Roy Barnes: Nathan Deal’s ethics problems should disqualify him as a candidate
The full version from the Associated Press:
Roy Barnes said Wednesday that ethics questions surrounding his opponent Nathan Deal should disqualify him from being governor.
In an interview with The Associated Press that touched on issues from immigration to predatory lending, Barnes said the lucrative arrangement Deal’s auto salvage business had with the state was a “serious error of judgment.”
“And we have the right to demand our highest elected officials that they not benefit themselves while in public office,” the Democrat told The AP.
“I’m disappointed and it pains me to say that, quite frankly, but I think it disqualifies him.”
Deal, a former congressman from Gainesville, has denied any wrongdoing.
His spokesman Brian Robinson said Wednesday that Barnes was trying to draw attention away from his “liberal arrogance” and served as “a character witness for his liberal Senate crony Charles Walker who went to prison for 127 counts of corruption” in 2005.
“I’d say that makes Barnes unfit to serve Georgia in any capacity,” Robinson said.
Earlier this year, the Office of Congressional Ethics found Deal may have violated House rules by using his position to lobby state officials on behalf of the auto salvage company, which earned $1.5 million from 2004 to 2008 through the state contract. Word also surfaced recently that the state’s revenue commissioner received a federal grand jury subpoena last month related to his 2009 meeting with Deal over a state program affecting the company.
Deal says he has not be told he is the target of the investigation.
Barnes said he and Deal were friends when they served together in the state Senate for a decade in the 1980s. At the time Deal was a Democrat. He swapped parties in 1995 and became a Republican as the Republican revolution was under way led by fellow Georgian Newt Gingrich.
“I think he became Gingrichized,” Barnes said. “This is not the Nathan Deal I knew.”
Barnes was ousted in 2002 after a single term as governor.
Deal won the GOP nomination after narrowly winning an Aug. 10 runoff.
Barnes declined to say whether he would support amending the U.S. Constitution to end automatic citizenship to children born to illegal immigrants in the country, saying he needs to give the issue more study.
“I don’t have a firm opinion on it right now,” he said.
In Congress, Deal was the lead sponsor for several years of legislation to end automatic citizenship. The movement has gained momentum since he left the U.S. House in March.
Barnes did say he thought officials should exercise caution in changing the 14th Amendment, which was the basis for striking down desegregation in public schools.
But he added that, “it’s offensive to me to think that there might be folks that are coming here just to have children to give them the citizenship and to give them the public support.”
Barnes said he believes a law he muscled through in 2002 that would crack down on predatory lending would have alleviated Georgia’s foreclosure crisis. Republicans overturned the law weeks after Barnes left office.
“I’m not going to tell you we would’ve been immune, but I don’t think we would’ve been in the top five (in foreclosures),” Barnes said.
Barnes called the law — which drew opposition across the financial services industry — the toughest one he pushed through, harder even then his efforts to shrink the Confederate battle symbol on Georgia’s flag.
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter, or connect with me on Facebook.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2011 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
84 comments Add your comment
John Galt
September 1st, 2010
3:36 pm
In a way I’m not surprised to see King Roy falling for Black Bart’s tricks. King Roy believed the Messiah, Mahatma Barak the Chosen One also.
The supposed “ethics problems” from Nathan Deal never have amounted to anything more than a couple of bureaucrat’s schemes to preserve their phoney baloney jobs. The shceme has backfired on Black Bart, because Deal, Monds, or King Roy either one is sure to fire him. Let’s see what the allegations do for King Roy. I predict not much.
Don Dry
September 1st, 2010
3:45 pm
Coming from a man who has made millions from banks the state regulated during his tenure as governor, this rings rather hollow.
Jerry Mandering
September 1st, 2010
3:49 pm
Oh, the humanity! That’s a good one coming from Ol’ Roy. There’s more than one skeleton under that big 3X suit he’s wearing.
lmno
September 1st, 2010
3:53 pm
“The supposed “ethics problems” from Nathan Deal never have amounted to anything more than a couple of bureaucrat’s schemes to preserve their phoney baloney jobs.”
Well, thats just not true. I don’t see how you can support the guy. Do some research!
The Office of Congressional Ethics is not some partisan group. They voted unanymously that he violated house rules. Not only did he use his position of power to keep a no bid contract in place for his own company, he also failed to report income, and exceeded the income limits he is allowed to make on outside business as a board member.
Basically, the guy is a corrupt piece of crap.
WE have lost our way
September 1st, 2010
3:54 pm
My overall opinion of all politicians are they are all unethical! In my 30 years working in government,I never meet an honest politician.
Ben Dover
September 1st, 2010
3:56 pm
Is Rerun Roy too lazy to run a campaign? If you can’t win on the issues, argue ethics. This seems to be the standard operating procedure of politicians. Only people with crappy, out of touch positions on the issues try to resort to trivial ethics charges. Roy knows that an issues based campaign is a loser for him since Nathan Deal’s political beliefs and values are far more in line with Georgia’s that his.
Mad Dog
September 1st, 2010
3:58 pm
Roy’s remarks seem spot on to me. A “serious error of judgment” is about the kindest thing he could say about this sorry episode. And as for the ignoramous who remarks that Roy made millions from state-regulated banks during his tenure, he may be interested to know that Roy put all of his assets into a blind trust throughout his term as governor. You are free, Mr. “Don Dry,” to contrast that with the failure to do same by our current Republican governor, Mr. Perdue.
Keith
September 1st, 2010
3:59 pm
We could vote Libertarian. Why would anyone believe either Deal or Barnes.
Get Real Deal
September 1st, 2010
4:01 pm
Tell me who’s the crooked candidate: One released the past 25 years of tax returns, the other NONE. Deal supporters can’t spin this fact, no matter how hard they try. Good honest people will not vote for Deal.
Confused
September 1st, 2010
4:03 pm
John Galt, even posting under an assumed nomiker please don’t let the general public know that you are that ignorant and pathetic.
BEND OVER, HERE COMES THE CHANGE
September 1st, 2010
4:05 pm
King Roy, you being a career politician should disqualify you.
lmno
September 1st, 2010
4:07 pm
“Only people with crappy, out of touch positions on the issues try to resort to trivial ethics charges”
Please! You may not like Roy Barnes positions, but these charges are not “Trivial” at all.
There is a very REAL deal possibility that an indictment will come.
UGA Voter
September 1st, 2010
4:18 pm
I will be voting for a lot of Republicans this year but not in the Governor’s race. Our choice is between a conservative Democrat versus a party switching crook who has some bizarre hang-ups with gay people.
Road Scholar
September 1st, 2010
4:19 pm
Hey folks, if you were paying attention, you would know that Deal hasn’t even filed his return for last year! Now if that was you or me, we’d be in jail. Nathan, we’re not trying to hide anything, are we????
Chris
September 1st, 2010
4:20 pm
Given Roy’s background and shoddy first term performance, it’s no wonder he doesn’t want to talk issue.
As far as an “indictment” – if there was smoke there would be a fire.
Road Scholar
September 1st, 2010
4:20 pm
Bend over: I guess Deal would be disqualified also?
Chris
September 1st, 2010
4:22 pm
Conservative Democrat????? How does Roy pay for all this new spending – oh I forgot, it’s okay – it’ll be stimulus money – you don’t have to pay that money back.
frugal voter
September 1st, 2010
4:26 pm
Deal is a sleaze. Only by default will I, a life long Republican, be voting for Barnes.
CobbGOPer
September 1st, 2010
4:27 pm
Given that Deal resigned from Congress to avoid an ethics investigation, I’d say he has enough ethics problems that he’s personally concerned about them. Why resign and avoid the investigation if you haven’t done anything wrong, as Mr. Deal insists? As for the grand jury, it’s ongoing. No, they haven’t sent Deal a subpoena, but then again the focus of the investigation is usually the last one to get called…
CobbGOPer
September 1st, 2010
4:29 pm
Also, I’m a Handel voter who’ll be leaving the “Governor” box blank in November. Nathan Deal can pound sand.
Jason T
September 1st, 2010
4:36 pm
And King Roy’s history should disqualify him. Next.
Charlie Rangel
September 1st, 2010
4:37 pm
Hey, I’m still here.
Maxine W.
September 1st, 2010
4:38 pm
Me too, Charlie.
Robert
September 1st, 2010
4:40 pm
King Roy’s first two terms as governor should disqualify him from running for Governor. What a pious windbag phoney? Isn’t Barnes the guy you had to have a check to get in to see? Bobby Khan was the bag man in Barnes’ administration. Wasn’t Barnes the Governor who assigned giving quotas to businesses who hoped to do business in Georgia? How can this trial lawyer for sale, talk about anyone’s ethics isues?
Imma Liberal
September 1st, 2010
4:40 pm
The thing about Republicans, we can convict them before any hearings or indictments. We Libs, well, say hello to Charlie and Maxine.
leo
September 1st, 2010
4:43 pm
Here is one Handel voter who will vote for Barnes. Deal is a sleaze bag and a crook who very well may be indicted and could even go to prison.
NO DEAL
September 1st, 2010
4:57 pm
N. Deal (NO DEAL) will try to wait until after the November elections before he will release his tax retuens, because if he let’s the public see his returns now he would basically put himself out of the race. Now rethugblicans can scream bloody murder even after they actually ’see’ the President’s birth certificate, but have no problem with N. Deal (NO DEAL) openly stalling for time and refusing to disclose his tax returns. N. Deal (NO DEAL) is a lying, no good, corrupt individual and how dare anyone ignore the facts and try to say anything positive about this piece of trash!
Annienomolous
September 1st, 2010
4:58 pm
Hey Road scholar, ever heard of an extention? The extention due date is September 15th for businesses and October 15th for individuals. That being said, I think imma hafta go with the libertarian.
Dave the Man
September 1st, 2010
5:01 pm
@NO DEAL
I take you have all this “proof” of your “accusations”? Or just more “here say”?
lmno
September 1st, 2010
5:11 pm
Dave the Man,
Here ya go:
http://oce.house.gov/disclosures/Review_No_09-1022_Referral_to_Standards.pdf
Ralph
September 1st, 2010
5:12 pm
As a conservative Republican, I’m going to vote for the Libertarian
Cissy
September 1st, 2010
5:13 pm
Let’s all write in Eric Johnson.
Really. He was a good candidate. Too good for GA, apparently.
The Ghost of Gene Talmadge
September 1st, 2010
5:21 pm
Be careful what you type. Bobby Kahn is taking down names and he is itching for payback when King Roy lowers himself down on the throne again in January.
khc
September 1st, 2010
5:33 pm
Annienomolous, extension is one thing (though by now any competent person could have filed) but he could release all others……and you other nutbag republicans complain about roy making money or having a bag man…. if memory serves me he put his money in blind trust when in office and current gov uses his power and inside info for personal gain and nary a word….give me a break
eric jones
September 1st, 2010
5:43 pm
Deal is a good honorable man. He will do us proud.
Roy Barnes
September 1st, 2010
5:44 pm
As governor, I made the value of my blind trust skyrocket during a recession.
Am I qualified?
Disavantaged Insider
September 1st, 2010
5:48 pm
@WE have lost our way — I’ve been in government for about 20 years now, and I have actually met honest politicians. Some of them are still in office, and at least two I know are in leadership positions under the gold dome (not the top ones, mind you, but they are in the leadership). The problem is that they are few and far between, and getting fewer with each passing year.
curious
September 1st, 2010
5:50 pm
25 years of tax returns made public by Roy Barnes? Where are they? I would like to read them, but all I can find are news reports that he has released them. Now, how ethical is that? I mean it seems like a shell game to say you’ve released something and then avoid public scrutiny by sleight of hand.
blue dog
September 1st, 2010
5:56 pm
I see that Democrat label next to Barnes makes him unsuitable to be Governor in this Red State.
You apparently did not know or conveniently forgot the national award he won for sacrificing his political standing in backing changing the 1958 Ga flag. Clearly, he knew you yahoos would kick him out, but he did the right thing inspite of you rednecks. That took guts, hence the national recognition. Any state with an educated citizenry would be glad someone of his character and ability would even want to be their Governor. You jerkwads don’t deserve him
Alabama Communist
September 1st, 2010
5:58 pm
Poor Roy! Somehow his banking Goldman Sachs connections mean nothing to Deal……..Both are total establishment losers and should be run out of Georgia with Goldman Sachs………
Tell the truth Roy
September 1st, 2010
5:58 pm
25 years of Roy Barnes tax returns would be incomplete without publishing the instructions that he gave to his blind trust.
Tuckerman
September 1st, 2010
5:59 pm
@ “Roy Barnes” – Barnes tenure as Gov. 1998 – 2002. There was no recession from ‘98 – 9/11/01. And GA weathered the last recession pretty well, as I recall.
Regardless, the contrast with Perdue’s payoffs to friends and Deal’s self-dealings is remarkable.
Tell the truth Roy
September 1st, 2010
6:01 pm
And for those who are not familiar with the concept of a blind trust, it means that you have ZERO input as to the decisions made with your assets. You are not allowed to influence the blind trust in any way. Roy did and it made him even more wealthy, while he was governor, during a recession.
Political Mongrel
September 1st, 2010
6:02 pm
Deal? Ethics? MWAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
Barnes? Ethics ? MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Tell the truth Roy
September 1st, 2010
6:03 pm
What flavor kool-aid you drinking Tuckerman? Check out the dates on this article, end of March 02:
http://216.116.225.82/stories/2002/06/08/met_343032.shtml
Aquagirl
September 1st, 2010
6:04 pm
Curious, Roy Barnes’ tax returns are cleverly hidden on his website. Nitwit.
http://roy2010taxreturn.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html
blue dog
September 1st, 2010
6:05 pm
Robert @4:40
Where did you first learn that Barnes was Governor for two terms. He would be constitutionally prohibited from running now .Another good example of the level of ignorance in this state.
lmno
September 1st, 2010
6:11 pm
It would be interesting to know where real estate prices would be currently in GA had Republicans not overturned the Bill the Barnes signed before he left office cracking down on predatory lending.
Who knows for sure? but I’d bet anything we would be better off with that bill.
Tom
September 1st, 2010
6:11 pm
Is Roy friends with Soros? He keeps repeating his groups crap.
Tom
September 1st, 2010
6:14 pm
Lets elected King Roy!! Then we can enjoy watching him get told NO by the GOP controled house and senate for the next 4 years.