Monday, July 13, 2009

DuBose Porter interview with the Valdosta Daily Times



VALDOSTA — Restoring the state’s priorities would be the top priority if state House Minority Leader DuBose Porter left(along with Ray City Mayor Carl Camon, Gen. David Poythress & State Senator Gail Buckner ) is elected Georgia’s governor.


Porter served on the House’s education committee for more than 20 years, and as its chairman for several years.


Witnessing the debilitating effects of the systematic cutting of education during the tenure of Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue’s two terms, Porter said, prompted him to seek the Democratic nomination for governor.


He hopes to restore Georgia’s educational system, from elementary schools through high schools and the university system, to its former glory.


“The state needs to re-establish its priorities,” Porter said. “People are worried about their families and jobs.”


The General Assembly “fights for two days over social issues when the people are worried if their kids will go to college or can they get the right kind of health care.”


Porter announced his bid for the Democratic nomination for governor in April. He visited The Valdosta Daily Times offices Monday while in town for the evening’s Lowndes County Democratic Party Annual Barbecue. Porter also visited the Bleu Cafe Monday afternoon.


In addition to seeing education as a Georgia priority, Porter also lists transportation, water conservation, public safety, and utilizing Georgia’s alternative-energy potential in wood chips rather than importing coal.


These issues have become points of political battles between the state’s Republicans and Democrats, as well as within the controlling majorities of Georgia’s GOP, he said. Instead of serving as fodder for political gains, Georgia leaders should be seeking solutions to the issues.


“The emphasis has to return to the needs of the people,” Porter said.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

If Porter can gain traction in the gov's race, then he will be a force to be reckoned with. With Barnes, Baker in the race, they will consume all of the attention & money. If Porter goes to Lt. Gov, he then have a better chance of victory in the general that the primary.

Keith said...

I think Porter is going to stay in the race unless there is a call for him to go to Lt. Govenror to strengthened the party's chances in 2010. Just my opinion

Andy Smith said...

Porter needs to stay in the Gov. race. He is the only one that has the ability to reach out to both Georgias.

Barnes, Baker and Poythress will split alot of the Atlanta vote. Leaving rural Georgia to Porter.

Just my thoughts.

Keith said...

You telling the truth. But Ppythress would also gain alot of the rural vote as well. Baker because of his ties to Zell Miller would do well in rural georgia as well. Barnes has a long way to go. If spends a significant amount of time in rural georgia, he can too get rural voters. But that remains to be seen.

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