Will former governor improve Democratic chances?
Will former Gov. Roy Barnes’ entry into the 2010 gubernatorial race materially change Democratic prospects?
Probably not. It will certainly complicate life for Georgia House Minority Leader DuBose Porter of Dublin and for former Georgia Adjutant General David Poythress. It makes it more important, too, for Atty. Gen. Thurbert Baker to establish quickly that he could be the next breakthrough black candidate to become an historic first. For all of them, the price to play just went up.
Barnes’ entry doesn’t change much for Republicans. The Democratic base is about 42-44 percent. Under the best of circumstances — an overwhelming turnout, especially by blacks who are the Democrats’ most loyal constituency — the Democratic candidate’s numbers hit the high 40s. It will take a really unusual candidate and campaign to win.
That’s probably not Barnes. Since he lost in 2002, the rural Georgians who voted Democratic have now voted three times for Republicans. It’ll be tough for him to get them back.
Democrats have three possibilities to win in 2010:
1. A major Republican scandal. A long-shot.
2. A black who can ignite minority voters with the enthusiasm that Barack Obama did without embracing his politics. Really tough. Probably impossible.
3. A white center-right candidate who can get through the Democratic primary without having to swing to the left. That depends on whether Atlanta liberals and members of the black caucus in the General Assembly cut him some slack. Not likely.
Back to the original question: Does Barnes’ entry materially improve Democratic chances? I don’t see how.
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204 comments Add your comment
Churchill's MOM
June 3rd, 2009
8:06 am
Your link from the home page is screwed up AGAIN
Get Real
June 3rd, 2009
8:16 am
Wooten, again you underestimate the dissatisfaction of moderates and republicans in this state. Your initial statement of whether Barnes will run for governor sets a precedent for the rest of your article: its all wrong. Sonny came into office stating he would reform education, and in his second term saying he would address transportation. He’s done neither. I don’t think the wingnuts will forget his dishonesty on the flag as well, and republican candidates may suffer. Barnes is obviously the more qualified candidate as he has a law degree, and a certain republican candidate has a diploma. Nice comparison, for democrats.
Baker won’t get many votes as the black clergy hasn’t forgotten Genarlow Wilson. I thought you were done writing these tall tales come June 1st Wooten. I could’ve written this in 5 minutes. They pay you for this? Wow.
catlady
June 3rd, 2009
8:34 am
Get real, I would agree with you except I think you underestimate the mindless dumb factor in
Georgia politics. If Jesus himself were on the ballot with a D beside His name, He would lose. Baa, baaa sheep!
findog
June 3rd, 2009
9:04 am
Dear Jim,
Roy’s campaign will just be: if I had been re-elected you would be able to get from Buford to Alpharetta in under 90-minutes in the morning, unqualified teachers would be doing something else, and we would have saved a million dollars spent on a second set of new flags.
In other words the GOP will be stuck with the former DNC’s record, and o by the way — the leading contender for the GOP is a former DNC too…
Redneck Convert
June 3rd, 2009
9:11 am
Well, I might could vote for Jesus with a D after his name if He come out against these Equal Rights laws and the Voting Rights Act. And promised He won’t never raise taxes. Have a good day everybody.
Aquagirl
June 3rd, 2009
9:33 am
Jim, you seem to be the only one unaware the past eight years have been a major Republican scandal.
Redneck voting Democrat? Where is my fainting couch?
Billy Bob
June 3rd, 2009
9:44 am
What’s Barnes going to do as governor? The only constituency that he might bring to his camp are those who vote on name recognition.
Ga Values
June 3rd, 2009
9:52 am
Billy Bob 9:44 am
Still waiting for your list of CONSERVATIVE Georgia Republicans, give you a hint BIG GOVERNMENT, BIG SPENDING, PRO AMNESTY Socialist link our 2 senators Saxby and Johnny are NOT CONSERVATIVES.
Big Bucks GOP doing the Lords work
June 3rd, 2009
9:54 am
Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase are among the big
financial institutions that raised billions of dollars this week, in
hopes of bidding farewell to the federal bailout program.
The share offerings suggest that the nation’s bankers are getting a bit
of their swagger back. They also indicate that investors aren’t so
jittery about buying financial shares.
“Markets are providing an avenue for banks of all sizes and stripes to
raise money unless you are at death’s door,” Gary Townsend, co-founder
of Hill-Townsend Capital, told Reuters.
But many questions remain about how and when large banks can exit the
Troubled Asset Relief Program. Here’s one: How much more capital must
they raise to persuade the government to set them free? The answer,
according to one analyst, may be more than $50 billion.
The government has surprised several banks, according to Bloomberg
News, by demanding they raise specific amounts of new capital before
repaying taxpayer funds.
Lawrence Kaplan, a former attorney at the Office of Thrift Supervision
now at Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, tells Bloomberg: “It’s an
exercise to make sure that no one is going to get criticized for
allowing these redemptions.”
Big Bucks GOP doing the Lords work
June 3rd, 2009
9:55 am
General Motors plans to sell its Hummer brand to Sichuan Tengzhong
Heavy Industrial Machinery, a Chinese company, The New York Times
reported, citing an undisclosed source. G.M. executives also said
Tuesday there are 16 potential bidders for Saturn.
Big Bucks GOP doing the Lords work
June 3rd, 2009
9:56 am
bidders for A.I.G.’s aircraft-leasing unit are asking for
bigger guarantees from the U.S. government, The New York Post said. In
Taiwan, A.I.G. has lowered its asking price for an insurance subsidiary
to between $1.8 and $2 billion, according to The Economic Daily.
Big Bucks GOP doing the Lords work
June 3rd, 2009
9:58 am
Wall Street should raise a glass to now-bankrupt General Motors, which
has paid out billions in underwriting fees as the No. 1 corporate
issuer of debt and equity since 1985
deegee
June 3rd, 2009
10:09 am
It’s incredible that there are people out there that still think that the Northern Arc was anything other than a developmental highway. I suspect that many of the concrete and asphalt guys that lobbied for the road as a crucial piece of infrastructure have gone out of business due to the economic downturn. McGinnis Ferry Road and Highway 20 are being widened between Forsyth County and Gwinnett County as they should be. I am so glad the the state did not spend billions on a highway just so that a few hundred cars could drive past miles of brand spanking new, totally vacant shopping centers every day.
Che was a homicidal maniac
June 3rd, 2009
10:15 am
Barrack Hussein Obama is a Muslim.
Barack Hussein Obama: US “one of the largest Muslim countries in the world”
It is important to note that “if you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we’d be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world”.
So says President Barack Obama. Or I should say: Barack Hussein Obama.
That’s right: Barack Hussein Obama. Say it proud. Say it out loud. The middle moniker that dared not speak its name during the election campaign is now front and centre of the US president’s attempt to woo the Muslim world, the theme of his visits to Riyadh on Wednesday and Cairo on Thursday.
Petrified of the potential political fallout of being branded a Muslim, Candidate Obama – a practicing Christian – never used the name “Hussein” and its use was frowned upon as a forbidden code for the nutty accusation that he was some kind of Islamic Manchurian candidate.
No more. To say Barack Hussein Obama – BHO for short – now appears to be the height of political correctness.
As I argue in this analysis for the Telegraph dead tree edition, Obama is seeking to return to a Middle East policy based on realism – buttressed by the bona fides of his own multi-cultural (including Muslim) background.
In Strasbourg two months ago, the president tried out his full name. Days later in Ankara, he was introduced to the Turkish parliament by his full name.
As ABC’s Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller astutely outline here, the Obama administration is embracing the new president’s inner Muslim, as it were. Deputy national security adviser stated that Obama had “experienced Islam on three continents…growing up in Indonesia, having a Muslim father — obviously Muslim Americans [are] a key part of Illinois and Chicago”.
So that’s once, twice, three times a Muslim?
Just in case the Arab world hasn’t yet got this message of inbuilt tolerance, Mr Obama himself has gone a step further. In an interview with France’s Canal Plus released on Tuesday evening, he suggested that the United States might be a Muslim country.
Obama said he wanted to “create a better dialogue so that the Muslim world understands more effectively how the United States but also how the West thinks about many of these difficult issues like terrorism, like democracy, to discuss the framework for what’s happened in Iraq and Afghanistan and our outreach to Iran, and also how we view the prospects for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians”.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/toby_harnden/blog/2009/06/03/barack_hussein_obama_us_one_of_the_largest_muslim_countries_in_the_world
Che was a homicidal maniac
June 3rd, 2009
10:16 am
The Emergence of President Obama’s Muslim Roots
ABC News’ Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller report: The other day we heard a comment from a White House aide that never would have been uttered during the primaries or general election campaign.
During a conference call in preparation for President Obama’s trip to Cairo, Egypt, where he will address the Muslim world, deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications Denis McDonough said “the President himself experienced Islam on three continents before he was able to — or before he’s been able to visit, really, the heart of the Islamic world — you know, growing up in Indonesia, having a Muslim father — obviously Muslim Americans (are) a key part of Illinois and Chicago.”
Given widespread unease and prejudice against Muslims among Americans, especially in the wake of 9/11, the Obama campaign was perhaps understandably very sensitive during the primaries and general election to downplay the candidate’s Muslim roots.
The candidate was even offended when referred to by his initials “BHO,” because he considered the use of his middle name, “Hussein,” an attempt to frighten voters.
With insane rumors suggesting he was some sort of Muslim Manchurian candidate, then-Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and his campaign did everything they could to emphasize his Christianity and de-emphasize the fact that his father, Barack Obama Sr., was born Muslim.
The candidate’s comment at a Boca Raton, Florida, town hall meeting on May 22, 2008, was typical: “My father was basically agnostic, as far as I can tell, and I didn’t know him,” he said.
In September 2008, candidate Obama told a Pennsylvania crowd, “I know that I’m not your typical presidential candidate and I just want to be honest with you. I know that the temptation is to say, ‘You know what? The guy hasn’t been there that long in Washington. You know, he’s got a funny name. You know, we’re not sure about him.’ And that’s what the Republicans when they say this isn’t about issues, it’s about personalities, what they’re really saying is, ‘We’re going to try to scare people about Barack. So we’re going to say that, you know, maybe he’s got Muslim connections.’…Just making stuff up.”
Back then, the campaign’s “Fight the Smears” website addressed the candidate’s faith without mentioning his father’s religion:
“Barack Obama is a committed Christian. He was sworn into the Senate on his family Bible. He has regularly attended church with his wife and daughters for years. But shameful, shadowy attackers have been lying about Barack’s religion, claiming he is a Muslim instead of a committed Christian. When people fabricate stories about someone’s faith to denigrate them politically, that’s an attack on people of all faiths. Make sure everyone you know is aware of this deception.”
The website also provided quotes from the Boston Globe and Newsweek mentioning his father’s roots.
Since the election, however, with the threat of the rumors at least somewhat abated, the White House has been increasingly forthcoming about the president’s roots. Especially when reaching out to the
Muslim world.
In his April 6 address to the Turkish Parliament, President Obama referenced how many “Americans have Muslims in their families or have lived in a Muslim majority country. I know, because I am one of them.”
- Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller
Copyleft
June 3rd, 2009
10:28 am
My gosh, Maniac! If this is true, then President Obama will have to be impeached. After all, it’s ILLEGAL to be a Muslim in America.
Of course, this nonsense continues and only the extreme loonies of the very far right are still shouting about it. The Obamas are Christian… not that it matters. Christian, Muslim, Jew, or atheist, all are equally American. (In the REAL America, that is–not the deluded fantasyland the wingnuts live in.)
Soothsayer
June 3rd, 2009
10:34 am
“Just ask yourself.” (Apologies to Red Neckerson) (I’m dating myself here.) “Why would a guy with a fabulously successful law practice want to take a $127,000 a year job in government?” It’s simple: King Roy knows there’s WAY MORE money to be made “governoring” than practicing law.
It’s just too bad that that ole Northern Arc thing flopped. Especially after all those deevelopers had already bought up all that land along the right-of-way (and paying King Roy handsomely). After all, what’s the big deal? What was all the fuss about over a little ole interstate cutting through the middle of a few subdivisions and a little loss of land values?
King Roy and the Democrats chances? Not worth the effort. Keep practicing law Roy.
Che was a homicidal maniac
June 3rd, 2009
10:38 am
Copyleft, then you should call up ABC and the UK TIMES! Don’t get angry at me comrade.
Dave R
June 3rd, 2009
11:06 am
Personally, having a law degree (as Get real points out with Barnes) would give me a reason to NOT vote for a candidate. Lawyers find more ways to screw up the basics than any profession I have ever encountered.
RetLTC
June 3rd, 2009
11:15 am
Jim…republicans are improving democratic chances. That simple.
RetLTC
June 3rd, 2009
11:17 am
Sonny Perdoofuss can personally vouch for the validity of your last post soothsayer.
LOLO
June 3rd, 2009
11:20 am
GetReal, Nathan Deal has a law degree.
RetLTC
June 3rd, 2009
11:21 am
Evil Republicans…remember that anything right of John Birch is a liberal to those morons. No worry though. They’re done. I hope they enjoy the payback that’s coming there way.
DannyX
June 3rd, 2009
11:24 am
The announcement yesterday that NCR will move to the metro Atlanta area really exemplifies how out of touch the Republicans have been the past 6 years. They have no problem investing the $60 million dollars it took to bribe NCR to relocate here them here. On the other side they have no problem ignoring the burdens it will put on our infrastructure. Investing in Atlanta is politically incorrect.
Republican lawmakers get re-elected by telling everyone back home how they really stuck it to metro Atlanta. Republican lawmakers go back home gloating about the money they are bringing with them.
Those in metro Atlanta need to realize SOON that it doesn’t matter if a politician has an R or a D after their name in this state, they have proven that they are interchangeable, it only matters which way the wind is blowing.
Its time to wise up and help elect someone that understands that neglecting metro Atlanta will no longer be tolerated. The cash cow needs to eat.
Roy Barnes for Governor!
Will
June 3rd, 2009
11:25 am
At least four of the six republican candidates do not believe we live in “ONE NATION, under God, INDIVISIBLE…”. I love the United States of America, served in the UNITED STATES Army and I would never vote for a seccessionist for governor.
We have a current governor because people voted against Roy Barnes. When you vote against someone rather than for someone, it usually does not work.
Although an affable enough gent, the two terms of Governor Perdue will be noted for the lack of even a blueprint of a viable transportation strategy, an almost continuous reduction in public school funding and a penchant for wearing funny hats and costumes in photo opportunities.
Che was a homicidal maniac
June 3rd, 2009
11:33 am
RetLTC, your guy has been in office for less than 6 months and here you go, foolishly, declaring the GOP dead. Just 4 years ago everyone assumed the the DNC was dead. The only payback coming Americas way is Obama Husseins socialist agenda to steal from people who work hard and give the money to lazy fat ghetto baby mamas.
Dave R
June 3rd, 2009
11:38 am
You know, when I was in the military, anyone who couldn’t get higher than a light Colonel (and they were called light for a reason) before serving their twenty was pretty much considered a drone and ultimately not worth promoting to real positions of responsibility.
Yet somehow, I think RetLTC is proud of his moniker . . .
Well, he sure proves he’s a drone for the left on these blogs.
RetLTC
June 3rd, 2009
11:41 am
Che, the demographics will increasingly work against you. You guys rolled the dice when you decided to vilify Latinos and you will pay for that one for years to come. You’re done.
party pooper
June 3rd, 2009
11:42 am
evil republicans, you must make your fellow liberals on this blog very proud.
clyde
June 3rd, 2009
11:44 am
Georgia has gone far enough right that it won’t be coming back for Barnes.
Aquagirl
Correction. Redneck said he might could vote for JC[D].That’s about a 10% chance as I see it..
RetLTC
June 3rd, 2009
11:46 am
By the way Che. Had John McCain gotten the percentage of Latino votes that GWB got he would be pres today. You right wing bigots targeted them and you payed. And that is going to be the gift that keeps on giving. Congratulations.
JLK
June 3rd, 2009
11:48 am
RetLTC, you’re not gonna take that from this Dave R person, are you? I think he’s openly disrespecting our military because he wants you to kick his trembling little fanny, having been banned from the Iron Eagle for constant soliciting.
Che was a homicidal maniac
June 3rd, 2009
11:54 am
RetLTC, we targeted them? That’s funny since W put more Latino and Black people in high office than any other president in history. You idiot libs see everything in a color prism. I and many other conservatives see people as individuals. Moron.
By the way, we REAL AMERICANS want people to come here legally. Why? Because when you don’t you run the risk of some crazy jihadist showing up at detonating a nuke.
By the way, only a truly idiotic person would declare something living, dead. Just like you guys/gals like to pronounce living babies as nothing but a pile of non living goo.
fearless fosdick
June 3rd, 2009
11:57 am
Dave R….I guess then you were a general officer? to denigrate a patriot and a retired O-5…goes beyond the pale even for you!
Billy Bob
June 3rd, 2009
11:57 am
Ga Values
I would consider ANY Republican in this state as more CONVSERVATIVE than the typical Democrat. Would you care to enlighten us otherwise?
P.S. – Saxby’s son could be a doctor, trial lawyer, work for a pharmaceutical company, etc. and you’d still think Daddy was pandering for Jr.
Marti Hernandez Rojas
June 3rd, 2009
11:58 am
Che is a pile of non-living goo. There must be a ventriolquist nearby.
Dave R
June 3rd, 2009
12:00 pm
RetLTC’s analytical skills are just as dull as ever, spouting the Latino vote costing McCain a victory in 2008.
It might be relevant if we elected our President by popular vote, but we don’t. I’ve seen most of the analysis done on the 2008 election, and there is no data out there that shows that more than one state or two might have gone to McCain based on 2004 or 2000 Latino percentages for Bush. The Electoral vote was too much in favor for Hope & Change to have been altered by a couple of states.
Therefore, Retdrone’s comments about loss of Latino votes is, sadly, completely and totally wrong.
Dave R
June 3rd, 2009
12:05 pm
fosdick, when the shoe fits . . . wear it.
One thing we all recognized in the military was that there were people who put in their 20, and people who served their country. I saw more enlisted people who put in their 4 years and got out that worked harder and valued their service to their country more than any O-5 who put in his time just to get his twenty in. If you couldn’t make full-bird in twenty years, you just weren’t up to snuff.
Billy Bob
June 3rd, 2009
12:06 pm
Retard LC
When it is estimated that upwards of twenty percent of Mexico’s 105 MILLION population has illegally (and there’s the key, dufus) crossed into the country, then, friend most Americans have a problem. You who so ineloquently attempt to defend the Fourth Amendment against the Bush Administration. Hypocrite.
The real question is why do the Dems so want to allow illegal immigrants into the country other than to skew the political balance in their favor?
Your motivation is obvious, Retard, ’cause you’re a consistent HOMER for the Demotards.
Dave R
June 3rd, 2009
12:08 pm
And serving in the military does not automatically qualify you as being a patriot. Patrotism requires actions and beliefs that transcend employment in the military.
Pete Seguin
June 3rd, 2009
12:09 pm
Dave R
I have to agree, I’ve got two brothers who retired as Colonels although they stayed in for approximately 23 years each.
JLK
June 3rd, 2009
12:14 pm
Dave R, being an a–hole doesn’t make you a patriot either, but please tell us what qualifies YOU to judge the career of a man you never met? I have a close friend who’s a RetLTC after 30 years, having began as an enlisted grunt, constantly seeking to learn and do more, working his a– off and sacrificing his own needs for this country. I find your attitude offensive, and can only guess that your own “tour” wasn’t very long or productive. Sad.
RetLTC
June 3rd, 2009
12:26 pm
Actually I was on the promotion list to full bull but took a position in the private sector when I hit 20. Dave R. I made light at 16 years. Also a West Point grad. By the way Dave R. compare your “illustrious career to mine. My guess is chairborne commando in your case. Or maybe chickenhawk is more appropriate.
RetLTC
June 3rd, 2009
12:28 pm
And also Dave R. Being a right wing lunatic doesn’t qualify you as a patriot. Do you support your president Dave? If not you can’t possibly be a patriot.
RetLTC
June 3rd, 2009
12:29 pm
Billy Bob you’re a classic moron.
RetLTC
June 3rd, 2009
12:30 pm
Oh yeah Billy Bob…illegals don’t vote. Citizen Latinos got you and got you good with more to come. You’re a cretin.
Cindy
June 3rd, 2009
12:36 pm
Dave R. is one of those pseudo patriots that thinks listening to Rush is qualifies him as a patriot. What a POS you are Dave R.
DannyX
June 3rd, 2009
12:38 pm
Good God, you know this blog has reached a low point when someone has to demean another who has served his country proudly. Showing off your insecurities does not make you look good. If this is how you make a point you fail miserably. Pathetic.
Shut this blog down Mr Wooten, this is no way to go off into the sunset. You are so much better than this, and what was displayed yesterday.
Dave R
June 3rd, 2009
12:41 pm
See, here’s the problem with the lunatic left – that being the lifestyle of RetLTC.
First of all, I am not a member of the right wing, I am a Constitutionalist – something you aren’t equipped to debate. You can’t handle someone who doesn’t come from either pathetic side, but rather from logic and individual freedom.
Second, my oath was to preserve and defend THE CONSTITUTION, not the President.
A patriot would know that.
And I can compare my career and life to yours in one sentence:
“I was not, and will never be, a drone.”
RetLTC
June 3rd, 2009
12:48 pm
Dave R. you define “lunatic” left as anything left of the 20% crowd and that is why you’ll keep losing elections. Moderates have left the reservation Dave and until the right wing totally loses it’s voice in the republican party they’ll stay away.