A late jolt: Roy Barnes’ new ad and his bank investments
Other candidates and the Savannah Morning News are pointing out that the latest TV ad by former Gov. Roy Barnes leaves a few details out. Writes Larry Peterson:
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Roy Barnes is airing a television ad that takes aim at lobbyists – and banks that receive federal bailouts.
But the former governor – the frontrunner for his party’s nomination – was himself a registered lobbyist in 2007.
And his state financial disclosure report says he owned stock last year in five banks that received more than $34 billion in bailout loans.
The stock he said he owned in them was worth about $654,000 as of Wednesday. Since late 2008, they have paid him dividends that may have totaled almost $23,000.
In his ad, Barnes says that, as governor, he’d make sure banks don’t foreclose on a home before there are negotiations.
“Bankers and their lobbyists got bonuses and bailouts, but you lost your home,” Barnes says in the ad as video shows a family being evicted.
Viewed against the backdrop of his investments, the ad drew sharp rebukes from other candidates.
The ad in question:
Rival candidates for governor, Democrat and Republican, were happy to pile on:
“This goes to the heart of credibility,” said Democratic state House Leader DuBose Porter. “He’s got little to none. It’s another example of what he says, as opposed to what he does.”
Ben Fry, campaign manager for former Savannah Republican State Sen. Eric Johnson, was equally blunt.
“This is just typical Roy,” Fry said. “He thinks his trial lawyer-funded TV ads and slick political double-speak can cover up the truth.”
The explanation from the Barnes camp:
Chris Carpenter, Barnes’ campaign manager, defended the candidate and his television commercial.
Carpenter said Barnes, an attorney, represented a client in a zoning dispute before the Atlanta City Council.
“He didn’t do any lobbying,” Carpenter said.
Barnes was unsure of whether the law required him to register, but he did so out of “an abundance of caution,” Carpenter said.
Later, the Georgia State Bar told him registration for such work isn’t required and Barnes hasn’t registered since 2007, Carpenter said….
Carpenter said Barnes’ investments should be viewed in a wider context.
“Roy,” he said, “has owned most of these stocks for years, well before the financial crisis, and most of them are currently at a loss.“And despite owning these stocks, he still passed the toughest anti-predatory lending law in the nation.”
Barnes supported and signed legislation dealing with the issue.
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126 comments Add your comment
Will
May 28th, 2010
3:20 pm
David Poythress HAHA
Will
May 28th, 2010
3:22 pm
IMNO says -David Poythress also says he won’t take a salary as Governor until Georgia is under 7% unemployment. That says something to me.
Yeah kinda easy to say when you’re already drawing 2 GOVERNMENT PENSIONS.
Williebkind
May 28th, 2010
3:28 pm
Some of my favorites are Charlie Crist and Mark Kirk.
Williebkind
May 28th, 2010
3:28 pm
I would vote for DP.
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
May 28th, 2010
3:29 pm
I’m a liberal and I’m calling Retired Soldier Stupid.
And I’m not calling you stupid because I’m saying there is ‘only one option.’ I am, however, saying there is only one truth and conservative Republican Libertarian Tea Bagging Retards routinely ignore the truth and instead wallow in Fox News/CATO institute generated DRIVEL.
My primary motivation to BE a liberal is because of people who make up their own facts.
Like you Retired Soldier.
I am grateful for the veterans of our country who have made our nation free.
But you’re not one of the ones I’m grateful for.
Williebkind
May 28th, 2010
3:29 pm
My question again has Thurmond resigned?
Williebkind
May 28th, 2010
3:31 pm
I rather be called a baby raper than a liberal…just me.
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
May 28th, 2010
3:32 pm
OK, you’re a baby raper Willbkind.
But you know, since you’re probably Pro-Life, you no doubt metaphorically are one.
AOK with restricting abortion but God help the poor child once they’re born because Conservatives sure as hell won’t.
GEORGIA, the entire state!
May 28th, 2010
3:36 pm
Is the BIG RAT trying to re-invent himself? Is Roy Barnes going to befriend Georgia’s teachers instead of betray them like he did the last time he was governor? Is BIG RAT going to make us go back to that awful ugly flag he rammed down our throats, making us the laughing stock of the nation?
professional skeptic
May 28th, 2010
3:37 pm
Yes, RS, I read the pledge after the Georgia Republicans (many of whom used to be Dems, or Dixiecrats, hence my preference for the term Conservative in this state), refused to allow Ray Boyd to run for office.
If you care to learn more, Google is just a few clicks away.
Williebkind
May 28th, 2010
3:37 pm
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
May 28th, 2010
3:32 pm
Now, now, AB v M we know rich democrats do not pay their taxes but they raise them for rich republicans. So I guess you are mistaken, again. Your side promotes sex far more than the conservatives. However, I do not know many conservatives who fathers a child and does not take care of it. Can you name any or a group of conservatives who does not take care of their child. I can name serval groups of liberals who will not.
LMAO
May 28th, 2010
3:38 pm
Roy Barnes may clean out the banks but he sure won’t clean them up!!!! Why should we put a man who failed at being governor back in office?
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
May 28th, 2010
3:39 pm
Is THE BIG CAPITAL LETTER USER working for a Republican or Fox News? Probably not since they have hoards of tea baggers to do their dirty work for them. Is THE BIG CAPITAL LETTER USER going to point to a Republitard that is a better alternative? Or is he going to continue to harp on about a flag like the inbred ignorant hillbilly knuckle dragging son of traitors son of war losers fact making up troglodytes that make up born this side of the Mason Dixon and takes pride in it thing that he obviously is?
RetiredSoldier
May 28th, 2010
3:41 pm
Burr-
My day is complete, I have been insulted by Burr. I’ll sleep well tonight.
Intruder
May 28th, 2010
3:42 pm
Same ol’ Roy. He’s seeking only the POWER! I just hope everybody remembers his first term as Governor! If they remember, he will lose – despite all the money he has backing him!
RetiredSoldier
May 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
skeptic-
Glad you read it, though it is a bit strange that you won’t share its contents with your fellow bloggers. Me thinks I smell a Holder here.
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
May 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
WillieBeStupid
May 28th, 2010
3:39pm
Now, now WillieBSmall, we know Republicans pay even less of their taxes but lower them for their good buddies in corporations. So I guess you’re mistaken, again. Your side promotes sex with people in air port bathrooms far more than anyone. However, I do not know many liberals who father a child and don’t take care of it. Can you name any or a group of liberals who do not take care of their child? I can name several groups of conservatives that would sooner see children mowed down with weedwakers than pay a penny more of taxes to pay to help them….like…all of them.
And to answer your ‘question’ Wee Willie, I can safely say that any truly liberal organization believes in family first and then a social safety net composed of ROBBING YOU BLIND! We’re coming for you personally willie…lock your doors! We’re after your money!
AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAH!
Williebkind
May 28th, 2010
3:44 pm
RS;
Is it not amazing how the democrats have so many trailers before their name. Dixiecrat, liberal, progressive liberal, moderate, and conservative. Just to name some. Can they make up their minds? Do they really stand for anything that is durable? Oh and they claim to be the educated ones. I think it is more along the line of education indoctrinaters. There are no absolute truths among these socialists.
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
May 28th, 2010
3:45 pm
RS,
I don’t doubt you sleep well at night. Since you’re a conservative you clearly murdered your conscience and any empathy you had a long time ago. Therefore insulting you is only for my own amusement. To imply otherwise would be to imply you had a soul.
I doubt the devil is giving it back any time soon.
Sleep well Nosferatu.
Williebkind
May 28th, 2010
3:45 pm
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
You must be a transplant.
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
May 28th, 2010
3:46 pm
There is one absolute truth at the least WillieBSmall.
You are a dumbass.
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
May 28th, 2010
3:47 pm
I am PROUD to call myself a yankee.
Then again I’d be proud to call myself anything if it meant pissing off Republitards.
@RetiredSoldier
May 28th, 2010
3:51 pm
RetiredSoldier – read your own posts. You tell me who is stupid.
“Hey TC-
There you go again. To crooked or to dumb. Gosh I’m sooooo glad you are the sole paragon of truth. Yes I agree there are questions about some reublican candidates, as there are about Dems.”
“I love liberals. If you disagree with them it is because you are stupid. When will liberals ever learn there is more than one opinion and that doesn’t mean a person is stupid. Unreal.”
RetiredSoldier
May 28th, 2010
3:54 pm
Burr-
My soul is between me and God. Thank you so much for your concern. See you in church Sunday
RetiredSoldier
May 28th, 2010
3:56 pm
to @
Ok I have a typo or two. Put me up against the wall. If that’s all you have, go back to sleep and dream of govt. checks falling fron the sky.
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
May 28th, 2010
3:56 pm
Why would I care about YOUR soul? I’m more concerned for the weak, the helpless and the poor. You know….just like God? Or does your church use one of those fancy new Republican Bibles that reinterpret anything for a Right Wing Agenda just like Fox news.
And you won’t see me in YOUR church any time soon. In MY church we actually WORSHIP God instead of Mock Him.
Thanks for playing.
RetiredSoldier
May 28th, 2010
4:00 pm
Burr-
There in is the difference, I would never say something like you just typed. You sir are in need of serious prayer. Play time is over with you.
Williebkind
May 28th, 2010
4:04 pm
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
CAUTION: WE DO NOT DIAL 911.
Hey I am different, I do not have a lot of money.
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
May 28th, 2010
4:11 pm
RS,
You’re right there is a difference. If you truly serve Him you don’t fear to say anything in His cause. So when you see Satanic behavior, you call it out. I’m not the one who drug religion into this, but if you want to go there, then I’m all fine with it. I probably know more about Theology than your minister does and anyone that acts like you do clearly is someone who loves to cloak himself in God and Country (hence your NAME RS) but who really doesn’t BELIEVE in the things they really mean or teach.
WBK……You don’t dial 911? Is this a feeble attempt at humor? I mean seriously. You obviously don’t dial 411 either. In fact I wouldn’t at all be surprised if you had to dictate to your 5 year old child to type what you say. Can you even read? Or does someone have to do that for you?
And just because you don’t have a lot of money doesn’t mean you’re not an astroturfed idiot who does whatever his corporate little masters on FOX tell him to do.
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
May 28th, 2010
4:19 pm
WBK-4:10pm. Yes. You are.
Which is why you and your kind want to make them even dumber by defunding them. Then again, as the Drug War, the War War and many other failed Conservative Causes have taught us, there are some causes for which no amount of money will solve the problem.
Some people are simply too dumb to educate. Not all Liberal ideas are good ones. But I still like them better than I like you and your kind WillieBSmall.
@RetiredSoldier
May 28th, 2010
4:24 pm
Sleep and Gov’t checks???
RetiredSoldier
May 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
??? made ya think didn’t I.
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
May 28th, 2010
4:31 pm
No, actually you just made me sad.
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
May 28th, 2010
4:33 pm
Have a good memorial day all.
Except the trogledytes. The nation as they remember it is more horrific than you can imagine.
Fortunately reality is not as the historical revisionism of the Texas School Board dictates.
professional skeptic
May 28th, 2010
4:34 pm
Soldier: Certainly you can understand my choice to “pick my battles”… it’s Memorial Day weekend, time is precious, and I refuse to waste it bickering with you over how many angels can tapdance on the head of a pin. Regards…
RetiredSoldier
May 28th, 2010
4:43 pm
Skeptic-
Sorry to hear you were bickering, I thought we were discussing. Have a wonderful weekend and like we fail to do so often at Christmas, remember the reason for the holiday. Those who made the ultimate price that allows us to agree to disagree.
Tolja Sou
May 28th, 2010
8:29 pm
Aaron Burr V. Mexico: PLEASE get back on your medications, NOW!! You promised when they took off the straps and let you out you would behave. But what do you do? You’re back on the Marijuana, don’t take your medication and, yep, you’ve broken your word and your also back to crack and LSD. Will you ever learn? Son, you’re no longer in grammar school! OOPS! Yes you are, but at 35 + years of age you’re a tad larger than the others but haven’t learned how to behave in public yet.
Barnes: lesser of many evils
May 29th, 2010
12:27 am
While Perdue plucked, cooked, deep fried and charred the economy and schools of Georgia, his cronies like Oxendine lined his pockets with cash along the way.
Oxendine knows about education….all his kids go to private schools. Oxendine is like Perdue 2.0, only with more arrogance and lower ethical standards, if that’s even possible.
Ron Revog
May 29th, 2010
12:45 am
Wow, Democrats better pray that DuBose Porter gets the nomination over Roy Barnes if they wish to win in November. I just saw that Porter moved to #2 in the most recent poll (For what that matters) and wouldn’t be surprised to see him steadily move up, even though he’s got a little ways to go.
mainstreet
May 29th, 2010
12:52 am
Roy I will never vote for you or any other democrat.
Keith Gardner
May 29th, 2010
4:28 am
Hey, Jim, some of us really know what is behind the “nativism” of the Tea Party… the neo-feudalism of neo-classical economics… Some of us are completely awake to the greater depths of the political insiders. Some of us actually read and understand the words of the classicals and didn’t just take the neo-classicals for their word….
here is the real knock-out blow to ray mcberry, and it isn’t your paid neocon slander either….
http://libertyrevival.wordpress.com/2010/05/29/debra-medina-rerun-ray-mcberry/
Keith Gardner
May 29th, 2010
4:43 am
Nice to see a lot of people realize they’re all crooks in the governor’s race, Republican or Democrat. I’m looking for a classical liberal or a classical progresive. The last one I saw in Georgia was shot down by a Soviet Mig. Rest in peace Larry McDonald. They’re all sell outs for the stage or idiots who confuse modern libertarianism (neo-feudalism) as classical liberalism.
Cobb Neighbor
May 29th, 2010
8:12 am
@Keith Gardner: Surely you jest! “Classical Liberal” or Classical Progressive” are both oxymorons (or, simply, “morons”). Progressive (AKA Socialist or Communist) thinking was the absolute anathema to Larry McDonald!! Perhaps you never met him; I did and I knew Larry McDonald – he’s gotta be rolling over in his grave right now
Winfield J. Abbe
May 29th, 2010
8:22 am
Do not vote for that corrupt coward Barnes. He refused to take action against the corrupt American Cancer Society as it routinely defrauded numerous unwitting cancer patients and their loved ones out of money in annual Relay for Death races around the State as documented in the article “American Cancer Society America’s Wealthiest ‘Non-Profit’ Institution” by Samuel S. Epstein M.D., International Journal of Health Services, 1999, also available at http://www.preventcancer.com. Barnes is a gutless coward and should do all the citizens of Georgia a favor and not run any more. What does he want to be governor for anyway if not to satisfy his own inflated ego? Haven’t we had enough of this good for nothing lawyer who winks at the fleecing of unwitting cancer victims by the corrupt outlaw organization American Cancer Society which promotes and supports all those toxic treatments which kill most of the cancer patients.
metro independent
May 29th, 2010
8:25 am
Mr. Galloway, something that might be good for all Georgian’s to know is that Roy is (or certainly used to be) owner of various commercial buildings that are on long-term leases to state agencies. Of course, these properties are held in LLC’s or the like, as most all commercial properties are. A few that come to mind are in Albany and Athens. If memory serves me right, I think they might be DOL offices. If the state can’t pay cash for these needed offices, wouldn’t it be simple enough to float their own bonds to spread out the cost? It just seems like an extreme conflict of interest for a governor (current or former) to have such strong credit tenants. These buildings appreciate significantly and can be sold farily easily to wall street investors or pension funds when cap rates come down. I’d like this kind of investment opportunity…. get a 30 year lease in place with a state agency, build to suit with very little equity, cash flow from day one, and can sell whenever the cap rates come down (and thus property value goes way up)!!!!!
Morrus
May 29th, 2010
8:46 am
Curiously, in a supposed anti-incumbent year, most of the departing are not retiring but seeking higher office. We may recycle more than we replace. The bad news is that a frustrating 114 seats still have but one contestant. Two of them aren’t even incumbents, meaning they will affect state policy without being vetted by voters. And I have to think that we’d be better off if many had run instead for the Legislature — and cut down on the number running unopposed. Georgia’s problems are numerous. They aren’t going away. There’s too much stale thinking at the Capitol, on both sides of the aisle. New voices would be welcome.
TruthSquad
May 29th, 2010
9:55 am
Sorry, I’m late to the party – didn’t this all get started with Roy’s bank bashing ad? Typical. He takes their money and then tries to fool people with ads like that. I checked the Treasury Dept’s website. None of those small banks that failed he talks about got bailouts. Tell the truth, Roy. This is typical trial lawyer tactics. But in court, he has to fool 12 people. At least he’s got a lot more people to fool in this election and the majority has already been fooled once. His big hope is he can fool the majority again.
professional skeptic
May 29th, 2010
10:11 am
Retired Soldier: Both my grandfathers, my father, step father, and many friends either served or are serving. No need to remind me of anything, tyvm. Go preach to someone else. And no, we were not discussing. We were bickering over whether or not I would copy and paste a nonsensical, laughable, asinine one-sentence Georgia Republican pledge. I assure you: anyone who cares has already used Google to find it. And, now, we’re bickering over whether our exchange constitutes discussion or bickering. God bless America for our freedom to waste time engaging in meaningless chatter.
Finished my coffee so I’m off to enjoy the day. And, yes, thanks to all the current and former members of our nation’s military, and may God bless all who died serving our country.
J
May 29th, 2010
10:14 am
“King Roy Barnes” = Mistreatment of teachers & No Immigration Reform.
Garry Owen
May 29th, 2010
10:21 am
I agree with J!