returns
June 3rd, 2009
4:20 pm
Geaorgia and forward do not belong together. Georgia and backwards is appropriate.
Walletman
June 3rd, 2009
4:22 pm
I will now make a point to vote in the upcoming election, to make sure that I place my vote AGAINST Roy. Sorry, it ain’t happening, Roy, we saw what you really were about, which wasn’t the voice of the majority of voters in this state. Dream all you want, Libs, he ain’t coming back….
Carlotta Harrell
June 3rd, 2009
4:22 pm
Finally, Governor Barnes, you are back. We need you and I will support you in every effect possible. Governor Barnes as for those haters let them hate. If you stick to the issues and what change you will bring about that’s what people want to hear. The people of Georgia don’t want to hear all of the attacks like what Karen Handel is doing she just insure and insufficient and has absolutely no class. Roy Barnes for Governor 2010 time for a change.
tc
June 3rd, 2009
4:23 pm
good luck Roy…..in this redneck state you are going to need it.
look at the general assembly eric johnson, casey cagle, romeo, tommy williams….good grief charlie brown
only repub worth a hoot is johnny i. and unfortunately, i think DC has changed him none for the better
then there is sonny (photo op) perdue what a waste….his wife should’ve been gov
between national and state repubs (bush/cheney and perdue) GA is in deep ….
roy can’t turn it around over nite, but his mind, vision and experience far exceeds any other gubnatorial candidate
Jeff
June 3rd, 2009
4:23 pm
Rusty—”Obama Buyer Remorse”? What are you smoking? Have you seen his favorable ratings lately? Mid to high 60s. Thank God we have a president with a mind that can think and talk and act intelligently. He has more on his plate than “W” ever had at any one time, and he is managing it brilliantly. You may not agree with his policies, per se. I certainly don’t agree with all of them, but I am thrilled to have a leader in that office once again that has command of his responsibilities and is trying like hell to repair the damage from the previous 8 years. I give him an A- to date.
John
June 3rd, 2009
4:25 pm
If Georgians have any intelligence or care about our state at all, they will vote for and get behind Roy Barnes.
Jeff
June 3rd, 2009
4:26 pm
Matt—You’re still obsessing over John Kerry and gay marriage. The perfect example of “backwards”. You’re republican, right?
JJ
June 3rd, 2009
4:26 pm
Same Barnes that tried to sign a over a huge technology contract – admitting that is saved the state no money – to WORLDCOM (remember them everyone)????
I think not.
Keep you day job, Barnes.
the evil rich
June 3rd, 2009
4:29 pm
Can you say retread, or is that retard?
12Gauge
June 3rd, 2009
4:30 pm
Progressive….a fine word that’s been usurped by those that want to take what you have and give to those that don’t…..equal playing fields….not exactly……because those that need don’t always deserve to be given the sweat of other people’s hard work. Some people expect those that have to share everything and they insure you will by having the government dig deeper into the Have’s pockets and distributing it to everyone else. Roy & his cronies are just Socialists in Sheep’s clothing….just like the Demandocrats in Washington.
Americans are the largest donors of financial & food support for the needy anywhere in the world, but it’s all voluntary. With our “change” government in Washington and what is Roy is proposing will take away the “voluntary” and make it mandatory.
SB
Mike
June 3rd, 2009
4:30 pm
It is great to have a candidate with brains who cares about this state!
It will be great to see Curly, Perdue , the stooge go home. Or does he still have a home? Sounds like he has dug himself and this state in a deep hole!
Dave
June 3rd, 2009
4:31 pm
Anyone else noticed how Karen Handel has changed to SOS website to match her campaign colors? The template lettering used to be blue and red, but now it’s blue and green. Pitiful.
raymond
June 3rd, 2009
4:32 pm
Not hardly!
Washington may have just weighed in on Georgia’s Democratic race for governor | Political Insider
June 3rd, 2009
4:33 pm
[...] We’ll pick through Roy Barnes press conference later — my AJC colleague Aaron Gould Sheinin already has an extensive account up at Gold Dome Live. [...]
Saving Georgia from Roy Barnes
June 3rd, 2009
4:34 pm
Roy Barnes, -You were so awful as governor that the people of Georgia elected a joke like Sonny Perdue. You are a total loser sir. There are plenty of good people that could lead Georgia…and Georgia will good leadership to survive the wreckage that Robert Mugabe-lite up in the Whitehouse will leave behind.
County Commissioner Jim's Very Close Friend
June 3rd, 2009
4:35 pm
Woohoo…were in the money now…..http://assets.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2002/05/20/story3.html?q=%20northern%20arc%20%20ownership. YeeHaw!!
Dwayne Waddelton(DWade)
June 3rd, 2009
4:36 pm
Some of you are saying Roy got voted out because of the flag but Sonny got voted in because he said he would change it back and look what your republican go fish buddy did to all of you(Are you o k from picking your jaw up off of the ground after he slapped the taste out of your mouths)
Mark
June 3rd, 2009
4:38 pm
And why should we vote for him again? And what did he do the first term to deserve a second chance. He supported Obama/Biden ticket so no thanks Roy. His aristocratic attitude will come out again.
joe democrat
June 3rd, 2009
4:47 pm
Finally someone who may put back in place the austerity cuts that our current govenor dosent feel is important to run a school system. I sit on a board of education,our current govenor and the republican party have cut us over 3 million dollars in his term. They try to force us to tax our citizens with milage rate increases to make up for thier cuts in school funding. I guess they send thier children to rich private schools. I voted for sonny (shame on me) I will be for Roy THIS TIME!!!!
House Bill 277
June 3rd, 2009
4:49 pm
Heck Commissioner, you are late to the party….we dun got her started..http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2009/02/03/georgia_roads_bill.html..Now, all ol Barnes has to do is to grease the skids, and we’re all making money!!!
12Gauge
June 3rd, 2009
4:49 pm
Why is it that everyone concentrates on the Governor or President…the fact that there are successes or failures in Government rests equally with the General Assembly & Congress. The Governor & President either Signs or Vetoes the Bill passed by either group.
Since every politician is more worried about getting re-elected than actually looking out for their constituents, it really makes little difference in who gets elected, other than ‘most’ Repubs are a little Right to where most “Dumbs” are. Both Parties are actually further Left of Center than the Founding Fathers wanted any of our governments (Fed, State or Local) to be.
The government can NOT do everything or be everything. It is the People that must be responsible for their own actions, welfare & well-being. Expecting someone sitting in a desk 50 or 500 miles away to know what you need is unrealistic and foolish.
The Federal Government has already created different classes of people….if you are involved in Car Manufactering or Banking, you are now in a class all by yourself and you work for the Federal Government.
Ultimately, it’s all about Power & Money….the Power is supposed to rest in the hands of the People, but our current Federal Government is rapidly taking that Power for themselves. We have become Sheeple because of the Dumbing Down of America. Go ahead re-elect Roy & his Cronies, I promise, you will live to regret it.
SB
dave
June 3rd, 2009
4:52 pm
I would have thought you guys could have picked a new loser, but instead you want an older loser. Folks, Roy wasn’t smart enough to run the state, he let Bobby Kahn do it for him and they both got what they deserved.
jwilli120
June 3rd, 2009
4:55 pm
i will not vote for anyone who will not approve alcohol on sundays,
but they will have you go to a resturant or sports bar on sunday and
you end up getting a DUI, VERY GOOD GA GOVERNOR