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DEL.ICIO.USFormer Gov. Barnes praises Sen. Isakson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rumor had it that if U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia) had decided to run for governor, former Gov. Roy Barnes might have run for his seat in the Senate.
But, of course, Isakson let it be known earlier this month that he does not intend to join the gubernatorial race.
So when I ran into Barnes at the Commerce Club today, I asked him about political plans.
He laughed saying that his best revenge was making a healthy living as a lawyer.
“I spent 26 years in politics, and I loved it,” Barnes said, then implying that he is enjoying his role as a critical outsider. “I’m very dissatisfied with the way state leadership is today.”
Barnes also admitted that he and Isakson are close friends.
“If all Republicans were like Johnny, I would be a Republican,” he said. “But unfortunately, he’s the exception rather than the rule.”
Comments
By CHA
May 29, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
I always did like Roy Barnes as Governor…, He did a great job, with the best interest of all the citizens of Georgia first and formost; not just those who were his biggest campaign contributors.
By BillW
May 29, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Barnes was/is nothing more or less than a partisan politician. Every move Barnes ever made was calculated to help Democrats - just like the AJC “Insider” columns.
By EPK
May 29, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
The only hope I see for the Georgia state government is for Roy to return as Governor. The GOP is going to be a mess and there are no developing Dems for the job. Run Roy, Run!
By ray b
May 30, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
If Roy Barnes was such a good governor, why did he get trounced by an unknown like Sonny Purdue? He made the teachers mad, got the Georgia Confederate Flag people against him, and seemed like too liberal for the average Georgian. Maybe he should run again, if he learned his lesson. But I doubt he would put himself through that again.
By ralph m. meers
May 30, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Roy Barnes was the best Governor the state of Georgia ever had. It took lies, a cross over turn coat Republican (Sonny Perdue) who took advantage of divisive issues ie.. Flag, Outer Perimeter,Egotistic Educators and the coat tail of George Busch. We now have proof that neither Bush or Perdue can govern. What a mess both have made. It will take Roy Barnes To correct all the crap Perdue and the Republicans have created. The real question is: Can we voters convince Roy Barnes to come to our aid,after we have been so irresponsible. I for one sure hope so. Roy we need you! Run Roy Run.RMM
By Renee
May 30, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Roy was a terrific, can-do governor. He didn’t waste time on ridiculous nonsense like the right to carry guns into bars or on MARTA trains. He got cracking on building reservoirs rather than standing on the capitol steps praying for rain.
By Angela
May 30, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
It’s true, we need to be proactive in building reservoirs, but every day that I pass a now very full Lake Alatoona, I thank God that Sonny had the sense to ask the rainmaker to send us some.
By BagHillary
May 30, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
Anyone who thinks Barnes was a good governor needs to have his head examined. He was a typical lawyer pol.
By JohnM
May 31, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
Sonny-Bubba is the worst Gov. this state has ever seen in modern times. Roy was a visionary that was perhaps a little too progressive for a lot of our dimwit fellow Georgians. Roy didn’t feel the need to impose his personal beliefs on us, didn’t feel the need to attack our gay neighbors and didn’t feel the need to ram down our throats the fact the drinking on Sunday is evil. I say let’s start a recall petition. I bet he has never set foot on MARTA once. To those that voted for this boob, name ONE thing he has done for the good of the metro area since taking office.
By Saxbysoldier
May 31, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
Based on Sonny’s re-election results, you are definitely in the minority with your viewpoint. Take another look at Sonny, and don’t believe the Democrap smoke. Sonny has been a responsible chief executive, has signed off on some good legislation, and has set a good example in his personal life. What more can one ask?
By Brian
May 31, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
I’m ambivalent on Barnes, but Sonny has been an abject and total failure as Gov. He’s a simple-minded idiot who, like our country’s chief exec, shows absolutely no intellectual curiousity. GA got what GA deserved when they elected that idiot to 2 terms.
By 98765
May 31, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Give Roy Barnes his due!
By Saxbysoldier
May 31, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
You Atlanta Democratss don’t understand anything about how politics operates. Here’s a tip: You’re the minority, and one hand washes the other. We don’t appreciate it when you refer to everyone outside the city limits as simple-minded idiots. And then you wonder why we don’t support all your homeless folks and other pet projects.
By matt
May 31, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Thanks again, Roy, for standing up to the flaggers. It cost you your relection, yes, but thanks for having the guts to get rid of that awful flag. I will always be grateful to you for that.
By matt
May 31, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Thanks again, Roy, for standing up to the flaggers. It cost you your re-election, yes, but thanks for having the guts to get rid of that awful flag. I will always be grateful to you for that.
By Saxbysoldier
May 31, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
You don’t understand, and maybe it’s best that way, but Barnes didn’t lose due to the flaggers, who were but a small special interest. Barnes lost due to his own incompetence. The electorate’s hot button was not the Confederate flag, it was Democrat political games and bad policy.
By Tom Ga Hunter
May 31, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
Saxby & Isakson are just big spending, big goverment liberals just like Barnes was, so why would he not like them. I have never understood why people say Roy has princpals I personally asked him about changing the flag before I gave him my check & he said no changes. He lied to me & lied to Georgia.
By Tom Ga Hunter
May 31, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
Saxbysoldier.. How about that $3,300,000,000 for sugar subsidies in Saxbys farm bill? or $473,000,000 for race horses or $1,100,000,000 to bail out NYC land speculators or god knows how much for his stupid burn food policy. As John McCain said about Saxby’s rip off farm bill,“It would be hard to find any single bill that better sums up why so many Americans in both parties are so disappointed in the conduct of their government, and at times so disgusted by it.”
By Saxbysoldier
May 31, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
I agree with you about the farm bill, which subsidizes all sorts of folks that need no subsidy. It gives foodstamps to illegals and freeloaders, and sends me a check every year to “conserve grassland.” It appeals to urban and rural porkers alike. Saxby and others need to get their priorities straight, but most of what Saxby supports I support.
By Tom Ga Hunter
May 31, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
By Saxbysoldier
Do you agree with his position on wounded vets?
Do you agree with his pro immigration policies?
Do you agree with his Borrow & Spend policies?
By Saxbysoldier
May 31, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
No, no, and no.
But in today’s political environment the Coburns and DeMints are pretty scarce. Personally I settle for those with whom I can agree more than with the other guy. The other guy this time will be Vernon Jones.
By Tom Ga Hunter
May 31, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
By Saxbysoldier
There is a libatarian running, Personally I’d vote for Vernon he will steal less. Saxby is not even supporting McCain. You might want to change your handle, as you know Saxby is a draft dodger so saxbysoldier is a oximoron.
By Saxbysoldier
May 31, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Saxby isn’t supporting McCain? That’s news to me. It’s gonna be either Saxby or Jones. If you like borrow and spend then you’ll love Jones.
By Tom Ga Hunter
May 31, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
By Saxbysoldier
The main reason we need to fire Saxby is to save the Georgia Republican party. Our party become Big Spending, Big Goverment,Borrow & spend party neither of our Senators or Governor believe in a smaller effective government. That’s why they are close with Barnes. If we vote for them we are just becoming “grab your knees Republicans.
By Tom Ga Hunter
May 31, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
By Saxbysoldier
McCain asked Saxby to Vote to sustain “W“‘s veto of Saxby’s Rip off farm bill, Saxby refused. I know you probably think a honest pol is 1 who stays bought when he’s bought but Saxby took a bunch of money from the Georgial Chicken industry & screwed them in the end. I think Vernon will steal directly for himself where Saxby takes a few thousand & gives multi million dollar earmarks. Hopefully another Democrat will win rather than Vernon. We need to take our party back & the best palce to start is by firing Saxby. Since you know Saxby’s failures why not check out the libatarian candate… Here’s the link to his web page:http://www.buckleyforsenate.com/welcome.asp
By Saxbysoldier
May 31, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
Nice try, Democrat.
By Saxbysoldier
May 31, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
Nice try, Democrat.
By rick katz
May 31, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
When I was chairman of the Atlanta Bar Family Law Section, Roy Barnes attended our monthly meeting held at 7:30a.m. in midtown Atlanta to learn first hand about the coming changes to Georgia’s divorce laws. That’s a pretty good trip from Marietta and Roy was in the legislature at the time. Folks, that is dedication, intellectual curiosity and commitment to service. I was impressed then and I am impressed now, 20 years later.
By kl
May 31, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
Roy boy lost because he acted like a lawyer pol and tried to ram his policy down everyone throat. now he is simply a low-life trial lawyer trying to get something for nothing
By Dave
June 1, 2008 6:46 AM | Link to this
Saxby Chambliss has received more money from the agriculture lobby than just about anybody at 1/2 million in payments.He believes in welfare to the agriculture industry. Sonny Perdue and the Republicans have bottled up voting for letting the voters decide for themselves about allowing Sunday alcohol sales in their county. I may vote a straight Democratic ticket this year I am disgusted with Republicans who have been drunk on power.
By Tom Ga Hunter
June 1, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this
By Saxbysoldier
It’s 1 thing to be stupid & vote stupid but another to know how bad Saxby is for Georgia & still vote for him. Please explain how a vote for Saxby is any different that a Augusta Democrat re electing Charles Walker when he was on his way to federal jail.
I gave Roy a $500.00 check because I was a close personal & business friend of Kim King, I gave the same amount to Guy Milner, then voted for Guy.
By Dick
June 2, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this
Only reason Saxby won re election and Sonny won re election is simple.They were the lesser of all evils running. As far as Saxby, I have decided to let the illegal immigrats vote for him this time, I am not.
By Keever
June 2, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
The December 7, 2004, Fulton Daily Report quoted Roy as saying,”Don’t you ever depend on a legislator or regulator to defend your rights. Because I’ll tell you : It depends on who gives the most money and who takes them to the best steak dinner.” How long did he say he was in politics? Almost 30 years. That’s alot of money and steak dinners.
By Roger
June 2, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Remember the “outer perimeter?” How about the raiding of the GA-400 toll funds? He was thrown out as an incumbent after outspending his opponent by 10 to 1.