News around the State.

Well the Roy Barnes (D) watch will finally come to an end this month as he is expected to announce whether he will run for governor or not. Polls show him leading all of the democratic contenders for the nomination. But these are only early polls. It's a year away until the primary.

David Poythress (D) Gubernatorial candidate for governor was in Macon County last two weeks ago. I was planning on attending the event with the Macon County Democratic Women, but attended Macon Co. High school graduation, which was moved up from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. the same time as the event was scheduled to begin. I heard the visit was great & he got an endorsemant as well. Mr. Poythress is the darkhorse candidate, who in my opinion will possibly be the democratic nominee come July 2010. He has put out a series of videos challenging the republican candidates running for governor on the issue of secession. I loved it

Long-time Georgia political columnist Bill Shipp. After 50 years of covering state politics, Shipp unexpectedly announced this week that he was immediately discontinuing his syndicated column. He did not offer a reason, but his insight in the political machinations of Georgia will be greatly missed.

Former State Senator Floyd Griffin (D) of Milledgeville hasn't ruled out a run for higher office in 2010. He said on CloseUp on Saturday with Randall Savage of WMAZ-TV Macon that he may seek possibly seek a higher office next year. Although he didn't say, but me maybe looking at State Senate, Lt. Governor, Labor Commissioner or State Representative, but I don't see him running for that. Griffin was also mayor of Milledgeville, & a U.S. Army Veteran serving in Vietnam