Redemption

Hey now, hold on just a minute. I have explicitly endorsed Roy Barnes in the Democratic primary. It was not an easy choice to make. In my finale it came down to Mr. Barnes and Dubose Porter, who I still have a lot of respect and admiration for. To be dangerously honest, if Governor Barnes hadn't jumped back in this race, I'd be covered in "Dubose Works For Me" stickers from head to toe. But I'd like to take a minute to say something to those who believe Democrats would be "stupid" to renominate someone for Governor who has lost an election already. I've had people say it to me personally, it's all over every discussion board about the race that you can find, and I imagine some people do truly wonder why it would happen. What I would like to know is: WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?

Roy Barnes, and correct me if I'm wrong, oversaw what was a pretty prosperous time in this state. Most of you may not remember, because it's been quite a while since Georgia had a prosperous time. Many people may not have liked some of his techniques (i.e., King Roy), but you cannot argue that he didn't get things done. He fought for bills to make health care more affordable and to hold insurance companies liable that delayed urgent care. He did focus on education, lowering class sizes and having more accountability, though he no doubt made a mistake with the teachers. But I must say, the ability to look back on past accomplishments and failures, learn from them, and then put them to good use in the present is not a quality I want held against someone running for office. Barnes is hitting all the right notes with GA voters; remember, he's been here...he knows what he did wrong (Hence the TV spot completely dedicated to apologizing to teachers). Do you seriously think he'll make that mistake again??? Bear in mind too, the voters of this state did not thump Mr.Barnes out of office by a resounding margin, they didn't do it because he was a failure, they didn't do it because of misconduct or ethics violations (cough, cough, Sonny cornered the market on lack of ethics); no, for those of you who believe Mr. Barnes is "hoodwinking" GA voters into voting for him again, remember, hoodwinking is part of what lost him his job in the first place. Don't pretend like you don't remember the damn flag. I know you do. Looking back now, was that really such an enormous issue? Should people have based their votes on that? No, again Governor Barnes's heart was in the right place. Did they base their votes on that? Some did I'm sure, especially in those middle Georgia counties that flipped on him in 2006. If you cast aside the non-issues that got him voted out, that leaves you with his spat with teachers. They got shafted. That's legitimate. He'll have to work to earn those votes back. But the voters of GA have been truly shafted by a Republican governor focused on personal land deals and a Republican legislature focused on roadkill. Not to mention microchipping and secession. See the new ad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW3kTLTV6eU&feature=PlayList&p=011211B43356C747&playnext_from=PL&index=0


This election (primary and general) will be a true test of Governor Barnes's ability to relate directly to the people, and not get lost in the heat of one issue (like the flag in 2006 or Republicans trying to bully voters with the issue of illegal immigration this year). He lost his last one because the people stopped listening. I hate to channel my inner-Reagan...I can't very well do that...I don't have an inner-Reagan...but I wish the people of Georgia would ask themselves if they believe they are better off now than they were, oh say, 8 years ago? Well, don't count on any other Republican making it better. They've proven they can't follow through. Turn to someone who is willing to put the effort into putting Georgians back to work. And who knows? Maybe he can get you a job sewing old Georgia flags for Stone Mountain souvenirs. Redemption.