Roy Barnes says he’ll be in south Georgia when President Barack Obama comes to town
Tim Bryant, who hosts a daily talk show for WGAU (1340AM) in Athens, asked the campaign of Democratic nominee for governor Roy Barnes whether he would make room on Aug. 2 for a word with President Barack Obama, who will be in Atlanta for a pair of events.
This is the quote Bryant is using this morning, from a Barnes campaign spokesman:
“Nobody’s invited us. He plans to be in south Georgia that day. There are no plans to change the schedule.”
Phone numbers get lost over eight years. Kristin Oblander of Atlanta is the fund-raising contact for an Obama event on behalf of the Democratic National Convention that day. From 1998 to 2002, according to her web site, she raised money for Barnes.
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108 comments Add your comment
dcb
July 24th, 2010
4:17 pm
First smart thing I’ve heard Barnes do since starting his campaign. Of course he’ll back down and attend. But until that announcement is made, maybe there is something to this guy after all.
khc
July 24th, 2010
4:18 pm
let’s give power to the repubs so they can let their boys on wall street steal what’s left from middle america….you think those folks on wall street give a toot about georgians….while i disagree a lot with dems at least more of their members seem to be for middle america….
and if memory serves me correctly a lot of folks avoided w when he came to town
Tee
July 24th, 2010
4:22 pm
Total Disrespect!!!!!!!!
Too many bumkins
July 24th, 2010
4:27 pm
I think it’s so funny the GOP voters don’t understand that the reason the GOP turn out numbers are so high is due to cross-overs and the fact that that Roy Barnes had his party locked up long before the primary so lots of Dems stayed away. I guess that’s just another reason so many GOP voters consistently vote for such lacking Republican leaders. You want to know how bad your parties chances are? Just look at your lineup who was running for governor. Handal (uneducated), Oxendine (long history of improprieties) and Deal (had to run from DC to avoid ethics violations). Not a stellar group in anyone’s opinion but it’s indicative of how far uphill the GOP has to make it to be on top.
Too many bumkins
July 24th, 2010
4:31 pm
Yeah it just hit me our worst presidents have been Hoover (GOP), Nixon (GOP) , Carter (Dem), W Bush (GOP). Yup, when it comes to lousy leaders the GOP has a lock.
Rural Education
July 24th, 2010
4:32 pm
Pork Chop: You really need to change the channel from “Fox” every so often to see what is really happening. No matter how often it is expressed on this board, we don’t have unions. We have advisory boards who have absolutely no power in this state. When was the last time any Republican (the party in charge) cared what GAE or PAGE had to say? They don’t lobby for raises get a grip. We are tired of being painted as villains and the only reason why some students don’t succeed.
Lt. Frank Drebbin
July 24th, 2010
4:34 pm
To “A”—-Delta is ready when you are. Go back north to “Liberal Land” since you think the south is a lost cause to “reasonable” people.
GEORGIA NATIVE
July 24th, 2010
4:39 pm
THE MOST UNPOPULAR PRES. TO DATE WOULD BE OUR FRIEND GEORGE W.(AND THE REST OF THE REPUBLICANS THAT BROUHT THIS COUNTRY TO ITS KNEES FINANCIALLY)YOU CAN’T FIX WHAT THOSE PEOPLE SCREWED UP IN A YEAR.YOU PEOPLE SOUND LIKE A BUNCH OF RACIST,NOT JUST THE POLITICALLY CORRECT CONSERVATIVE.OBAMA WON BY A LANDSLIDE AND HE SHOULD BE TREATED WITH RESPECT NOT JUST THE WAY FOX NEWS VIEWS POLITICS.REMEMBER ALL THE DEATHS FROM LIES ABOUT IRAQ.BY THE WAY HOW IS HALIBURTON DOING?MR. BARNES BE RESPECTFUL-NOONE CAN BE AS CORRUPT OR INCOMPITENT AS BUSH/CHANEY WAS.
Pork Chop
July 24th, 2010
4:44 pm
@Khc
“let’s give power to the repubs so they can let their boys on wall street steal what’s left from middle america….”
I hate to be the one to tell you, but Obama and the Dems will be the ones to “steal what’s left from middle america….” The federal tax increases which were put on hold a few years back will go into effect shortly, despited the Republican attempts to extend them. Add to that the upcoming federal tax increases, the increases of taxes from the state and local governments caused by dwindling federal funding and you’ve got a recipe for eliminating the middle class which was Obama’s plan all along. Its greases the way for a Marxist/Socialist existance where everyone is equally poor. When Obama said he was going to “fundamentally change America”, he meant it. The people who voted him in are either Marxist themselves or incredibly stupid.
Athens Voter
July 24th, 2010
5:02 pm
THere are only two truthful men in politics: Jim Galloway and Tim Bryant.
Pork Chop
July 24th, 2010
5:14 pm
@GEORGIA NATIVE
I’m curious.
Do you draw your political views from Jeremiah Wright or Hussein Obama?
Pork Chop
July 24th, 2010
5:19 pm
@Rural Education
Do you truly believe that no lobbyists work on behalf of teachers? Do you deny that lobbyists have secured increased pay for teachers in this state? Be careful with your answers!
BTW, FOX news doesn’t cover topics like this pertaining to strictly the state of Georgia.
Another Georgia Native
July 24th, 2010
5:19 pm
“Hey Georgia Native” – Please spare me the race card please. I am a middle aged, middle class, white American male. I have zero problem with the color of the President’s skin. In fact, I appreciate the historic nature of his election. What I do have a problem with is the argument that people continue to spew with no reasonable justification. That argument being,”if George Bush hadn’t dug this hole.” I have to agree, George Bush, and the Republican’s that I helped to elect, did dig a big fianancial hole during his 8 years. Your argument holds no water because the current administrations answer to 8 years of excessive spending is even more excessive spending. Please tell me how that makes sense on any level.
Instead of throwing the race card out there every time you engage someone who disagrees with the policies of the current administration why not try using some logic, if you can defend what the current administration is doing then defend it. Don’t simply call the people who take exception with the current administrations policies “racists.” You undermine your own credibilty.
The current administration’s policies aren’t business friendly, and are creating uncertainty that in turn causes businesses, that might potentially hire people, to sit on their money because they don’t know what the government is going to do. I personally would vote for any person, black, hispanic, woman, who can show some leadership and a desire to move us away from the Nanny state, and back to policies that allow people to succeed and fail on their own merits.
Barak Obama by and large is unpopular because of his policies, not the color of his skin. It is because of this unpoplularity that Roy Barnes is avoiding him like the plague. It would all but be political suicide to be seen with Barak Obama at this point. Roy Barnes finds himself between the proverbial rock and a hard place by not meeting with the President when he comes as already noted by the comments on this board. If the President was looking to help Roy Barnes, he wouldn’t visit Georgia before November. As for me, I say the President is always welcome. Maybe he can offer a few words in support of Roy, even if Roy doesn’t show.
Another Georgia Native
July 24th, 2010
5:24 pm
Too many bumkins – You forgot “FDR” (DEM). His economic policies prolonged the Great Depression.
Pork Chop
July 24th, 2010
5:25 pm
@Too many bumkins
Nowm would you like to list the best Presidents and their party of affiliation?
Would you care to discuss Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, or we can even further back and look at Republicans – and at Democrats?
Pork Chop
July 24th, 2010
5:32 pm
@Another Georgia Native
Don’t forget LBJ and his Great Society entitlement programs! If memory serves, it was LBJ who spent the Social Security reserves to implement his Great Society, or did they start spending that when JFK was President?
wb smith
July 24th, 2010
5:42 pm
If Barns snubs the President and shows disrespect i will not only not vote for him I will vote for a third party candidate, And encourage every black person i know to not vote for Barns, or to stay home. This is a promise i will keep, Make my day Roy.
wb smith
July 24th, 2010
5:57 pm
Lt Derbbin just another embarrassing clown hiding behind a title, Maybe once this country is finally destroyed his kind will finally be happy. Pulling this country back from a 2nd great depression aint good enough what have you done for the Great Lt lately, And just think these people are exposed to kid, What can a fool teach anybody?
Alabama Communist
July 24th, 2010
5:59 pm
Meanwhile! The same DJ Radio talk host asked barnes if he would be in town when bush and karl rove show up to picket obama on his visit
BOYCOTT BP
July 24th, 2010
6:03 pm
I am a white guy who voted who voted for President Obama. I really can’t stand looking at old man Roy Barnes. We need a fresh perspective and Roy Barnes avoiding President Obama is a cowardly look at politics as usual. Have some courage and support the President who has the most challenges any manager could possibly have.
Burroughston Broch
July 24th, 2010
6:15 pm
You can bet that the behind-the-scenes lines of communication between Roy Barnes’ campaign and the White House are open and well used. Roy knows that the President’s campaigning in GA will not win him any votes in November. If Roy becomes governor, look for him to get in lock step with the White House and the teacher’s unions.
The Centrist
July 24th, 2010
6:42 pm
So Barnes MIGHT miss Obama to be in South Georgia talking about Georgia issues like jobs and education. He just might make it back to be with Obama just to show up our dear reactionary brotheren. Meanwhile, Handel and Deal are arguing about abortion?
Guvner
July 24th, 2010
6:48 pm
Let’s see now, the teachers voted for Perdue over Barnes and that really worked out well for them. Perdue threw them under the bus as soon as he was elected.
Franny
July 24th, 2010
6:49 pm
At least Barnes was arrogant in trying to do something as opposed to being just arrogant for sake of being arrogant.
Jackie
July 24th, 2010
6:54 pm
As Bill Clinton said about Senator Robert Byrd’s affiliation with the Klan “he was just a country boy that was doing what was necessary to be elected.” Barnes would be a total fool the embrace Obama given the president’s poll numbers in Georgia right now.
Another Georgia Native
July 24th, 2010
6:56 pm
What amazes me is how folks say they don’t like the political process because of how it has degenerated into vicious personal attacks. I have to wonder how many folks believe that, yet will engage in petty personal attacks on these boards that do nothing towards resolving political differences. We have been going at it for over 200 years, I guess I should hold no expectations that it might change in my lifetime.
How will we ever resolve political differences if we are never honest enough to admit the failures of the policies we have supported. George W. Bush, whom I voted for twice, failed in the area of spending. What bothers me most is that those who support the current administration point to that failure as though it is justification for more bad policies. If they say we can’t stick with more of the same failed policies of the past 8 years, then why does the current administration continue spending at an even greater rate.
“The only problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money” – Margaret Thatcher.
ron
July 24th, 2010
6:56 pm
It just shows he would rather offend blacks rather risking the votes of a few bigoted whites.
A
July 24th, 2010
7:01 pm
The only reason Roy lost to that odd man Sonny Perdue is because he supported replacing the confederate battle flag. Supporters of that flag said it should remain for historical reasons. The only salient history that flag carries is the fact that it was brought back into service right after Brown v. Board of Education was decided. Look it up if I’m going too fast, mouth breathers. I’ll vote for Roy, he’s not the best but at least he went to college. And then some. Barnes will win in November without Obama’s help or endorsement. As much as I love our President, he’s poison in the south. Which is really sad since it makes the area appear so stupid and racist. I’ve never lived anywhere but in the south. It is getting harder and harder to stand up for a region that is so willing to be defined by hatred.
Mike Jones
July 24th, 2010
7:11 pm
Roy, Karen Handel is going to eat your supper. I cannot wait until Sarah Palin comes to town and helps bring out the Female vote. You had your chance already and you lost.
Too many bumkins
July 24th, 2010
7:46 pm
@ Pork Chop The point was bad presidents not good ones. Stick to the point. And with your list of effective GOP presidents you have listed them in its entirety. That leaves a pretty hefty list of other successful presidents that were not of the GOP. I don’t need a history lesson from someone who only sees politics based on what he hears on the radio.
dcb
July 24th, 2010
7:47 pm
Kristen – I’m confused by your challenge to check Obama’s approval rate in comparison to others challenging whether, as had been stated by others, it is truly one of the lowest. Your Gallup Poll website identified in your comment confirms just that. So what was your point?
Too many bumkins
July 24th, 2010
7:54 pm
@ A You are so right. But I lived in Fla and California after being raised here, they are just as racist as the south can be. The difference being people in the south will say out loud what others would never dare say. Racism is bad in all manifestations but it’s so out in the open in the south it’s sometimes why I am embarrassed to admit I was born and raised here. And the kicker is that the same people who feel it and say it will swear up and down they are not in any way racist. I guess it makes it easier to look in the mirror.
Too many bumkins
July 24th, 2010
7:59 pm
Pork Chop you picked an accurate name. Your thoughts are like fat laden swine meat. Please go to the slaughter house and finally you’ll be useful.
calvinb
July 24th, 2010
8:32 pm
Yup, Roy run away. We don’t need you to been seen with President Obama. I think you have it wrong Roy. You messed up before and got punished for it. Don’t show with President Obama and you will insult the entire Black population and some progressive white democrats.
Onto
Michael Thurmond, Democrat will defeat Johnnie Issakson — watch and see.
calvinb
July 24th, 2010
8:44 pm
BETTER YET, ROY DON’T SHOW. REMEMBER THAT’S WHY THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT, BILL CLINTON ENDORSED THURBERT BAKER, anyway. WE DON’T NEED YOU. GO TO BUTLER, GA, WHERE THEY DID NOT HAVE A DESEGEGATED PROM UNTIL 2004 AND STAY THERE. VOTE NO ON BARNES. THAT’S ALL YOU WILL HEAR.
BILL CLINTON WAS THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT AND PRES. OBAMA IS THE FIRST BI-RACIAL PRESIDENT. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. JNO SHOW UP, NO VOTE FOR YOU. JUST WATCH AND SEE.
calvinb
July 24th, 2010
8:46 pm
MICHAEL THURMOND FOR SENATOR. VOTE MICHAEL THURMOND. TOO BUSY TO HATE.
A
July 24th, 2010
9:07 pm
Too Many Bumkins-yes, you are absolutely right-there are racists everywhere. I prefer mine quiet. The thing is, I love the south so much. There is a friend of mine, lives in the north, really great, smart guy. He hates the south, says the only thing good about us is our accent. Every few weeks I have a battle with him, trying to get him to understand that we are not stupid, that we are not evil racists. That some of us may talk like hillbillys but are smart as a whip. That we take the time to help strangers and have a loving streak that hides in plain sight. But I can’t use any of these arguments anymore. Too many people here have shown their tails to reason, compassion and grace. I’m not actually a wild eyed lefty (although I deeply appreciate them as front line agitators). I’m just sick of the loudly vocalized resurgence of an attitude that I had hoped was far behind us. An attitude that negates every positive thing I can say about the people here. In short, you guys are making the rest of us look bad. You should stop it.
calvinb
July 24th, 2010
9:18 pm
GIVE US INFORMATION ABOUT THE SENATE’S RACE. ENOUGH OF BARNES, HE IS TOO BUSY FOR US . SO WE WILL TOO BUSY FOR HIM.
A
July 24th, 2010
9:49 pm
calvin b, you’re yelling, darling. The sentiments are lovely but I’m getting a headache. Please disengage caps lock.
kthxbai,
A
Pork Chop
July 25th, 2010
7:34 am
@Too many bumkins
When you aquire a brain, you may begin posting again . . .
GI Dolly...
July 25th, 2010
7:52 am
Michael Thurmond hasn’t done squat for unemployed vets, or anything expect get a paycheck. The DOE is a joke, and so is he.
calvinb
July 25th, 2010
1:05 pm
So, sorry my friends. I type in Caps, because I am really excited about this campaign. The Democratic nominee presumes to be so fake that he releases information that he is too busy to be seen with the POTUS who just happens to be 1st B-Racial President, My Commander In Chief and a really nice guy. And then thinks we will vote for him(Barnes). Just like the Republicans who turned their backs on the working men and women who have been suffering. No unemployment benefits from them.
I just don’t see why? People are going to vote their own self-interests. The Republican Issakson does not have my self interests at heart, In my OPINION, Michael Thurmond does. He will do a good job for all Georgians.
Not just the RICH AND POWERFUL, who have clearly demonstrated to all to see. We can eat cake under this economic strains!!
Sorry for being Long Winded!!
calvinb
July 25th, 2010
1:20 pm
I got to go play checkers.
Finally we can discuss the issues and determine who has done nothing. Issakson or the popular labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. We already know what Issakson has done—No to Health care, Kagen and everything else, compared to Thurmond who has been working hard to find jobs for Georgians.
I say again Georgia can replace these “Anti Conservative” Republicans who drag their feet on JOBS, JUSTICE, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, AND TECHNOLOGY.
SallyForth
July 25th, 2010
1:39 pm
I hate to say I told you so, but I will! I posted the following on 7/22:
When Bush was prez, he regularly flew to scoop up millions of dollars out of GA (courtesy of Mercer Reynolds, fat-cat developer and owner of Ritz-Carlton at Lake Oconee). But his presence didn’t hurt Republican candidates in this state! Now here comes Obama to scoop up money from the ATL “blue zone” and damage the chances of every Democrat running for office this year in GA. With such low ratings statewide, doesn’t he know discretion is the better part of valor?
Another point: We do not like outsiders sticking their nose into our state elections. Palin and Romney have insulted all Georgians by sticking their noses into GA politics, even though they know nothing about our state and don’t even know Handel. Obama can only hurt Barnes and other Democrats by doing this fundraiser for the national party and his political organization SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL OUR STATEWIDE RACES! Roy needs to be in South Georgia on a previous engagement that day….
SallyForth
July 25th, 2010
3:05 pm
The biggest word in the dictionary is “loyalty.” Shame on Kristin Oblander for scheduling this fundraiser at such a critical time in our governor’s race. She got her start, made hundreds of thousands in fund raising fees off of Roy Barnes and built her list of heavy hitters from him and his supporters. Now she has scheduled an Obama fundraiser in GA and created this mess for Barnes at the worst possible time. She needs to take a shot of character and reschedule – after November 2nd!
calvinb
July 25th, 2010
8:37 pm
Still very disrespectful to us. , I am sure since he is going to be in Georgia all his life . Plenty of time to go to Butler, Ga. Less than 30 miles from my house. Surely he can walk and chew gum at the same time.
He needs to show some respect unity to the titular head of the Democratic Party, and his Commander In Chief. Also he needs to help to break the “myth” that the South is solidly Republican. Democrats can not show fear of the Republicans because that is the way you lose elections.
By his leaving town shows he is running scared or disrespecting the POTUS. All don’t care what the other did or didn’t do. But, rather the person who I support for Governor has to have some guts and leadership to do what is right. Not politically expedient. This shows that is he is scared of the Republicans, and not his own man. That’s why Republicans are laughing at him with their taunts. Simply it makes Republicans look good and Barnes look like a scared chicken.
Either you are a Democrat, or your are a Republican. Not Mr. In-Between. Remember during the Civil War a Soldier was Wearing a Yankee Blouse and Rebel Trousers. What happened: The rebels shot him in the chest because he was a dam Yankee. The Yankees shot him in butt for being a Confederate loser.
Also remember that Will Rogers said: “I am not a member of an organized Party. I am a Democrat” That is my case.
Teddy K
July 26th, 2010
10:35 am
Roy Barnes is a liar and I can’t wait until he gets destroyed this fall.
Baby's Daddy
July 26th, 2010
2:21 pm
Don’t be slammin’ my man, Roy. He can’t be seen wit Obama–that’d be like him goin’ to church to hear Louis Farrakhan preachin’ that jive S#%. Roy got to stay on the chitlin’s circuit and forget about Obama & his stimulus, know what I’m sayin’.
WHY
July 27th, 2010
12:43 am
I have never missed an opportunity to cast a vote as a democratic voter but in the governor race in Nov. I JUST DON’T KNOW _ ” WHY”, roy barnes would not attend a function that Symbolizes the unity of the democratic party. I think I know why,he is DISRESPECTFUL and lack MORALS AND ETHICS. I have always been taught, you might not totally agree with a persons’s views, but you do respect his/her position. Mr. Barnes, Why don’t YOU think about Why you are going to be in SOUTH GEORGIA when the commander-in-chief of the United States is going to be in North Georgia. By the way,teachers are finding you out. We would never want the precious children of Georgia to look up to you as a political role model. We want our children ethical and just down right respectful.
Pamela McGregor
July 27th, 2010
1:41 pm
Roy Barnes has set up his schedule and he needs to be out there gaining ground on the opposition who are still duelling. Who knew that Obama was coming to Atl. until recently? I am sure that O supports Barnes and does not want to be a factor, just like he will stay away from Chelsea Clinton’s wedding. We don’t need outside interference. Let the Repubs bring in the heavyweights, Palin, Newt and Romney. The Feds have work to do. They do not need be to running state govts. That’s what small gov. is about. No need to give ammunition to the Repubs. Barnes is a lawyer too and can make his own case. Go Gov!!!