John Oxendine’s cartoonish move on Roy Barnes

State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine made a move on the 14-year-old Game Boy vote last night, with this cartoon slam below aimed at former Gov. Roy Barnes.

Who, so far as we know is not a contestant in the Republican gubernatorial primary.

The YouTube cartoon attempts to revive Republican Sonny Perdue’s 2002 description of Barnes, who is attempting a Democratic comeback, as “King Rat.” If you can find something redeeming in this video, please fill me in. I’m bewildered:

Barnes would no doubt take issue with many things in the video, but one statement is egregious. The Oxendine cartoon alleges that Barnes gave teachers no pay raises as governor. This is unfounded. Sonny Perdue is the one who has been forced to put a lid on teacher salaries.

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46 comments Add your comment

GoOx

October 16th, 2009
10:19 am

My man Ox, showing how to use new media, and going viral.

sm

October 16th, 2009
10:20 am

What do you expect from a man who has chosen a campaign image and nickname – the ox- an animal whose biggest claim to fame is being dumb. Oxendine really is dumb as an ox.

RUKidding

October 16th, 2009
10:20 am

Jim – nothing redeeming, has to be one of the worst campaign video’s in history.

professional skeptic

October 16th, 2009
10:22 am

A pathetic, desperate attempt by ol’ Johnny to deflect attention from the real news of the day: his campaign contribution scandal and his crooked daddy.

Nice try, “Ox.”

Daedalus

October 16th, 2009
10:22 am

Sums up Oxendine pretty well. Petty and mean-spirited.

Sounds like a perfect GOP candidate for governor.

Texas Fight!

October 16th, 2009
10:38 am

I don’t really care for Barnes but this is classless. Ox, you have stooped too low to be the face of georgia. We need someone to UNITE people by setting a positive example, not someone that rips other Georgians. Just my opinion.

Krooked Kasim

October 16th, 2009
10:43 am

Don’t care about the Govenor’s race yet. Anybody but Krooked Kasim http://www.notkasim.blogspot.com

BobR

October 16th, 2009
10:52 am

Wow – that was AWFUL. It looks like it was made with early 1990’s technology. Seriously – that is Windows 3.1 era clip art animation.

Putting aside the ancient technology being used, did any of it make sense? If I recall correctly, after the flooding, Oxendine came on TV and said “if you don’t have flood insurance – you’re screwed”. His solution? A bucket of bleach and a scrub brush.

This guy is an empty suit that doesn’t know how to manage, based on his previous history and his choice of animator for this ad.

Coastal Cavalier

October 16th, 2009
10:56 am

“The YouTube cartoon attempts to revive Republican Sonny Perdue’s 2002 description of Barnes, who is attempting a Democratic comeback, as “King Rat.” If you can find something redeeming in this video, please fill me in. I’m bewildered:”

No Roy isn’t in the GOP primary but Republicans will be choosing a candidate who in all likelihood will challenge the anointed Roy. Now having said that this is a pathetic piece that looks like it was put together by a kindergarten computer science class. I haven’t made up my mind in the GOP primary but this did not earn the OX any points in my book.

AngryVoter

October 16th, 2009
11:17 am

Texas Fight! you hit the nail on the head.

Somehow, this only plays into the impression that Oxendine has nothing new to bring to the table. It also makes it clear that Oxendine thinks Roy would be the easier opponent to beat in November, so he’s trying to puff him up as the Republican frontrunner.

Tim Ragland

October 16th, 2009
11:19 am

Being from Northeast Georgia, where we are not worthy to receive the AJC. I like Oxendine’s remarks. It’s time to bring Mr Barnes past positions before the public again, and if Oxendine does announce and become a candidate he will suffer a far worse fate. I guess liberals do not like their tactics used against them. Also, who cares about the quality of the video. I thought the message was the inportant factor.

Dr. Duru

October 16th, 2009
11:36 am

Ugh. I am left speechless by this garbage. I think most everyone commenting before me have said everything I could say about this. Yikes.

ByteMe

October 16th, 2009
11:38 am

Microsoft should sue for “abuse of clip-art”.

RUKidding

October 16th, 2009
11:53 am

Dumb as an Ox

Chain Gang John

October 16th, 2009
11:55 am

John Oxendine is the current leader in the clubhouse among GOP hopefuls to see who can be the first to completely self destruct. If John wasn’t already doing a good enough job by himself, now his corrupt father has decided to turbo-charge this public train wreck. Vegas oddsmakers currently have John a 1 to 2 favorite to be indicted prior to the primary election date. But don’t count Nathan Deal out just yet. Here is a guy who a true genius at saying stupid things.

If the past 7 years have proven one thing, its that the Republicans SIMPLY CANNOT GOVERN in the state of Georgia. There is not one department of state government that has improved under the debacle known as Sonny Perdue. Corruption and devisive politics are all we have gotten with 7 years of GOP leadership. This state cannot afford to “train” another governor. Roy is the only candidate in the race who has the institutional knowledge to clean up Sonny’s mess and get this state moving forward again. Did Roy make mistakes last time? Sure he did, and he certainly has learned from those mistakes. Perhaps that is why so many prominent Republicans are openly supporting him. I’ve had enough Democrat versus Republican. Partisan politics is killing this country and killing this state. All I care about is electing somebody who knows how to govern in the Executive Branch. And that certainly isn’t John Oxendine, Nathan Deal or Karen Handle-Perdue.

DW

October 16th, 2009
11:56 am

Isn’t it presumptuous to attack a DEMOCRATIC nominee when you haven’t won your own primary yet? Yet again, John Oxendine is blowing off his fellow Republicans to make it seem that he’s won the GOP nomination. This isn’t a smart strategy.

DannyX

October 16th, 2009
12:10 pm

Tim what are these issues you want to use against Barnes? If you look at the major issues Barnes was ahead of his time. Starving metro-Atlanta may be good politics state-wide, but for some of us its getting to be unbearable. I’ll take Barnes any day over the truly leaderless Republican incompetence.

I’ve got to go, I just received my $5.18 check sent to me by the state of Georgia, it took forever for them to process my taxes so they proudly offer this waste as if it means anything. If you are going to pander at least the Dems do that right, $250 to seniors vs this lame attempt at “justice.” What a great victory for the Teabaggers! LOL!

I’m going shopping!

The Snark

October 16th, 2009
12:26 pm

There was nothing redeeming in the “King Rat” video either. Insults and namecalling are tools used by people who are trying to distract you from the fact that they have nothing to offer.

SWAT Native

October 16th, 2009
1:01 pm

Remember, people had a similar reaction to the “King Rat” commercial at the time, but Sonny is finishing up his second term…

Bob G

October 16th, 2009
1:12 pm

Gee, I thought Oxendine was Mr Clean, had run his INsurance Com Office straight up, focusing on customer service. Poof! Down the sewer that goes! GA would have been much better off without PerDOO, one of the most vindictive governors in recent history. Lester Maddox would have been better. Purdue went so far as to hold up the technical school workforce training for KIA. ttttt. I look next door and see Gov Bob Riley, a governor and Republican with class. For the last 7 years I have begged my friends to send Riley over here, we’ll trade them Per Doo. Sonny was, is and continues to be a two bit clown from a 10 cent town who is an embarassent to the state. An ostrich with attitude.
Not to mention an unethical tax cheat.
Heck, as bad as Marvin Griggin was, he got lots of roads paved.

The Ox is an Idiot

October 16th, 2009
1:13 pm

That might be the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen. It’s 3 minutes that I’ll never get back.

One tactic that they did get right was not to show John Oxendine or let you hear his voice. He is not a manly man. Georgians like to get know their gubernatorial candidates and this Ox will be gored when Georgians get a good look at him. He is not leadership material. Period.

Rhonda Atlanta

October 16th, 2009
1:16 pm

This is kind of funny in a way because Oxy has son many skeletons to go after. Wrecking the state car and not telling the truth, dirty money and so on. Talk about a person that shouldn’t throw stones.

DUI Oxendine

October 16th, 2009
1:24 pm

Oxendine is dumb as an Ox. Oxendine go have another drink and fill your pockets with our money. I know of no one you have ever help but yourself. DUI DUI DUI DUI DUI DUI??????????? Hope that does not come out………

Bob G

October 16th, 2009
1:28 pm

GA now has an outbreak of Oxendenian Flu, Ox Flu for short–one for which the CDC can do nothing.
I remember when Sonny came on board–and I use that term loosely–and appointed among his gatekeepers three GA Tech grads in their ’20’s. Heck I’m a Tech Grad but I know that neophytes, (newbies to us NCIS fans) whether from Tech or UGA, with limited exposure to the actual world of governance have no business working so close to the Governor’s ear. Sonny demonstrates clearly the Peter Principle. If they have not already left the Governors Office, now would be the time. Like Kenny Rogers sang in “The Gambler” you got to know when to walk away, know when to run. This is a running situation. Hope these guys and those who were predisposed to vote for Sonny have an ace that they can keep out of these 7 years of fiasco and bedlam.

DUMB AS AN OX

October 16th, 2009
1:52 pm

Yo John, I’m really happy for you and Imma let you finish, but Sonny Perdue had one of the greatest King Rat videos of all time. OF ALL TIME.

Jacky Jack

October 16th, 2009
2:46 pm

I am a conservative. I voted for Sonny. It was the worst vote that Ihave ever cast. I am neither republican nor democrat. I belong to no political party. But I am an American and a Georgian. Sonny has been a disgrace for all Georgians except the extremely wealthy. That will be his legacy. Having said that I will give Barnes a long, hard look. Just as anybody was better than George W., anybody will be better than Sonny. I only wish I could again start voting “for” someone and not “against” someone. We are truly at the bottom of the barrel.

Cleo Creech

October 16th, 2009
3:20 pm

I can’t believe they keep dragging Reagan out as this great hero, when the past couple of years just demonstrate how disasterous supply-side and tricke-down economics, deregulation, and tax-cuts at any cost have been.

And I love that ultimate republican scare tactice – “ohhh nooo – we don’t want to be FRANCE?”

Gunner

October 16th, 2009
3:31 pm

That was the dumbest thing I have ever seen.

dreux

October 16th, 2009
5:02 pm

When I went to high school with “The Ox”, he was a homophobic dullard. At least he is consistent!

Ox gay?

October 16th, 2009
5:18 pm

Most homophobes are battling demons based on their own sexuality. Maybe that’s John Oxendine’s problem. Either way, I cannot imagine Georgians actually electing this clown.

findog

October 16th, 2009
6:01 pm

Ox: a clumsy, stupid fellow
The English Language is probably the most difficult method of human communication. Moron’s should be careful with where they attempt humor as it typically will backfire. A man chest deep within ethical lapses, apparently a family trait, should not throw stones from within his glass palace. A truly ox in the china shop moment if there ever was one; don’t you think?

bkbroila

October 16th, 2009
6:21 pm

I hope John Oxendine gets what is coming to him….what a nerdy fat POS….FuQ John…

Rich

October 16th, 2009
6:47 pm

What a utter complete waste of time and resources. Oh, and the video was horrible, too. Karen Handel is the only one who can bring Georgia into the 21st century.

Bill White

October 16th, 2009
8:12 pm

Hilarious, accurate and mostly — sad. I’m liking this Ox guy more and more as Mr. Johnson seems to be fading. If Ox gets into office, I know my aunt up there near Brasstown will be taken care of. @Rich I like that Handel lady. She’s very pretty, but I don’t think she’s got what it takes. She’s no Sarah. I’m sorry, but Ox is the right guy for the job over her.

Jackson

October 16th, 2009
10:28 pm

That was awful. Now I truly dread when this nonsense begins to seep back into television.

Warbler

October 16th, 2009
10:44 pm

Ray McBerry is the only true constitutionalist in the governor’s race, and is gaining support daily. I don’t want another “experienced” politician. Sarah Palin accomplished many things as an “outsider”, with no other qualifications than common sense and determination. Ray has all this and an idea; local control and a state sovereignty governor who cannot be intimidated.
Ray McBerry in 2010!

RealityTrain

October 17th, 2009
11:31 am

Mike

October 17th, 2009
10:14 pm

Embarrassingly awful. How can a man who looks at this and says “hey, good idea!” be trusted to make any decision whatsoever?

Good Lord, Republicans… What are you doing to yourselves?!

More trees are better

October 19th, 2009
6:20 pm

Someone should help him resolve his personal issues so that someday he can be effective in public. Until then he should be as far from office as possible.

Honker

October 19th, 2009
7:40 pm

I can’t believe no one here see the obvious response to this video. I guess we’ve forgotten our agricultural roots. How does one turn a bull into an ox?

[...] Here’s what Jim Galloway, of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, had to say about the ad. [...]

bart

October 21st, 2009
8:01 pm

The truly sad thing is that Oxendine touts himself as a “Christian”, yet he spews hate and lies, very unchristian-like. This is also the guy who talks about our state seceding from the Union. Surely we won’t be dumb enough to elect this clown governor!

Kim

October 21st, 2009
9:28 pm

This is pathetic. Lord, please help Georgia!

Dee

October 21st, 2009
10:17 pm

If John Ox is so cool, why are the underwriting standards/documents for each insurance company under wraps in his office? I asked them what rules were in place or what standards necessary for my Home Insurer who was cancelling me, and then his staff told me that I would have to place a “freedom of information act request” to get at this. Why? Why not have the rules for doing business in GA out there? No answers. Sorry, but I will vote for somebody else. I think he is too close to the people he is in place to regulate. Also, he is a little light in the loafers…all the while protesting loudly against gays. HMMM.

The Rat

October 22nd, 2009
7:59 pm

The Rat…. The Rat…. The Rat…. The Rat…. The Rat….

nuff said

Ashley

October 28th, 2009
7:53 am

Jim, can you find and post a link to the original “King Roy” advertisement? I have been looking online but can’t seem to find it anywhere. I remember thinking how stupid it was back in 2002, but this seems to have hit a new low.

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