Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has absorbed some criticism over – that one fundraiser aside – his lack of engagement in Jason Carter's Democratic campaign for governor.

But Reed appears to be well connected to the Democratic effort to save U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Augusta, one more time. A fundraising letter over the name of the Atlanta mayor includes these lines:

Friend, I know people ask a lot of you, but we're pulling out all the stops for John. Georgia needs him in Congress. He comes through for us over and over again. Now he needs us to come through for him.

You might wonder why Reed would stand up for Barrow, but we’re supposing that the fight for federal cash to dredge the Port of Savannah has brought them together.