Barnes Says He Would Quit the Democratic Party If He Could

BARNES SAYS HE WOULD QUIT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IF HE COULD

In a shocking statement reported in today’s Gwinnett Daily Post, Barnes declares that he would gladly quit our Party. “I’m fed up … I’d be a Bull Moose or a Whig if they still had a party.”

Remember what the Whig Party stood for in the 1800’s?  They were against southern President Andrew Jackson and thought that Congress should have more power than the Presidency.  When the Whigs lost their national presence in the late 1800’s, their members switched to the Republican Party.

So in addition to Roy Barnes dissing the Democratic Party, he says he wishes he could be a member of the political party whose members flocked into the Republican Party.

Roy is out of touch and for the sake of his legacy, he should leave the Primary campaign to those of us who are proud to be Democrats!

STORM BRINGS FLASHBACKS TO OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS

Georgians have lost their homes, businesses and loved ones as a result of this week’s devastating flood waters.  This deluge brought to mind the 1994 flood in Georgia and the catastrophic effects of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005.

As Georgia Labor Commissioner in 1994, I was enormously proud of how our team of employment specialists, some of whom had lost their own homes, worked with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency to process claims for disaster unemployment benefits and to help as best they could to bring normalcy back to the victims’ lives.

In 2005 our nation watched in horror as one of the worst natural disasters in history devastated the Gulf Coast region.  What I remember most is the look of determination on the faces of our Guard Members as we worked tirelessly to help our neighbors survive these tragic circumstances.

Team work, commitment and dedication to helping others were the keys to the disaster responses I led.  This week’s flooding has claimed nine lives, displaced more than 300 residents and caused more than $250 million in damages, but we have seen once again the strength of our community to reach out and help others.

Here are some of the organizations who are helping local families.  Visit their websites to see how you can help.

American Red Cross, Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter - www.atlantaredcross.org
Atlanta Community Food Bank - www.acfb.org
Atlanta Community Tool Bank - www.atlanta.toolbank.org
Hosea Feed the Hungry & Homeless - www.hoseafeedthehungry.com
MUST Ministries - /http://www.mustministries.org/
The Salvation Army, Metro Atlanta Area Command - www.uss.salvationarmy.org/
United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta - www.unitedwayatlanta.org/

AFTER THE FLOODS

While the pouring rain has washed away recent memories of droughts that had our North Georgia reservoirs nearly barren last year, we must not forget that we still have a major water problem.

Ironically, Lake Lanier is now at “full pool,” but we are no closer to gaining access to the water North Georgia will need in the years to come.  While Sonny Perdue and the Atlanta politicians sharpen their legal swords and prepare for another round of courtroom fights over water rights, I believe even they would admit that had we been building and expanding reservoirs, this week’s rains would have been a significant step toward easing our water needs.
 
Sometimes it takes tragedies like this week’s floods to bring about action, and fortunately I have solid plans for what needs to happen moving forward.   Click here to watch my video on how I will deal with our water issues as Governor.

Folks, time is running out on this issue, and I seem to be the only candidate for Governor who understands the need for leadership and action.  Barnes had four years as Governor to reach an agreement with our neighbors.  Baker has been a leader in the state’s legal proceedings for twelve years, and we’ve lost our case again and again.  Porter has been in the legislature for 27 years and hasn’t made significant progress on our water needs.

Sadly, it seems that Governor Perdue will continue to kick the can down the road on this critical economic development issue, and the Republicans seeking his seat have offered only talk and no action.  Congressman Deal should be in a position to bring Congressional leaders together to find a legislative solution, but he has remained ineffective.

The clock is ticking, and as the next Governor I’ll have a short amount of time to reach an agreement with our neighbors.  My specific plan of action and strong negotiating skills make me the right leader for this critical task.

THE THRILL OF VICTORY AND THE
AGONY OF A DEAD BATTERY

Elizabeth and I were delighted to wake up early last Saturday morning to drive to the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base for a taste of G.R.I.T.S.  We attended the opening session of GeorgiaFIRST Robotics Invitational Tournament and Showcase.  You might recall that we went to the international robotics tournament in Atlanta this past spring.  This was the 1st annual off-season event for the Georgia high school robotics teams.  Twelve teams were competing, and the intensity of the contest made battery management a key element in the tournament.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology) engages, celebrates and inspires students as they discover that they can be successful in science and technology.  Teams work together to build a robot from the ground up.  They design, construct and program the robot to fulfill a specific function – in this tournament the 5 ft tall machines had to pick up loose balls on the floor and deposit them in a basket.

As an extension to the classroom learning experience, this unique varsity sport of the mind gives young people the opportunity to work first hand with scientist, engineers, and technicians who serve as mentors to their teams.  “Winning” is a function of the entire process, as points are awarded for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity, and the ability to overcome obstacles.

In today’s technology-driven, global society, these students are getting a head start on their high-tech careers by putting theory into action and learning critical lessons about teamwork.  And they have great fun doing it!

Thanks, once again, to the Kell High School Robotics team and Ed Barker their mentor/coach for inviting me to learn more about their efforts to spread this fascinating platform for education across the state.  I look forward to continuing to work with them and learn from these inspiring young people.

GOVERNING UNDER TOUGH CIRCUMSTANCES - OUR MAYORS LEARN FROM EACH OTHER

Traveling back from Warner Robins on Saturday, Elizabeth and I ran into our first rain-cause highway detour while trying to reach the Georgia Conference of Black Mayors (GCBM) Conference near the airport in Atlanta.  Our detour through McDonough put us way behind schedule, yet GCBM President and Washington Mayor Willie Burns kindly rearranged the conference schedule to accommodate our delay.

Before I spoke, we heard a very thorough briefing regarding our state’s water crisis.  His remarks about the leadership needed to face these problems were a great lead in to my remarks.   I made it clear to these important local leaders that as their next Governor I will work to restore a good working relationship with city and county officials.  I promised an honest dialogue and open access, and I emphasized that my agency heads would be responsive to their questions and concerns.

DAMP NIGHTS WITH FIRED UP DEMOCRATS

The first wave of the latest storms loomed last Thursday as we drove to the northwest corner of the state to LaFayette where Smokey Caldwell welcomed us to Cherokee Farms for an evening of fellowship with supporters from Walker County and several neighboring counties.  Our friends Chuck Clements and Bruce Coker worked tirelessly to put this event together.

Gathered together were a broad cross section of the community – students, teachers, veterans and small business owners.  I enjoyed visiting with Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson before he left to tape his weekly TV show on UCTV-3 where he and Catoosa County Sheriff Phil Summers open themselves to questions from the public.  Elected officials from across the state could learn a good lesson in open and accessible governing from these two leaders.

The enormous circus tent they had set up would have kept us all dry if the rain had reappeared.  Elizabeth and I really enjoy it when we have time to engage in lengthy conversations.  We learned so much this night about the realities our educators face in the rigid world of “No Child Left Behind,” where high stakes testing has taken creativity out of our classrooms and teachers rarely get the support they deserve.  My vision for 21st Century Classrooms interested the educators we were taking with, but their eyes lit up when I made it clear that I understood that teachers are the solution, not the problem, in our public schools.

Although it was a soggy drive out past Lake Oconee, Elizabeth and I were delighted to spend last Saturday night with enthusiastic Democrats from eight rural counties: Baldwin, Greene, Hancock, Jasper, Jones, Morgan, Putnam and Wilkinson.

Morgan County Democratic Chair Patsy Harris was the glue that put this event together, and the dynamic duo of Eatonton Mayor John Reid and Putnam County Commissioner Janie Reid were welcoming hosts.  Mayor Reid did a great job of keeping the program moving, a tall order given the large number of statewide candidates.

The visit to Rock Eagle brought back childhood 4-H memories for many in attendance, and the success of this dinner has produced a more lasting outcome – these counties are going to continue to work together to turn east Georgia blue!

 
Elizabeth and I would like to thank Patty Payne and Tom MacDonald, former and current chairs of the Franklin County Democratic Party, for the opportunity to share my vision with their members who braved the torrential rains on Monday night.  On a night where metro Atlanta commuters were cut off from normal routes, we slowly made our way northeast from Norcross to Lavonia.  We traveled the 75 miles before Trevor reached his home across town in Acworth!

The weather did keep a few folks from attending, but we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the devoted Democrats who did brave the storm.  State Representative Alan Powell showed his dedication to the cause by traveling from Hartwell to attend.  We enjoyed a great meal of fish, veggies and yummy hot fudge cake.

Each time we travel into the north Georgia mountains, I become more convinced that the independent-minded voters in this area are ready for a pragmatic leader who can get our economy back on track by finding common sense solutions to our critical challenges regarding water, transportation and education.  My candidacy appeals to the conservative Democrats as well as the disenchanted moderate Republicans who are looking for strong leadership - not more politics as usual.

There are so many important events across the state, and we haven’t figured out how to have me be in two different places at one time.  In the past couple of weeks, Elizabeth and Wendy attended events in my place.

Earlier this week, Elizabeth served as a panel member at an education forum sponsored by the Cobb County Branch of the NAACP.  Through her service on their education committee, Elizabeth had shared the inspiring story of lives changed by the National Guard’s Youth Challenge Academies.  Branch President Deane Thompson Bonner and Education Chair Barbara Bodyne were kind to invite Elizabeth to participate in this panel discussion along with Kennesaw State University education professor Dr. J. Eric Tubbs.  According to Elizabeth, the conversation was engaging, particularly their discussion of ways to reduce the high school drop-out rates and increase parental involvement.

On Sunday the 13th, Elizabeth and I were in Nashville for a national conference of Adjutants General, so Wendy represented the campaign at the Lumpkin County Democrats’ Fall Picnic.  I understand that I missed a very attentive crowd and a beautiful day in the Georgia mountains.   Lumpkin County Chair Susan King, Bob & Beverly Barton, and 9th Congressional District Chair Margaret Ball are to be commended for a well organized event that drew Democrats from almost every county of the 9th CD and points beyond.

IN MEMORIAM:
LIVES LOST IN FLOODING AND WAR

Sgt. 1st Class Shawn P. McCloskey, 33, on his third deployment to Afghanistan, died this week in Afghanistan after his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.  McCloskey, a Green Beret from Peachtree City and father of two, was assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Airborne Group.  McCloskey's numerous medals and awards include a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and the National Defense Service Medal.

This week our thoughts and prayers are also with the families of the nine flood victims.  Storm waters in Douglas County took the lives of Eneteria Howe, Richard Butler, Donald Wayne Warlow, Kevin Michael Hodges, Kelli Smith and Delena Weathers.  In Gwinnett County, Seydi Burciaga was trapped in her van and expired before emergency workers could reach her.

A harrowing story of loss and survival came from Carroll County where the Crawford family’s mobile home was dislodged by Snake Creek waters.  Mother, father and one-year-old child survived the nearly three hour rescue by clinging to trees, but toddler Preston Slade Crawford did not.  In Chattooga County, a 14-year-old boy was swept away when he and a friend tried to rescue a neighbor trapped in a Jeep.

LATEST NAME IDENTIFICATION POLL

Strategic Vision released a new poll on the Georgia Governor’s race on the same day they faced a letter of censure from the American Association for Public Opinion Research for their failure to cooperate in an investigation of their polling methods in the 2008 Presidential Primaries.  Click here for an article about the poll and the investigation.

While we remain skeptical of their methods, their results show that in the four months that he has been campaigning former Governor Barnes cannot rise above the 45% mark.  I am convinced that, like Hillary Clinton, Barnes has high name recognition, is a known quantity and has a ceiling that he cannot surpass and can’t win the General Election.

All the best,

David Poythress

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Lieutenant General (Ret.) David Poythress is the immediate past Commander of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard. He previously served as Georgia's Commissioner of Labor and Secretary of State, and he is a Democratic candidate for Governor in 2010.

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