What happens next?

Written by Johnathan McGinty Thursday, 23 April 2009 20:18

Seeing how more and more polls suggest that Roy Barnes would, at the very least, begin any primary campaign in a commanding position - coupled with reports that he's aggressively going after big donors in the Atlanta business community who have traditionally supported Republicans, but are frustrated with the lack of action on transportation and economic development - it's safe to suggest that the former governor is probably going to get in this thing.

The question, then, is what happens next? Because from where I'm sitting, I could see at least one, if not two candidates bowing out. It's not implausible to think that Thurbert Baker would give this thing a pass, and Rep. DuBose Porter might opt to hold off for a few years and focus on winning some seats back in the Georgia House of Representatives. Granted, that's only my instincts telling me this and nothing else, but if Barnes jumps into this thing with 55 percent or more of the voters already in his camp, it's going to be difficult for anyone to climb into this thing, force a runoff and then take down a well-funded, fairly popular former governor.

The only one who's staying in no matter what, based on his repeated assertions, is David Poythress.

And if someone like Baker bows out, then does he seek Lt. Governor or seek re-election at Attorney General (thus moving Rep. Rob Teilhet back to the Georgia House ... or, again only my instincts speaking here, but prompt him to ponder Lt. Governor ... which, quite frankly, I would love to see him do)? Would Porter look at a statewide race, knowing, in all likelihood, he'd have Barnes at the top of the ticket?

The next few weeks are going to be interesting to watch as Barnes ponders his future.

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Cousin Pat from Georgia: ...

Why are Georgia Democrats excited about Roy Barnes running again? I grew up in Georgia where the Democrats were ass-kickin' innovators like Sam Nunn and Zell Miller. In comparison, Roy Barnes always seemed too insiderish, to imperial, and his "innovations" didn't do a lot to help.

For example: The "A-Plus Education Reform Act of 2000" developed an accountability team that didn't seem to notice that schools weren't improving, gave report card grades for schools and focused all blame and accountability on teachers, NOT systems or administrations (people who actually run the schools). Sounds a lot like the disaster of NCLB, and sure fire way to turn teachers away from the Democratic ticket (which is what I always figured cost him reelection to a less funded Republican).

I guess the fact that he is running (and polling with a lead) suggests either a pitiful field on both sides or a hope that all the public school teachers have forgotten that Barnes is responsible for stagnating progress in Georgia public education for nearly a decade.

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April 26, 2009
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RuralDem: ...

Cousin Pat from Georgia,

Unfortunately, great Democrats like Sam Nunn and Zell Miller are all but gone from the party. We have some conservative Democrats, like State Senators George Hooks and Tim Golden, still in office, but for the most part, Conservative Democrats in the state have left politics, or unfortunately, switched.

As far as Barnes goes... I'll never forget the site of teachers in my small rural county going by the dozens to the courthouse to vote in 2002. They voted NOT for Sonny Perdue, in fact, most did not even know who the Republican was on the ballot. These teachers went in with the sole purpose of voting against Roy Barnes. In 2002 he angered teachers, and flaggers. People can disregard the flaggers, but the teachers are too big to ignore.

Sure, the argument can be made that our current Governor has done a poor job in regards to education, however, he will not be on the ballot in 2010 and I doubt any Republican, even Handel, will run on Perdue's accomplishments in education.

Barnes may have honestly learned from his mistakes in 2002, but our party has not learned from the mistake of 2006: a competitive primary. I think we should let Porter and Baker battle it out. Both of them can do well in the metro areas AND rural areas.

The Democratic Party in our state is not the juggernaut that it used to be. Gone are the days when one gets elected just because he or she is a Democrat. Our party needs a vision, and new ideas. The last vision we need is one that sends more educators to the polls to vote against us.

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April 27, 2009
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