Roy Barnes to join 2010 race for governor
Roy Barnes will announce today that he intends to become the first former Georgia governor in a half-century to reclaim the office after being turned out by voters.
The announcement is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Marietta Conference Center. Barnes, we’re told, will delay the actual start of his campaign until July, in order to wrap up some trial work and finish up as chairman of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Former Gov. Roy Barnes/Rich Addicks, raddicks@ajc.com
Barnes, 61, enters a field already occupied by three Democrats — Attorney General Thurbert Baker, House Minority Leader DuBose Porter, and David Poythress, former commander of the Georgia National Guard.
Six Republicans are in the contest.
Despite a huge financial advantage, Barnes was defeated in 2002 by Sonny Perdue, an upstart Republican state senator from middle Georgia. Both chambers of the Legislature quickly shifted to GOP hands, removing Democrats from control of the state Capitol for the first time since the mid-19th century.
Barnes settled into a law practice in new offices off the Marietta Square, and eschewed any suggestion of a return to the political field. A spokesman for the state GOP called Barnes “about as popular as Michael Moore in a VFW hall.”
But Republican infighting in the Capitol and inaction on a number of issues — transportation at the top of the list — created an opening for a return, and starting late last year, Barnes began indicating a change of heart.
“Yes, I’ve had a lot of the business folks come out here. Sometimes they just show up. And basically, what they say is, ‘Listen, you need to try this again, ‘” Barnes said from his law office in December.
In a series of speeches and appearances earlier this year, Barnes struck a populist tone, condemning the grasp of special interests on legislation passing through the Legislature.
For the last several weeks, the former governor had kept even close friends guessing. Word leaked that fund-raisers, pollsters and strategists — those who would be involved in the nuts-and-bolts of a campaign — had been interviewed. But even close friends said they were unsure of his path.
The former governor dropped a large hint at a party fund-raiser in May, when he assessed other Democrats already in the race:
“There’s a verse in the Old Testament that says the people perish where there is no vision. And I’m looking for vision. And in that category, I haven’t seen it yet. It’s not that they’re not good folks. It’s just — listen, we can do better.”
Polling in anticipation of a Barnes return indicates the former governor becomes the immediate favorite in the primary, though he also carries the burdens that caused voters to reject his bid for a second term — teachers who resented his attack on a tenure system, Confederate enthusiasts angered by his hauling down the ’56 state flag, and residents found themselves the path of a now- defunct Northern Arc.
But Barnes also brings to the race a well-known name that resonates with many voters, including African-Americans, an ability to raise cash, and — perhaps most important in a down economy — the ability to invest substantial dollars in his own campaign.
Barnes’ entry into the race is also likely to help fill out down-ballot contests. No Democrat has yet to enter the race for lieutenant governor. State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, a Barnes ally, has been mentioned as a possibility.
But to return to the Governor’s Mansion, Barnes will first have to win a primary. His fellow candidates have promised he’ll get no cake-walk — and have recommended that he remain an elder statesman for the party.
At that Democratic fund-raiser back in May, Porter, the House minority leader and newspaper publisher from Dublin, said Georgia hasn’t changed that much since 2002.
“You know, I appreciate Roy,” he said. “But, you know, the problems he had before are still there. As I travel the state, I’ve supported education, I’ve supported teachers, I’ve supported smaller classrooms. The things that were out there for him before are still there.”
Many governors, with their terms constitutionally limited, have attempted gubernatorial comebacks — E.D. Rivers, Marvin Griffin, Ellis Arnall, Carl Sanders, and Lester Maddox included.
But the last ex-governor to win re-election after being ousted by voters was Gene Talmadge — the namesake of Roy Eugene Barnes.
Talmadge was elected to two, two-year terms in the 1930s, and then a third term in 1940. But he lost a primary fight in 1942, the result of a backlash that came from his interference in the state university system.
Talmadge won re-election in 1946, but died before taking office.
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176 comments Add your comment
Jones
June 3rd, 2009
8:24 am
I am glad that Graham is not my teacher. I hate to think how he tries to brainwash his students.
itamazesme
June 3rd, 2009
8:24 am
To Turd:
Believe me the Black CaUcUs – does not dictate the vote of a Black american. So, your statement is way off base. Baker is not popular amongst black voters – that is why he is desperately seeking help and assitance from black organizations.
Secondly, if anything, Roy entering the race will prove to be interesting.
SOUTHERN ATL
June 3rd, 2009
8:25 am
Now we have a REAL RACE!!! I am thrilled!!!!
…..and HE CAN win!!!!
JM
June 3rd, 2009
8:27 am
Tom
June 3rd, 2009
7:47 am
By the way, the only people who read this rag newspaper are Democrats so i am not supprised by all the positive comments.
So then, Tom, why are you here and reading this?
PappyHappy
June 3rd, 2009
8:27 am
Great! Maybe he can deliver on what the republicans promised. One party rule does not work in Washington, nor Georgia!
Happily Purchasing Alcohol on Sunday in TN
June 3rd, 2009
8:29 am
What the state of Georgia needs is someone who will bring it into the new century. I lived in Alabama, California, Florida and just moved to Tennessee last week. God it feels great to live outside the conservative baptist bible belt again!!! Sonny Perdue enslaved his beliefs on the people of Georgia to the point it was embarrassing to say I was from that state. How many proposals were vetoed by him after passing the state floor because his own personal beliefs were compromised. He was not a politician for the people but for himself and the puritans and hugeunots (if you understand your history). Thank god the state has the opportunity to elect someone with vision who will bring Georgia the image it deserves. Atlanta has the potential to be the tourist destination but imagine when someone visiting from Alabama (yes, Alabama of all places!) goes into the grocery store on a Sunday, picks up a bottle of wine and Allowing Sunday sales WOULD generate more tax dollars for the state. Talk about back woods mentality in a state that should lead the south…not set it back!!!
JM
June 3rd, 2009
8:30 am
Bobby
June 3rd, 2009
5:29 am
I would never vote for a scalawag as Governor. He proved his dishonesty with the ‘56 flag. And I intend to help him stay retired.
Oh lord, the rednecks have risen again. Where is your white sheet, Bobby?
bill
June 3rd, 2009
8:31 am
Tom,
You are wrong about California. They used a citizens initiative to freeze property taxes 30 years ago. Since then, they have gone from first in public education to last.
optimist
June 3rd, 2009
8:32 am
Well Well…Georgia politics has always been entertaining and this election cycle looks to be a blockbuster. Its interesting to read the comments and compare them. The pro-Roy comments seems to be postive and somewhat nice in nature. The Anti-Roy comments seem to be venimous to the point they almost seem republican.
As a former state committeeman of the Republican Party of Georgia I am embarrassed at how the GOP have behaved under the Gold Dome and Nationally. I am sorry to say that I am now looking to the democratic party to solve our problems in Georgia. Roy was right in that ‘the vision’ was not there. Now that he has entered the race it will be interesting to see how practical and realistic his vision will be.
At the moment I believe him to be our only hope but the conversation has only just begun. To all of you other posters and blogers…. loose the mudslinging, put on your thinking cap, and start listening. You might be surprised at what you see and hear. Don’t stop at the sound bite and friends quips, Go online and do the real research, found out the WHY behind the candidates position and then you can make an INTELLIGENT choice. Knee jerk reactionism is how we got in this mess to begin with.
Gwinnett Parent
June 3rd, 2009
8:33 am
Thank you. Finally, someone who gets it. He will get my vote, hands down.
zeke
June 3rd, 2009
8:33 am
Roy has no vision! He is the typical democrat. Raise taxes, cancel needed roads, make socialist decisions over the objection of citizens, waste more and more money on schools! These are not a vision, but, the same old same old democrat crap! Please let there never be another democrat elected. Obama has only solidified this in me!!
Turd Ferguson
June 3rd, 2009
8:33 am
Roy wears to much lipstick
Happily Purchasing Alcohol on Sunday in TN
June 3rd, 2009
8:33 am
Happily Purchasing Alcohol on Sunday in TN
June 3rd, 2009
8:29 am
oops…one sentence was somehow deleted
What the state of Georgia needs is someone who will bring it into the new century. I lived in Alabama, California, Florida and just moved to Tennessee last week. God it feels great to live outside the conservative baptist bible belt again!!! Sonny Perdue enslaved his beliefs on the people of Georgia to the point it was embarrassing to say I was from that state. How many proposals were vetoed by him after passing the state floor because his own personal beliefs were compromised. He was not a politician for the people but for himself and the puritans and hugeunots (if you understand your history). Thank god the state has the opportunity to elect someone with vision who will bring Georgia the image it deserves. Atlanta has the potential to be the tourist destination but imagine when someone visiting from Alabama (yes, Alabama of all places!) goes into the grocery store on a Sunday, picks up a bottle of wine and is told “sorry, we still practice blue laws here in the state of Georgia…can’t sell it to you”.
Jim
June 3rd, 2009
8:34 am
As a former educator, I have many negative memories of Mr. Barnes. Perhaps you had to be there when he would speak to educators like we were something on the bottom of his shoe. His crass, rude approach was not popular then and will not be forgotten now. And by the way, being a great teacher or administrator does not mean supporting Barnes. If he is the best we have, education and everything else in Ga. is in big trouble. As a democrat, I know we can do better than this guy.
John
June 3rd, 2009
8:35 am
Anybody with a brain in this state will vote enthusiastically for Roy Barnes. He is the only person who can save Geeorgia from the disaster inflicted upon it by Sonny Perdue.
Give me a Break
June 3rd, 2009
8:43 am
BIO are you really serious about Handel? The woman has no college degree… what sort of education platform would she run on? Oh wait… the BS Bush used when saying look at what a “C” grade student can accomplish… becoming president! What a JOKE… I can hear it now look at what someone without a college education can do… they can become Governor of the State that is nearly at the bottom in the education consistently year after year.
optimist
June 3rd, 2009
8:46 am
Zeke,
With out ’spending more’ on education to fix it, we as a state can NOT compete for the really good industry jobs that increases our tax base and our local economies. The stagnation of industry is what is draging down our local economies that inturn among many things impacts the service sector and effects us all.
Turd Ferguson
June 3rd, 2009
8:49 am
The majority of persons that actually attend college and obtain a degree obtain a job and produce squat. I had The President of a company once tell me all a college degree meant to him was someone decided to delay entering the workforce for an addl 4 year.
Yes a degree gets a foot in the door but after that many of these pseudo intellectuals determine they are entitled to do nothing except tell everyone else how smart they are and what to do.
vince neil
June 3rd, 2009
8:49 am
a c grade student like Bill Gates…with no college degree?
vince neil
June 3rd, 2009
8:51 am
ga is bottom in education because of the children who are having children……yeah the schools suck but how come Johns Creek can send it’s grads to the Ivy League with the same curricula?
Outhouse
June 3rd, 2009
8:52 am
The Republicans are in trouble in Georgia not because of the National Party but because of the idiots that have been elected to serve (themselves) in Atlanta. Roy Barnes will whip whoever the Republicans nominate. Sonny and the Legislative “leadership” have made it so…
Red Foreman
June 3rd, 2009
8:57 am
First we gots some “Change” from Presbo da Clown, Now he getz his rappin side kick “Massa Roy Boy”….
HaHaHAHaHa
Jeff
June 3rd, 2009
8:57 am
John @ 8:35:
Actually, I haven’t seen any D or R yet who has the cajones to dig us out of the mess that both the Ds and Rs in this state created.
Our only real hope here is John Monds, the Libertarian candidate.
AH
June 3rd, 2009
9:00 am
Great more turds in the punch bowl
Dilly Dally
June 3rd, 2009
9:02 am
So…Roy…is it your intention to try to make Georgia a socialist state in the same way your boy Obama is trying to destroy the USA? Go to Cuba with Kucinich. And take that horse’s @ss Biden with you.
Les Horn
June 3rd, 2009
9:04 am
When Roy Barnes was govenor he said “we can’t go back to regulating natural gas because the state of GA would face hundreds of millions in lawsuits from the natural gas monopoly marketers.
In the long run it would have been better to pay the millions in lawsuits. The stealing from speculation and manipulation in the energy markets has been slamming the middle class. And with Obama’s myopic CAP and TRADE(TAX) the Democrats want to force ENRON onto everyone will lower the standard of living and increase taxes on the middle class while the poor people get government grants
to pay their energy bills. Energy is the basis for ALL economic development.
Who are the Democrats and Republicans working for?
Diver
June 3rd, 2009
9:07 am
DuBose Porter has been in the legislature for 28 years…and has seen ‘em come and go. As Zell Miller’s floor leader, he introduced the HOPE lottery, and has been a tireless supporter of education. If you look at his record, you will see he would easily make a better governor than Roy. Having said that, anybody would be better than the dumb a** republicans that have run this state into the ground lately.
DHW
June 3rd, 2009
9:08 am
Roy Barnes was pretty much the only public leader in the country to go after “predatory lending” in 2002 — you know, making banks and mortgage companies responsible for risky mortgage loans. Banks and Republicans didn’t like it, and as soon as Perdue was elected, he and his Gold Dome friends repealed all of Roy’s predatory lending laws in 2003. Then the banks went back to underwriting incredibly risky loans to bundle and sell, without worry of being on the hook for future foreclosures and such. That sure worked out well. That’s the difference between a real public leader trying to do the right thing, and pseudo-leaders forsaking common sense for donations and votes.
Roekest
June 3rd, 2009
9:14 am
As a Republican, I can honestly say I’m looking forward to the return of Barnes. Unlike the leadership in Washington, Barnes is a “conservative” Democrat compared to the socialists we have in charge now. Better to have Barnes in office, then, let’s say, Porter.
What the heck were we thinking when we elected a friggin’ veterinarian into office……..
benman
June 3rd, 2009
9:23 am
Way to go Roy. I supported you back when Sonny “do-nothing” Perdue defeated you. Her in Athens we will rally with you! It’s time to return accountability to the governor’s office. What will Longer Linger Corp. do when they are kicked out of our state government?
Yeehaw!
Turd Ferguson
June 3rd, 2009
9:23 am
Predatory lending…LMAO…what exactly is Predatory lending? Last I checked any loan document required the SIGNATURE of the Lendee. This signature imposed that the lendee had read and understands the document in-part and in whole.
So dont all your whiners and complainers come around with your sob stories now that its dawned on ya the you CANT AFFORD what you stated you could afford. You have a LEGAL obligation to pay up so PAY YOUR BILLS or face bankruptcy.
YOU LOSE!!
Turd Ferguson
June 3rd, 2009
9:25 am
PS…banks were FORCED to write risky loans due to your boys Carter and Clinton. Thats a fact.
Predatory lending doesnt exist except in the minds of the black cawcuss.
benman
June 3rd, 2009
9:27 am
Zeke…you just listed all the things that Sonny did.
itamazesme
June 3rd, 2009
9:31 am
Turd – integrity and respect go a long way. You have a right to your opinions, but please stop baiting – the black CaUcus – who are you referring to. blacks were not the only ones who may have been affected by predatory lending…but of course you know that.
TeacherRCB
June 3rd, 2009
9:34 am
Gov Barnes had my support in 2002 and will receive it in 2010. He shook up the education system here in GA and Purdue not only has shaken it, he has broken and make an a–hole out of teachers the last 8 years. The flag was not an issue with me and the Gov made concessions. Many wanted it there way or no way and their choice was not to reelect a good man. Think about what you have gotten the last 8 years. Do nothing politics and arguing among repugs! Come on Georgia, be progressive again. Lets give Barnes another opportunity to finish the great work that he started and get Georgia back on the correct path. This is from a well educated black male educator!
AH
June 3rd, 2009
9:36 am
Well well well, apparently someone on this board is running for office, I guess that is why they are hitching their wagon to Mr. Barnes so early.
Get Real
June 3rd, 2009
9:41 am
Vince Neil @ 8:39, Karen Handel ain’t no Bill Gates. I agree with you and turdblossom that not everyone is cut out for a college degree, and they can still be a valued asset in society. But a GOVERNOR who will oversee a billion dollar budget should at least have a college degree. Not having one and campaigning for the highest office in the state is a non-starter for me.
Raz
June 3rd, 2009
9:47 am
Anti-southern bigotry still will not fly, and will not be forgotten. Barack is more popular in Georgia outside Atlanta than this guy. On the other hand, Roy might be slightly more popular than William T. Sherman.
Teacher flunkies for Barnes
June 3rd, 2009
9:47 am
Please explain how teachers, who already are not being given the support they need in the classroom, were empowered by Barnes’ decision to strip away fair dismissal rights.
vince neil
June 3rd, 2009
9:48 am
GR-college degree is great for a job at kimberly clark or rubber maid and/or if you intend to obtain a professional degree but otherwise has little value regarding the task you mentioned. I am not ready to endorse anyone but as a registered R we welcome Barney’s entrance to the mix as it will help us with fund raising…
Your morning jolt: First reactions to Roy Barnes' entry into 2010 race for governor | Political Insider
June 3rd, 2009
9:50 am
[...] but already Republicans and Democrats — and all those in between — are giving thought to what the entry of former Gov. Roy Barnes means to the 2010 race for [...]
Simon Malls
June 3rd, 2009
9:55 am
We will not be voting for Roy. If you thought his first term as a governor was bad, you see him in action as a trial attorney. For such a big shot in this state (in his own mind), he sure can’t seem to convince any judges or juries to rule in his favor over any of the big cases he fought since he was lost the election. Well, I guess he did win one; he did help that guy in Roswell get to keep his chickens on his property – I’m sure that will really endear him to North Fulton voters. The jury has spoken once in Georgia and they will do it again – Get lost Roy, you are no good.
teacher
June 3rd, 2009
9:55 am
King Roy and friends: Teachers are educated, and DO NOT FORGET. I hope the citizens of Georgia remember our errors of the past so that we aren’t destined to repeat them next year. Sure King Roy is “experienced.” I am looking for someone who has a brain.
Mya
June 3rd, 2009
9:56 am
Turd blossom — You know where most predatory lenders operate? Right outside our military bases, preying on our young service men and women and their families. They take advantage of the hardworking people serving this country. And why are they called “predatory”? Because they make their loan agreement so difficult to read you need a finance degree just to get through them (and I doubt a lot of our soldiers have that going for them), they charge enormous finance charges and interest, and their advertising is deceitful at best. You can exist in your own bubble of denial and racism, but this time it just doesn’t stick.
Will Jones - Atlanta
June 3rd, 2009
9:56 am
Anybody who says Roy Barnes is honorable can’t be trusted.
He was made rich by the banking industry while he was being paid by the People of Georgia to oversee the banking industry…to say little or nothing of the fact that he went to law school to dodge Vietnam.
Life is a battle and winning countries need “horses” that run TO the guns, not away from them like Barnes did during Vietnam. Were he a righteous, wise man other than that and knew for a fact at the time that Vietnam was a crime and treason, why has he remained silent on the subject ever since?
As it turns out his allowing himself to be made rich as a “banker” while overseeing the banking industry in the Georgia Assembly proves he is of bad character so likely was merely a physical coward during Vietnam and not a man of conscience.
Max Cleland is a real man for Georgia. When we were fighting and dying he threw his fate in with us and now in wisdom he quit the 9/11 Commission and said it was a fraud.
How much leadership should Georgians require to see the Light G-d wants for us?
Cleland is the only man of integrity we have for the governorship in Georgia to help Obama bring the Roman Anti-Christ to justice.
Awake Georgia! The Beast isn’t going to cast itself into the Pit. Let’s get off our duffs and do some casting, NOW!
Cleland for Governor or Georgia ain’t got a prayer.
In the know
June 3rd, 2009
10:01 am
I kept hearing about a lot of behind the scenes deception was going on. For example, sexual harassment charges being dropped for a judgeship payoff. A lot of hard working qualified judges were wondering what was going on.
1eyedJack
June 3rd, 2009
10:04 am
I am a teacher in this state and I say which ever candidate is willing to get rid of formula funding for education has my vote. Formula funding is killing us educationally. It doesn’t get teachers to teach better and it doesn’t help underperforming schools perform better. What it does do is make teachers dumb down their curriculums and administrators fudge their statistics and put pressure on teachers to pass students who have no business passing, just to meet the funding requirements.
educate
June 3rd, 2009
10:07 am
Do we not remember the issues with education with Barnes?? His initiatives were going to practically bankrupt the state. While I don’t agree with all that Perdue has done, he inherited a mess with the education system and in some ways it has gotten better, but still has a ways to go. Yes, Cox as Superintendent has had some issues, but have we all forgotten about Shrenko so soon??? She did more damage to the education system than both Perdue and Shrenko combined.
Educated teachers who are Barnes supporters . . . are you serious???
AJC Lover
June 3rd, 2009
10:09 am
As Monty Brewster said – None of the Above.
Turd Ferguson
June 3rd, 2009
10:09 am
Mya
June 3rd, 2009
9:56 am
Sounds as if you’ve been watching too much CNN and BET. Whoever heard of signing an agreement that as you say…”Because they make their loan agreement so difficult to read you need a finance degree just to get through them”. Signing something of that nature is not dumb, OH NO…ITS STUPID.
Then again, under the obamantics/democraptologists EVERYONE IS A VICTIM. Awww well thats a shame and I have no sympathy for some dumbbell who signs and agreement they dont understand. Predatory lending was a term made up by the Dems to ganer votes…no more no less.