Barnes discusses possible run for governor

Five questions for former Gov. Roy Barnes.

Q: When will you make a decision about another run for governor?

• Barnes eying another run for governor

GEORGIA POLITICS
[an error occurred while processing this directive] Political Insider:
Gone fishing.

Gold Dome Live:

• Inspector finds DNR gave ‘excessive’ raise to employee

2009 Legislature Guide:
• Track bills & more!
• Issues | Players | Links

Related Links:
• More Georgia politics
• Metro News
• National News

A: “Late May or early June. I haven’t turned a lot of attention to it. But I will, here in the next new weeks.”

Q: It’s a tough call for you?

A: “I’m really torn. If I was not so concerned about what’s happening in the state, I’d let it pass. But I’ve always fussed at people who complained, but did not do.”

“When you have one party in power, as we had the Democrats, people think, ‘Let’s give the other side a shot.’ Well, we gave them a shot, and they didn’t do too good.”

Q: How do you view your defeat in 2002?

A: “Some of it was my fault. Some of it was timing. Some of it was (voter) anger.”

“I didn’t do a good job of listening. Sonny Perdue said that, and it’s the only thing I agree with him on.”

“I think defeat is a good thing for all politicians. They should all go through it. Defeat should be part of the overall political experience.”

Q: What upsets you about current events at the Capitol?

A: “I have been very reluctant to voice opinion until the last few years. But I have been outraged by the extent to which special interests have outpaced our common interests. Something is not right. The priorities are all askew.”

Q: What does your wife, Marie, say about another run for governor?

A: “She said, ‘You do what you want to do.’ (Barnes laughs loudly here) That’s the reason we’ve been married 39 years.”