Roy Barnes bets his campaign on rural Georgia
Last Tuesday night, for the third time, Roy Barnes won the Democratic nomination for governor.
With 66 percent of the primary vote in his pocket, the former resident of the Governor’s Mansion held up the front page of that day’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The lead headline, “State falls further behind,” was a reference to school test scores.
Roy Barnes greets supporters on Tuesday night -- before leaving for rural Georgia. Associated Press/John Bazemore
Barnes thanked his supporters, complimented his defeated opponents, and condemned Republicans who “gave tax breaks to special interests and then had to lay off teachers and shorten the school year to cover up their mistakes.”
And then he dropped off the face of metro Atlanta.
Not even an Aug. 2 visit to Atlanta by President Barack Obama will bring Barnes back. “He’s going to be in Middle and South Georgia,” campaign manager Chris Carpenter said Saturday.
Barnes has bet his campaign on rural Georgia — the one that turned its back on him in 2002 for his removal of the Confederate battle emblem from its place on the state flag.
“Roy Barnes told me about six months ago that if he wins this election he’ll have to win it south of Macon,” said Bobby Rowan, a former state senator and former member of the Public Service Commission.
On Saturday, Rowan was one of the organizers of a 12-county rally featuring Barnes, held in the little town of Enigma, just east of Tifton.
Rowan calls his hometown a “depressed agricultural mecca.”
“It’s sad down here,” he said in advance of the Saturday bash. Ingredients for what Rowan insisted was a bipartisan event included bottled iced water, iced tea, lemonade, watermelon and boiled peanuts.
“We’ve got some little girls that’s wearing T-shirts that say ‘Barnes chicks.’ They’re going to pass out 1,500 of these ol’ church fans,” Rowan said. “The last time something like this was had down in South Georgia was when Carl Sanders took on Marvin Griffin. That was 1962.”
That was the same year Rowan, now 75, was first elected to the state Senate.
But Rowan, known for his poetic drawl and populist style, was exaggerating. The last time we saw a gubernatorial campaign like this was in 2002.
A Democrat-turned-Republican state senator named Sonny Perdue picked out 70 counties in rural Georgia that, four years earlier, had voted for both Barnes and U.S. Sen. Paul Coverdell, a Republican.
While the Roy Barnes of 2002 worked from Atlanta and hardly ever shed his business suit, each Friday night would see Perdue on the sidelines of several South Georgia high school football games, shaking hands and slapping backs.
Those rural swing counties and a promise to put the 1956 state flag and its Confederate battle emblem up for a statewide vote formed the core of the effort that made Perdue the first Republican governor in 130 years.
Carpenter, the Barnes campaign manager, acknowledged strategic similarities between the Perdue campaign of 2002 and the Barnes campaign of 2010. “We’ve taken our campaign all across the state. Roy’s been to over 90 counties,” he said.
In last week’s balloting, Republican voters cast twice as many ballots as Democrats. But the Barnes campaign doesn’t believe the GOP grasp on rural Georgia is as strong as many think.
Carpenter is a great believer in maps. One of those on the wall of the campaign manager’s Marietta office shows the Georgia counties with Democratic sheriffs — 108 of 159.
The majority of these Democratic sheriffs work below the gnat line.
While it has a Republican sheriff, Berrien County — home to Enigma — is one of those counties that voted for Barnes in 1998, then swung to Perdue in 2002.
Rowan thinks his county is ready to swing again.
Neither Nathan Deal nor Karen Handel, the two Republicans left in the race for governor, has paid Berrien County a visit. Eric Johnson of Savannah won the Republican side of the primary in Berrien, followed by John Oxendine.
Rowan doesn’t think party labels will matter in November.
“We frankly don’t care anymore,” he said. “Partisan politics has passed us. Now, I wouldn’t be surprised if Roy Barnes could roll up a 60 to 70 percent win in our county.”
Margins of that size, reached in multiple rural counties, could offset balloting from the Republican-dominated counties of metro Atlanta. A heavy turnout for Barnes in rural Georgia would essentially crack the super-majority of white voters required for statewide GOP victories.
Rowan said the Confederate enthusiasts who dogged Barnes throughout the 2002 campaign are no longer a concern. “Sonny promised them a vote. They know they ain’t never getting a vote,” Rowan said.
But it is the economy of South Georgia that has leveled the playing field, the former legislator said.
“This whole election, it ain’t about a $3 tag, it ain’t about a chicken in every pot. It’s about a job for every man that’ll work. That’s the issue,” Rowan said.
He told of an unemployed friend who’d recently confessed that, while his neighbors thought him prosperous, he was about to lose his house.
“That man is not Republican or Democrat. He’s a human being,” Rowan said. “But if you make him a promise, and he believes you might can help him, that’s where his vote’s going.
“He won’t even slow down to think about Republicans or Democrats. It’s too late for that,” Rowan said.
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141 comments Add your comment
Chris
July 24th, 2010
7:45 pm
As a resident of Peach County, Georgia (Fort Valley), Mr. Barnes has some serious bridge rebuidling to do. Frankly, we don’t know which Roy Barnes would be the Governor. The teachers for one are not thrilled with him and seeing his mansion on Dallas Highway clearly sets him up as “not one of us”.
This is a Democrat or Republican issue – it’s personnal.
Galloway is in the bag for Barnes
July 24th, 2010
7:47 pm
AJC Editors — wake up!!! Go back and read Galloway’s posts during this election so far. He is Propagander In Chief for Barnes. This is just the latest of suck up pieces. Is he angling for a job in the Barnes administration or what??
Dirk Digler
July 24th, 2010
8:01 pm
You republicans keep gettin fleeced by the people you send to office. Didn’t get a referendum on the flag, had 8 years in a solidly republican legislature and couldn’t get any of that tax reform Deal and Handel been yapping about. Face it, you’re either going to get screwed by Deal or elect a lightweight in Handel that’s even worse than Palin.
Barnes is the clear choice for any sane person. But this is Georgia.
She's Not There
July 24th, 2010
8:04 pm
I love you, Mr. Rowan, but Berrien County is filled to the brim with partisan politics.
All the rural counties are. While they continued to vote for Democrats at the local and state level until about 10 years ago, it only means there was a change in what was considered Republican and what was considered Democrat (or more accurately, Dixiecrat). The Southern Strategy in particular was very effective.
Speaking to jobs doesn’t work as well as speaking to fears.
I wish it were different. I wish we could sit down and talk about what matters most to our communities, but bipartisanship is like that sighting of Bigfoot a few months ago down near Ray City. You wonder about the people who claim to have seen it and realize it’s likely a myth.
I wouldn’t be shocked if there was a good turnout, though. But I have a feeling this like the get-togethers Marvin Griffin would host where one his aides said after the election, “Someone’s been eating Marvin’s barbecue and not voting for him.”
Keith
July 24th, 2010
8:06 pm
barnes will do alot better in rural ga this yr. as for the bridge building he has rebuilt 85% of that bridge and if the showing today down in enigma is any indication he will be the next gov of this state. he has alot of white male support in rural ga and the team he has put together for rural ga is top notch. rural ga is not a lock for republicans that’s very true. in a poll taken recently by macon telegraph 62% of south georgians say the economy, financial serurity and jobs are their main concerns.
barnes has visited twin city, eastman, swainsboro, reynolds since the primary win.
Overall viewpoint
July 24th, 2010
8:08 pm
As I said before in another blog;if the election is between Handel and Barnes in November,Barnes will be the next Governor.A large amount of counties below Macon will vote for Barnes and not Handel.Good ole boys will vote for a man before a women regardless of what party they support.That’s the way it is period!!! She will carry some metro areas,but the numbers will be against her.A Deal and Barnes election will be about party lines and philosophy.Another out side the box view says large corporations will start donating funds to the Barnes campaign over the next few weeks! They really want Barnes to win.May not say it ,but action is louder than words.
The Cynical White Boy
July 24th, 2010
8:31 pm
I believe all of this rural Georgia talk is just Roy Barnes-Bobby Kahn smoke and mirrors stuff.
Democrats don’t care about rural Georgia – they don’t have to.
Statewide Democrats run in Metro Atlanta, Columbus, Savannah, Augusta, and Macon. In fact, they concentrate on Fulton, Dekalb and Clayton for the most part.
But then, you wouldn’t expect the truth about the King and his Knave (Kahn) from any of the big city newspapers.
dunwoody guy
July 24th, 2010
8:46 pm
Mr. Barnes is a typical two-faced Georgia politician. His reminds me of the Joe Isuzu guy. He and his law firm managed to leverage a rolling tab of taxpayer dollars (in the hundreds of thousands) to hamstring Dunwoody’s annexation from the corrupt Dekalb “kickback” County,
I don’t want him and his cronies stealing from children anymore.
Baldemar Huerta
July 24th, 2010
8:47 pm
2 words: Denny’s Place-mat.
Not educated beyond my intelligence
July 24th, 2010
8:51 pm
I live in rural county smack dab in the middle of South Georgia. I am sick to death of Sonny and his boys who haven’t done a dang thing for us in 8 years (except build a nice fishin’ hole in Houston County). I am voting for Roy Barnes and I’ll tell you a lot more of the folks in his part of the state are to.
4 Jacks
July 24th, 2010
8:58 pm
And you democrats keep espousing your rhetoric against republicans while Obama and the dems force their agenda onto a nation that is clearly against alot of what he is selling. Ole Roy is just the same, will say anything to get elected. I grew up in Mableton, went to school with some of ole Roy’s family at dear ole South Cobb High. This is the last guy we need running this state. I am neither dem or republican, but will follow the tea party canidates as it is high time we as a people start taking OUR country back and see if we can find some people who want to SERVE people, instead of the career politicians that only serve their interest. At least the tea party canidates seem to want to serve the people, something that good ole Roy never did or cared about. To you dems that are critical of everything none dem, the reason alot of us vote repub is because of you forcing your ideals on a populace that is not in agreement with you in alot of cases, and your canidates offer us nothing in the way of compromise. It is why I vote against you most times, your canidates give me no choice.
rooster
July 24th, 2010
9:05 pm
If it’s true, the most important quote in the story is “partisan politics has passed us.” That’s how Barnes has to run, and that’s how the state needs to proceed. If elected, Barnes will probably face Republican majorities in both houses of the state legislature. Everyone will need to figure out how to arrive at solutions together, or everyone will look bad. It took Clinton and the post -1994 GOP Congress one bad year to learn this, after which they did pretty well at compromise. Barnes is smart enough not to waste a year. He needs to make clear in his campaign and then as governor that the future of Georgia comes first for him, not political party, and that he is eager to work with whoever feels similarly.
Drew
July 24th, 2010
9:08 pm
ABB ABB ABB ABB= ANYBODY BUT BARNES!
Randy
July 24th, 2010
9:27 pm
Am I the only one thats offended by Barnes latest Ad? You know the one where he says the country laughs at Georgia. And then insinuates that he’s the only one that can save us from ourselves?
BeyondTheRhetoric
July 24th, 2010
9:34 pm
“This whole election, it ain’t about a $3 tag, it ain’t about a chicken in every pot. It’s about a job for every man that’ll work. That’s the issue,” Rowan said.
Bobby Rowan is right. The good people of Berrien County, along with the rest of rural Georgia, will be looking at the candidate that will bring established businesses to Georgia and provide an economic environment suitable for the growth of small businesses. This, in turn, will create those jobs we so desperately need.
We now have three candidates to choose from. After August 10th, we will only have two. We need to take the time to review each candidates economic plan, qualifications, and history. Sound bites aren’t enough. This country voted in the 2008 Presidential Election based on sound bites only, remember? We all know how that’s working out……..
artesian jacket
July 24th, 2010
9:50 pm
This election will be won or lost not in the cities or in rural georgia but in so called second tier counties like Paulding, Henry, and Forsyth. These counties have exploded in population and are likely as not, to vote Republican.
scott
July 24th, 2010
9:51 pm
ROY BARNES IS THE ONLY PERSON THAT CAN BRING BACK THIS ECONOMIC DEPRESSED STAGNANT STATE BACK TO PROSPERITY A VOTE FOR REPUBLICANS IS A VOTE FOR GEORGIA TO BECOME THE NEXT MICHIGAN AND ATLANTA TO BECOME THE NEXT DETROIT IN THE MAKING WE NEED A PROGRESSIVE THINKER NOT ANOTHER BACKWARDS 1950,S THINKIN REPUBLICAN PUTTING OUR STATE FARTHER BEHIND WHILE NORTH CAROLINA AND CHARLOTTE PROGRESS!!!ROY BARNES A NO BRAINER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cafeej
July 24th, 2010
9:58 pm
Hey y’all,
Guess what else is at stake? Georgia is going to get an additional congressional seat after this census – it was going to be a Republican lock but if Barnes gets elected I do not think so!
Johns Creek
July 24th, 2010
9:59 pm
ARe Georgians going to forget that Roy Barnes is an arrogant individual who thinks he is always right and the rest of us are to dumb to know better. I lived through Roy Barnes last turn at Governor, and anyone other than Barnes is the better choice when it comes time to vote.
My own two cents
July 24th, 2010
10:21 pm
Even if Roy Barnes gets elected, the General Assembly will most likely stay Republican, so he will probably not get much done.
AnnaGrace
July 24th, 2010
10:31 pm
I typically vote for the person, not the party. I’ve voted for republicans and democrats in the last few elections. But honestly, I just can’t see this as anything other than a slow win for Barnes. Handel is clearly out of her league here – she may be a nice person but she is not a person who has the capabilities to be a good governor. Deal is a stereotypical self-promoting politician – I would not believe he is in this for anything other than ego and self-interest. And I HATE that he had his grandsons in the exploitive ad. gross.
Barnes is not perfect, but I believe he has good intentions. I believe he is capable of doing the job in these difficult economic circumstances. he’ll get my vote, and a lot of other independents’ votes too.
AnnaGrace
July 24th, 2010
10:33 pm
AND, I’m just putting this out there. I don’t want to hear one more word about abortion, gay rights or any other moral righteousness. Talk to me about jobs and schools and the water problem. Keep your religion to yourself, and I’ll do the same. Thanks.
Lynn43
July 24th, 2010
10:53 pm
AnnaGrace, I was going to say the same thing. Thank you for saying it for me and better. These things are “non-issues”, so hush about them. Quit trying to run peoples’ private lives. If this is a person’s only agenda, he/she does not need to be elected. By the way, I am an elected official.
justme
July 24th, 2010
11:00 pm
As a teacher who did not vote for Barnes the last time, I can tell you he got the message. I have heard Mr. Barnes speak and I have talked to him one on one and I can tell you the man knows he screwed up. More importantantly, he has ways to get GA back on track with jobs and with education. I know you can not read this and take my word for it, but I will be supporting him in the next election. Just listen to what he says, and if you have a question…ask him. He will give you answers and you can decide for yourself. Throw out democrats and republicans and listent to what they have to say and how they think they can help our state. That’s all you can do.
GG68
July 24th, 2010
11:12 pm
Barnes is the clear choice for any sane person. But this is Georgia.
I completely agree. Barnes is the only wise choice, but like you said, this is Georgia and since this state has become so red, I would say we’re anything but wise (and bear in mind, this is coming from someone who was born, raised and has lived in this state all of her life with the exception of 2 1/2 years), so unfortunately I believe that either Deal or Handel (depending on who wins the GOP nomination) will win the race. Sad, but most likely true.
No Deal
July 24th, 2010
11:38 pm
Randy said: Am I the only one thats offended by Barnes latest Ad? You know the one where he says the country laughs at Georgia. Reply: Randy you may be offended, but it’s true. My wife and I take a cruise every year, and people really let me know what they think of Georgia and it’s not pretty.
rc35
July 24th, 2010
11:59 pm
It’s really not appropriate to dismiss abortion as a “non-issue.” If a voter is convinced by religious faith, ultrasound, DNA, or any other grounds that an unborn child is something other than a blob of tissue, then there is a moral distinction between an elective abortion and an appendectomy.
Since this column dealt with rural Georgia, let’s use a rural analogy. Every hunter knows that it is illegal and unethical to fire at moving brush without being sure it’s not a human target first. If he/she accidentally fires on another human being, there are legal and ethical consequences. No state would stand the shooting of hundreds of human beings every year on the grounds that “I thought it was a deer.” In a similar way, ethics and legality should mandate that we don’t kill hundreds or thousands of human beings every year on the grounds that “I thought it was just a lump of tissue.” We don’t open fire or suction tubes on human beings without other ethical considerations (saving lives) coming into play.
Bobby Anthony
July 25th, 2010
12:10 am
This South Georgia boy will not vote for Barnes.
artesian jacket
July 25th, 2010
12:11 am
And who was it that made Michigan the oasis of prosperity that it is today? Democrats and their union allies. No thank you, I don’t want Democrats of the national or local variety. Thank you very much.
WAW
July 25th, 2010
12:13 am
The Statue of Liberty is in the middle of New York harbor. Not on the right shore or the left shore but in the middle. Lady Liberty stands in the middle. It is not New York or New Jersey but both can enjoy her beacon of American Liberty. Roy is the only candidate I’ve heard who is denouncing both extremes and calling for common sense.
No Longer Republican
July 25th, 2010
12:34 am
Artesian Jacket…Forsyth won’t vote Republican??????? Are you frickin serious??? It is the MOST repoblican county in the state, maybe the entire nation, I live there. No chance in the world Barnes will carry Forsyth. Nada, zip, none. Thats why Barnes is smart to focus on counties outside of metro Atlanta. Barnes will win in Fulton, Dekalb and Clayton. The other counties that make up metro Atlanta are HEAVY repiblican and will vote for anyone with a (R) next to their name without even thinking about it. The counties in south Georgia are not that certain for any party. Barnes has a good strategy. I for one was so excited when Perdue beat Barnes in 2002. Now after 8 years of this crap I’m hoping Barnes can find his way back to the Governor’s mansion. I didn’t vote for him last week, but since he won, he has got be better than Handel or Deal.
No Longer Republican
July 25th, 2010
12:39 am
And rc35, we’ve been voting for the last several election cycles based on the social issues such as gay marraige and abortion. This is a FREE country and our personal lives should not be controlled by the government or your religion. All of these people who vote simply on social issues because they hate gays or oppose abortion have been instrumental in creating the absolute mess we have simply because they vote on issues that won’t ever be decided and make no difference in the vast majority of people’s everyday lives. It is time to get over it and move on. People with survival issues and children with a lousy education system should be our top priority, not who is marrying who or who has made a choice you don’t like.
Baldemar Huerta
July 25th, 2010
1:04 am
If teachers are stupid enough to vote for King Roy, they have no business teaching anybody. Teachers are useless scum.
Randy
July 25th, 2010
1:12 am
No Deal: I may be an ignant Georgian but even I know that it’s not smart to insult the people that you want voting for you. King Roy’s egotistical attitude is what got him beat last time.
King Rat
July 25th, 2010
1:30 am
King Rat note to self: Make sure you aren’t within 200 miles of Atlanta when Obama comes to town. Turn off all electrical devices in case he tries to track you down. Also, send shoes to Galloway to be shined and returned by Tuesday appearance.
Teacher who remembers
July 25th, 2010
1:39 am
Here in the metro area, we got Fair Dismissal back after King Rat took it away. Rural counties–did not; will they go for him again? Without Fair Dismissal, it will be so easy to downsize teachers; no reason needed.
Teachers–you know we are not 48th in anything. Good things are happening and people don’t know. Only bad news makes the headlines. King Rat as Gov again would be bad news. Even GAE would not endorse him!
kreedham
July 25th, 2010
2:03 am
The Republicans will try to connect Roy with the President. They will also bring up the social issues! They can’t win if the focus is on new business, jobs and education. If Roy sticks to those issues and once in a while reminds us of Sonny (just not too often) then he can win.
itsmeagain
July 25th, 2010
4:27 am
@rc35 – “It’s really not appropriate to dismiss abortion as a “non-issue.” If a voter is convinced by religious faith, ultrasound, DNA, or any other grounds that an unborn child is something other than a blob of tissue, then there is a moral distinction between an elective abortion and an appendectomy.”
It is appropriate to dismiss abortion as a non-issue because it is nothing which is going to be changed or dealt with in the next four years. More to the point, if it was an issue that someone wanted to change the status quo, it would be a huge turn off from voting for them as right now, we need people who will focus on job creation and economic viability, not stopping gays from marrying and preventing abortions.
Can we please stop pretending?
July 25th, 2010
5:07 am
Roy Barnes needs to talk to the guy up in Virginia that lost to the Republican for Governor. Similar to Barnes, he too thought it was ok to alienate African-American and Latino voters in his state. They stayed home and it wasn’t a good night for him.
He might also want to check with the lady up further in Massachusetts who also thought she could take core Democratic voters for granted and she lost to a male centerfold model.
The Democratic Party’s playbook is really quite simple:
1.Leave the social issues alone as much as possible.
2.Realize that the Democratic coalition is multicultural and metropolitan. You need to win the African American/Latino/Asian vote big, and about 22-25% of the White vote which can be done if you reach out to young people and working class people.
The state eligible pool of voters is becoming younger, less white, and less interested in the culture wars.
So run away from Obama all you’d like, but his numbers are still quite high among voterss of color and young people of all races. Doesn’t seem very smart to me especially if Barnes tries to send Clinton in here to beg for the votes he’s to scarred to ask for.
The Democratic Party in this state is really sad and is the best thing the Republican Party has going for it.
outlier
July 25th, 2010
5:34 am
I see all the comments on this article as a mini-poll on the gubernatorial election. Some of them are very thoughtful and loaded with political realism. Therefore, I am predicting a Barnes win, possibly not even close.
Bitter EX democrackkk
July 25th, 2010
6:51 am
Hey Scott, um, North Carolina is under siege by ravenous democrackkks who have corrupted it for over 150+ years of total domination. Democrackkks have RUINED NC! Watch out Georgia, DONT let it happen to YOU! YOU can do BETTER than Royal Barnes!
Bitter EX democrackkk
July 25th, 2010
6:52 am
Karen Handel is the ONLY CHOICE for SENSIBLE Georgians! Are YOU SENSIBLE???
GI Dolly...
July 25th, 2010
7:33 am
Old King Roy was a merry old soul, and a merry old soul was he. His best friend during his gov. years was cynthia mckinney. He changed our flag, because it might offend. He is a draft dodger. Sonny was a democrat during the clinton years. Let’s not forget the gerrymandered districts that a federal judge threw out.
Bitter EX republiklan
July 25th, 2010
7:38 am
SENSIBLE? Handel and Deal are arguing over abortion and gay rights. These were settled years ago with constitutional amendments. What about the issues now? Unemployment, funding of k-12 schools, transportation, and much, much more. Their only answer: more tax exemptions for corporations.
Diehard
July 25th, 2010
7:43 am
There is a locker room vernacular for this piece – Barnes goes to rural GA because they still respect former Governors. He gets to preen and drawl and good ol boy his way along . . . and its better than having to explain how he’s different from Obama who will probably give a nice eulogy for the former Governor’s campaign as soon as the Republicans bury him again.
Retired English Teacher
July 25th, 2010
7:45 am
GI Dolly- I would have to give you a grade of D- on your comments. Look back on your notes that you took in Remedial English class in HS. Please rework and submit please.
GI Dolly...
July 25th, 2010
7:56 am
learnt and edumacated in clayton county schools, and earnt me a deploma. Yeah, ME!!!!!!!!!!!
The Real Politico
July 25th, 2010
8:02 am
I have yet to hear any specific plans Deal has for the state. Any questions posed to him are always answered with generalities. Yet people are willing to vote for him.
Republicans continue to be strange.
martabusplaya
July 25th, 2010
8:04 am
I ain’t sure who I’m votin’ for yet. My ideal candidate would bring back Marta tokens. I got a lot of money invested in them things and now the bus driver say they can’t take ‘em! It say right there on the token “good for one ride”. Word is bond, and them words say I can get on this bus with my token! Bus drivers be treatin’ tokens like they some kind of play money. I spent greenbacks on these tokens, and now I can’t even get to the store with ‘em.
The Real Politico
July 25th, 2010
8:07 am
martabusplaya-So now we have Mark Williams of the Tea Party Express on the blog.
Go figure.
Fire Eater
July 25th, 2010
8:08 am
For the GOP nominee:
1) IMMIGRATION – remind voters it is the DEMOCRATS who are to blame for the 550,000 illegal aliens squatting in Georgia taking Americans jobs and reducing wages.
2) CRIME – promise to enact a reform to Georgia’s death penalty law allowing for non-unanimous jury votes for death in the penalty phase of the trial to prevent travesties like the Whitney Land trial in Gwinnett county and the trials of the killers of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom in Knoxville, TN. This measure is angrily opposed by Barnes core supporters.
3) MILTON COUNTY Advocate a major push for the re-creation of Milton county…again, this vital measure is vehemently opposed by Barnes core constituency…it would cut off intown and southside Atlanta from the cash to fund various “urban” schemes.
Any of these issues would put Roy Barnes on the spot…alienating White middle-class people and angering the urban mobs and their rabblerousing ministers.
Ga Values
July 25th, 2010
8:09 am
Nathan Corruption Deal has been a Washington Insider for 18 years, he has done little or nothing for Georgia but has made himself a multi millionaire. Just remember Deal’s middle name is CORRUPTION.
scott
July 25th, 2010
8:16 am
didnt know thier were so many multi millionares in georgia…it must be if you vote republican!!thats all they care about is making corporations and themselves richer while the middle class sinks into poverty as a wealthy white male and owner of my own company.. i do not understand this my fellow americans statistics show that the middle class has taking a whopping the past 10 years that they may not recover from(bankruptcys,foreclosures,high medical cost high cost for education,stagnant wages all while everthing goes up,no money for retirement etc..all republicans care about is the top 2% in the country while the rest of the 98% go paycheck to paycheck..i play golf with republicans trust me when i say they dont care about you!!!voting republican is not a status thing if you cant pay your mortgage or put food on the table..THE RICH IS GETTING RICHER AND THE MIDDLE CLASS HAS TAKEN A BEATEN AND WILL CONTINUE WITH REPUBLICANS…….
GI Dolly...
July 25th, 2010
8:18 am
The conerned black clergy will show up for Obama.
German Shepherd Dawg
July 25th, 2010
8:21 am
Dirk Digler,
Are you watching what’s been going on in Washington? Obama and the national Dems have given all new meaning to the word “fleecing.”
That B.S. just doesn’t sell anymore….nobody has any money left to buy it.
Retired English Teacher
July 25th, 2010
8:30 am
Oh yes, I remember you now in my Remedial class. Still blaming others for your problems in life. Get off the meth before Karen or Nate gets elected. Well maybe not, they may have you washing their dishes.
The Real Politico
July 25th, 2010
8:32 am
Fire Eater- What I always find interesting about your immigration argument is that it never has anything to do with the facts. Bush had a Republican controlled Congress and was not able to get immigration reform passed. No one ever promotes criminal penalties for those who hire illegals. No one would come here if they were not given jobs by business owners. Where is you outrage about that?
With regards to your Crime and Milton initiatives it’s pretty clear what that is about. Although why Georgians should base their vote on what happens in TN is odd.
Vince
July 25th, 2010
8:35 am
Georgians who vote for Barnes are easily fooled.
Jobs, teacher furloughs, pay cuts….none of these are affected by who sits in the governor’s mansion. They are results of a national, even international economic downturn. Do Barnes and bloggers who blame Perdue for the economic downturn really think the governor of Georgia has that much power? That worries me.
The flag problem: Many people agreed in 1999 that the flag needed to be changed. It was the sneaky, underhanded way that it was done that offended many of us.
Extreme partisanship: Remember the 2000 congressional district gerrymandering? Barnes was so intent on drawing weird districts to maximize Democratic strength and dilute what the citizens of Georgia wanted that even members of his own party commented that they had never seen a governor interfere with the process so much. The US Justice Department agreed.
Teachers. No teacher with any sense could vote for Barnes. Just before the 1998 election Barnes was asked by teachers if he would he touch tenure. He said repeatedly that he would not. Just weeks after the election he stated that he had experienced a revelation and that he wanted to end teacher tenure. Again, many people, even in education, thought that was a good idea, but to outright lie about it just to get votes was infuriating.
Teachers, Part 2: Barnes introduced his A+ Reform Act. Teachers had many concerns about it. Namely…the use of high stakes standardized tests to promote students and to award teacher raises. He thought that teachers who worked in high risk/under performing schools should get paid LESS. We wondered about his insistence that mentally disabled students achieve at grade level. When teachers tried to explain their reservations about the Act to him he responded by saying, You are in danger of losing my respect and the respect of the people of Georgia. So, we stayed quiet and responded at the polls three years later.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
The Real Politico
July 25th, 2010
8:42 am
Anyone who thinks that a Georgia governor has no affect on the education budgets of school systems is un-informed at best or purely disingenious. Perhaps a conversation with your school superintendent would be in order.
There is no flag problem. Those people who still have an issue with it should move on.
Any teacher who is still upset over something that happened 8 years ago and thinks that teachers are better off today is probably retired and no longer in the system. If you ever cared about the children of Georgia put that behind you and look through the prism of today and not of the past.
horace mann
July 25th, 2010
8:43 am
Hey coach Vince- Still preaching the Reign of Terror? Maybe Anger Management class?
Virginia
July 25th, 2010
8:48 am
Ya’ll may want to take a look at Virginia. The commonwealth typically elects some form of split party government and has a pretty good record of education and job growth. Just something to think about – should Georgia hand the reigns back to all Republicans?
Vince
July 25th, 2010
8:49 am
@The Real Politico
The Governor has an affect on the budgets…but not so much on the money that comes into the coffers from which the budgets are derived.
Counties are given a certain amount by the state and then the local districts supplement that amount. If the state, or the local body, doesn’t have enough money coming in to meet the budget then the budget must be cut. Economics 101
Vince
July 25th, 2010
8:51 am
@Horace Mann…Thanks for the compliment. I think coaches are great people. I kind of like it when kids call coach by mistake…but I never did anything so worthy as to deserve that moniker, except with the local non-school sports associations.
The Real Politico
July 25th, 2010
8:52 am
The last time I checked the Republicans have the “reins” in the mansion and both house of the General Assembly. How’s that worked so far?
Vince
July 25th, 2010
8:53 am
@ Virginia
In a perfect world everyone would be an Independent…like me! However, there are way too many non-thinkers who would rather be told what to do. It is easier than thinking for themselves.
dagnabit
July 25th, 2010
8:54 am
Sonny is the gooberhead that changed the state flag without a vote. Meanwhile gov. sonny gooberhead bought some property for half price. The rest of you republicans try doing that.
Vince
July 25th, 2010
8:56 am
I don’t notice much about who has more seats than the other. With our economic collapse during the last few years I do not think they they done any worse, or better, than anyone else could have done. Hard to do things when you have no money.
I look at character and ideas instead.
The Real Politico
July 25th, 2010
8:56 am
Then your first point holds no water. The reduction of state funding as determined by the governor and his General Assembly has a negative affect on school budgets. Thus cuts at the local level resulting in teacher cuts and larger class sizes. Anyone who thinks that’s not important does not care for kids or has theirs in private school.
School 101
horace mann
July 25th, 2010
8:59 am
Can’t talk now coach, admininstrator, former teacher Vince. gotta go to church. Hey, going to church would certainly help you state of mind.
roughrider
July 25th, 2010
9:00 am
Barnes ignored the wishes of rural Georgia when he changed the flag. What makers him think that rural Georgians will trust him now ? Has he changed his spots? We don’t need a ” has been ” or a ” never was ” as Governor.
The Real Politico
July 25th, 2010
9:03 am
What kind of voter does not know who has had leadership in the General Assembly? What kind of due diligence is that when deciding who’s responsible for the situation the state is in? The economic collapse did not come out of no where. It was caused by business greed that the middle class is paying for now.
It’s no wonder why we’re at this place.
The Real Politico
July 25th, 2010
9:04 am
roughrider-Better to have a crook and what?
Vince
July 25th, 2010
9:08 am
@ the real politico
BUT if there is no money to be had…then what? Raise taxes? Is that your answer? Raise taxes on people who are already struggling? If that is your answer, or Barnes’, then just be honest about it.
My point is…and it really is a simple one….The economic collapse has caused less tax money to come into the coffers. That is not the fault of a governor or a legislature. You cannot spend money you don’t have.
By the way, all of my kids have attended public school and I still have two in high school and one at a public state university. I currently am a public school educator. I have dealt with the cuts closely and personally.
J.B. STONER
July 25th, 2010
9:08 am
yall miss my a$$ dont you….
Vince
July 25th, 2010
9:11 am
Voters who are not blinded by party bias don’t bother to pay attention to who controls the legislature. That’s who.They actually take the time to study each candidate’s stand on issues and vote with their brain…not their bias.
It’s the lack of bi-partisanship and this game of one guy must beat up the other that has gotten us into our current mess. That, and people spending more money than they have.
Richie
July 25th, 2010
9:12 am
The people of south Ga will not vote for THE Roy boy.What a loser.
Vince
July 25th, 2010
9:13 am
Nothing wrong with my state of mind J.T.
The Real Politico
July 25th, 2010
9:16 am
The answer is that the tax revenues are down due to job cuts. So the state decided to lower the already dwindling revenues by laying off more tax payers. Thus a downward spiral is made worse. Then lower school funding caused schools to further increase the number of the unemployed. Still fewer taxes paid. I am fine with a temporary removal of tax exemptions on food until we recover.
At some point positive action is required and not just a knee jerk reaction.
Thanks for your public school service. Off to church now.
Bottom Line
July 25th, 2010
9:16 am
is that state-wide elections go as Cobb goes. Even though King Roy is a Cobb Co home boy he will not carry his home county and therefore will not win in November. King Roy does not have all the answers and hopefully Georgians have long enough memories to recall his last term in office.
Republicans outnumbered democraps 2 to 1 in the primary and if we are unable to hold that lead in November we don’t deserve to win. It is interesting that old Roy is running away from Obama, obviously not wanting to be seen with him. Hopefully, Deal and Handel will take every opportunity to tie “The King” and “The Prince of Change” to one another.
We put ol’ Roy to pasture once already! Why bring him back? It is a pretty sad commentary that he is the best the dems could come up with in this day and time.
I’m an over 50, white, male and I voted for Karen Handel because I’m ready for a REAL CHANGE for GA and I didn’t see that coming with Deal, Ox, or Johnson. Don’t forget for all us “old white Republican guys” there are just as many or more Republican women who I believe can’t wait to elect a female governor. GO KAREN!
The Real Politico
July 25th, 2010
9:20 am
Last, I promise.
You have to vote in a Republican or Democratic primary. So by default you are made to be partisan. I have found that Republicans have a tendency to say they vote on the issues and not the party. But all their votes appear on the Republican side Hmm…if it walks like a duck…
Vince
July 25th, 2010
9:24 am
I didn’t vote in the primary. Refuse to label myself.
Vince
July 25th, 2010
9:25 am
…and tax revenues are down, mainly due to foreclosures
Miller
July 25th, 2010
9:41 am
Roy is entertaining but he comes across as arrogant at times. Unfortunately, he is also a trial lawyer. It would be hard for me to be able to trust him in anything as I view that class of people as less-than-honest to begin with. They’re all about justice (as long as they get their 40% cut). Disgusting. I’d prefer to see someone with some business background as Governor but it looks unlikely. If Handel can handle running the dysfunctional Fulton County, I would imagine that the State would be a piece of cake. We’ll see.
JSH
July 25th, 2010
10:00 am
He’s had his chance and blew it. He made a deal with the devel (Atlanta) when he changed a perfectly good flag, he screwed every teacher in Georgia, and he’s a “slip & fall” lawyer.
A vote for Barnes is a wasted vote.
TruthBe
July 25th, 2010
10:14 am
Barnes is nothing more than a liberal lying democrat. He lied about our very honorable battle flag so that he could get the black vote.
Keep doing this GOP
July 25th, 2010
10:24 am
Since the repugs have been in power……………………
Raised taxes due to elimination of the Govenor’s exemption
Raises taxes by increasing fees on various liesences
Passed resoulution wanting to succeed from the U.S.
Passed resolution outlawing micochip implantation anywhere on the body
Cut 4 billion dollars in education (even before the economic collaspe )
Approved 100,000 tax cut for that only the govenor could benefit.
Repealed the strongest preditory lending act in the country
Gave a 436 million dollar tax break to Kia so they could build a plant
so close to the Alabama line that those citizens will benefit almost as much as Georgians
will without picking up the tax burden.
Vowed to vote on an ethics bill ……………..still waiting.
Has overseen the state unemployment rate go higher than the national rate 24 out of the last
25 months.
Has seen the largest teacher layoffs in state history.
Now why in the hell would i vote Republican????
ATLshirt.com
July 25th, 2010
10:46 am
YAY, All of these Democrats are going to VOTE for another GOOD OLE BOY as Governor of Georga..
Roy Barnes, Just another Good Ole Boy doing all he can for Rural Georgia and nothing for the poor black folks in Atlanta….. Way to go Democrats !!!
Garrett2009
July 25th, 2010
10:58 am
I find it laughable that some people here are so concerned about a state flag, a piece of cloth, instead of jobs and education. The only flag that all Georgians should be concerned about is the American flag and our troops that are defending THAT flag.
Vince
July 25th, 2010
11:02 am
@ Garrett….
Many of us are not concerned about the state flag. We are concerned about the manner in which it was changed and the lack of respect for the citizens of Georgia that it exemplified.
Vince
July 25th, 2010
11:05 am
@Keep doing this GOP
three reasons to give that consideration:
1. Democrats had complete control of Georgia for 120 years leading up to 2002. You think everything was peachy keen here before that year?
2. Roy Barnes lied to teachers in 1998 just to get their votes. How do you respond to that?
3. Roy has great ideas. I would respect him more if he told me how he planned to raise $3 billion in revenues before next year in order to reinstate teacher raises and end furloughs and layoffs.
Kay
July 25th, 2010
11:15 am
There has always been a stigma attached with living “south of ANYWHERE”. All **** flows south so they say….but guess what? When your capital is in the northern part of the state everything is south!!
I live in West Central Georgia (one hour south) of Atlanta, but most of the people you mention Thomaston Georgia to in Atlanta have never heard of it, and will reply “Oh, that’s South Georgia..right?” Oh well, if you aren’t part of A-town, I guess you don’t exist???
Ian
July 25th, 2010
11:43 am
1956
x x
x x
x x
x
x x
x x
x x
The Goobernator
July 25th, 2010
11:46 am
@4 Jacks, I agree with you, I consider my self an independent, and am looking for new leaders. Ironically, I vote more dem because the repubs are, to borrow your quote “forcing (their) ideals on a populace that is not in agreement with (them)…”
@ Fire Eater. Do you really think we have enough ‘Americans’ ready to do manual labor for low pay? Are consumers ready to pay more for goods and services to support a decent wage?
We gave tax breaks to Wal-Mart so they could set up shop in our towns, sell up poorly made goods that wear out in 1/8 the time of normal products. They lowered wages, forced independent stores to close, and forced companies that do business with them to move overseas in order to meet their high volume and relentless demands to keep providing them with more product at lower cost. The result is lower quality and faster filling of our landfills with their imported crap.
Bottom line
July 25th, 2010
11:53 am
You can put lipstick on a pig, and it’s still Roy Barnes.
Billy Joe Poteet
July 25th, 2010
12:09 pm
I’m not sure who the next Governor will be. I think that Barnes will have great difficulty carrying the rural counties in the “other Georgia” with a majority of white voters. The people down here will treat him politely, as we do nearly everyone visiting, but that doesn’t mean he will get our votes. Barnes impressed us during his last stint as Governor with his arrogance – which is not a character trait much admired down here.
In these rural counties of the “other Georgia”, party affiliation of local county officials is of little note. When it comes to state and national offices, it becomes a VERY important factor.
Yes, sir, they may shake ol’ Roy’s hand, listen to his spiel, wish him well and then vote for his opponent.
King Rat
July 25th, 2010
12:41 pm
Jim, I need some more coffee.
Face it
July 25th, 2010
12:45 pm
Picking the best candidate from this lot is like picking the best girl to take home from last call at the bar, and your choices are so horrific that you’re totally sobered up. Then to top off the horror, if you choose not to choose, one’s going to end up at your place anyway.
Nightmare on Elm Street should be so scary.
Winfield J. Abbe
July 25th, 2010
12:47 pm
“Barnes has bet his campaign on rural Georgia — the one that turned its back on him in 2002 for his removal of the Confederate battle emblem from its place on the state flag.”
Everyone must remember this dictatorial act for the selfish Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta and also remember that Barnes is a gutless coward, a liar and a lawyer too. Do not return this non representative of the people of Georgia to office. He had his chance, and once is enough. Please Georgia citizens prove you are not so dumb as to return him to office.
T Knight
July 25th, 2010
12:52 pm
Fight amongst yourselves over Nathan and Roy. Neither deserve to be governor of Georgia. Karen Handel has the business experience to move this state through a really tough time. Roy and Nathan are both attorney’s. We don’t need any more attorney’s screwing up our state and local government.
I’m voting for Handel to handle the issues that come from building businesses and bringing good paying jobs back to Georgia.
Billy Joe Poteet
July 25th, 2010
1:06 pm
Mr. T Knight, I believe you might have something there. Mr. Deal has questionable ethics relalative to confusing his personal business dealings and his position in the Congress. Ol’ Roy is a known quantity from his last try at being Governor and has alienated an awful lot of voters – who still remember. Ms Handel, I believe, has the ability and ideas to make Georgia a very good Governor. I’m far more willing to give her a shot at the job than either a man of questionable ethics (Mr. Deal) or a man of no ethics at all (Mr Barnes).
Joey
July 25th, 2010
3:14 pm
Karen Handel = Sonny Perdue for four more!!!!! How have the last eights year been for you???
Alphare
July 25th, 2010
3:37 pm
Republicans have been in total control of this state for the past 8 years. What’s the result? unemployment 10.5%, numerous teachers fired, more banks seized than any other states.
The last time I checked, Georgia is still at the bottom in eduction, poverty, life span.
Yeah, the rich need more tax cut than the middle class. That’s the best idea Republicans ever come up.
Alphare
July 25th, 2010
3:44 pm
Purdue is rich, and he thinks the rich need tax cut.
Barnes is rich, but he thinks middle class need tax cut.
That’s the difference between a democrat and a republican.
The choice is yours.
khc
July 25th, 2010
3:51 pm
amen, and to jim, you seem almost gleeful when you spoke on gagang about palin making a difference…..surely you know what a carny she is….i’d thought you were an objective reporter
King Rat
July 25th, 2010
4:05 pm
jim, I got a photo op with the media, bring me my lipstick! And did you toast my bagel like I asked?
Jim S.
July 25th, 2010
4:15 pm
I wish Rowan would have run for something this year! But, then again, some might say, ‘Who in the h–l is Bobby Rowan?’ Even some of us above the gnat line would like be entertained by the stories Bobby tells.
Jeb
July 25th, 2010
4:41 pm
LARRY CRAIG FOR PRESIDENT
Scott
July 25th, 2010
4:50 pm
Any white southerner that votes for a Democrat is a traiterous sell out! Move your a$$ up north where you would fit right in with the rest of lowlifes!
Billy Joe Poteet
July 25th, 2010
4:57 pm
Mr. or Ms. Alphare, I can’t recollect that Mr. Barnes did anything to help the middle class his first time as Governor. At least, I recall no tax cuts that benefited the middle class. Can you tell me what he did to help the middle class during his first term? It would appear to me that had he wanted to do something of that sort, he would have done it then? I don’t have very much confidence in anything he promises this time around.
Hector
July 25th, 2010
5:03 pm
Do you think we rural Georgians have forgotten what King Roy did to our flag and the teachers?? We may be dumb but we AIN’T stupid!!!!!!
T Knight
July 25th, 2010
5:27 pm
What everyone needs to remember is the 2 lawyers running for governor are going to get a ton of money from other lawyers. Who do you think they are going to screw over, you… or their money train. We the people will not be served well with either of these men in office. We need Karen Handel of our next governor.
Karen Handel is not a career politician. She comes from the business sector. Karen Handel believes we need to eliminate the state income tax in order to compete with both Tennessee and Florida, neither of which have state income taxes. Because our taxes on small business are so high, we loose small businesses to other states with lower taxes.
Karen Handel is my choice for governor of Georgia. Vote Karen Handel August 10th.
GI Dolly...
July 25th, 2010
5:35 pm
We have the choice of a dropout, or two lawyers. Go Fish!!
Billy Joe Poteet
July 25th, 2010
6:08 pm
Mr. or Ms. Alphare, where do you get your statistical data concerning education, poverty and life expectancy? A quick search of available data indicates that Georgia is ranked 38th in per household income and 43rd in households at or below the poverty level. Further investigation reveals that Georgia is ranked 41st in life expectancy. While these numbers could doubtless be better, it shows that your statements (to put it kindly) are misleading. I did not research the education claim that you made, but I do know that Georgia is NOT ranked 50th in education. Please check your facts before you spew your hatred of Republicans. It only showcases your ignorance.
Thank you.
khc
July 25th, 2010
6:43 pm
hey scott once a penal colony,,,,your words prove it
khc
July 25th, 2010
6:57 pm
keep letting the repubs make the rules and this is what will happen and 99% of you will definitely not be in the club:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/7897075/British-financier-Anthony-Ward-behind-658m-cocoa-trade.html
Billy Joe Poteet
July 25th, 2010
7:18 pm
It doesn’t seem that Alphare wishes to answer my questions.
rod
July 25th, 2010
7:29 pm
Look out, King Bubba Barnes might actually reduce his Sunday African American church schedule to attend some other folks churches on Sundays.
Fire Eater
July 25th, 2010
7:41 pm
If illegal aliens are removed from Georgia, wages will dramatically rise and jobs created through the magic of the “free market,” so long touted by econo-cons. There are no jobs that Americans will not do FOR A DECENT WAGE. One could argue that the downfall of this Constitutional Republic could be blamed largely on the toleration of elites importation of cheap labor, be it slaves prior to 1865, chinese coolies as strikebreakers in the 1870’s or illiterate third world masses today. Cheap illegal alien labor could also be condemned as CORPORATE WELFARE in that we taxpayers have to school, domicile, hospitalize and incarcerate the illegals. It is the height of liberal impudence to compare the current crop of immigrants to the good people who came here from England, Germany, Italy etc. 100 years ago to BUILD this country.
Blaming Republicans for the sorry state of education excuses the Democrats, who run the worst schools in the country. City of Atlanta public fool system spends more money than any other system yet their test results are nearly always at the bottom. Places like Washington, DC, Los Angeles, CA Detroit, etc have massive spending for education but the results are universally near the bottom. Why do home school students do so much better than urban public school students? Are they drinking different water? Yes, let’s create a system of school vouchers by which parents can put their children in private schools or home-school co-ops. We will leave the public fool system to be run as little North Koreas and Cubas by the NEA marxist cadres that dominate the teaching profession, at least in the urban areas.
Roy Barnes betting his campaign on rural Georgia? Rural Georgia could be reminded about that “lightning strike” on the flag so praised by Cox Enterprises and the Atlanta Establishment.
Alabama Communist
July 25th, 2010
7:47 pm
No doubt Roy’s superior marketing staff is confuse where the big number Voters are? Worst than that, The Republican Tea party Candiates think the voters are in Alaska with 1/2 Governor Sara Palin……
Billy Joe Poteet
July 25th, 2010
8:00 pm
Fire Eater, there is only one word to use regarding your last post.
Amen!
Billy Joe Poteet
July 25th, 2010
8:25 pm
Fire Eater, I think this fits well with your post:
Former Colorado Governor Richard D. Lamm gave a stunning speech on how to destroy America . He described eight methods for the destruction of the United States . He said, “If you believe that America is too smug, too self-satisfied, too rich, then let’s destroy America . It is not that hard to do. No nation in history has survived the ravages of time. Arnold Toynbee observed that all great civilizations rise and fall and that ‘An autopsy of history would show that all great nations commit suicide.’”
“Here is how they do it,” Lamm said: “FIRST, to destroy America , turn America into a bilingual or multi-lingual and bicultural country.” History shows that no nation can survive the tension, conflict, and antagonism of two or more competing languages and cultures. It is a blessing for an individual to be bilingual; however, it is a curse for a society to be bilingual. The historical scholar, Seymour Lipset, put it this way: “The histories of bilingual and bi-cultural societies that do not assimilate are histories of turmoil, tension, and tragedy.” Canada , Belgium , Malaysia , and Lebanon all face crises of national existence in which minorities press for autonomy, if not independence. Pakistan and Cyprus have divided. Nigeria suppressed an ethnic rebellion. France faces difficulties with Basques, Bretons, and Corsicans.”.
Lamm went on: SECOND, to destroy America , “Invent ‘multiculturalism’ and encourage immigrants to maintain their culture. Make it an article of belief that all cultures are equal. That there are no cultural differences. Make it an article of faith that the Black and Hispanic dropout rates are due solely to prejudice and discrimination by the majority. Every other explanation is out of bounds.
THIRD, “We could make the United States an ‘Hispanic Quebec’ without much effort. The key is to celebrate diversity rather than unity. As Benjamin Schwarz said in the Atlantic Monthly recently: “The apparent success of our own multiethnic and multicultural experiment might have been achieved not by tolerance but by hegemony. Without the dominance that once dictated ethnocentricity and what it meant to be an American, we are left with only tolerance and pluralism to hold us together.”
Lamm said, “I would encourage all immigrants to keep their own language and culture. I would replace the melting pot metaphor with the salad bowl metaphor. It is important to ensure that we have various cultural subgroups living in America enforcing their differences rather than as Americans, emphasizing their similarities.”
“FOURTH, I would make our fastest growing demographic group the least educated. I would add a second underclass, unassimilated, undereducated, and antagonistic to our population. I would have this second underclass have a 50% dropout rate from high school.”
“My FIFTH point for destroying America would be to get big foundations and business to give these efforts lots of money. I would invest in ethnic identity, and I would establish the cult of ‘Victimology.’ I would get all minorities to think that their lack of success was the fault of the majority. I would start a grievance industry blaming all minority failure on the majority population.”
“My SIXTH plan for America ’s downfall would include dual citizenship, and promote divided loyalties. I would celebrate diversity over unity. I would stress differences rather than similarities. Diverse people worldwide are mostly engaged in hating each other – that is, when they are not killing each other. A diverse, peaceful, or stable society is against most historical precedent. People undervalue the unity it takes to keep a nation together. Look at the ancient Greeks. The Greeks believed that they belonged to the same race; they possessed a common Language and literature; and they worshipped the same gods. All Greece took part in the Olympic games. A common enemy, Persia , threatened their liberty. Yet all these bonds were not strong enough to overcome two factors: local patriotism and geographical conditions that nurtured political divisions. Greece fell. “E. Pluribus Unum” –From many, one. In that historical reality, if we put the emphasis on the ‘pluribus’ instead of the ‘Unum,’ we will balkanize America as surely as Kosovo.”
“Next to last, SEVENTH,I would place all subjects off limits; make it taboo to talk about anything against the cult of ‘diversity.’ I would find a word similar to ‘heretic’ in the 16th century – that stopped discussion and paralyzed thinking. Words like ‘racist’ or ‘xenophobe’ halt discussion and debate. Having made America a bilingual/bicultural country, having established multi-culturism, having the large foundations fund the doctrine of ‘Victimology,’ I would next make it impossible to enforce our immigration laws. I would develop a mantra: That because immigration has been good for America , it must always be good. I would make every individual immigrant symmetric and ignore the cumulative impact of millions of them.”
T Knight
July 25th, 2010
8:58 pm
GI Dolly….. Shame on you for lying.
Alphare
July 25th, 2010
9:50 pm
The best stat you showed is 38 out of 50 states, which is 76%, in another word, if you divide all states in 4 categories, the best stat you mentioned only puts Georgia at the bottom quarter. Remember, that’s the best stat you put out there.
So, after 8 years of Republican total control of this state, Georgia is still at the bottom quarter of all states.
Is that clear to you now?
Jerry Mandering
July 25th, 2010
9:51 pm
When Obama comes to South Georgia Roy will be focusing on Metro Atlanta. What a crock! Soon he will have the whole country LAUGHING at us. Ha, ha! He didn’t expect Obama, did he?
cs
July 25th, 2010
10:46 pm
pure bs. if he wants to win rural south ga, step one is to apologize for the flag fiasco instead of “i would do it again” and step 2 would be a public statement that he would put the 1956 flag back up if elected. otherwise, we aint forgot and will be voting accordingly in south ga ware county and all surrounding areas.
Dirty Dawg
July 25th, 2010
11:39 pm
Enough with the damn flag you peckerwoods. If you haven’t figured that out by now, you probably never will. I just hope that there ain’t enough of you out there to put another backward-thinking Republican in the Governor’s Mansion. And as for Roy’s, supposed, arrogance, fact is the man has never ’suffered fools lightly’, and if you found yourself being offended by his, or indeed Bobby Kahn’s, attitude then it was because you were in fact ‘a fool’ or more likely failed to follow-though with commitments made in an effort to take this state forward. We need Roy again…I just hope four years will be enough to get things at least headed in the ‘correct’ direction.
PossomPete
July 26th, 2010
12:06 am
I don’t like that Roy Barnes tryin to take away my food! He is on record saying he does not support the georgia road kill laws. Thankfully as the law stands I can get good eatin’ on i75, 285, depending on the time. Has you ever tried Possom pudding? It’s sinfully good! Possoms is the best eatin round these parts and that Rat Barnes fella is tryin to take away my right to eat!
shame on Roy Barnes! He tryin to take away roadkill rights from all us georgians!!
Billy Joe Poteet
July 26th, 2010
5:56 am
Alphare, your statement was, “The last time I checked, Georgia is still at the bottom in eduction, poverty, life span.” Your convaluted reply, “in another word, if you divide all states in 4 categories, the best stat you mentioned only puts Georgia at the bottom quarter.”, makes it about as clear as mud. You are only trying to justify a false statement.
khc
July 26th, 2010
8:34 am
keep being sheeple following repubs….wathching tv this morning the reporter said american execs make 400 times the average american worker and in england it more like 10 times if i heard her correctly….this story was in relation to bp canning heyward….i guess our corps are bigger but methinks we are a greedy lot at the top
Winkasdad29
July 26th, 2010
8:51 am
By the way, ladies and gentlemen. It’s jobs, education, and transportation that are our main issues in this state.
The moral stuff (abortion, etc.) is insignificant. What matters now is results in becoming the Georgia that we should be. We should be leading, not following. We need to be progressive, not regressive in what we do. When we fight amongst ourselves so much that we get nothing done, that’s regressive and we are not taken seriously.
It’s time that our kids are able to get an education that will help them compete when they leave school. We need to be able to attract and keep jobs that pay people well, and that are meaningful. We need a world-class transportation system statewide. Not just roads, but mass transit as well.
Vote for who you like, but keep in mind what we need as a state – not just what you need because of your ideologies.
ANGRY AS HELL
July 26th, 2010
8:55 am
Billy Joe Poteet–You asked someone to name one thing Barnes ever did for middle-class during his first term. Well, if you take an honest walk down memory lane, one of the manny things he did was increase the homestead property tax exemption …the same exemption your Republican heroes took away to help fund more tax exemptions for the already wealthy. One of the other things he did is not make cuts to Georgia’s public educational system so that taxpayers had to see their property taxes go up to make up the difference for what state monies were denied. Another thing he did is not squander millions and millions of state revenues to fund fish ponds or to make sweetheart land deals for himself and his friends….like $onny did. This is your version of good reasons to vote again for 4 to 8 more years of Republican control? I have a better idea, why don’t you name things $onny Perdue and your Republican heroes did for Georgia’s middle class in the last 8 years? (Remember: Barnes only had 4 years).
Alphare
July 26th, 2010
9:19 am
Billy Joe Poteet,
you obviously don’t understand what is “bottom”. What’s your understanding of “bottom of the ocean” then?
You can change my line to “76% of the States are ahead of Georgia after 8 years of Republic control”, if that makes you feel better.
pete
July 26th, 2010
9:25 am
Handel left overs from Purdue same old popo. vote for your pockets not what the people in church tell you to do, not for your parents nor your friends and not what the work place says. vote for your pocket not theirs
pete
July 26th, 2010
9:37 am
BJP, cultral division was inspired by the rich elite to divide and conquer the poor of all races, for they knew they had to keep us divided. united we stand the poor divided we will fall
Bobby Anthony
July 26th, 2010
11:14 am
Vince your arguments are sound. The Real Politico evidently does not believe the study of history is reievant. Learning from past mistakes must not be a good idea. He wants us to forget Roy has lied to voters in the past. Real Politico do you really believe Roy will keep his word in the future, or will he have to make more apologies?
Lifelong GOP BUT
July 26th, 2010
11:31 am
Thi is only one intelliegent choice in this race for Governor. All I can say is that Roy says he has learned from his mistakes and I know him to be an honest man and I believe and trust him.
Welcome back home to the Governor’s Mansion!!
Democrats working their Grass Roots outside of Atlanta :: Georgia Liberal
July 26th, 2010
12:01 pm
[...] whatever evidence their once was of Democrats not working outside of Atlanta seems to be fading: Barnes thanked his supporters, complimented his defeated opponents, and condemned Republicans who [...]
Billy Joe Poteet
July 26th, 2010
12:41 pm
ANGRY AS HELL, I can feel your pain! The loss of the homestead exemption hurt me financially as it did everyone. That, combined with the cuts in education spending, were necessary due to declining tax revenues coupled with the decrease in federal funding to the states. I personally don’t care for the current governor, but I will realistically look at the problems the state was and is facing.
Alphare, I guess. according to your logic, the bottom of the ocean is approximately 1000 feet above the sea bed. Face it: you were called on a misrepresentation and you don’t like it.
BABY SAY
July 26th, 2010
8:01 pm
ROI GONNA WIND.. HE LURNT FRUM HE MISTAAK. HE HUMBLE ROI NOW….>>
Bob
July 27th, 2010
11:29 am
Billy Joe Poteet, I’m with Alphare. 38th is the bottom. I don’t care if you think Georgia has to be 50th before there is a problem, where I come from below average sucks and defending 38th by saying it’s not the bottom is bull. If you think all that Georgia has to do is not be 50th, then I’d say your goals are pointless and we may as well have whoever as governor, cause we’re bound to keep at least one think in the 40s.
Jason Branch
July 27th, 2010
10:53 pm
While I respect Governor Perdue, he has done little to improve our state. He has yet to figure out a budget and lost miserably in the so-called “water wars”. As of now, Barnes is my only option.