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Sunday, June 8, 2008
The implications of an Obama visit to Georgia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Consistent but non-specific rumors say that Barack Obama, currently the sliced bread of presidential politics, will find his way to Georgia sometime this month.
For certain public servants, a visit can’t come soon enough. Obama is the one fellow who can put an end to the several ruptures that have coursed through Democratic Georgia as a result of the knuckle-splitting, 12-round bout between Hillary Clinton and the now-undisputed winner.
When you think about who in Georgia might benefit most from an 8x10 glossy of themselves with the Democratic nominee, his long arm wrapped around a shoulder, two names come immediately to mind: John Lewis of Atlanta and John Barrow of Savannah.
Both Democratic congressmen have picked up opposition in the July 15 primary, in large part fallout from the racially divisive fight in the presidential stratosphere.
When Lewis’ opponents, pastor/activist Markel Hutchins and state Rep. “Able” Mable Thomas, entered the race against the Civil Rights war horse, they specifically cited the Atlanta congressman’s tardy switch from Clinton to Obama this winter.
An Obama who embraces Lewis would seriously weaken the emotional underpinning of their challenges. Asked if the Democratic nominee would endorse him, Lewis replied, “There’s not any doubt. I would love to have his support, I would love to have his endorsement.”
In a sense, the congressman said, Obama has already given it. “In his last book, he said he had three heroes. One was Martin Luther King Jr., the other one was Abe Lincoln — and John Lewis,” said Hero No. 3.
This spring, Lewis said, he has called Obama “from time to time” to encourage the candidate. The last time was after Obama resigned from his Chicago church. The two have swapped voice mail, but haven’t connected lately.
But when Obama sets foot in this state, which his national campaign now considers in play, Lewis will be there to greet him. “As the senior member of the Georgia delegation, I couldn’t be any place else,” he said.
This raises another factor in Lewis’ favor. A part of Obama’s strategy must now be geared toward governing, should he win in November. One does not cultivate Congress by ignoring one of its more senior members.
Barrow, the the two-term congressman from Savannah, faces a challenge from state Sen. Regina Thomas of the same community. Barrow is white. Thomas is African-American.
Barrow endorsed Obama back in February, shortly after the Illinois senator won the Georgia primary. In explanations of her candidacy that have reached Atlanta, Thomas hasn’t mentioned Obama.
But her surprise candidacy against Barrow — who has built a $1.3 million war chest to fend off aggressive Republicans, not fellow Democrats — would have little footing without the racial divide created by the Clinton-Obama fight in Georgia.
In past primaries in the 12th District, black voters have cast nearly 70 percent of the ballots.
Within weeks of Thomas joining the race, Barrow, a conservative Democrat, was placed at the top of a list of 14 national co-chairs for Obama’s massive, 50-state voter registration drive — along with the likes of singer Melissa Etheridge and the Rev. Joe Lowery.
“Getting people involved has been something I’ve been about since I can remember,” Barrow said.
Obama recently came to a meeting of “blue dog” Democrats in Washington, Barrow said. But photographic evidence has gone missing. The congressman would appreciate another shot.
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