GA-Gov: Barnes Will Run

[ccharles000]

AJC:

Roy Barnes will announce today that he intends to become the first former Georgia governor in a half-century to reclaim the office after being turned out by voters.
The announcement is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in Marietta. Barnes, we're told, will delay the actual start of his campaign until July, in order to wrap up some trial work and finish up as chairman of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Barnes has been keeping his cards close to his chest for most of the year, sometimes sounding like a candidate with a lot of issues burning in his blood, but also informing folks that he's reluctant to terminate his retirement from the political arena. He'll be joining an already-crowded field of Democrats for the gubernatorial nomination: Attorney General Thurbert Baker, House Minority Leader DuBose Porter, and former GA National Guard commander David Poythress are all in the race.

It's possible, though, that Barnes' entry could clear the field somewhat. A Strategic Vision poll from April showed Barnes crushing Baker by a 56-29 margin, with Poythress and Porter in the low-single digits. While Poythress has nothing to lose by continuing his candidacy, Porter and Baker may be thinking twice about giving up their safe jobs in order to roll the dice on a tough primary.

http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/5049/gagov-barnes-will-run

[RFKHumphreyObama]

1. Does he have a chance?

I'd love to see Barnes avenge his loss in 2002 but is this realistic?

[wyldwolf]

2. better than any other Dem candidate

He has the connections, the funding, and a base eager to avenge a loss.

[SkyDaddy7]

5. We will see...

I am seriously considering voting for David Poythress.

He slammed the Republican Canadidates for Governor in his latest video, a must see!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHtS9ZEhaKw

[wyldwolf]

6. I like Poythress alot.

he's been our guest at the NFD and has the ability to remember faces - he still recognizes me and my wife when we see him at other events.

[SkyDaddy7]

11. I have a very funny personal story about Poythress...

I guess like many in my generation (30-40yrs old) we have parents who are Republicans...Anyway, my parents are (except my Mom who voted Dem for the first time due to Obama) and my wife's parents are Christian Right Republicans. My father in law has been involved in Georgia politics his whole life. He worked at the Department of Labor his entire life. He started as a mail boy and eventually worked his way up to be appointed Assistant Commissioner of the Dept. Of Labor under Al Scott...Well, when Poythress won the election to Commissioner of the Dept. of Labor he forced my father-in-law into retirement! So, needless to say my father-in-law does not like Poythress! My wife and I are not going to share the idea with him that we are considering voting for Poythress for Governor.

I thought I would share that with you.

[wyldwolf]

12. fascinating story. Thanks for sharing

[ccharles000]

13. I would like to think that he does.

[Orsino]

3. I can't wait to see him campaign on the vital issue of the state flag.

:eyes:

[wyldwolf]

4. As someone who remembers and worked that campaign

I'm not sure how to take your comment. Would you mind elaborating?

[Orsino]

7. The flaggers will give him no peace. n/t

[wyldwolf]

8. true, but in a lot of circles they were marginalized. Perdue didn't restore the Confederate emblem.

And they gave him hell, too. And I doubt any GOPer will campaign on that.

Should be a fun race!

[jefferson_dem]

9. Best news I could wake up to.

With cagle out and a flock of flunkies remaining on the repug side, we stand a good chance of flipping GA.

[RT Atlanta]

10. Any Democratic candidate will have my vote

I haven't followed the pool of candidates much, but look forward to seeing a competitive candidate who will be aggressive against Kathy Handel, John Oxendine and any of the other folks on the 'dark' side.