More Atlanta Endorsements for Roy Barnes

Presser from the Barnes Campaign

Several more prominent metro Atlanta political leaders have joined the effort to elect Roy Barnes in the July 20 primary election.

More than two dozen metro Atlanta elected officials endorsed Barnes this week. They join Ambassador Andrew Young, former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, business leader Brooke Maynard-Jackson, former U.S. Senate candidate Jim Martin, philanthropist Anne Cox Chambers, CNN founder Ted Turner, and a long list of DeKalb County elected officials, including District Attorney Gwen Keyes Fleming, in supporting Barnes’ campaign for Governor.

“Roy understands the tough issues that Georgians are facing right now,” said state Senator Ron Ramsey. “People in Atlanta – and all over the state of Georgia – are unemployed and losing their homes to foreclosure. Roy has the experience and the knowledge to tackle these critical problems on day one of his administration.”

“For the past eight years, we have watched Georgia’s teachers and students struggle under the weight of furloughs and funding cuts,” said East Point Mayor Earnestine Pittman. “Enough is enough. Roy is the only one I trust to clean up the mess that has been made of public education in our state.”

When asked why she had decided to support Barnes in the July 20 primary election, Fulton County Commissioner Nancy Boxill remarked, “I like Roy’s common sense plan to make Georgia work. The problems we face are too great to be handled by an untested leader.”

Atlanta City Councilman Michael Bond agrees. “We simply do not have time to train another Governor,” said Bond.


METRO ATLANTA LEADERS ENDORSING BARNES INCLUDE:
Ambassador Andrew Young
Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin
Brooke Maynard-Jackson
Atlanta City Councilman Michael Bond
Atlanta City Councilwoman Keisha Bottoms
Atlanta City Councilman C.T. Martin
Atlanta City Councilwoman Joyce Shepard
Atlanta City Councilman Aaron Watson
Atlanta City Councilman H. Lamar Willis
Atlanta City Councilwoman Cleta Winslow
Atlanta City Councilman Ivory Young
City of Decatur School Board Chair Valarie Wilson
City of Decatur School Board Vice Chair Marc Wisniewski
City of Decatur School Board Member John Ahmann
City of Decatur School Board Member Bernadette Seals
Clarkston City Councilman Emanuel Ransom
Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell
Clayton County Commissioner Wole Ralph
College Park Mayor Jack Longino
College Park City Councilman Joe Carn
College Park City Councilman Charles Phillips, Sr., Esq.
College Park City Councilwoman Tracey Wyatt
DeKalb County Commissioner Lee May
DeKalb County Commissioner Jeff Rader
DeKalb County Commissioner Connie Stokes
DeKalb County Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton
DeKalb County District Attorney Gwen Keyes Fleming
DeKalb County Solicitor General Robert James
DeKalb County School Board Member Jay Cunningham, Jr.
DeKalb County School Board Member Eugene P. Walker
DeKalb County School Board Member Zepora Roberts
DeKalb County School Board Member Sarah Copelin-Wood
East Point Mayor Earnestine Pittman
East Point City Councilman Steven Bennett
East Point City Councilwoman Sharonda Hubbard
East Point City Councilwoman Pat Langford
East Point City Councilman Clyde Mitchell
East Point City Councilman Lance Rhodes
East Point City Councilman Marcel L. Reed
East Point City Councilwoman Jacqueline Slaughter
Former DeKalb County CEO Liane Levetan
Former City of Decatur Mayor Elizabeth Wilson
Fulton County Commissioner Nancy Boxill
Fulton County Commissioner John Eaves
Fulton County Commissioner William “Bill” Edwards
Hall County Commissioner Ashley Bell
Georgia State Representative Stephanie Stuckey Benfield
Georgia State Representative Roger Bruce
Georgia State Representative Karla Drenner
Georgia State Representative Rahn Mayo
Georgia State Representative Simone Bell
Georgia State Representative Michele Henson
Georgia State Representative Ernest “Coach” Williams
Georgia State Senator Gloria Butler
Georgia State Senator Vincent Fort
Georgia State Senator Steve Henson
Georgia State Senator Donzella James
Georgia State Senator Ron Ramsey
Georgia State Senator Nan Orrock
Georgia State Senator Horacena Tate
Lithonia City Councilwoman Doreen Carter

Poythress Swing Across Georgia

LETS BAG BARNES IN JULY! (Not November)


Many of you have already visited our new website www.bagbarnes.com - but for some of you this may be your first time hearing about this new web site. Be sure to check it out and encourage everyone to check it out as well. We put up this website because we know that the Republicans are waiting in the wings and ready to attack Roy Barnes’ hypocrisy in November, just as they did in 2002. As Democrats, we need to nominate a Democrat who can win in November. I am that candidate and I hope you will help me between now and Election Day to make sure we win this election!


EDUCATION: NO LAUGHING MATTER


Even though it was announced that the Georgia Association of Educators has chosen not to endorse in the Democratic primary, I want you to know that teachers across Georgia have responded well to my education plan. Georgia's teachers agree that we have to stop these draconian cuts to our public school systems and start turning our classrooms into 21st Century Learning Centers. And while some GAE members have called the “no endorsement” a rejection of Roy's 2010 "apology tour” and bad jokes, I think that teachers just want to be able to do their jobs without politicians getting in their way.






TRAVELING ACROSS GEORGIA


As Elizabeth and I have traveled across Georgia this past month we’ve seen the excitement of Georgians growing as we get closer to the election on July 20th. We have been to Dawsonville for the 9th Congressional District JJ dinner, attended forums and town hall meetings in Albany, and dedicated a road honoring Veterans in Coffee County. I gave the commencement address to graduates of Troy University, and visited with great Democrats in Floyd County, Commerce, Valdosta, Dawson, and Warner Robins. Everywhere we go the excitement about our campaign is heartfelt and makes the long, hot days of campaigning worthwhile. Georgians trust me to put their interests above special interests, and they are joining our cause!


Talk About a Campaign Swing


Last weekend put the swing into the term "campaign swing" as Elizabeth and I worked our way across South Georgia. Starting in Savannah we were warmly greeted by the Georgia School Boards Association. My message of fundamental change for education was well received by the attendees, I am always delighted to visit with our state’s educators about improving our schools.

After our pleasant visit to Savannah, we had coffee with friends and supporters in Valdosta. They were pleased with my plan for jobs and economic development for the southern part of our state. This part of the state has plenty of resources that lend themselves to alternative energy and bio fuel products; we need to invest in this region! As Governor, I will provide the kind of leadership that will bring prosperity to all of Georgia!

Towards the end of our swing, I was delighted to be an honored guest at the Terrell County Branch of the NAACP Freedom Banquet. Congressman Sanford Bishop, Jr. was the speaker, and Elizabeth and I enjoyed visiting with him. I want to congratulate Rev. Dr. Ezekiel Holley, President of the Terrell County branch, for planning such a wonderful banquet.

Our South Georgia swing ended with my participation in the SWGAPolitics.com forum held in Albany. We were joined at this event by Commissioner Jon Howard and Commissioner Christopher Pike, both of Dougherty County. Lamar Houston, a veteran and strong supporter also came out to show his commitment to the cause.

There were many things to take away from our South Georgia swing. But there in one in particular that rings clear: Folks down in South Georgia are ready for practical, common sense solutions to Georgia’s problems, and they believe I am the right man for the job!





INTO THE FINAL TURN…


Just like the Kentucky Derby, the Daytona 500, and any other great race, this race too has it's final stretch. Now 32 days from the Georgia Primary election, we're entering the final turn and need your support to push us over the finish line.

In each of Georgia's 159 counties, someone has contributed to my campaign. No other candidate for Governor in 2010 can say that, and when I'm elected Governor I will represent all Georgians, from the mountains to the coast.

Won’t you make a contribution today to help my campaign get out the message in these final days? Not everyone can afford the $1000 donations, but every $100 or $50 contribution helps us with fuel in the car and boots on the ground. Together, with your contributions and support, we can “take this hill” and win this battle!


All the best,

David Poythress

PS – Happy Father’s Day wishes to all other father’s out there! Our families will be close to our hearts this Father’s Day, even though we may not say so. I hope everyone has the opportunity to spend some time with your father this weekend.

HD 151 Candidate Freddy Grimsley Opens Campaign Office

Candidate Freddy Grimsley (D-Albany) kicked off his campaign for House District 151 against Incumbent Carol Fullerton (D-Albany) Thursday as he open his campaign office on North Slappey Blvd.

Grimsley says he's prepared to improve job opportunities, education in our school systems and railroad transportation.

By implementing rail travel he says it will make it easier for people to travel through different parts of the state for work.

"Say that we have someone who has a job in Atlanta.They can get on the train here at 5:00. 6:00, they can step off the train, go to work then they can hop back on the train in the evening and go back home," said Grimsley. "If you look at New York and New Jersey, they bounce off each other. You have state to state bounce off each other so we would have that balance."

He says rail travel would make roads less congested and he would rely on the federal government to pay for part of the project.

Early County Town Has No Leadership, mayor living in New Jersey

Damascus, Ga located in southeast Early County is without a mayor & three city council workers.

City Council women Tanya Williams, Bridget Wells, and Gwen Freeman-Shuler all walked out of a meeting this week and said they're done.

The only leaders left are mayor Pro-Tem Nathaniel Thompson and Mayor Vivian Pouder, they must appoint new council members.

The mayor has been living in New Jersey for months and hasn't attended any recent meetings.

The city attorney is sending formal letters to the council members to get their resignations in writing.

"Sometimes I wonder what a small town has to argue about, basically what they have is a water system and one police offer, but they get very upset about these things whatever it was we've got potentially no council now so they can't conduct any business," said Tommy Coleman, Damascus City Attorney.

"We don't have a lot to choose from we tried to have an election a couple months ago and had nobody to qualify. They've appointed and appointed, seven in the last 16 months, and they have resigned," said Heath McDowell, Former Damascus Mayor.

The city barely has money to pay its bills week to week.

One problem is the water system.

The city charges customers a flat fee, but many bills aren't being collected.

Real Deal stops in Albany

Republican candidate Nathan Deal made a stop in Albany yesterday to talk about his campaign. DealOur big message is that we want to bring more business and job opportunities to Georgia,” said Deal, 67, of Gainesville. “I’d like to lower corporate tax rates to increase job investment. We could be the best in the Southeast.”

After shaking hands with many of the 40 people at a fundraising reception held at 5:30 p.m. at the Shackleford House on Dawson Road, Deal spoke about his family and the problems facing the state.

“We are real people. We face the same challenges everyone faces in the state,” Deal said of his family. “I will always be accessible to you to listen to your concerns.”

Deal also spoke about concerns such as education and stronger enforcement of laws against illegal immigrants. One of the challenges in education is to curb the drop-out rate, he said.

Education needs to adopt 21st century tools to teach children such as the Kindle and the iPad, Deal said. More local control could help keep classes smaller and keep teachers working, he said.

To further interest children in the trades, perhaps technical schools could reach out to children at an earlier age, he added.

“I doubt children know what electricians, plumbers and auto mechanics wages are,” Deal said. “One out of 10 dropouts is incarcerated. It costs five times as much to keep them in jail as it does school.”

A few people in the crowd seemed to like that Deal has a background as a state senator and U.S. congressman.

“That is a good qualification for the office,” said Earl Thomas, 72, of Sylvester. “He’ll have to deal with D.C. to run the state.”

Deal’s stated commitment to all of Georgia, not just the more heavily populated north impressed many at the reception

Thurbert Baker's First AD

Uh-Oh! Isakson's Major Gaffe: Calls voters "Unwashed"!

Yesterday Johnny Isakson (R-GA) who is facing a tough re-election made a huge verbal gaffe after meeting with Sharron Angle.

Sen. Johnny Isakson refers to Nevada voters as ‘the unwashed back home.

Here's what Think Progress said:

Yesterday, Nevada GOP Senate candidate Sharron Angle “introduced herself to a very curious Senate Republican Conference” at their weekly caucus lunch. Apparently, the “Republicans walked away impressed.”

Then Roll Call spoke to two GOP senatore, first John Thune (R-SD) who said he was impressed by what she had to say, and then our own Johnny Isakson followed with this statement:

Republicans, who heard Angle’s presentation were, to a letter, impressed. “She said she won, she needed money, and wanted to be a part of the team and was glad to be here today,” said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-GA, who said Ensign also showed a recent Rasmussen poll showing Angle up 11 points against Reid. “She did a good job. She’s an articulate lady…This was an introduction. It wasn’t the kind of speech you would give to the "unwashed" back home, she was talking to her colleagues,” Isakson recounted.


The Term "Unwashed" is a derogatory term in which those who are, pertaining to or characteristic of the common people; untutored, unsophisticated, or ignorant; an ignorant or lower-class group.

Now there are those who will say this is no big deal & that he was referring to the voters of Nevada, but you have to wonder that does he think Georgia voters are "Unwashed"?

He said this wasn't the kind of sppech you would give to the "unwashed" back home. So whatever speech she gave to the GOP, he wouldn't give back here in Georgia because the people here are Unwashed? Think about it for a minute folks.