So far, Governor Barnes is leading in his party's primary and Commissioner Oxendine is leading in his party's primary.

What do these two men share? They are both in their respective primaries one of the longer-serving statewide elected officials.

As 2010 rolls around, why are Georgian voters turning to the candidates they feel most familiar with in an unusually tumultuous political environment and economic environment?

Or is this pattern just a coincidence? Are Governor Barnes and Commissioner Oxendine just coincidentally the most compelling candidates in their respective primaries?

I am surprised that voters still have such a strong Name ID association with a governor from almost a decade ago, but Governor Barnes poll numbers have proven me wrong so far. And though Commissioner Oxendine has served for quite a while, I'm shocked that voters don't have any sort of allegiance to Secretary Handel.

Just a thought...