Its never too early: A look ahead to 2014 for Georgia Democrats

Ok! With the 2010 elections now long gone, its time to ponder on 2014 & who may run on the democratic side.

On the senate side, Saxby Chambliss will be up for re-election, as well as every single republican statewide officeholder who won last year in the GOP Tsunami.

So who could step up to the plate for the democrats here in Georgia?

There are alot of different scenarios that could arise when 2014 rolls around, but let's take a stab at it.

On the senate side, two names comes to mind when talking about a possible challenge to Chambliss. (1) Former Congressman Jim Marshall & (2) Michael Thurmond.

Marshall was done in more by the Tsunami that swept Georgia just like it did all over the country than the campaign strategy of Austin Scott in my opinion. Marshall, a moderately conservative democrat haven't ruled out another & final run for office & since he has served in the House of Representatives, only the senate remain in his sights. It won't be the first time Marshall & Chambliss squared off against each other. In 2000, Marshall, then mayor of Macon lost to then-congressman Chambliss by 59-41%. Both men had a good working relationship while Marshall was in Washington because of common interest like RAFB, Agriculture, etc.

Thurmond left a "safe" seat in Labor Commissioner to take on popular Johnny Isakson for the senate. Looking back at the election in november, Thurmond would have gotten swept out of office just like all of the other democrats in the south despite his stellar record as Labor Commish. Thurmond ran a lackluster campaign with weak fundraising to boot. I seriously doubt that's the way Thurmond wants to be remembered. I made the suggestion last year that Thurmond remain at Labor to then run for the senate against Chambliss in 2014.

Governor: Nathan Deal perhaps became the weakest candidate to become governor of Georgia in decades with one allegation after another hanging over his head. Any other year, he might not have won the election for governor with all those things swirling around him. There are three potential candidates for the democrats.

(1) Former Lt Governor candidate & Businesswoman Carol Porter (2) Former State Rep DuBose Porter (3) Jim Marshall (4) Michael Thurmond

Porter (Carol) bust onto the scene with her passionate speech to the NFIB last summer in place of her husband & candidate DuBose Porter. After that, on her own terms she decided to run for Lt Governor due to no other democrat stepping up to the plate. She got just as many votes as did Roy Barnes on a budget that was barely $1 million dollars. She has left a built in base of grassroots support in Georgia. If she decides to run, she will need to shore up Central & South Georgia, where she didn't spend quite as much time at in comparison to Metro Atlanta & North Georgia.

Porter (DuBose) was unsuccessful in his first bid at statewide office. Porter had been a state legislator out of Central Ga since 1982 before giving up his seat to run for governor. Porter is one of the few remaining white, rural democrats still left in the party after 9 others bolted to the GOP. With Roy Barnes political career now a done deal, 2014 maybe the year Porter decides to give it one more try. Plus he's only 57 years old, so he still has alot of political fight left in him. Especially with Education being targeted yet again by the GOP he will have a issue to run with.

Marshall could run for governor & be successful at it. He shares the same central Georgia base along with Carol & Dubose Porter . Having represented a district that ran from the Atl suburbs to the Ga-Fla State line, his connections will be a plus if he guns for the governorship.

Thurmond had eyes on running for governor last year. That was before Thurbert Baker got in the race, which threw a wrench in those plans. Thurmond's communication skills & ability to connect on a personal level with hard working families makes him a threat. He will have to do a better job at fundraising & building a better grassroots organization on the ground

Lt Governor: Casey Cagle at first was thought to run for governor, but had a change of heart & decided to stay at Lt Gov due to "health" issues. He could be a candidate for governor if Deal who is 68 decides not to run for re-election in 2014. Cagle was stripped of most of his power by the GOP majority in the senate, making him ineffective.

Potential candidates here include: (1) Cattle Farmer & State Senator J.B. Powell (2) Former State Rep Rob Teilhet (3) Former Gubernatorial candidate Carl Camon (4) Augusta mayor Deke Copenhaver (5) Thurbert Baker

Powell ran for agriculture commissioner last year losing to Gary Black. Powell, a conservative democrat, a country boy was State Senator of the 23rd District. He could mount another run for his old seat next year. He could have another democratic challenger for that seat in Chuck Pardue of Rural Richmond County. Powell's aw-shucks persona & bluecollar background will appeal to bluecollar types who reside in rural Georgia. A+ rating from NRA

Teilhet, a young energetic democrat lost to South Georgia Democrat Ken Hodges for the nomination for Attorney General. Teilhet future in politics is still bright. He hails from Cobb County where he was succeeded by Stacey Godfrey-Evans in the Statehouse. At age 36, Teilhet is someone to keep an eye on. He could run for Attorney General again, but who knows.

Camon is the former mayor of Ray City, Ga located in Berrien County. Camon, a conservative democrat had a message that resonated with alot of voters, but when you don't have $ behind you, it makes it hard for the rest of the state to hear your message. Camon is the new blood that the party needs to re-invigorate itself after a demoralizing defeat at the polls in 2010. The former USAF Veteran & Gulf War Veteran is a man of deep faith, which scares the hell out of many democrats who aren't so much into religion. I was sold on Camon when I first met him at a outing over in Houston Co back in 2009. At age 41, he's has a future in Georgia Politics. He was recognized as Georgia Trend's top 40 under 40 a few years ago

Coperhaver is the mayor of Georgia's second largest city, Augusta. He was first elected in 2005 to carry out a unexpired term & later elected in 2006 & 2010 as a independent. In 2003, he was recognized by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of Georgia’s “Top Forty Under Forty”. In 2006 and 2008, he was named a Notable Georgian by Georgia Trend Magazine and in 2007, 2009,2010 and 2011 was named as one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians. Although a independent, Coperhaver could be persuaded to run as a democratic moderate if he so chooses to run for higher office in the future. At age 43, he is a very attractive candidate to run statewide.

Baker ran & lost the nomination for governor last year. He was the Attorney General, appointed by then governor Zell Miller in 1997. Baker a centrist with a conservative streak may want to give it another try three years from now. Baker co-sponsered the two strikes law & has gotted a A+ rating from NRA

Its never soon to speculate, but as of right now these are the names that comes to mind in talking about 2014 for Georgia Democrats.

DuBose Porter, Carol Porter in 2014?

With 2010 in the books, its time to wonder what lies ahead for democrats as they took a thumpin' last week.

What does the future holds for the Porters of Laurens County?

Porter (DuBose) gave his seat to run a unsuccessful campaign for governor. He is, in my opinion the next democrat in line to take a stab at another run for governor in 2014 against Nathan Deal, or whoever.

Let's not forget he's only 57 years old, so he still has some political life left in him since this was his first run for statewide office.

He ran a impressive grassroots campaign, but he couldn't beat the deep pocket donors of Roy Barnes in his bid to become the democratic nominee. Plus being minority leader at the time in the legislature, he didn't have the time to get his message out there to the people.

He's a graduate of Davidson College, interned for then US Senator Sam Nunn, he served as Administration Floor Leader in the House of Representatives to Governor Zell Miller. In January 2003, Porter was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives.

I asked a question yesterday would the result been different had Porter was the nominee against Nathan Deal? Probably, but who knows?

Porter is in prime positon to make another run for governor in 2014, but its a question whether or not he will.

Then there's his dynamic wife & former Lt. Governor Carol Porter who came out of nowhere to make a strong run at Casey Cagle, garnering around 42% of the vote for a so-called novice candidate.

She wowed crowds with her fiery speeches, got high praise from unlikely republican supporters such as Macon CityCouncilman Erick Erickson of Redstate.Com. She stepped up when no other democrat was willing to challenge Casey Cagle because let's face it, it was "FEAR" that kept some other dems from challenging Cagle. Despite being unsuccessful, she has left a built in infrastructure for another run for office in 2014 as well, possibly for governor, Lt. Governor or another office down the line.

2010 elections was one of those rare instances that only happen every so-often, so 2014 could be the year that these two strong, viable candidates can resuscitate the party once & for all.

Looking at the Democratic Bench, there isn't much to work with:
Rob Teilhet
Michael Thurmond
Thurbert Baker
Jim Marshall.

Other Possibilities are:

David Adelman, ex-State Senator & current US Ambassador of Singapore
Ed Tarver, ex-State Senator & U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

What Now for the Georgia Democratic Party?

I knew it was going to be a tough road for democrats last night, but not at the level I witnessed.



Democrats here bet the entire farm on this election & got swept. Zero Dems hold statewide offices.



Lost two formerly held democratic seats, HD 176 & HD 143. Only gained four seats out of a dozen races that fielded democratic challenges. Zero gains in the State Senate. Zip. Nada. Nil'.



There is no way to go but up, but its going to have to start at the state party, where the entire structure needs to be overhauled, or blown up & then start anew with new fresh faced, energetic leaders who will bring the party back to its roots & separate themselves from the National Democrats for good.



And to use the words of Patrick Davis, the party needs a stronger focus in developing the party in areas SOUTH of Macon. Areas such as Swainsboro, Statesboro, Moultrie, Ocilla, Waycross, Cordele, Dublin, Douglas, and Vienna. In addition, there has to be a better media strategy in these areas which lacks media.. The Dems got to do a better job of educating and SUPPORTING fellow Dems...



That is absolutely true!



Jane Kidd was elected in 2006 pledging to implement a 159 county strategy. Haven't seen it. Under her watch, democrats haven't won any statewide races, didn't made any significant gains in the State Legislature & in the process, lost more seats that they gained.



She's a nice lady & I was a supporter of hers, but as that old saying goes: "What have you done for me lately", well nothing. Its time to go!



Next the leadership in the House & Senate needs to change.



DuBose Porter left his seat to run for governor, so he won't be apart of the leadership once the legislature reconvenes. Carolyn Hughley, Calvin Smyre & others leaders of the house caucus has to go.



Same goes for the senate. Robert Brown is all but likely to run for Mayor of Macon next year, so it maybe time to replace as minority leader. JB Powell is no loner in the mix having waged a unsuccessful bid at Agriculture Commissioner, Tim Golden is Caucus chair & he maybe in line to become minority leader of the senate democrats.



Here's who I would like to see in these positions when the legislative session begins in 2011



Minority Leader: Alan Powell (D-Hartwell)

Minority Whip: Debbie Buckner (D-Junction City)

Caucus Chair: Mike Cheokas (D-Americus)

Caucus Vice Chair: Stacey Abrams (D-Atlanta)

Caucus Secretary: Stephanie Stuckey-Benfield (D-Atlanta)





Minority Leader: Tim Golden (D-Valdosta)

Minority Whip: Lester Jackson (D-Savannah)

Asst. Minority Whip: Steve Henson (D-Tucker)

Caucus Chair: Hardie Davis (D-Augusta)

Caucus Vice-Chair: Freddie Powell Sims (D-Dawson)

Caucus Secretary: Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta)



As for who should run for Chairman of the Georgia Democratic Party, here are some names who should or ought to be considered:

Jim Marshall political veteran who have written the playbook on how to win elections in rural Georgia. A conservative democrat, he has familiarity with small town Georgia & would be able to bring centrist/conservative white voters back to the democratic party as well as those Zell Miller Democrats back to the fold. He could move the party back to the days of David Gambrell (70-71) & Bert Lance (82-85), past chairman of the Georgia Democratic Party. He could run the party until possibly 2014 when he may run for office again, (Governor or US Senate)



Carl Camon. Camon is what I call "New Blood" the party needs to help reinvigorate themselves if they are to be competitive in the future. He wrote a great piece called" Is the Democratic Party losing its Democracy". He hails from South Georgia & would bring a new perspective to the party, as well as build up the grassroots base of the party in South Georgia. Don't close the door on Camon for office in the future

Carol Porter. Porter came out of nowhere to run a flawless campaign for Lt Governor. She went from a neophyte to legitimate contender over night with her rousing speech in pace of her husband, State Rep DuBose Porter at a Small Business meeting in the spring. She has brought new life to the party with her passionate speeches & her ability to draw support from republicans as well. She may well run for office again, but who knows.



Darkhorse Candidates



Ted Terry, Finance Director for John Barrow & former Ground Organizer for Democrats in Georgia

Graham Balch, former campaign manager for JB Powell

Quentin Howell, ex-candidate for HD 141 & Small Business Owner


Or there maybe a need for another democratic party that is geared more to the rural areas of the state, more toward voters who are more conservative than the more liberal counterparts. I wouldn't rule it out!

Middle Georgia Democratic Women's Candidates Rally on Saturday at Houston County

This upcoming Saturday October 23, the Middle Georgia Democratic Women, a chapter of the Georgia Federation of Democratic Women will be holding their fall rally at Creekwood Park in Perry, Georgia, starting at 10:00 p.m until 2:00 p.m.

Candidates attending are:

Agriculture Commissioner candidate J.B. Powell (D-Blythe)

U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Macon)

Lt. Governor candidate Carol Porter (D-Dublin)

House District 145 candidate Fenika Miller (D-Warner Robins)

Candidate for Georgia Court of Appeals Antoinette "Toni" Davis

House District 136 candidate Sharon Howard (D-Byron)

Kimberly Mitchen-Rasmussen, of the White House Project

More candidates could be added before saturday


If you can go out & hear what each of these candidates have to say before the Nov. 2 Elections.

Carol Porter Campaign Ad

Can Carol Porter Pull the Upset on Nov 2?

She's no longer a "Novice" candidate. That label doesn't apply to Carol Porter anymore. She is a legitimate candidate who can most certainly knock off Casey Cagle as Lt. Governor on November 2. She has begun to run ads statewide, has gotten significant crossover support from republican & republican-leaning voters, along with creating a borad coalition that's growing by the day.

In her travels across the state, she has touted bringing new, ethical leadership to the State Senate, cleaning the state capitol of corruption, along with jump starting Georgia's economy by creating jobs, improving our educational system, solving our water crisis, etc.

This letter written by a supporter of Carol Porter says it all:

Dear Editor:

As Election Day draws near and the empty, self-serving political rhetoric runs rampant, one honest, clear voice of reason and intellect, that of my friend Carol Dodd Porter, rings out above the quagmire of the crowd.

Having known Carol for the past twenty-four years, I have witnessed her devotion to many jobs: large and small, public and private, secular and sacred. Never has she left a task unfinished; never has she complained that the job was too overwhelming or too undervalued; never has she thrown up her hands in defeat. Carol knows the Source of her strength and wisdom, and she gladly shares her Christian values with anyone she meets. Carol is a woman of integrity and diligence who lends style and grace even to the most menial of jobs. She does not fear long hours, hard work, difficult decisions, or standing alone in defense of what is right. She does not stop until the job is done.

Given our current political options in this election, the Office of Lieutenant Governor will emerge as a vital force in the running of our state. Gone are the days when the Lieutenant Governor can be a rubber-stamping, glad-handing politician, who fills an office with relative ease and little responsibility and who enjoys a soft job with a big salary. This year, my friends, it’s different. We must have a public servant who is willing to work for the people. Carol is the woman for the new job, to be done a new way, for a new breed of Georgians, who expect their elected officials to KEEP their promises and to SERVE them.

Carol is in this race not to make a name for herself, not to enjoy the fruit of others’ labor, not to retire on the backs of the taxpayers, not to couch herself in luxuriant lobbyist dollars, but to serve the people faithfully, to bring honesty to Georgia politics, to end the corruption and arrogance of an elitist few who claim to control Georgia, to demand fair treatment for all citizens, to make the smart decisions, to ferret out the many solutions that are viable answers to the problems of our state, to catapult education to the top of Georgia’s “to do” list, to provide clean water and safe transportation to all Georgians. Her only agenda is the welfare of the people of Georgia, not the swapping out of political favors with power-brokers. She is a political purist, if that’s not an oxymoron in today’s culture, but she is not a political neophyte. Through her hands-on involvement in DuBose’s campaigns for the past twenty-eight years, Carol knows Georgia politics, Georgia issues, and Georgia law as well as, if not better than, any politician out there.

Carol has reared four fine sons: each one an Eagle Scout and each one an intelligent, articulate, courteous, kind, and sincere young gentleman; therefore, I have every confidence that she can handle Georgia as well. As an English teacher of twenty-seven years, I appreciate Carol’s devotion to making education work for EVERY student in Georgia. That is an issue near and dear to my heart, so I plan to do everything I can to help Carol. Job one is getting her elected.

This lifelong Republican is proud to cast a vote for Democrat Carol Porter. Please join me in putting intellect, integrity, diligence, and honesty in the Capitol. Elect Carol Dodd Porter Lieutenant Governor.

With renewed hope for Georgia,
Cindy Locklair Claxton

There is no reason to think that she can't defeat Cagle in Novemeber. In Cagle's first ad he says he protected Educational Funding & didn't balance the budget on the backs of our children is by far the biggest mis-conception & lie I've heard from any Georgia candidate running for office this year against another candidate (besides Austin Scott against Jim Marshall)

She has all the intagibles to be a great Lt. Governor. It just going to take a little push here & there to get Porter where she wants to be & that's Georgia next Lt. Governor. It would be nice if one of our former democrats would give their seal of approval like Sam Nunn (who Carol's Husband DuBose Porter once worked for while Nunn was a senator), Max Cleland, Zell Miller, Cathy Cox, who all are independent individuals who have significant crossover appeal.

Carol Porter's New Ad

Redstate.com Founder & Macon Councilman Erick Erickson says he will vote for Carol Porter for Lt. Gov

CNN Contributor, founder of Redstate.com, Peach Pundit & Macon City Councilman Erick Erickson said in a post on his website Peach Pundit that he will cast a vote for Carol Porter who is running for Lt. Governor against Casey Cagle.

Here's what Erickson said last night on PP: "I think the Senate GOP was much more functional when they ran the place as a committee with a marginalized Mark Taylor. I think Casey Cagle has been vain, vapid, vindictive and driven by innuendo and incompetence".

The decision by Erickson came on the heels of a report originating from the 8th District debate last night in which Jim Marshall was asked a question regarding Austin Scott divorce & whether or not he played any role in the call for Austin Scott to unseal his divorce records.

There have been rumors about Cagle's Ethics & Morals as he was the favorite to win the GOP nod for governor, but abruptly dropped out the race, due to so called health reasons (Bad Back) & decided to run for Lt Governor again, despite a open seat to be the state's top Chief Executive.

I believe Scott also had dirt on Cagle, like Cagle had dirt on Scott as a reason GOP officials were so anxious in getting Scott to reconsider a race for Lt Governor, where it would have gotten very ugly & instead pushed him to run against Jim Marshall, avoiding a blood-bath within the GOP.

But back to Erickson's endorsement, I wonder if any other high-profile republicans will come out & support Carol Porter bid to be the No.2 Executive behind the governor. Its too early to say what kind of impact this will have on the Lt Gov's race, but for Porter this should give her a boost as she marched toward Nov 2.

Carol Porter (D-Dublin) New Ad: "Georgia Can't Afford Casey Cagle Any Longer"

You call it negative, but I call it telling it like it is. Exposing the truth!

Lt. Gov candidate Carol Porter (D-Dublin) First Campaign Ad: "The Right Kind of Experience"

Carol Porter (D-Dublin) First Campaign Ad

South Georgia to Carol Porter: Where are You?

That's what some South Georgia voters are asking as we approach the Nov 2 General Election.

I got emails from viewers of Peanut Politics in Seminole, Clinch, Cook, Crisp, Ben Hill, Coffee, etc & I noticed a few of them that ask, when is Carol Porter going to come visit them?

All I can say is in due time!

Porter has been stumping hard all over the state attending fundraisers, barbeques, fish-fry's & Luncheons.

Believe me she'll pay a few visits to y'all's neck of the woods before the elections rolls around. Patience, please, Patience!

Carol Porter is the X-Factor in this Year's Elections

With Georgia in play today, and with Businesswoman Carol Porter (D-Dublin) chances of winning this state with its sizable swath of rural voters, its time to look deeper in this race against Casey Cagle.

From the North Georgia mountains of Union County to the cotton fields of Long County to Glynn County and Crisp County, Carol Porter has been stumping hard for those votes in this general election cycle. But the Republicans have long dominated this part of the state since 2002, mainly by the lack of competition & gerrymandering of local districts.

Its time to ask some questions:

Can a Sam Nunn or Zell Miller help Porter candidacy going forward? Is a potential endorsement too late or will it help Porter here in Georgia, especially in Central & South Georgia?

Can Porter appeal culturally with Rural Voters like myself? Having grown up in Johnson County (Wrightsville) , she has a legitimate shot, if not a advantage over Metro Atlanta Republican Casey Cagle.

The absolute truth is that any Democrat whether its Hodges, JB Powell, Darryl Hicks, who can get through the cultural mine field of rural Georgia can prevail because a Democrat, who actually tries can win easily on overall rural policy.

The reason I say that is that Porter, could not only gain trust, but she also can be that voice for rural Georgia that has been missing for the last 8 years.

Unlike so many so-called political people, I still believe that Carol Porter can get through the rural culture, having grown up in this culture and she could be a great force in making that happen.

Casey Cagle has “screwed” rural Georgia in his time in office, which had taken rural Georgia's jobs, destroyed local economies, put rural school systems on the brink, raising our taxes and made it nearly impossible for our kids to stay home after graduating.

She like Roy Barnes can seize the role of rural advocate. She is the only statewide candidate from outside the metro area to be running on one of the top three offices here in Georgia.

I tell everybody how great an asset rural Georgia is, but we don’t necessarily believe it because we’ve fought forever and very few people in Atlanta pay us any attention, much less give a damn. Porter’s words hit hard on both fronts in a very populist-outsider kind of way, slamming business as usual climate under the Gold Dome. However, Porter is without question an incredible mind and candidate. If she uses her massive charisma and shows how strong her love and respect for rural Georgia really is, she'll take Cagle down which way or another.

An issue that is a top issue for rural Georgians is the lack of economic fairness.

Porter, the daughter of a country doctor & school teacher can evolve into rural Georgia’s champion for economic fairness. She knows more about the dire implications of lack of economic fairness for rural Georgia and can put a face on it better than anyone running for office this year. And if the party really wants the “Reagan Democrats” or in Georgia's case the "Zell Miller democrats back in the tent, I can’t think of anybody better to stand at the entrance than Carol. She’s the bell cow for those guys.

The truth is that in rural Georgia our affection for our natural surroundings can be described as almost spiritual. We worship our nature. That’s why we live in it. Any Democratic candidate who comes to rural Georgia and says simply they will fight the Republicans to protect and restore a wild, natural environment for our children and grandchildren will score points, believe me.

Rural Georgians have been forgotten. The reason is very simple. The Republicans haven’t been going there because they take the ground for granted or when they do come here, they only say the necessary things to get elected & that has gotten old quick. The Democrats haven’t been coming there because for some cowardly, mathematically challenged reason don’t believe they can beat the Republicans. That's got to change this year if they want to win here in November.

As far as capturing us Rural Georgians, Porter needs to do what few democrats have been willing to do...... Go after them & go after then HARD! Same goes for all of the democratic candidates

What Barnes needs to do to get over the 42-43% Threshold?

Recent polling have showed Roy Barnes at the 42-43% mark, despite Nathan Deal losing steam as controversy continues over his financial & ethical issues.

Listening to the Kudzu Vine Blog talk Radio show this a.m., host David McGlaughin asked the question: what does Barnes need to do to get over the 42-43% mark?

That's a great question. From my vantage point, it looks like that voters who are on the fence, or undecided are looking for a "OK", or a "signal" to go ahead & vote for Barnes.

There are two things Barnes can do to get over that 42-43% position.

(1) Endorsements!

People like to say endorsements don't mean much, but it depends where the endorsement is coming from. An endorsement coming from these two individuals can really swing the election to Barnes' favor: Former Senator Sam Nunn & yes former Governor Zell Miller. An endorsement from one or both of these conservative democrats who are independent thinking men would be the "ok" that voters need to go cast a vote for Barnes.

It maybe alot to ask, but an endorsement from both of these two giants of Georgia Politics would boost his standing among white male voters, put him ahead for independents/undecideds & bring more dissatisfied republicans who are wary of Nathan Deal to Barnes' corner. Plus that will strengthen his campaign in rural Georgia, which by the way is going very well at the moment.

(2) Carol Porter

Yet we haven't seen the two of them together at any campaign appearances across the state. With October looming now is the time to present a united front, by holding a press conference detailing their agenda if one or both are elected in November. Highlight the GOP's Tax Increases on the backs of middle class & low-income Georgians, steep cuts to Georgia Public Schools, Georgia's high unemployment rate, which is higher that the national average, the state budget & water.

Barnes & Porter are very effective communicators. Although Barnes was governor before, he is pretty much a outsider to the Washington Insider Nathan Deal & so is Carol Porter to the Metro Insider Casey Cagle, who like to refer to Deal & Cagle as the "Gainesville Mafia".

Both should do a week of barnstorming of the state together talking to voters about their plans to fix Georgia's ailing economy, assisting small business owners, restoring the Homestead Property Tax Exemption that the GOP got rid of last legislative session, addressing our water situation, ethics & plan to create jobs to put Georgia Back to work. Hell it wouldn't hurt if both appeared in a campaign ad together running on fiscal responsibilty & discipline

One or both of these suggestions would go a long way of getting Barnes over that line of 42-43%.

Troup County Democratic Party Meet & Greet Saturday, Sept 11.

The Troup County Democratic Party will be having a BBQ Fundraiser Next Saturday on Sept 11 in LaGrange at the Chamber of Commerce Plaza starting at 2:00pm - 5:00pm.

Come join the Troup Democrats for an afternoon of meet and greet with state candidates and meet fellow local leaders in Troup County. All democrats from around the state and the area are welcome! Lets turn west georgia blue!!! To reserve or for question call Chair Chris Sloan at 678-850-1871.

As of now, Candidates scheduled to appear are Lt. Gov candidate Carol Porter, State Schoop Supt. candidate Joe Martin, U.S. Senate candidate Michael Thurmond & 3rd Congressional District Candidate Frank Saunders.

Businesswoman & Lt Governor Candidate Carol Porter at State Democratic Convention

Rural Voters & Carol Porter: A match made in Heaven?

She's articulate. She's Bright. She is a businesswoman. She's strong on Family Values. She wants to rid the State Capitol of Corruption & the stench of Ethically challenged Politicos. She wants to be your next Lt. Governor.

Im talking about Carol Porter, wife of minority leader DuBose Porter.

The most unlikely candidate to run for Lt. Governor, Porter know wants to be the one to clean up the State Senate & return it to a more bi-partisan, workable environment from 8 yrs of inept, Iron-Fisted leadership of Casey Cagle.


Porter, of Dublin, Ga, will do a better job of making the rural connection. She is running as a moderate/conservative, which will give Republicans who are disenchanted about the direction of the state a clear conscience to vote for a Democrat.

In small towns like Spoerton, Climax, Pearson, Twin City, Vidalia and Ocklocnee & others like Barnesville, Camilla, Hartwell, Reidsville, Hamilton, Douglas, Darien and Americus, voters in these towns need ideas and hope that a candidate can go to Atlanta and help make a difference in their lives. They want to know that their Lt. Governor knows that their town statistically trails bigger cities in Georgia in median family and household incomes, in the number of high school graduates and in the number of college graduates.

The farmers want to know that their Lt. Governor knows they are paying as much a $4.00 a gallon for the diesel fuel that runs their tractors and combines, and that the cost of fertilizer, a major expense in the production of crops, has risen dramatically.

Rural swing voters are going to be very competitive targets this year. Mark my words.

Most of the state's poorest counties are rural, and rural areas have lost thousands of manufacturing jobs. (Like 300 jobs being outsoured to Mexico from Cooper Lighting in Americus, Ga). The state economy, education and jobs give porter an opportunity to cut Republican rural strength. One of the biggest concerns for rural Georgians is Financial Security & Jobs & right now the policies of the GOP-led Legislature & Perdue has failed miserably in fixing those problems plaging rural Georgians.

When it comes to values, rural Georgians would be very attracted to Mrs. Porter. A native of Johnson County, Porter nows the value of work, community & family. Her father as a rural doctor &her mother, a school teacher and cookbook author instilled those vallues in her that remain strong today. She is a active member of First United Methodist Church in Dublin, where she currently serves on the Administrative Board, the Worship Committee and as a Sunday School Teacher for the Second Door Adult Bible Class every third Sunday.

I know for a fact from variuos emails I've gotten from people say they lean republican, but are very, very open to change & vote for a democrat like Carol Porter, due to a poor economy, the weakening of our public education, lack of economic development & ethical charges that have run thru the state capitol.

Too many Democrats too often act like rural Georgia is just someplace to fly over or drive thru between a fundraiser or big campaign event in Savannah or Athens. In small towns and rural communities, our lifestyle and all the values it represents, are being ignored, while the rest of Georgia grasp with an economic downturn, hell, recession has become a permanent way of life for most of rural Georgia.

That's why Carol Porter as Lt. Governor would put a spotlight on rural georgia in terms of creating much needed jobs, improving our rural schools, better services for our hospitals & pumping new life back into the places where I hope the Georgia Democratic Party return to its roots and to champion the forgotten Georgia, not just the metropolitan areas, but also in the small towns that lie between. That's why Georgia at this critical stage in its history needs a Carol Porter in the legislature to bring about those changes along with Roy Barnes.

Rural Democrat Carol Porter: Leadership, Ethics, Representative Government = Solutions

Our Founding Fathers came together to form our government because there are some things we do better as a whole: educating the public; providing efficient transportation; safeguarding natural resources; and providing safe, healthy communities. This infrastructure is what creates the economic climate of a state. When strong, this infrastructure will encourage business and grow jobs.

In Georgia’s government, however, we have two problems preventing this strong infrastructure: lack of leadership and lack of ethics. Georgia must stop the abuse of power by a few politicians in leadership who are manipulating the legislative voting process to meet their will and not that of the citizens. We must also reform ethics. If not, we cannot grow our economy.

At the beginning of every session there is much sound and fury about ethics reform and by the end of the session Georgians find it was all to signify nothing. This pattern must not be repeated.

Helping Atlanta will encourage economic development in other regions of our state.

Water: Solutions are there, just not the leadership to deliver them. Why not push to fix Atlanta’s leaky pipes; maximize gray water; use smart landscaping; install efficient fixtures; and improve water quality? On negotiating the water wars, why has our leadership allowed raising the pool level of Lake Lanier two feet to be all but taken off the table? It would be like building several reservoirs, finished in two years—not twelve, and reap huge savings for the taxpayer.

Transportation: Atlanta is in gridlock, without an adequate mass transit plan due to a series of poor decisions. For the price of the horse barn or fishpond in Perry we could have leveraged down the money to start passenger rail. Georgia also just lost $2.4 million that had been awarded for our transit projects. It went unspent for so long it expired. It will now be used in other states.

For all of Georgia, we must address education and taxes if we are to grow the economy.

Education: Without a well-educated workforce we will not attract the jobs of the future. We must get discipline under control, students reading on grade level, teach life and business skills, and then partner with technical and community colleges in high school—using post-secondary options that don’t penalize our public schools.
Taxes: The middle class and the small business owner and their employees can’t take much more. They are taking the hit at every turn. The current leadership oversaw the repeal of the Homeowner’s Tax Relief Grant and gave Georgia the largest single property tax increase in its history. The sick tax, the energy rate increase, the countless new fees; they are all back-end hits to the middle class. This will not grow our economy.

But once again, until our current administration and leadership changes, until our legislature is allowed to operate with true representative government, and until ethics are reformed, solutions for Georgia will remain just sound and fury; fodder for editorials, but signifying no real change.

This is why Carol Porter will get alot of crossover support from republicans & she will definitely win over independents.

Carol Porter on Phil Boyum Radio Show, BOROLIVE

Listen to Carol Porter's interview with Phil Boyum of BOROLIVE.COM:
UnPHILtered

Carol Porter, (D) Candidate for Lt. Governor