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

Keith

July 24th, 2010
10:13 am

wise decision by barnes. he was in taylor co this a.m. along with darryl hicks and keith moffett and they all are going to be elsewhere on that day. obama’s unpopular at the moment. stay away from him

Hector

July 24th, 2010
10:20 am

You can run but you can’t hide, Roy

Rafe Hollister

July 24th, 2010
10:26 am

Run away Roy, run, run! Phone numbers lost, what a flimsy excuse. If they wanted to connect it would take about two calls to get them together. Handel or Deal would love a photo of Obama with his arm around Rerun Roy. Obama is the most unpopular president ever and in Georgia he is toxic. If Roy was truthful he would embrace the Obama agenda of big government, because, we all know that is what he truly believes in. Right now, in campaign mode, he just wants to say what he thinks will be received positively and get him elected. Following the Obama model.

HATEIVOTEDFORROY

July 24th, 2010
10:42 am

ROY I HATE I VOTED FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU DONT LAME OUT ON THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, YOU SHOW SUPPORT FOR YOUR COMMANDER AND CHIEF! YOURE NOT GOING TO AGREE WITH EVERYTHING WITH EVERYBODY, BUT DONT BE DISRESPECTFUL YOURE IN THE SAME PARTY! SO GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER ROY AND OTHERS! NOW!! P.S. TO RAFE HOLLISTER, GEORGE W BUSH JR WAS THE MOST UNPOPULAR PRESIDENT EVER!

GDAWG65

July 24th, 2010
10:46 am

Roy Barnes is already a discgrace to the state of Georgia, putting himself in Obama’s shadow would be his coup de grace.

jay

July 24th, 2010
10:58 am

Careful Roy, the President coat tails may have shortened but not in certain demographics.
Republicans out voted Dems 2:1 in primary don’t upset the apple cart too much more or you’ll be sorry.

Pork Chop

July 24th, 2010
11:09 am

@jay

Good observation! Barnes has courted the black vote with zeal. Failing to greet Obama may well cost him votes. I am not so foolish as to think the majority of the black vote would go Republican but I do believe they could be a “no show” on election day.

sandie

July 24th, 2010
11:10 am

yes, he is wise to put distance there. Being in Obama’s pocket could hurt him come fall….. which would be just fine with me, so on second thought maybe he should met up with the Prez

Democrat Supporter

July 24th, 2010
11:11 am

King Roy should be force to indicate whether he supports our beloved President or not!

moses waddel

July 24th, 2010
11:13 am

I don’t think blacks would be a no-show if it meant electing “Deal Real?” or Handel (the one not associated with the Messiah!)

Logic 05

July 24th, 2010
11:13 am

Dear Democrat Supporter,

King Roy first must check with the teachers’ union and see which way the wind is blowing before he can answer your question.

[...] Jim Galloway brings us word this morning that while President Barack Obama will be in Atlanta for a couple of events on August 2nd, Roy Barnes will be in South Georgia and has “no plans to change the schedule”. [...]

MD

July 24th, 2010
11:16 am

Roy take your flag with you maybe that will help get a few votes in so.ga.

john Q public

July 24th, 2010
11:17 am

Just proves the old adage “there is no honor among thieves”.

TruthBe

July 24th, 2010
11:29 am

Roy Barnes and Barrack Obama are the same olde progressive liberal corrupt democrats. They are both bad for all of Georgia period. I hope the Good People of Georgia vote for Deal for Governor. He’s the only one really talking about real job solutions not just hot air like Barnes and company. Let Barnes have the Black Vote. Blacks most of the time vote for skin color only. Example Obama got 97% of the Black Vote.

SC

July 24th, 2010
11:34 am

And I’ll be at work, and not at the poll, on election day.

Chuckster

July 24th, 2010
11:40 am

Come on King Roy,

For a change, show your true colors for you know you walk lockstep with Pres. Obama, The Annointed One!

Don’t run and hide in South Georgia—Be PROUD of your party’s leader and Spender In Chief.

Chuckster

July 24th, 2010
11:43 am

Hey HATEIVOTEDFORROY:

Check out our Congressional approval rating—-11%. Give PBHO another 2 years and let’s see how low his approval rating is. I think the American people are finally seeing who and what they voted for and guess what? I don’t think this is the CHANGE people were voting for!

The Cynical White Boy

July 24th, 2010
11:47 am

Don’t you just love it?

What all of this proves is that Bobby Kahn’s math shows that the King would lose more white voters by singing Kum Ba Yah with Comrade Obama, than he would lost more black voters by running out of metro ATL to the “real” Georgia.

This is bad news for the GOP however. A nice bear hug (no homo) between the King and the Czar would have been all over the airwaves and billboards in the fall campaign.

The Cynical White Boy

July 24th, 2010
11:51 am

Okay, Jim Marshall and John Barrow, you are up. The King will run away.

What will you do?

Bear hug for your national party leader? Stay home with a cold?

ml porter

July 24th, 2010
11:54 am

why did you vote for the iier agen what jobs did he get what teachers did he help haha

ml porter

July 24th, 2010
12:00 pm

p.s did all of you forget how good he was last time he needs two run from ga not for it

Reginald

July 24th, 2010
12:20 pm

Look at the fact: Gov. Perdue cutting more services in the state because of delay in stimulus money!!! Perdue depending on “deficit” spending to keep Georgia afloat. Don’t be so stupid some of you Jawjians!! Tell all those in control now to get things right. Oh, they had eight years and have messed it up worse! What in da hell do you think crooked bad Deal or Wascilla Cruella Handle will do differently. I don’t care where Roy Barnes will be, he was good for the real Georgia then, and he will be better for Georgia from 2011-2019! Otherwise, we still have Jawga!!!!

The Goobernator

July 24th, 2010
12:22 pm

I wish the democratic Party would lose my number and stop giving it to candidates for robocalls.

Chief Wiggum

July 24th, 2010
12:22 pm

LOL…avoiding Obama’s “midas touch” when it comes to governor candidates, no doubt. Seems every time Obama shows up, he ruins the chances of the Democrat nominee. At least he did in Virginia and New Jersey, and also in the Senate race in Massachusetts.

Clark

July 24th, 2010
12:26 pm

Bush nor any of your past presidents meet with blacks regardless of party blacks whites wasn’t meant to get along you do not get along with people of color anyway your forefathers made that possible

Glen

July 24th, 2010
12:31 pm

I took the time to go vote for Barnes in the primary and now he disses the president!! Did he think I buy that lame crap excuse that no one invited him??? If he does not show up to meet the president, then he can count on me not showing up on election day!

lb

July 24th, 2010
12:37 pm

TEACHERS—- REMEMBER WHO VOTED OUT ROY THE LAST TIME
Do not be fooled by his ads promising education related gimics.

T Knight

July 24th, 2010
12:44 pm

I don’t think Roy has the guts to say what we all know. A visit with Barack Obama will cost him much needed votes. The economic turmoil we are in right now is the fault of Barack Obama. His desire is to destroy small business and the middle class with endless taxation. Roy Barnes does not want to be linked with this president, because he knows the male independent votes he would have garnered, would fly out the window. With the unemployment rate in Georgia over 10%, I think Roy hopes Georgians don’t remember that this democrat president is responsible for the fact that they don’t have jobs.

You can run Roy, but you can’t hide from your association to this left leaning socialist loving president.

Kristin

July 24th, 2010
12:45 pm

Someone here said Obama is the most unpopular president ever. I’d really like to see how he figured that. As for him being toxic in Georgia I guess we don’t hang around the same people.

IndependentVoter

July 24th, 2010
12:51 pm

If Deal wins the R’s Contest over Handel, I’ll be voting for Roy. Deal just helped me make up my mind when he gets Sadie Fields on his side. Who cares what that right wing religious nut thinks?

Kristin

July 24th, 2010
12:52 pm

If you think President Obama’s approval rating is doing worse then other presidents check this Gallup report out.
http://www.gallup.com/video/141542/Obama-Approval-Context.aspx

Clay

July 24th, 2010
12:54 pm

You can get to Atlanta from south GA in about 4 hours Roy. No excuse. He’s the head democrat. Get your picture made hugging him.

Daniel

July 24th, 2010
12:58 pm

I think President Obama is toxic for any Democrat candidates right now hoping to win election. Being so, if Roy wants to have a real chance in November, he best distance himself from Obama.

I believe the same can be said for Republicans. If a Republican wants to win in GA and on the national scene, they best distance themselves from Sarah “Barracuda” and Bush Jr. I believe both to be toxic for Republicans. I am scratching my head, though. I told a co-worker that the Palin endorsement would be a kiss of death for Handel on July 20. I guess I was wrong.

Totally unrelated to this topic, I’m kind of torn in November. I’m a fiscal and social conservative. I didn’t vote for Obama, and I soured VERY FAST on Bush Jr. I don’t like Roy, but I don’t like Handel or Deal. I really don’t know what I’m going to do come November.

Rural Education

July 24th, 2010
1:09 pm

Why are the Republicans running against Obama? They have to, they can’t run on their records. The last eight years have been a disaster for the state, no wonder Handel and Deal are running against Obama they have no solutions but more of the same. Cut, cut, cut, until there is nothing left.

Bitter EX democrackkk

July 24th, 2010
1:11 pm

Georgia, YOU can do BETTER than Royal Barnes!

TheDean

July 24th, 2010
1:16 pm

Most of you are ignorant. I’ll say it. Roy held teachers accountable, something that perfect one, GWB, was going to do anyway with that piece of crap legislation No Child Left Behind. GWB, Sonny, and the Republican legislature we’ve had in GA have done more to hurt teachers than Roy every though about. So, yes, teachers, please do remember who has screwed you time and again when you vote in November.

Mary Kelly

July 24th, 2010
1:42 pm

Numb nuts! There is not a teacher’s union in this state! Right to work state with no negotiation of contracts. We get what the state says we get! Get your facts straight.

Mark

July 24th, 2010
1:52 pm

of course Roy is going to hide. He does not want anyone to know that he supports Obama. King Roy will be bad for Georgia and so is Deal.

Vote August 10th for Karen Handel, the only TRUE CONSERVATIVE!

Jerry Mandering

July 24th, 2010
1:59 pm

Well, well, well, ‘Ol Roy thinks it unimportant to greet the POTUS during his visit to Georgia. The Democrat’s candidate won’t welcome the President. Everybody will be LAUGHING at us now. How kind of Roy to point that out for us during the primary. King Roy will have ‘em LAUGHING in the aisles. What barber shop will he be visiting?

Pope UGA XXIII

July 24th, 2010
2:31 pm

It doesn’t matter to me as I have no intention of voting for Barnes,
but if I were him, I would drive to Echols County, confirm that there
are no telephone services of any kind, and hide in the trunk of my car
until “NoBama” is safely gone from the 404/770 area codes.
If you are running for governor and want your political career to come
to a screeching halt, be seen on the stage with this Marxist/Socialist.
Barnes will get a decent percentage of votes from people who wish to
live off of the “guvmint”, but hopefully, there are enough Georgia voters
who have figured out what’s going on in Washington and won’t vote
for the same nonsense again.

Sonny Lied!

July 24th, 2010
2:39 pm

The reason why Obama is the worst President ever to certain people is pretty easy to comprehend.

Without that, I think he’s done a pretty mediocre job, though I imagine it would be hard for any President to do well with what this country’s dealing with.

Pork Chop

July 24th, 2010
2:55 pm

@Rural education

“Cut, cut, cut, until there is nothing left.”

How do YOU propose we handle the current situation? Do you think we should borrow money from China? Georgia (by law) can’t practice deficit spending. When you are out of money, you have to quit spending. It’s just too bad that the federal giverment doesn’t play by those rules. If it did, we wouldn’t be in the financial shape we are in todaay.

Pork Chop

July 24th, 2010
3:06 pm

@Mary Kelly

“there is not a teacher’s union in this state!”

What a joker you are! “A rose by any other name . . .” You don’t use the word “union:. You give lip service to education and lobby for increased pay and benefits. Your organizations are totally self-serving. And that begets the second staement, :BS by any other name . . .”

dagnabit

July 24th, 2010
3:21 pm

Is Roy in south Georgia buying property at half price? Gov. Gooberhead can show him how.

Drew

July 24th, 2010
3:22 pm

This teacher will never vote for Barnes, not did I before he screwed us. My sister who is a democrat and teaches as well is not voting for Barnes. My other sister who is Independent is not voting for Barnes, oh by the way is a teacher too. our families are not voting for King Roy. Teachers of Georgia, do not vote for Barnes. If you don’t like Deal or Handel, FINE! I don’t either, so my vote is not for them, it is a VOTE AGAINST ROY BARNES!

T Knight

July 24th, 2010
3:30 pm

I love the smell of democrats trying to distance themselves from Obama. Obama = Roy = Democrat= WE’RE SCREWED!!!!!!!!

Lt. Frank Drebbin

July 24th, 2010
3:41 pm

I doubt that any Dem will ask BHO to come and campaign, unless it’s in a waaaaay-wacky-lefty district. He is toxic

A

July 24th, 2010
3:50 pm

Have none of you ever heard of the word ‘politics’? Remember the last year Gilligan was president? No republican wanted that little creep any where near them. Not that President Obama should be compared to the worst president we have ever had, including Nixon. Everyone is in this game to win. The Democrats want another Governor, Roy wins, Obama gets to come down here and congratulate him. It’s the smart move. Obama doesn’t need the south anyway. I’m surprised he comes down here at all. The south is a lost cause to reasonable people.

rod

July 24th, 2010
4:04 pm

Bubba, you endorsed Kerry, Gore and Obama and now you dont have the balls to meet with him. Be a man. Have you released your African American Sunday-go-to-church schedule yet. He rammed healthcare down our throats by violating Senate and House rules and while I could care less what our flag looks like, you promised a vote on it and we all woke up with a new flag flying that you designed without a vote. Kinf Bubba Barnes

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!!!

Disgusted

July 27th, 2010
6:59 pm

Another example of the Southern Crackers that run this inbred State!!! What was I thinking when I moved to Georgia….Do any of your white elected officials have GPA’s greater than 1.5?

Calvin B.

July 27th, 2010
9:24 pm

Yes, maybe so. Again, its simple is he the “Potential” Leader of the State Democratic party who chooses to meet with the POTUS, and the titular head of the democratic party. Or will he pander to the Republican Right trying to curry favor and only earns their contempt(listen to their taunts.). If people of Color(not colored people) and progressive minded Democrats desire to take over the state and national affairs people have to lead. Not run away. I am sorry truth must be told.

Smart Georgian

July 28th, 2010
1:39 pm

Funny how Republicans tend to forget that the economic crisis started between 2000 and 2008. The Bush tax cuts that benefited the top 2% in our nation along with starting two wars, didn’t help matters. Remember that Bush and Cheney inherited a surplus from the Clinton administration. Obama wasn’t quite so lucky. Give Obama credit for trying to clean up this mess and from keeping the nation out of all-out depression. It will take years to clean up what Bush and Cheney messed up. Don’t try to re-write history now. There’s a reason why most historians have already labeled Bush as one of the worst presidents… ever.

ATL

July 29th, 2010
6:42 pm

Roy Barnes I voted for you and I regret it now. I cant believe you lied on the President of the United States, the republicans was correct about you, you are FAKE!. You will not get my vote in November, I don’t care who win, I will not go out my way to vote for a man who disrespect his PRESIDENT!

ATL

July 29th, 2010
7:15 pm

Roy, I am going to give you a chance, you will go stand next to our Democrated President give him the respect he deserve. If you dont show up I promise you I will not vote for you I will get on every social network and tell everybody who listen how you derespected the President Of The United States. Please dont make me do this ROY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PEG

July 29th, 2010
8:12 pm

Roy Barnes, I hate that I voted for you, A disappointment to me. Your response towards OUR President let’s me see how much of a REDNECK you are.

Maggie1238

August 2nd, 2010
9:50 am

Roy Barnes is disrespecting the President by not being there to greet him. The Democrats need to stick together. It is better for the country to be run by the government than big business. The GOP wants a plutocracy. It is big business(like Walmart) that has destroyed small business. If not for government intervention we would not have child labor laws, civil rights, environmental protection etc,.

Cordelia

August 2nd, 2010
12:42 pm

You don’t have to be invited to welcome the President…..you do so by honoring the office not the man…It amazes me how people forget it is the office you honor not the man in it. What a slap in the face for you Mr. Barnes. You have just lost mt democratic vote for governor and my husbands also.