Meet the Candidates (Democratic) at Fort Valley State University on Saturday.

I attended the Meet the Candidates event at Fort Valley State on saturday. I missed the earlier parts of the event due to scheduling conflicts. I arrived 30 to 40 minutes late to the event, but caught the governor's Q&A session toward the end & some of the secretary of state candidates Q&A session.The crowd at the C.T. Pettigrew center wasn't large, but there was some great questions that were asked by the audience, in particular one that concerned one woman & that was mental healthcare in Georgia's jails. Mental health is a issue that often gets ignored. All of the candidates did well answering the questions. I noticed Thurbert Baker & Roy Barnes sat next to each other, basically shoulder to shoulder having quiet conversations & laughing among themselves while the other candiates were answering questions from the crowd. Carl Camon sat in the middle, while DuBose Porter & David Poythress sat on the other end.

But outside in the lobby, I talked to Dubose Porter, who talked about public safety & economic development for rural georgia. I told him that I received a pack of bumper stickers in the mail from his campaign. He had to do another interview with a reporter from Ft. Valley State, so we had to cut the conversation short. I hope to talk to hm again soon. He's a very nice guy, very likable. His website is http://www.dubosepoter.com/

Next I met Gen. David Poythress & his wife Elizabeth. Both was very nice. I talked to Mrs. Poythress, while the General had to do a interview. Me & Mrs. Poythress talked about their travels across rural georgia. We talked about the crime rate that is increasing across the state. She told me about a stop they made in Clinch County at a store in which the store owner was carrying a concealed weapon on him in fear of being robbed. That was one of many things we talked about. She was very engaging & knew the issues. Gen. Poythress is lucky to have a woman like her by his side. After that I caught up with the general & we talked for about 20 minutes. We talked about his travels across the state, etc. He tells me that he has received contributions from all of Georgia's 159 counties, which is impressive. I told him that he has gone to places a democrat normally will never go to here in rural georgia, in which we both laughed about. We talked about jobs, education, which are dismal in some places here in rural georgia. He's not flashy, but he has alot of substance behind his message. This man has done it all & would be a fine candidate for the democrats in the general election. He & his wife elizabeth had to leave, but I enjoyed meeting them both & hope to see them again in the near future. His website is http://www.pouthressforgovernor.com/

Next I met Carl Camon & his campaign manager Jamieson Brewer & his lovely wife. Me & Carl talked for about 30 minutes. He was very impressive in person. He has gone largely unnoticed by the media, but not on peanut politics. He has traveled to places like Cartersville to Colquitt. We talked about alot of things from families to education to job creation. He's a young guy (40 yrs old) & brings a new vibrance, a new voice to the democratic party. His message is being well received by the people. I consider him the darkhorse candidate in the governor's race, so get ready to see Mayor Camon at a city near you as his campaign is about to kick into high gear. He not one of those candidates that has alot of sizzle to him, just alot of steak & that will appeal with voters, especially small town voters. He has the qualificaions to lead this state to new heights. And I want to say good luck to his campaign manager Jameson Brewer as he is about to embark on a run for elected office for the city council or mayor of Grayson, Ga. Just by talking to Mr. Brewer, I think he will do very well in november. I hope to see both of these fine gentlemen soon on the campaign trail. His website is http://www.camonforgovernor.com/

I did not get to talk to Thurbery Baker & Roy Barnes. They both haul-ass toward the exits, but that's okay, it was great talking to Dubose, David, & Carl about their campaigns & the issues. These are three very fine gentlemen, so llok for them at a city near you.

And I met Gary Horlacher, candidate for Secretary of State. He announced at the Georgia Association of County Commissioners event that he is about to go to campaign in all of Georgia's 159 counties in his quest to become Georgia's next secretary of state. He has been involved in state government for over 30 years & managed campaigns for Labor Commissioner & Lt. Governor. He is clearly the most qualified candidate for secretary of state, moreso that Karn Handel, who rode Perdue's coattails to that post in 2006. His website is http://www.garyforsecretary.com/

Tried to get a word with Gail Buckner, but she was walking so fast, I just let her go. Tried to talk to Darryl Hicks in the lobby, but he was busy joking around with old buddies of his so he & Gail Buckner lost my vote. I did not see Michael Mills outside. He was there at the event, so he probably had another engagement to attend.

I also met State Rep. Tyrone Brooks (D-Atlanta), former State Senator & mayor Floyd Griffin (D-Milledgeville), who I had a brief conversation with when I arrived at the event. He was promoting his new book, which I wanted to buy, but he left before the event was over. But he showed me where the candidates were. It was my first time at the pettigrew center, so I didn't know where to go. Also met State Rep Randall Mangham (D-Decatur). I missed the State School Superintendent candidates at the event. And Candidate for Labor Commissioner Melvin Emerson was there as well, but had to go to a event up in Dekalb Co. he told the room after the governor's session was over. He probably went down to Sonny Perdue Fish Fry in Perry.

All of the candidates were great. I got a better feel for these guys & it solidified my position on who I think is the best candidate for the general election. David Poythress, Carl Camon , DuBose Porter are my top three. Period.