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DEL.ICIO.USBarnes on a 2010 race for governor: He won’t say yes, but he won’t say no
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Roy Barnes, the former Democratic governor of Georgia, insists that he doesn’t want to return to the office.
His new house just off the Marietta Square is nearly finished. His nearby law office, where he practices with his daughter and son-in-law, includes a nursery that allows him a daily dose of grandchildren.
“I really don’t want to run. I’ve told everybody that,” said Barnes, 60. But he acknowledges that visitors have called on him.
“Yes, I’ve had a lot of the business folks come out here. Sometimes they just show up. And basically, what they say is, ‘Listen, you need to try this again,’” Barnes said.
The former governor says these visitors have left him with a request: If you won’t say yes to a run for governor in 2010, then at least don’t say no. And, for now, Barnes has decided to oblige them.
On one hand, the former governor says he doesn’t want to be known as an actor who refuses to recognize his cue to leave the stage. Barnes was defeated in 2002 by Republican Sonny Perdue, ending more than a century of dominance by Democrats in Georgia.
But the former governor makes sure an interviewer knows that his ambivalence isn’t absolute.
“I’m absolutely heart-broken, as to what’s happened to my state. In transportation and in education,” he said. “It just breaks my heart that we have such a great a wonderful opportunity, and we don’t seem able to get our act together.”
Barnes didn’t mention Perdue, the man who beat him — not by name. But there’s no question buyer’s remorse would be a major part of any campaign strategy.
“What scares the business community, and I understand it completely, is if [Georgia] ever gets labeled as a state that can not address and solve its own problems, then our growth future is going to be very dim,” he said.
“If I were governor, I would be very concerned, for example, that the bio-science center is going to Kansas. And we were third behind Kansas and Mississippi.”
(Last week, Perdue pointed to “a small activist minority” in Athens as “the definitive reason” for the loss of the $450 million National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.)
Barnes’ comments about the 2010 governor’s race came as part of a broader look at the implications of President-elect Barack Obama’s 47 percent showing in Georgia last month — which was followed four weeks later by the solid, 14-point defeat of Democrat Jim Martin by GOP incumbent Saxby Chambliss in the U.S. Senate runoff.
Barnes said he wasn’t surprised by Martin’s defeat — but was startled by the margin. “The Republican vote was more intense, angry and frustrated,” he said. “And the Democratic vote was exhausted. They were tired.”
Like many others, Barnes called Obama’s strong showing a bellwether for change in Georgia. “But it’s not necessarily a change from Republican to Democrat. And I think that’s what we’re missing in all this,” he said. “I think that it is a change from extremism to moderation.”
The libertarian tendencies of younger voters that Obama has brought into the process, plus the current economic instability, will mean less emphasis on gay rights, abortion and other wedge issues, Barnes theorized.
Organization and charisma will be necessary for any Democrat candidate to match and exceed what Obama did statewide. But competence will be the key. Wonkish details, explaining to voters exactly what must be done, will trump ideological generalities, the governor said.
“When you open your mouth, you have to say something,” Barnes said. “People are tired of politicians opening their mouths and saying nothing.”
Trial balloons to test public reaction are nothing new. And a 2010 Barnes campaign could be a bag of helium on two levels.
Two other Democrats have expressed interest in a run for governor — former state adjutant general David Poythress and House minority leader and newspaper publisher DuBose Porter of Dublin. Barnes is wealthy enough to be considered a self-funder — that’s important in a minority party.
But there’s also an upcoming session of the state Legislature. Leaders of the same business community allegedly asking Barnes to hold fire will demand that the General Assembly’s GOP leadership tackle the expensive issue of transportation and traffic congestion.
In some GOP quarters, there has been talk of stalling action on a transportation sales tax until 2010. But a Roy Barnes looming in the background might help those reluctant Republicans reconsider.
Photo credit: Andy Sharp/AJC
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Comments
By independent dem
December 7, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Why do Democrats continue to try and resurrect losers. Enough already. Barnes lost miserably in 2002. Martin lost miserably in the run-off. Even Poythress didn’t get out of the primary in ‘98. Mentioning Porter is so nice—but can he actually get anyone energized? What a bore. People in his own state house district say Porter couldn’t win state mascot much less governor. We need a centrist. Someone that will speak to the issues relevant to this state. Who that is—I don’t know. But, it sure ain’t the people you’re talking about.
By Educator
December 7, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Roy Barnes promised the teachers one thing and did another. He muffed it. It is best for him to stay in the private sector and not to get beat again.
By Sonny Did NOTHING
December 7, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
In this state one quickly realizes there is not much difference between a Democrat and a Republican. Look at Zell Miller for example. Or the many politicians like Sonny Perdue who left the Democrat Party after Blacks started to gain some power in the Party.
Metro Atlanta needs a governor that will start treating the area with the attention and leadership that is currently non existent. Whether it is Sam Olens or Roy Barnes so be it. The metro-Atlanta cash cow is being sucked dry.
Pray for rain? Gimme a break.
By YellowDawg Dem
December 7, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
I agree that it is too bad the State Democrats can’t see what motivated the people to elect Obama. He was a young fresh face that was intelligent and motivated young voters. No old has been is going to change that. Republicans have left the door wide open with all the ethical and moral lapses by Gov. Purdue, not the least of which is his self enrichment while destorying a State Wildlife refuge.
Hmm, where could the Democrats find a person who can kick Republican butt? I can think of one such person and that is our own Att. General
By Hippo Republican
December 7, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
We were told countless times during the run-off, “can’t let the Democrats have total control of the government.” “Too much power in the hands of one party BAD.” “Government works best when one party doesn’t control all 3 branches.”
Jim Wooten used to write about the merits of a split government weekly. Nothing since the do-nothing Republicans took over a few years back. Not a peep.
Lets see how that goes in 2010 when we elect the next governor. Hypocrites.
By mickeyd
December 7, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
Roy Barnes would be wonderful if he returned as Governor. He has the breadth of vision and understands the innerworkings of what is needed to get our State back on track. It would be a real personal sacrifice for him to enter the political arena again. I doubt he does it, but we sure do need him. There is not anyone among the Democrats that can match his acumen.
By Kitsch Caboodle
December 8, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
Shame on Perdue for putting the blame on Athens citizens. Most all sites for the NBAF had opposition including Kansas. We are in a sad state of afairs when the govenor turns on his own citizens, instead of admitting the truth.
The real reasons NBAF did not come to Georgia was the minimal amount of incentive dollars, the Biosecurity Research Institute at Manhattan,Kansas, and the eminent research scientist at K-State. Did I mention Pat Roberts as a plus for Kansas.
By Will Jones
December 8, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
Roy Barnes made his money in banking…while on the Banks and Banking Committee in our Legislature. He went to law school to dodge Vietnam yet righteousness has not been restored to Georgia’s and America’s Justice system.
Treason is upon us: Bush did 9/11 and restarted the Afghan heroin trade…and Barnes complains of some government program that went to Kansas instead of UGa?
Caesarism is the problem, now and in 1776. There is nothing new under the sun. Georgia needs to lead America. Barnes can’t lead his own family.
By mickeyd
December 8, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
The main reason we did not get the Bio Research Center, as reported in the Kansas media, is traffic congestion in the metro Atlanta area. Even though the CDC is only 65 miles away from Athens, it takes 3 hours to drive there. So what does Sonny say about that? Perdue has done ZERO for ground transportation during the last 6 years, and we are all paying for it big time.
By Grumpy
December 8, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
To: Will Jones. You need to be on medication. I suppose you’re going to blame the American Civil War on papists and communists.
Roy Barnes may not be the ideal Democratic candidate for Governor, but at least he didn’t turn out to be the kind of liar and profiteer that Sonny’s turned out to be. And philopsophically speaking, he’s precisely the kind of moderate, centrist candidate the people across this country cried for in electing Barack Obama. No more extremists on the Right or Left.
By Erich Honecker
December 8, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
The “business” people who’ve shown up urging Barnes to run are those that made money off his tenure as gov. There’s really no difference between Barnes and Perdue, both look after family interest and their friends. And Mark Taylor would’ve been even worse!
In a new day where the voters demand “change”, it’s definately time to seek more progressive candidates of both parties, and some independants too, that give a damn about we the people instead of their rich friends and family members.
By Flip Wilson
December 8, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
Hey “Educator”, I guess you and your fellow teachers are a lot happier with Georgia’s schools now? Being dead last is such an honor, you must be very proud!
By lucylou
December 8, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
“Barnes for Governor” has a nice ring. As a matter of fact, I still have my “Barnes for Governor” bumper stickers and yard signs. I don’t have a problem bringing them out and brushing the dust off—Oh, I guess I would have had to put them up to brush the dust off—As far as I am concerned he is the Governor!
To the educator: Roy Barnes is married to an educator, has a child that is an educator. Are you so daft that you can’t figure out that his life would have been in a constant state of turmoil had he really set out to hurt teachers. He just wanted education to be a priority. He wanted the best teachers for the most wonderful state in this Nation-Georgia. He didn’t want bad teachers to be able to hide behind tenure. Every other worker in this state can be fired at a moments notice—not a teacher-they have tenure. Besides, when he left office there was signs of life in Georgia’s educational programs. We were actually moving from behind and gaining momentum, until Sonny Perdue came along and put us dead last again! Yeah, there’s a real leader.
Roy Barnes does have the best interests of his family at heart- what man, father or husband doesn’t! Roy Barnes also has/had the best interests of Georgia at heart and all he got for that was a slap in the face, called disrespectful names, and not re-elected. The state of Georgia should hope and pray that Roy Barnes would even give us the time of day, and Governor Barnes, please re-consider running for Governor in 2010.
By Aaron Burr V. Mexico
December 8, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
1-800-LOSER4U.
Line em up. Why not repeat the mistakes of the past?
By jim martin
December 8, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
I’m proud to be the first to announce that I’m a candidate for Governor of Georgia in ‘10. The results of my last two statewide runs has encouraged me to run!
By Shanaynay Jenkins
December 9, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this
Vernon Jones should run for Gov.
By givemeabreakloser
February 10, 2009 4:13 PM | Link to this
Dear “Jim Martin”,
What a funny, intelligent post you just made. Man, with wit like that maybe you should run for gov. Picking on a guy like Jim Martin (the real one) is repulsive and clearly shows how little you know about this man. He may have gotten his a** handed to him during the run off, but it is not to be blamed on his campaign but rather the millions of energized voters who came out to vote for Saint Obama and sat on their own lazy, pathetic butts come December 2nd. Blame them, don’t blame a guy like Jim Martin because he’s a better person than you’ll be anyday, you can trust me on that.