ROY 2010 Launches ‘Republicans For Roy’

Presser from the Barnes Campaign:

Yestderday The Campaign of Roy Barnes unveiled "Republicans for Roy 2010".


In the wake of recent revelations regarding Congressman Nathan Deal’s shady business deals, Georgia’s Republicans are endorsing Roy Barnes in the race for Governor.


After months of refusing to disclose his complete tax returns, last week voters learned that Congressman Nathan Deal has been hiding $5 million in outstanding loans – $2.85 million of which he failed to include on his state ethics commission report.


Tom Perdue, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss’ (GA-R) former campaign strategist, told the Associated Press on Tuesday that "People in the party feel betrayed and they feel cheated because if they had known about all of this earlier, there would have been a different nominee,” and consequently "[Deal] should step down as the nominee."


Even political pundit Larry Sabato told his twitter followers on Wednesday that the “GOP made a big goof in nominating Nathan Deal 4 GOV in a squeaker.”


On Thursday, the Barnes campaign released the names of its initial Republicans for Roy Steering Committee along with www.GOPforRoy.com where Georgia’s Republicans can sign up to join their fellow conservatives and request a 'Republicans for Roy' bumper sticker to show their support.


“Increasingly, Georgia’s Republicans are contacting the campaign to express their support for Roy,” Spokesman Emil Runge said. “Roy's record on balancing the budget, creating jobs, and fighting tax hikes is clear. As Governor, he created 235,000 jobs and left the state with a $700 million surplus. Unlike Congressman Deal, who voted for the largest tax hike in Georgia's history, Roy push through the largest property tax cut in our state's history.”


“Right now, Georgia is falling behind and more than ever before, we must elect a true fiscal conservative who doesn’t need on-the-job training to begin the task of making Georgia work again on day one,” said State Representative Bob Lane (Statesboro-R). “That’s why I’m a proud Republican for Roy.”




REPUBLICANS FOR ROY STEERING COMMITTEE:


Mr. Curtis B. Avery, Jr. - Retired Cattle Farmer, Harris County


Dr. Gale Buchanan - Former U.S. Under Secretary of Agriculture, Cook County



Mr. Carlton E. Joyce – Attorney, Chatham County


Honorable Bob Lane - State Representative, Bulloch County



Mr. Martin Nesmith - Local Businessman, Evans County


Honorable Steve Roberts – County Commissioner, Berrien County


Honorable Larry Snellgrove - Former County Commissioner, Houston County


Honorable Charles B. “Charlie” Tanksley – Former State Senator, Cobb County



Mrs. Lisa Underwood - Former GAE Republican Caucus Co-Chair, Lee County


Mr. Jeff Wainwright - Past President of Georgia Peach Council, Taylor County




BACKGROUND:
Republican’s financial woes recast Ga. race, Associated Press, 9/21/10


There’s time to get it right, Macon Telegraph, 9/19/10


Larry Sabato: Georgia GOP ‘goofed’ in picking Nathan Deal, Atlanta Journal Constitution, 9/22/10


Endorsement for governor: Roy Barnes, Marietta Daily Journal, 9/22/10


No doubt there will be plenty of republicans who'll be supporting Barnes for Governor & this new tactic will attempt to sway republicans who are uneasy at the prospect of Nathan Deal becoming governor while dealing with serious financial & ethical problems