End Of The Road For Blue Dog John Barrow?

Blue Dog Heath Shuler is going into lobbying & John Barrow is likely to join him after November

Ironically, working class blacks saved the miserable career of reactionary Blue Dog John Barrow when most of his conservadem colleagues were being wiped out in the Great Blue Dog Apocalypse of 2010. In 2008 (while Obama was winning his district with 54%) Barrow won reelection with a healthy 66%-- 164,562- 84,773. Two years later, Barrow, after voting consistently with the Republican Party on most crucial issues-- his ProgressivePunch lifetime crucial vote score is a dismal 39.09... and that's sunk down to a mere 25.89 for the current session-- won 57-43%, 92,459- 70,938. As you can see, that was a lot of Democratic voters from 2008 who stayed away from the polls in 2010. That was the pattern that ended the careers of over half the Blue Dogs. But, like I said, African-American voters did come to the rescue of Barrow.

This year, many of those African-American voters can't help Barrow. The Republican-controlled legislature-- which has been after Barrow for his whole career-- has gerrymandered the district and left a lot of black areas in Savannah out of GA-12 and replaced hem with very white Augusta suburbs. The new boundaries wouldn't have seen an Obama 54% win; it would have seen a McCain 56% win.

Barrow is a Blue Dog co-chairman (for policy) and a member of the corrupt conservative New Dems as well. He's one of the most dependable Democrats Boehner and Cantor can depend on to help them present their radical and extremist agenda as "bipartisan." This week, for example, he was one of the 16 corporately-owned Democrats to join the GOP in trying to wreck the EPA. But he's against progressive solutions across the board.

Blue Dogs and yellow dogs will turn out for Barrow this year... but that's about it. And there aren't enough of them in the new district to save his scrawny neck. And the GOP isn't taking any chances. The NRCC has reserved $900,000 in the Augusta and Savannah media markets to use against Barrow starting in late September. That's a fortune in that district. And the bonus for the GOP is that "ex"-Blue Dog Steve Israel has put Barrow in the DCCC's Frontline program for endangered incumbents and will be sucked into wasting between a million and two million dollars on a pointless, unwinnable race. Israel will waste an unconscionable amount of money to try to save Barrow-- who has virtually no chance to win-- starving several campaigns that could be won, but won't because of Israel's ideologically-driven decision-making. Notice that the DCCC ActBlue page shows that between 3 grassroots donors who have made the decision to contribute to Barrow's campaign, they have raised him $8, the smallest amount of any Frontline candidate.

REGINA! Is Back-- And Barrow Shouldn't Start Counting His Chickens Yet

There's no way to prove that sleazy Blue Dog John Barrow stole the primary election in Georgia July 20. The state of Georgia made certain of that by opting for voting machines with no paper trail. What we do know is that Barrow was unable to buy off the electoral officials in the biggest county in the district, Chatham (Savannah) and that there Regina Thomas swamped him better than two to one. According to the Secretary of State's official canvas, Regina wound up with 6,083 votes and Barrow, the Blue Dog incumbent only took 2,788 (in his adopted hometown). She won Screven, a rural county north of Savannah, with a much closer margin but lost the rest of the district with suspiciously high returns, including tiny Johnson County which early returns showed she had won (with approximately 90% of the precincts counted before it tuned into a route by Barrow). In the end, the official canvas shows Regina with 14,201 votes (42.1%) to Barrow's 19,505 (57.9%). As of June 30, the FEC shows Barrow had raised $1,344,515 and spent $713,332. Regina raised $43,709 and spent $35,792. The day after the election, Regina, in excellent spirits, called me up and told me she wouldn't be challenging the results or even running again.

I just got off the phone with her. She's running in the November general election as a write-in Democratic candidate. "When I lost the Democratic primary on July 20," she began, "I had no thought or inkling that I would even consider qualifying as a write-in candidate. With 42% of the vote and barely raising the amount to run a viable campaign... it wasn't a bad showing. But my thoughts were of the people in the district, a district that has been represented by a "Blue Dog" Democrat for the last 6 years and the residents of the district, my friends and neighbors. So many people asked me to run as an Independent-- not an option for this Democrat-- then there were others who said be a 'write-in'... something to consider. At least I would still be a Democrat. I had to weigh the pros and cons. What did I have to lose? How would this affect the outcome of the general election and, most important, how would it effect the people here? One thing I do know-- a Republican cannot win the 12th and since we are already represented by a 'blue dog'-- what do we have to lose? My conscience would not allow me to think of anything else but the district and how we have suffered. I for one do not like to wonder, bite my nails or hold my breath to see if the 'blue dog' would turn 'yellow' and vote with the party. How can we trust a politician that will campaign one way-- say what they will do/support then do the exact opposite?

"It is past time that we bring back trust between those elected and the people back home. It is time to have a representative with integrity whose word is their bond. It is past time to have a representative who cares for the whole district and votes for what is right and not what is popular or just to get elected.

"I am first and foremost a Democrat, a true public servant who has the desire to serve-- even when my own party will not support me. As I have said, this is not about me; it's about being able to trust who is elected, it's about we the people, of the people, for the people and by the people. If the GA 12th is ready for a true Democrat who is a public servant with integrity-- then you want REGINA, if not then it will be 'politics as usual'."

Far fewer Republicans showed up to vote (27,477 as opposed to almost 34,000 Democrats) in their confusing 4-way race. The winner of the Republican primary Ray McKinney took far fewer votes than Regina, only 11,709, and ended up with 42.6% of the GOP vote. The other candidates, particularly runner-up Carl Smith, hate him and aren't going to be voting for him. The two of them just faced off in a hard-fought primary last week and McKinney won 14,256 (62%) to 8,722 (38%). The bitterness between the two camps in palpable. Nevertheless, the first response to Regina's declaration tomorrow will be that she's a spoiler who will throw the seat to McKinney.

The first journalist to write about the new situation was Dave Weigel, who went right there:

Here’s another reason to be skeptical that Democrats will benefit from Republican infighting and insurgent candidacies: They’re not keeping their own house in order.

...“I’ve had a lot of people asking me to run,” Thomas told me in a phone interview. “The people deserve it. Those who voted for me on July 20, and those who didn’t vote because they didn’t realize I wouldn’t be on the ballot – they deserve a chance to restore some honesty and integrity to the relationship between this district and its representation.”

Thomas’s two runs against Barrow pitted her political base against the national Democratic Party, which intervened for the congressman. Then-candidate Barack Obama even recorded ads for Barrow in 2008. Thomas said she wasn't worried, and that it would be "dishonest" to back Barrow.

“It is what it is,” said Thomas. “You deal with it. You can't let it stop you. Look, if they're pleased with his voting record, with begging him to support the president, with him embarrassing the president with his votes, that's fine. The president does not live in Georgia. They don’t live in Georgia.”

Thomas said that she's "running to win," and doesn't think Republicans have a chance at winning the seat. In Georgia, a candidate who fails to win more than 50 percent of the vote on election day is forced into a runoff. The most likely beneficiary of a situation like that would be GOP candidate Ray McKinney, but Thomas confidently predicted she'd make the runoff and that McKinney had "no chance."

This is all happening in a context of a battle Pelosi is working furiously to tamp down: Democrats vs Blue Dogs. Russell Berman and Molly Hooper interviewed Henry Waxman for The Hill last week and he spat out some positions that are as impolitic as they are clear headed. I hear the coverage at DWT ruffled some feathers from our serious friends Inside the Beltway. Steven Dennis at Roll Call has been sniffing around the story and reports that Waxman has walked back his anti-Blue Dog howl in the night and that Barney has "clarified" his tirade as well.

While Waxman’s comments earned rave reviews from some left-wing bloggers, Blue Dogs fumed. They sought a rebuke from Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and wanted a public apology from Waxman.

Waxman instead wrote a letter to the editor objecting to how The Hill represented the interview and vowing his support for all incumbents.

“For those who support universal health coverage, clean-energy policies, and economic stimulus for our struggling economy-- as I do-- there can be no bright side to the defeat of any Democratic members of Congress,” Waxman said in the letter.

Pelosi, in an apparent effort to quell the unrest, reiterated to the Democratic Caucus during this week’s special session her support for bringing back every Democrat in November.

“The Speaker’s highest priority is to re-elect every single incumbent Democratic Member of Congress, who have worked to create jobs, restore fiscal discipline and move America forward, not back,” said her spokesman, Nadeam Elshami. “The Speaker has said on numerous occasions: we will not yield one grain of sand.”

However, senior aides for moderate [sic] Democrats told Roll Call that Waxman needs to do more to repair his relationships with Blue Dogs, which they say were already frayed by Waxman’s handling of climate change and health care bills in his committee.

“He needs to pony up,” said one aide who complained that Waxman has been stingy with helping Democrats who opposed the health care and climate change bills. “He needs to demonstrate with his war chest that he wants these Members back.”

“I’d like to line them up and ask him which ones are too ‘difficult’ to come back,” fumed a former senior staffer for moderate Democrats. “Those are the types of things that make it tougher and tougher and tougher for the Democratic Caucus to work together collegially.”

The Waxman kerfuffle is emblematic of the broader fight between the two wings of the Democratic Party; moderates feel leaders like Waxman and Pelosi walked them off a plank for issues like the climate bill that went nowhere in the Senate, while liberals have been frustrated that moderates have slowed or watered down a host of agenda items.

Dennis followed the bright shiny object down the rabbit hole and away from a story I suspect he'll be breaking this week when the Blue Dogs go on the offensive and make a concerted effort to destroy a progressive leader. Stay tuned; this is going to be big.

Endorsement: Regina Thomas (D-GA) For Congress

Today is the primary in Georgia and sleazy Blue Dog John Barrow faces progressive Democrat Regina Thomas. Barrow has collected massive amounts of money-- some of it from Republican fund-raisers-- while virtually ignoring the actual voters. He has consistently refused to debate anyone this year and has hunkered down and hoped his overwhelming corporate money advantage will lead to his re-election. The Atlanta Press Club was absolutely brutal to Barrow this week when he didn't show up at their debate. Regina debated an empty podium with aplomb, humor and a keen grasp on every issue that was thrown her way, from Afghanistan-- she thinks we should have already ended the occupation-- to abortion and No Child Left Behind. If you live in GA-12, please vote today. If you have friends or relatives there, please ask them to consider going out and voting for Regina. Here's the "debate":

Sunday Best-- Regina Thomas vs John Barrow

Even though John Barrow-- despite the incumbent protection racket atmosphere that usually trumps all other considerations in DC-- has been unable to raise money from fellow Democrats this cycle, he's still rolling in corporate cash. [Note that the worst of the Inside-the-Beltway corporate shills, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Steny Hoyer plus fellow Blue Dog scum Allen Boyd and Collin Peterson were among the 10 members who did donate to Barrow.] Barrow, probably the most hated congressional Democrat in his own district has already spent $339,652 and has $825,221 on hand to deploy for the July 20 primary against Regina Thomas, who's raised just over $23,000, almost half of it from Blue America supporters.

With just 4 weeks to go, Blue America is still collecting money for Regina-- you can donate directly to be campaign here-- but we're doing something else as well too. We've created a 30 second TV ad and we've started running it in parts of her district. We don't have the money it would take to blanket the big markets, like Savannah and Augusta so we're concentrating on some of the other markets, smaller ones where Regina isn't as well known.

Jacquie, the Blue America media buyer, didn't like the idea of missing the Savannah and Augusta markets-- so she came up with a brilliant idea. You know what American Idol is, right? Well, there's a gospel version of that show which is every bit as popular in GA-12, especially with the kind of family-oriented, churchgoing women Regina will need to turn out on election day if she's going to beat Barrow. The show is on BET and it's called Sunday Best. Tonight is the finale, which pits 79-year-old Elder Goldwire McLendon of Philadelphia against 27-year-old LeAndria Johnson from Orlando. (The video below was LeAndria's original non-televised audition.) Last weekend we ran our spots in every single GA-12 market, including all the Savannah and Augusta cable areas. Tonight we're doing the same thing-- thanks to the Blue America donors.

The 12 week reality show is hosted by Kirk Franklin and includes 3 judges, Tina Campbell of Mary Mary, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, and Yolanda Adams. The winner gets a recording contract, a new car, a $300,000 prize package benefiting his or her community and, of course, the title "Sunday Best." I wish both contestants lots of luck tonight and I hope the show has a record viewership. We've already paid in advance for our advertising. We're still buying spots for CNN, Comedy Central, Food Network, MSNBC and so on. And you can buy spots yourself-- in fact, I hope you will... right here. The least expensive spot we're offering is just $4.00. If you're an HGTV fan though, you know Curb Appeal is a Georgia-based series. In Milledgeville it only costs $8.00 to get our ad on the air. It's fifty cents more to sponsor an ad on the Food Network's Down Home With The Neeleys in Augusta. More traditional advertising slots are also available for shows on CNN or Colbert's program, Rachel Maddow's, Olbermann's or... the Daily Show. Take a look.

Have You Ever Bought A TV Ad For A Progressive Challenger? $4 Is All It Takes!

July 20 is primary day in Georgia and our old friend, state Sen. Regina Thomas faces off, once again, against reactionary anti-health care Blue Dog John Barrow. Except President Obama has declined to support Barrow this year. In 2008, with Barrow swearing to support a family oriented agenda-- including health care reform-- Obama cut a radio spot for him that clearly won him the primary. Obama was sorely disappointed when Barrow's already dismal career-long ProgressivePunch score (55.10) sank to an eye-popping 35.37 for 2009-10.

Although the White House is only withholding support-- and not actively campaigning against Barrow-- Democrats in DC have signaled that they would like to see him lose his seat. Respected Majority Whip Jim Clyburn traveled to Augusta this month-- against Barrow's howls of protest-- to speak in favor of health care reform and other Democratic issues Barrow joined the GOP to oppose. Barrow boycotted Clyburn's appearance, which was attended by Regina Thomas and a bevy of Democratic lawmakers and community leaders. Yesterday the ineffective state Democratic Party chair, Jane Kidd, decried the fact that almost all the local party leaders are supporting Regina. At Barrow's behest she's been demanding they resign from their party posts if they don't, at least, shut up about Barrow's glaring shortcomings.

The Associated Press obtained a letter Democratic chairwoman Jane Kidd sent to county chairmen in Barrow's southern Georgia district, where some party leaders have said publicly the congressman's vote against President Obama's health care overhaul has angered core Democrats... Kidd's letter says criticizing Barrow while he seeks re-election violates state Democratic bylaws that require party officials to refrain from taking sides in contested primaries.

"Any of you wishing to continue this type of activity are required by our Charter and Bylaws to resign any official position with the Democratic Party of Georgia immediately," says Kidd's letter, dated June 1.

...Thomas said the Democratic chairwoman has no standing to tell other party officials to butt out of the race. She said Kidd called her in 2008 to try to discourage her from running against Barrow.

Grassroots support within GA-12 for Barrow, who fled to Savannah a couple of years ago when his own Athens-based district was gerrymandered to elect a Republican, has virtually collapsed. He's never been viewed as anything but an opportunist and interloper and many community leaders see the July 20th primary as a way of getting rid of him.

Blue America is running a TV campaign against Barrow-- with a twist. We're urging progressives who would like to replace him with Regina to buy specific cable TV ads in specific markets. Ads range from BET's Lift Every Voice in Milledgeville ($4.00) through the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC in Savannah ($35.70) and the Colbert Show on Comedy Central in Savannah ($42.50) to USA's In Plain Sight in Savannah ($85.00) and Sunday Best on BET in Augusta ($150). Donors can run one show one time or as many as a dozen times. Please take a look at all the options and please consider helping Regina win this one. And here's the 30 second spot:

Unions, Our Progressive Allies-- Take Two, Georgia Episode

Like I said the other day, unions aren't always dependable progressive allies. It looks like John Barrow has gotten to the Georgia statewide AFL-CIO's Richard Ray. You might find this Communications Workers of America letter as interesting as I did:

All GA Local Presidents

All GA Retirees' Chapter Presidents

Communications Workers of America

May 26, 2010

 
Dear Presidents,

We attended the GA AFL-CIO COPE Meeting last week. During the discussion pertaining to the GA12th Congressional District, I thought at times this meeting closely resembled one that might be conducted by Rush Limbaugh. We opposed the endorsement of John Barrow, because after telling us he was for Healthcare reform and even campaigned on the need for HC Reform, he did everything he could to defeat the Bill in Congress. It did not matter if it was a procedural vote on the Bill or the actual vote. He was against CWA, our retirees, the AFL-CIO resolved to make healthcare better and more affordable for all Americans, the AMA, the AARP and the Alliance for Retired Americans. In other words, he was for the unsustainable status quo. This is nonsense.
 
I was shocked and extremely disappointed that Richard Ray who chaired the meeting actually entered the debate and actively opposed us while he controlled the gavel. Allowing so much bad information to be published which we were not permitted to refute. Such as Tasso Knight saying since Obama Healthcare was adopted he received a letter from ATT telling him about his premiums would have to go up. Another speaker bringing up the ATT charge back. We were not allowed to refute this misleading garbage. After the fact, Richard did apologize and say he was wrong for speaking. That is like a person picking up a gun intentionally pointing it at another person pulling the trigger and say I apologize I was wrong.

The President of the Savannah Central Labor Council, told us that not a single member of that labor council supported John Barrow. They are the 12th Congressional District of GA. This endorsement is unbelievable.
 
Regina Thomas his opponent in the Democratic Primary has been a strong ally and friend of working families, retirees, and senior citizens in both Houses of the GA General Assembly. Her word is the bond.

Thanks for the many, many, many good things in the Healthcare Bill! The efforts of John Barrow to the contrary notwithstanding.
 
I will talk with you all very soon.
 
Thanks,
James Starr
Political Coordinator
GA CWA Retired Members
President Metro Atlanta
Chapter (30901)

At least Obama won't be endorsing Barrow this time. According to the DNC, the president won't be cutting spots for any Democrats who voted against healthcare reform. That's good for Regina Thomas, good for Jim Wilson and good for Claudia Wright, all of whose campaigns you can find on Blue America's BadDogs page.

And if you'd like to see this video on the air in Savannah, Vidalia, Statesboro, Augusta, Milledgeville... even in Screven County and Glascock County, stick some money into the Blue America PAC slot.




UPDATE: I Wonder If Richard Ray Reads The NY Times

Today's Times covers organized labor's valiant fight to hold the corrupt and reactionary Blanche Lincoln accountable. She's certainly is neither more corrupt nor more reactionary than Barrow. And they are both equally opposed to the legitimate aspirations of working families. But it looks like Ray was able to override the wishes of working Georgians while the national leadership was busy in Arkansas.

The unions have made the race here the centerpiece of a new effort to hold union-backed candidates accountable for their votes after they are elected.

The push is fueled by a frustration that goes back years but that peaked in the health care debate and in the failure of the Democratic-led Senate to bring far-reaching pro-union legislation to the floor. Even as unions lose members and bargaining power across the country, their campaign against Mrs. Lincoln shows that they are determined to flex their political muscles more than ever before.

“We’re sending a message here,” said Larry Cohen, president of the Communications Workers of America. “Our members have had it-- not just in Arkansas, they have had it across this country.”

Hopefully someone will tell Richard Ray.

Is There A Bottom To John Barrow's Woes? God Must Hate This Guy

Larry Peterson is Savannah's top political reporter. In fact, he's one of the top political reporters for the whole state of Georgia. Yesterday he rained on Blue Dog John Barrow's parade. Peterson did something few major mainstream political reporters have the guts to ever do: he pointed out that the incumbent is on the take. I've watched Peterson for years; he's scrupulously evenhanded-- sometimes frustratingly so-- and everyone in GA-12 knows it. That's why the revelations about Barrow and his special interests financial connections are absolutely devastating... right from paragraph one: "U.S. Rep. John Barrow's campaign received $12,500 from health care interests on the day he said he'd vote against a major health care bill."

From Augusta down to Savannah and across to Vidalia and Milledgeville, Barrow's constituents were already steaming mad. He lied to them about supporting President Obama's efforts to pass healthcare reform. He voted against Obama in committee twice and against the final bill-- also twice. He may have pleased the white shoe country club set but the ordinary working families, who largely took him on his word in 2008 and supported him overwhelmingly, are furious. Finding out that he was handsomely rewarded by the special interests who were most served by his vote, isn't likely to endear him to anyone. Peterson's analysis of Barrow's FEC filing showing that "most of the money came from groups representing radiologists, gastroenterologists, pathologists and dentists," will continue to make him ever more unelectable, especially in the Democratic primary.

Barrow's "no" vote angered black leaders in his 12th Congressional District. Some now back his challenger, former state Sen. Regina Thomas, in the July 20 primary.

Lobbied intensely by both sides, Barrow was one of the last House members to take a stand on the bill but already had expressed strong concerns.

Asked what he thought of the timing of the contributions, University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock laughed.

"What a coincidence," Bullock said, pausing for a few seconds. "I'm trying to find a way to say this delicately. ... I suppose some people who had concerns about the bill may have wanted their concerns foremost in his mind."

During the first quarter of the year, health care interests pumped about $32,000 into his campaign. Last year, they were even more generous, contributing almost $80,000 in the third quarter alone.

As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, he was a key player last year when the House considered an earlier version of the bill.

Like other committees, the panel helps write laws affecting major businesses that use political donations to protect their interests.

While money doesn't buy votes, "it's a way of making sure a congressman doesn't go out of his way to do them harm," Bullock said at the time.

Barrow's filing also seems to indicate he had a kickback scheme going with Phillip Morris, a conflict that certainly needs to be examined by the House Ethics Committee. Peterson revealed that "reports surfaced he rented a box last fall so donors who shelled out $2,500 each could take in a Bruce Springsteen concert." That isn't uncommon-- but what came next is:

Barrow's campaign paid Altria Group Inc., which owns Phillip Morris, $6,666 to use the box at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Since Jan. 1, 2009, Altria has given Barrow $9,500. The Energy and Commerce Committee considered tobacco legislation last year.

There have been a constant stream of rumors that Barrow plans to follow Parker Griffith from the Blue Dog caucus to the GOP. A state Senator who represents part of Barrow's district-- and who is neutral in the race between him and Regina Thomas-- told me on the phone that state Democratic leadership had told members that Barrow is going to bolt, fearful that the grassroots momentum for Regina is now too much for him to overcome and that he realizes he could easily lose the primary. (Barrow, of course, denies he's even thinking of jumping the fence-- as did Griffith just a few days before he made the move.)

Blue America proudly endorsed Regina Thomas long before Barrow's healthcare vote and before this latest round of ethics revelations. He has a long and disgraceful record as one of the worst members of Congress on either side of the aisle, a vain little man and an empty suit who doesn't stand for anything but perpetuating himself in power. He should have stayed in Athens, his home, and faced Paul Broun like a man instead of fleeing to Savannah and hoodwinking people there that he would work for their interests. Please consider helping Blue America raise money for Regina's campaign. Believe me, she won't be getting any from the country club set in the district.

There's No Racism Left In Georgia, Right? Those Days Are Long Gone In The Heart Of The New South

As you probably know, Blue America officially endorsed Regina Thomas Saturday and started raising money for her primary campaign against conservative Blue Dog John Barrow. Regina has a distinguished record as a state legislator and a tireless fighter for ordinary Georgia families. Her signature issues are education, health care and keeping the playing field level for small businesses and regular folks who can't buy influence from government. Her opponent is a weak and vain little man with a distinct lack of principles and no empathy for the people he's supposedly representing. So I was shocked when I saw some of the push back against our endorsement.

Barrow's camp has basically pushed the nonsense that "she can't win in the general," implying that an African-American can't win in a Deep South district. McCain may be a very flawed candidate but he's a hundred times the statesman John Barrow will ever be and Barack Obama kept his total in GA-12 down to 45%, his worst Georgia showing outside the Atlanta Metro Area. Are the Barrow people suggesting the district has gotten more racist since then? Yesterday the Savannah Morning News mentioned the Blue America endorsement and I browsed through the comments.

I was astounded a reputable newspaper-- the biggest one in the district-- would even publish the kind of racist trash that passed for comments. I suppose in some quarters this kind of blatant, primitive and vicious bigotry is taken seriously instead of taken down. I'm not talking about earnest-- if misguided-- conservative comments like "Any attempt to legislate 'social justice' is of itself unjust because it takes from some to give to others, legalized robbery." That may be a sad commentary on our education system and the prevalence of reactionary propaganda on the radio, but it isn't what I mean by "racist." And I'm not even calling the coordinated efforts by the Barrow camp to equate Regina with Cynthia McKinney and to claim she will be a "puppet" for Obama, "Racist." This however is another story:

Isn't she a member of that ethnic group that walks around their entire life with one hand out and the other pointing a finger?

Read it again. Make you want to vomit? This is the kind of filthy, vile person Regina has to contend with in an attempt to serve her neighbors and her community as a legislator. Please think about it and imagine how this kind of rhetoric has been used by conservative agents of divisiveness against the Irish, the Jews, the Italians, the Chinese, the Japanese, Latinos, Catholics, immigrants, women in general and then, please think about helping Regina out-- even if only with $5 and $10-- via ActBlue. It's an easy process and you should be finished by the time this song is over:



There's another video I want to suggest as well: this one from C-Span this morning. The conservative or Bircher or KKK nut or teabagger or whatever he is says he's a North Carolina Republican. I guess this is how people like Virginia Foxx, Richard Burr and Patrick McHenry get elected. As you can hear, he's accusing C-Span of taking too many phone calls from African-Americans identifying themselves as Republicans. "You have black folks calling in on the Republican line, independents. And you have so many of 'em I can't believe this is just an accident. If you keep on with the way you've been programming, you should change your name from C-Span to black-span," he said. "I know they have an opinion but I wish that they would be honest and call in on the right line... Everyone one of 'em thinks that Obama is Jesus Christ and they don't like when anybody criticizes him." You know, there still are a few black Republicans. In fact the head of the RNC is probably exactly what this C-Span caller has in mind, although he doesn't realize it. I hate when decent folks get tarred with the same brush that should be used to describe conservatives!

Blue America Welcomes Our Old Friend Regina Thomas (GA-12)

History will remember this week as the one in which a tremendous stride was made down the road towards universal healthcare. But reactionary Georgia Blue Dog, John Barrow, was on the wrong side of history. A stranger to his own district and out of touch with its people, he voted twice in committee and 4 times on the floor of the House against healthcare reform. He voted against the bill last Sunday, causing an explosion of anger among Democrats back home. And then he arrogantly voted against the Senate reconciliation on Thursday evening, one of only 32 conservative Democrats to cross the aisle and voted with the GOP. But voting with the GOP is his default position on most everything. Does that make sense?

Barrow was driven out of his own Athens-based district when it was gerrymandered to make a home for another Republican. He fled to Savannah, which has a strong Democratic base-- a base he has studiously ignored while courting the wealthy (Republican) power structure. Although GA-12 leans Democratic-- Gore won there with 52%, Bush and Kerry were in a virtual dead heat and Obama won with 54%-- Barrow consistently votes as though it were a deep red district and he's been one of the worst-voting Blue Dogs-- but, only when it matters; he supports Democrats when it comes to naming post offices or honoring sports teams.

Today Blue America is honored to formally endorse former state Senator Regina Thomas, a strong advocate for working families with a long record in her district and in the state capitol. Regina will join us at Crooks and Liars at 2pm (EST/11am on the West Coast). She offers her neighbors in eastern Georgia a far different outlook than John Barrow. Regina's perspective on governance is pure FDR-- the government is there to protect us from forces outside of our own control, whether that be foreign enemies or domestic predators. If Barrow's #1 concern is holding down taxes for the powerful and immensely rich transnational corporations that have financed his political career, Regina's concern is that the rich and powerful pay their fair share so that the society that has enriched them continues to prosper and thrive for everyone.

Although Barrow often votes against Democratic initiatives-- and has done so with far more frequency since Obama was inaugurated-- Regina was still surprised he so blatantly voted against the interests of his own constituents this week when he, once again, joined the GOP in opposing healthcare reform. She told me she couldn't believe he "had the nerve" to do it. She drew an interesting parallel to the one place where Barrow does support Obama: war spending.

"The cost of the Afghanistan occupation and war is astounding-- and very harmful to our country. The Congressman from GA-12 did not hesitate to vote yes-- to send more troops to Afghanistan which equates to billions of dollars. And those dollars can be more usefully spent on providing health care for 119,542 in this district; or the money could be used to hire 11,946 public safety officers; or we could keep Music, Art and PE in our schools by hiring 7,727 teachers; or we can provide 94,664 scholarships for our college students, or 87,834 Pell Grants, Or how about if we provide 3,888 affordable housing units in the 12th district, or give 265,922 children health care? Another way to look at that cost is to think about how we would benefit as a society if 66,278 children were to attend Head Start... we need more teachers; we can in one year hire 8,040 Elementary School Teachers in the 12th CD. This district needs a Representative who is committed to standing up for democratic principles. Part of "Yes, We Can," means we can provide 366,568 homes with renewable Electricity for one year. There are many, many things that should be done for this area. But we have a congressman who caters to big Corporations, the Insurance Industry and K Street lobbyists. He votes for them, not for the families in the 12th District.

See that video up top? This is the first in a series Blue America is rolling out. Regina hasn't seen it yet and is seeing it for the first time today, just as everyone else is. Turning it into a TV spot will be our PAC's first political independent expenditure of 2010. When you contribute to Regina on our ActBlue page, please also consider making an extra donation to the PAC so we can get the spot all over TV in Savannah, Augusta and all points in between.

Can John Barrow Survive His Constituents' Anger Over His Bad Health Care Vote?

Although John Barrow is a new resident to Savannah with no roots in the community, he knows that the Morning News' Larry Peterson is the political reporter with his finger on the pulse. So the scared little man who has thrown his lot in with the rich white Republican establishment-- which has never really been enamoured of him to begin with-- must be shaking like a leaf today. Peterson says aloud what everyone in GA-12 but Barrow knows: a backlash among African-Americans, a major part of the Democratic base in the district (perhaps 60% of primary voters), is looming large because of his health care vote. For one thing, Barrow's vote against healthcare reform, opens up the need to look at his whole, despicable, anti-working family voting record. And his Democratic opponent, former state Senator Regina Thomas, whose roots in the community and long and deep, has been helping community leaders to understand who John Barrow really is.

Resentment is seething among black political leaders against Democratic U.S. Rep. John Barrow after his vote against a major health care bill.

The measure, the centerpiece of President Barack Obama's agenda, passed the House narrowly Sunday; Obama signed it into law Tuesday.

At least two black state lawmakers who backed the Savannah congressman in 2008 - or were neutral - now favor Regina Thomas, his July 20 primary election foe.

And Savannah Mayor Pro Tem Edna Jackson, long a key Barrow ally, says she won't be in the primary. She wouldn't elaborate, but had sought his vote for the health bill.

Other black leaders accused him of abandoning his black constituents.

"He has no respect for the people of color who are the majority of people who voted for him," said the Rev. Bennie Mitchell Jr., pastor of Connor's Temple Baptist Church. "There is no way I can support him."

Chatham County Democratic chairman Tony Center said Barrow is in "a lot of trouble" because of his vote... State Rep. Bob Bryant, D-Garden City, who backed Barrow two years ago, has endorsed Thomas. So has state Rep. Mickey Stephens, D-Savannah, who didn't take sides when Thomas, who is black, ran-- and lost-- against Barrow in 2008.

Meanwhile, state Rep. Craig Gordon, D-Savannah-- also neutral in 2008-- said he's now less likely to support Barrow.

The legislators-- who represent parts of the 12th District-- and Mitchell were among those who tried during a Saturday conference call persuade Barrow to reconsider his vote.

"His mind was made up and he wasn't willing to listen," said Bryant, who said he'll vote for a Republican-- or not at all-- if Thomas loses. At least four people are seeking the GOP nomination.

"(Barrow) really ticked me off," said Stephens. "I have people in my district call me every day. They don't have health insurance. They're hurting."

Barrow was able to win the 2008 primary for two reasons: people tend to vote for incumbents of their own party unless they have a strong reason not to (and not enough was known about Barrow at the time for voters to make a rational choice; Regina having almost no budget to get out the message); and because Obama made a you-scratch-my-back/I'll-scratch-yours with him. Obama thought he needed Barrow's help to defeat Hillary, so he bought him off-- just the way every special interest buys him off. Obama cut a radio spot for Barrow. That was his whole campaign. This year, with Barrow having voted consistently with the GOP on almost all of the close, substantive votes, it's not likely Obama will save Barrow's ass again-- especially not against a beloved state Senator whose whole political career has been dedicated to the very issues Obama has been championing. Charles Bullock, a University of Georgia political scientist who watches Georgia politics carefully predicts that "if the African American community turns it's back on him," Barrow will be defeated.

I've been talking with progressive members of Congress about supporting progressive challengers and have meet with absolute steely refusal. Even the congressmen they despise-- like Barrow-- they refuse to go up against. They're all part of the same horrible incumbent protection racket. A friend at the DCCC, railing about his vote against the healthcare bill, told me "off the record" that he hopes Blue America can help Regina Thomas defeat him. The Congressional Black Caucus is seething at Barrow now. According to CQPolitics "Even before the votes were cast, the political implications were starting to play out for... Barrow."

Some aides said the message delivered to Barrow was clear: If he opposed it, he could expect to see CBC support for a primary challenger.

Corrine Brown, whose North Florida district is near Barrow’s, said she leveled no threats in the three conversations she had with Barrow to urge his support, on behalf of his black constituents. But she said she would no longer travel to Savannah to campaign for him, as she has in past races. “He was very nice in our conversations,” she said, “but nice isn’t what I’m looking for. Members who represent large numbers of African-Americans should be sensitive to the people they represent. Health care is the new civil rights.”

Good for Corrine. But in the end of the day, it's the grassroots in eastern George who will determine whether an elitist Republican-lite clown with buffoonish visions of senatorial splendor will represent them or if a sincere and hardworking true Blue Democrat is better suited for the job. Saturday, Regina will be the Blue America special guest at Crooks and Liars for a live blogging session at 2pm (est). If you'd like to help her get out her message, and help her alert Georgia voters that there's a fox on the henhouse, please think about contributing to her campaign here.

Blue Dog John Barrow Votes Against Healthcare And Should Be Replaced By Regina Thomas

The healthcare reform bill passed this evening-- as did the related bill regarding the Senate fixes. The bill itself passed 219-212, with 34 Democratic defections. The aisle crossers were: John Adler (NJ), Jason Altmire (Blue Dog-PA), Mike Arcuri (Blue Dog-NY), John Barrow (Blue Dog-GA), Marion Berry (Blue Dog-AR), Dan Boren (Blue Dog-OK), Rick Boucher (VA), Bobby Bright (Blue Dog-AL), Gene Chandler (Blue Dog-KY), Travis Childers (Blue Dog-MS), Artur Davis (AL), Lincoln Davis (Blue Dog-TN), Chet Edwards (TX), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (Blue Dog-SD), Tim Holden (Blue Dog-PA), Larry Kissell (NC), Frank Kratovil (Blue Dog-MD), Lipinksi, Jr (IL), Stephen Lynch (MA), Jim Marshall (Blue Dog-GA), Jim Matheson (Blue Dog-UT), Mike McIntyre (Blue Dog-NC), Michael McMahon (NY), Charlie Melancon (Blue Dog-LA), Walt Minnick (Blue Dog-ID), Glenn Nye (Blue Dog-VA), Collin Peterson (Blue Dog-MN), Mike Ross (Blue Dog-AR), Heath Shuler (Blue Dog-NC), Ike Skelton (MO), Zack Space (Blue Dog-OH), John Tanner (Blue Dog-TN), Gene Taylor (Blue Dog-MS), and Harry Teague (NM). The most likely Democrat to lose his seat in a primary is the subject of this post.

Although GA-12's rich, white Establishment-- including their newspapers, radio and television stations and their country club networks-- are overwhelmingly conservative and Republican, they have been successfully bringing a great deal of pressure to bear on Blue Dog John Barrow, a weak, narcissistic and pathetic little man with laughable visions of senatorial grandeur. The local newspapers framed today's healthcare vote as one that, if opposed, could save little babies from being aborted and as one in which Barrow had to stand up and protect Georgia from the tyranny of... Nancy Pelosi.

Our colleagues at the Savannah Morning News want Rep. John Barrow to stay true to his "Blue Dog" image and vote against the Democratic health-care plan... We hope the congressman hasn't simply been waiting out the prevailing winds. This is one of the biggest issues to come before this or any other Congress. This is an issue of great importance to the fiscal viability of the country and the individual liberty of its citizens. We hope his and others' votes come down to principle-- and that his principles properly reflect his largely conservative district's, regardless of any pressure Democratic leaders may be applying.

We know John Barrow. We don't agree with him politically on a number of issues. But we know he has his head screwed on straight-- and that he knows he works for the people of the 12th District, not for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or even President Barack Obama. He's told us as much.

Even so, he may have to say it into the mirror: Barrow is among a handful of House Democrats that ultra-liberal MoveOn.org is threatening if they take down health care. The group claims to have raised over $1 million in funds it plans to use to find more liberal Democrats to run against Barrow and the others.

Georgians know how silly that is, and Barrow should too: Even if a far-left candidate took him on, it's unlikely 12th District voters would flock to him or her-- and even if Barrow lost, his Democratic challenger would find the left lane ending at the November election, throwing the district into Republican hands.

I hope MoveOn.org supports Regina-- she was added to the Blue America endorsed candidates page today and will be live blogging at Crooks and Liars with us next Saturday-- but she is hardly "an ultra-liberal" or someone being created by MoveOn to take down Barrow. In 2008 she gave up a safe state Senate seat to run against Barrow in the primary. He was saved by Obama's endorsement, an endorsement Barrow has repaid with the worst voting record of any Democrat representing a solidly Democratic district in America. And Regina, who has a proven record supporting the interests of Georgia working families, would certainly have been there for Obama on countless issues Barrow betrayed them on-- the latest, of course, being today's vote on healthcare reform.

As late as Friday, one of Savannah's most connected political reporters, Larry Peterson, quoted Regina saying that she just did not believe Barrow would so blatantly vote against the expressed interests of his own constituents, who very much want healthcare reform. Remember, Barrow unceremoniously fled to Savannah and GA-12 to escape his former newly gerrymandered Athens-based district, now GA-10, to escape the red tide. GA-10, now represented by knuckledragging racist Paul Broun, gave McCain 61% of its vote while GA-12 only gave McCain 45%, his worst showing outside of the Atlanta-Metro area. Democrats and independent voters in GA-12 want healthcare reform, just like most of America does.

Accusing him of "playing games," the Democrat-- former state Sen. Regina Thomas-- predicted Barrow will switch at the last minute.

"He'll say no until the vote," Thomas said. "But he wants to be a hero, so I think he will switch back and vote yes. ... I think it's horrible."

On Friday, local state senator and Democratic National Committee member Lester Jackson urged supporters to ask Barrow to vote yes... [Barrow] restated his opposition to letting federal funds be used for abortions and implied his vote on the bill would reflect constituents' views.

Chatham County Democratic Committee Chair Tony Center said he's "very disappointed" and that the committee repeatedly called on Barrow to back the bill.

Here's the ad on the tippy top of today's Savannah Morning News website:


Barrow, although he is fooling absolutely no one, is telling his friends on the Democratic side that he just can't vote for the bill because it is too easy on the big bad Insurance companies (who have given him over $80,000 in return for a record of solid support for their interests in the past). Moments after he crossed over to the Republican side of the aisle, something he reflexively does on tough, close, substantive votes, we reached Regina. This is what she said about Barrow's votes tonight:

With the exception of the economy, education, and the environment, healthcare reform is the single most critical issue facing Congress today. The votes are in! And for once, the Congressman from GA-12 did exactly as he said he would, he voted "NO!" This is a VOTE akin to the start of the American Revolution and the "shot heard round the world," as it is now ricocheting loudly-- and negatively so-- in the hearts and minds of Americans far and wide, and most assuredly those of Georgia’s 12th Congressional District. But why? Why did the Congressman from GA-12 cast a vote against the 12th District? Why did he deny those in his district without health care the opportunity for available and affordable health care? Why is it that ‘WE the People’ are not as good as those who have Government Health Care (like our US Congressmen and US Senators)? After all, is it not the taxpayer who pays for their Health Care Insurance?
   
What is the definition of a 'perfect bill' or a ‘better bill?' Legislation is a work in progress-- you make changes as needed. I see Health Care Reform as a Human Rights Issue and to vote against something that will help so many is inhumane. It is not good to forget or take for granted the vote. Obviously, the Congressman from GA-12 has forgotten who elected him! 
 
The 12th District is one of the poorest districts in Georgia-- what could the Congressman have been thinking? Certainly it was not about those in rural areas who must travel to the next largest city to see a doctor; and certainly not the man, woman or child taking Chemo treatments, or radiation treatments, or on dialysis or in need of their insulin because they are diabetic. He was not thinking about that person or persons infected with HIV-Aids, or the women who are suffering from breast cancer (who by the way can no longer work and has been given a separation notice). He couldn’t have been thinking about the people who have lost their jobs because of the economy and cannot keep a roof over their heads or feed their families, and all the while still having to worry about the lack of health care for themselves and their loved ones. He couldn’t have been thinking of the college student who at the age of 24 can no longer be on their parents’ policy, or those with pre-existing conditions. He certainly wasn’t thinking about the senior citizens whose premiums continue to rise and then they fall in the donut hole, nor was he thinking about the many home owners who are in foreclosure because their medical bills far exceed their income. And further, he for sure was not thinking about the 13,700 small businesses that would receive tax credits for their employees. Is it possible that he wasn't even thinking about the 187,000 families who would also receive tax credits? Certainly he couldn't have been thinking about the 83,500 uninsured residents in the 12th district who (when the bill passes) would have coverage.
    
Is the bill perfect? NO! It is better than what we have now-- hope for a brighter tomorrow, that the time will come when all uninsured persons will have access to affordable and accessible health care.  

Lastly, the Congressman campaigned in 2008 that he would support President Obama (after all candidate Obama endorsed him) pass Health Care Reform. The Congressman from the 12th went to the local churches-- promised them that he would do just that help pass legislation to reform Health Care. Then he voted "NO." I will say the Congressman from the 12th has forgotten or he just doesn't care.

  
Barrow really needs a strong primary challenge. He's got all the money he can use from the special interests he's been coddling. Regina has nothing but grassroots support. Please help her here.

Although she's one of the few Democratic challengers against a healthcare opponent, several Democrats running against Republicans actually got boosts tonight by the lockstep GOP vote against the American people. Billy Kennedy, another Blue America endorsed candidate, is facing strident healthcare opponent Virginia Foxx. This evening Billy told us that "As expected, Congresswoman Foxx has put politics before the people of Western North Carolina by voting 'no' on health insurance reform. While she enjoys a tax-payer subsidized plan, her 'no' vote is an affront to the 119,000 Medicare recipients in the district who want the donut hole closed, and the 53,000 residents who are uninsured.”

I heard a similar message from Natalie Mosher who is running against conservative Republican Thaddeus McCotter in the suburbs west of Detroit and sent this message to Oakland and Wayne County voters. "As Chair of Republican Policy Committee, McCotter is directly responsible for the GOP's obstructionist tactics, cheap theatrics, and spin-- all the while he receives first-class health care as a benefit afforded to all Members of Congress. Simply put, guaranteed health care is okay for him, but not for you. His vote today against you will endear him even more to big insurance companies."

Mitchell Howie is the Alabama Democrat going up against fence-jumper Parker Griffith, who voted no as a Blue Dog and just voted no again as a Republican. A few minutes ago he told me that "Parker Griffith is the sort of self serving politician who knows nothing about service or representing working families in this district. His vote is the latest example of him caring more about insurance companies and special interests than the people. The people of North Alabama deserve a representative who is committed to service of the people not large corporations and insurance companies."  

Bill Hedrick also faces a Republican fanatical opponent of healthcare, Ken Calvert. After today's vote Bill told us that "For 18 years, Ken Calvert has put party politics before the people of this district.  Today he had a chance to redeem himself by voting for the landmark health insurance reform bill that would directly help hundreds of thousands of people in the 44th. But Ken Calvert, once again putting his personal and party interests first, voted against it." 

On more thing about Barrow-- when I called the DCCC and asked them for a comment on him deciding to vote against healthcare redorm and stick with his Republican allies, I got dead silence. "Are you going to keep him on the Front Line list and funnel unsuspecting grassroots Democrat's money into re-electing him?" I asked. "You know," I was told, "we can't comment on that. But, off the record, take him apart. I hope he loses the primary." So do all of us at Blue America. Please contribute to Regina's campaign.

Can Regina Thomas Beat Blue Dog John Barrow In July?

Wednesday we published a letter that the Bulloch County Democrats sent to Rep. John Barrow, warning him not to take their support for granted. It ended with this paragraph:

Mr. Barrow, we have supported you throughout your time in the House. Even in the cases where we did not agree with your voting record, we stood firm and said John Barrow is our guy and we will back him. However, now our concern has grown into action. So, please be advised, that as chair of the Candidate Recruitment Committee for the Democratic Party of Bulloch County, an active search for a Democratic challenger in upcoming elections for the 12th district is a strong possibility. As always, you have an open invitation to meet with our membership to share your specific view points and clarify your motivations regarding this pivotal point in healthcare reform. We hope that you will actively support moving our country forward and support President Obama, as we do. (We have not forgotten how President Obama publicly supported
you during the last election.) Please do not take our trust in your service for granted.

Here at DWT a commenter from Chatham County attended the Democratic Party meeting there. She informed us that Barrow needs to look elsewhere for support:

Based on the reaction of his constituents at the Chatham County Democratic Committee meeting in Savannah last night, John Barrow will not be receiving the support of many local Dems in any upcoming elections. John Barrow was present at the meeting and actually tried to defend his vote by saying that the bill wasn't "Good" or Strong Enough. No one bought his used car salesman act. he is gone baby gone!!!

Today, a day after she filed official papers of candidacy with the FEC and ActBlue, Regina spent time with the Savannah State University Young Democrats. Last year the Young Dems, like the Bulloch County Dems, supported Barrow. And like the Bulloch County Dems, they're fed up and ready to move forward.

While Regina was listening to the Young Dems at SSU and sharing her plans with them, I was on a long conference call with major progressive fundraisers from around the country. Among other things, we talked about Regina's candidacy. One savvy funder pointed out something I've been hearing all week: Barrow beat her 76-24%, so how could she hope to win next year? It's a good question and it needs to be answered.

Barrow has no roots in much of the district, including the entire western part of GA-12. His hometown and political base, Athens, was cut out of the district entirely. He didn't win in 2008 because people felt he's been a helpful longtime congressmen. He won for exactly one reason: Obama made a deal with him. Obama needed some conservative white Democrats to wrap up Georgia's primary votes and Barrow needed Obama's help with the African-American majority who make up the bulk of the district's primary voters. So they endorsed each other. The enthusiastic Democrats in the district her an ad from Obama over and over and over endorsing Barrow. That was the election.

Since being elected there is no one who's been watching who hasn't noticed that Barrow's very conservative voting record-- and his tendency to cross the aisle and vote with the GOP-- has become far worse than ever before. A frightened Blue Dog without any convictions, Barrow's lifetime ProgressivePunch voting score is an unimpressive 55.66, one of the worst in the Democratic House caucus. But since Obama took office, Barrow's voting score has sunk dramatically to a dismal 29.41, especially pitiful when you consider than only Democrats in districts voting overwhelmingly for McCain have congressmen who vote as frequently with the GOP as Barrow does. Obama won GA-12 54-45% and Barrow's fear-driven outlook on life is geared in the wrong direction. He needs to start fearing the Democratic base, not rowdy teabaggers and crazed Glenn Beck fans.

In 2008 Barrow spent over $2.5 million, much of it from corporate special interests. Regina raised, primarily from small grassroots and netroots contributions, $100,000. People have been critical of her campaign skills. First bear in mind that she had never lost an election since first being elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1994 and then the Georgia state Senate in 1999. Basically, she won races by meeting all the voters and by building an unblemished record of serving their needs. She campaigns at church suppers and community events, talking with everyone. That works in a state legislative district; not so much is a sprawling congressional district that stretches from Savannah to Augusta to Milledgeville and Vidalia. But Regina is a quick study and this time she's assembling a team to help her with strategy and finance. A Hillary Clinton campaign strategist is working with her to assemble a modern and effective race. They even put up a Facebook page yesterday!

This race is going to be a long, tough slog, not unlike the hard races we fought that eventually led to victories for candidates Donna Edwards, Eric Massa and Larry Kissell. Regina is the first progressive to jump into a race against one of the slimy Blue Dogs who voted against Choice and against healthcare reform. Please consider helping today, even with a small donation at Regina's Blue America ActBlue page. We have 10 brand new Neil Young CDs-- Neil Young And Crazy Horse Live At The Fillmore East, 1970-- and anyone who donates today gets their name put in a hat and gets a chance to win one of the 10 CDs, complements of Blue America.

Regina Thomas Throws One Of Her Lovely Hats Into The Ring-- A Blue Dog's Got A Challenger

Yesterday Regina Thomas made it official and is now campaigning for the Democratic nomination against reactionary Blue Dog John Barrow. For many in GA-12, his dual votes against Choice and against health care reform were the last straw. Jim Morekis at Connect Savannah summed up on the ground: he's in trouble; Republicans won't reward him for voting the Republican line and Democrats are looking to punish him. The district is hurting and Barrow is certainly not unaware of the research his own committee, Energy and Commerce, did on his district. The bill he voted against Saturday night would have been particularly beneficial to residents of hard-pressed GA-12. "In Congressman Barrow’s district," the report reads, "the Affordable Health Care for America Act" will:

• Improve employer-based coverage for 346,000 residents.

• Provide credits to help pay for coverage for up to 187,000 households. 

• Improve Medicare for 90,000 beneficiaries, including closing the prescription drug donut hole for
6,300 seniors.

• Allow 15,700 small businesses to obtain affordable health care coverage and provide tax credits
to help reduce health insurance costs for up to 13,700 small businesses.

• Provide coverage for 90,000 uninsured residents.

• Protect up to 2,100 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.

• Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and health care providers by $69 million.

21% of the residents of the district not on Medicare are uninsured-- 125,000 people. About 90,000 of them would have been covered by the bill Barrow so vehemently fought against, first in committee and then on the House floor. Morelis writes, though, that "Barrow is no fool... a consummate survivor and a crafty pool shark of a politician-- knowing all the angles, using each shot to set up the next one."

But Barrow, usually so adapt at navigating the often stormy political waters that surround being a white Democrat in the deep South, may have taken a vote too far this time.

Like many congressmen in conservative districts, Barrow paid close attention to the theatrics of the "Tea Party" movement over the summer. Despite the almost 100 percent certainty that most Tea Partiers-- or teabaggers, or whatever they call themselves -- will vote straight Republican in the next election, many so-called Blue Dog Democrats still march to their tune on the health care issue.

With his "no" vote, Barrow sent a signal that despite representing a district that gave Obama 55 percent of the vote, despite representing one of the most poverty-stricken districts in the U.S., despite probably needing every African American vote he can get in 2010 to keep his seat, he would still dance with the Tea Partiers rather than the 21 percent of his constituents desperately in need of real access to health care - however imperfectly and bureaucratically administered as it is likely to be.

The blowback has already begun. I'm copied on a local health care e-mail list, and while I won't share the names of who is on it, I will share with you a very typical sample comment:

"A no vote puts him at the mercy of his base. Or what's left of it."

Ouch.

Barrow cannot be naïve as to the ramifications of his vote. While he studiously, and I believe wisely, avoided open town hall meetings this summer -- thus avoiding YouTube moments with rabid Tea Partiers foaming at the mouth while screaming nonsensical slogans like "Keep your government hands off our Medicare"-- Barrow did hold a number of invitation-only meetings with local African American leaders.

They told him in no uncertain terms that they and his most loyal constituents expected a "yes" vote on health care reform after all the support they'd given him in beating back Republican challenges-- including standing with him against a fellow African American in the person of Thomas.

Now, I strongly suspect all bets are off. In fact, I'm pretty much sure of it.

Yesterday's Atlantic Journal Constitution pointed out that Barrow fears his district's (white) conservatives but not the Democratic (black) base. He caters to the conservatives and figures he can muddle by with the Democrats. Last year Obama's ill-conceived endorsement saved his neck. It's not likely that Obama will make the same mistake twice.

You can help Regina defeat Barrow at the Blue America Bad Dogs page. She responded to his perfidy yesterday:

John Barrow attended the Chatham Dems Committee Meeting on Monday night: lots of double talk and contradictions. He said that he is for health care reform but not the one that the House passed. He said that he is 'pro-choice' at the same time he voted for the Stupak amendment. He says that he wants to regulate the Insurance Industry (which, by the way, gave him over $80,000 this year alone), but he voted against the public option-- which within itself will regulate the industry to a degree. He says that he wants to make sure that a person can not be turned down on the basis of pre-existing conditions (which is in the bill)-- but he voted against it.

Well, John, the people of the 12th cannot afford to wait until you get a perfect bill-- so exactly what are you looking for and what are you waiting on? WE need health Care reform now! People in Georgia have long memories and voters in the 12th expect a Representative to do what he promised to do. When John Barrow voted against the President's health care bill last week, Barrow didn't just turn his back on the 21% of his constituients that are uninsured; he also reneged on his campaign promises. He took a slap at every woman in America when he voted to include the restrictions on abortion coverage. Healthcare reform is not about abortions-- it's about insuring the uninsured at reasonable costs. If more women had access to healthcare and contraception, there would be less need for abortions. My reputation as a legislator in Georgia for 14 years has been following through on my committments and promises. Healthcare costs are bankrupting our country and too many Georgia families. And too many of our people who can't afford coverage-- or are deemed "uninsurable" by the for-profit insurance industry-- are being sent to an early grave. We are going to take back Ga's 12th on July 20th 2010 and we will make it clear that this country-- just as I am-- is for and by the people, not for and by the wealthy and powerful corporate interests-- even if they do bankroll all of one party and too many from my own.

Regina is hardly the only Democrat in GA-12 to have noticed that Barrow is voting with the Republicans on virtually every important piece of legislation. This is a letter from the Bullock County Democrats that went out just in time for Barrow's appearance in Statesboro this evening (5-7pm at RJ's Seafood & Steaks, 434 South Main Street).

This letter is being written with the utmost concern and has been endorsed by the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Bulloch County. In recent months the debate over health care reform and the economy has more than saturated the news networks, newspapers, and our daily lives. It is for certain that our country is at a crucial historical moment. It is during these times that we must make meaningful, bold moves for the long-term well being of our beloved country.

Several months ago, one of my dear friends lost his battle with his ever failing health. In an effort to help him, several members of the community raised money to help pay for his medical expenses. Near the end of his life, his friends and family received the news that he was in dire need of a heart transplant. Well, suffice it to say, he was unable to get the transplant and eventually lost his battle. As I have reflected on my friend’s life, it is clear that his death was due to a lack of consistent health insurance.

Mr. Barrow, I understand that there is a lot on your plate and as a public servant you are often pulled in many directions. Nonetheless, you must understand that you are more than just this region’s representative. You are one of its leaders. Rosalyn Carter once said, “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” John, we want a health reform bill that has the public option. Any bill without a public option is a win for the lobbyists and the insurance companies.

Mr. Barrow, we have supported you throughout your time in the House. Even in the cases where we did not agree with your voting record, we stood firm and said John Barrow is our guy and we will back him. However, now our concern has grown into action. So, please be advised, that as chair of the Candidate Recruitment Committee for the Democratic Party of Bulloch County, an active search for a Democratic challenger in upcoming elections for the 12th district is a strong possibility. As always, you have an open invitation to meet with our membership to share your specific view points and clarify your motivations regarding this pivotal point in healthcare reform. We hope that you will actively support moving our country forward and support President Obama, as we do. (We have not forgotten how President Obama publicly supported
you during the last election.) Please do not take our trust in your service for granted.

Again, please give Regina a hand here. In fact, the first 6 people who donate at least $30 today will get a special Blue America thank-you: a rare special edition Best of Chris Issak two disc set-- a CD with 14 re-mastered classics and a DVD with 18 videos including audio commentary from Chris on each one. Memories are made of this... and this:

John Barrow-- Losing Friends And Cooking His Own Goose Down In Georgia

Please allow me to introduce you to a delightful and passionate woman living in Savannah, Georgia, Dr. Barbara Allison-Simpson. A mutual friend told me that Barbara and I had something in common; both of us were angry that John Barrow had lied to us. In her case, he lied in her church. Barbara is the widow of a retired Navy submariner who lived in Hawaii for 19 years while he was stationed in Pearl Harbor and then moved back to Detroit where she studied and then worked as a Creative Problem Solving Consultant before earning her doctorate at United Theological Seminary in 2006 at which time she was Divinely inspired to move to Savannah. She serves on the ministerial staff of First African Baptist Church, the oldest Black congregation in North America which is in the oldest brick building constructed by enslaved Africans for enslaved Africans. She told me about her experience with John Barrow and I begged her to do a guest blog here at DWT. And she was fast.

Republican In A Blue Dog Coat

-by Dr. Barbara Allison-Simpson

Like many voters last fall, I hoped that Rep. John Barrow was serious when he pledged his support to the candidate Obama. Unfortunately at my church, First African Baptist Church, his pledge proved worthless. He traveled throughout the black church community in Savannah and Chatham County praising candidate Obama who in turned endorsed John Barrow before the 2008 election. Because his Chatham Democratic supporters had no information about his previous voting record or his 2009 voting record, he did not hold any public town hall meetings in Savannah or Chatham county nor did the local Democratic leadership confront him on his lack of support for President Obama's initiatives, the community-- and I include myself-- were clueless that Barrow lied to us in church.

On Tuesday. September 1, 2009, A number of citizens who supported health care reform met at Barrow's Savannah office in support of health care reform. Several were there because they were concerned with how their correspondences to Barrow might have been misinterpreted based on the written response a number of persons had received. One citizen sent a letter about health care reform but didn't mention the public option and the response was a fulsome thanks for supporting his opposition to the public option! Some others had sent e-mails supporting health care reform and the responses they received didn't mention health care reform at all. Although the congressman was in the office, he never came out to greet his constituents. One lone staff person-- looking like a deer in the headlights-- received a barrage of complaints, concerns, and petitions. Having once been a volunteer in Congressman John Conyers Jr. office working on constituent problems, I was shocked by Barrow's insensitivity to Savannah supporters.

On Wednesday, September 2, 2009, I attended an invitation only town hall meeting for Rep. Barrow sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce here in Savannah. Remember, he was re-elected as a Democrat on the commitment that he would support candidate Barack Obama's health care reforms. But he didn't keep his word. In fact, it was even worse than that. He boasted about the seven Blue Dogs on the House Energy and Commerce Committee stalling the passage of the health care reform. Republicans call it obstructing; Blue Dogs call it stalling... but it amounts to the same thing-- hundreds of American citizens without health insurance or health care needlessly dying in the richest country in the history of the world. He talked about how he and the other six Blue Dogs raised the minimum requirement income for business owners to provide employees with health insurance from $100,000 to $700,000. He had tried to raise it to $900,000 and when he couldn't, he voted against the Frankenstein bill he helped mold. He also told us that his focus was only on the 85% Americans with health insurance-- here in GA-12 there are 114,00 John Barrow constituents without health insurance-- and he didn't think the insurance companies had been given a fair chance. Sunday's Savannah Morning News pointed out that the Democratic base is growing restless with the game Barrow has been playing.

Liberals consider his misgivings about the pending Democratic bill in the House a betrayal of progressive ideals.

There are rumblings about a challenge in next year's Democratic primary... [and there's an] alternative scenario from the left: Legions of folks disgusted with Barrow stay home in the general election and let a Republican win.

Early last month Patrick Rodgers did a lengthy interview with Barrow for ConnectSavannah which explains why Barrow has become a "thorn in the president's side on the issue of health care reform"-- and why he has managed to displease just about everyone on all sides of the issue. His answers are a portrait of a non-leader who stands for nothing and shows neither principles nor values-- just a strategy for getting re-elected.

Will John Barrow Get Away With His Subversion Of Health Care Reform For Working Families?

On Labor Day we featured a guest post from a union millwright (AFL-CIO Local 256 in Savannah) who was fed up with his congressman's shameless tap-dancing around another in a long series of crucial issues where the district's elected Democrat creeps over to the Republican side of the aisle to vote. That would be reactionary Blue Dog John Barrow. The following day, yesterday, The Hill released a list of 23 mostly corporately-owned Democrats who have pledged to vote with the GOP against family-friendly health care reform. It didn't surprise anyone who pays attention to find Barrow on that list.

Barrow has taken a hefty $368,965 from the Medical-Industrial Complex and their lobbyists and another $82,450 from the Insurance Industry. He's counting on their to help him finance his 2010 re-election bid and has made it perfectly clear-- from his actions if not her weasely words-- that families in GA-12 take a back seat to big campaign donors.

In the past labor unions have contributed $774,700 to Barrow. This year, however, working men and women in Savannah, Augusta, Videlia, Statesboro and Milledgeville-- from Taliaferro County down to Toombs and across Chatham-- have come to realize that they've been played. And they're not going to take it any longer. GA-12 is a Democratic district. Obama may have lost Georgia 52-47% but he won in the congressional district 54-45%. His early, wrong-headed endorsement of Barrow allowed Barrow to win his primary battle against state Senator Regina Thomas and then beat his Republican opponent in the general election 66-34%. Without overwhelming support from working families, progressives, and African-Americans, Barrow wouldn't have won. But immediately after being re-elected he plopped himself down in the middle of the House Republicans and voted with them far more frequently on substantive issues than he did with the Democrats.

He's been making a play for angry white Republicans in Georgia but he's got GA-12 mixed up with the KKK-oriented, cracker-barrel district represented by Paul Broun where he lived until last year. With Barrow telling the House whips to count him as a definite "no" on health care reform, we contacted Senator Thomas to ask her about the rumors that union activists in Georgia are urging her to run again. She told us she's been discussing it with her family and supporters, We asked her to give us her own ideas about health care reform. As usual, this tough, forthright woman, who has long called herself "a public servant" rather than any kind of honorific due a public officeholder, did not hold back:

The Public option is crucial to any legislation that affects the public. This district has 114,000 uninsured individuals and according to the study put out by Rep. Barrow's own committee the bill he refused to back would entitle 94,000 of them to gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance. These are my neighbors and friends, people I've served and grown up with here in GA-12. To vote for legislation that does not include some form of public option will not get America where we need to be in health-care reform. The system is broken because the public had no input in how things are now. It's always been big business first. Voting for legislation that does not include this component is "business as usual"-- which is why we are where we are in this Country concerning health-care and so many other issues. I am of the opinion that if you represent people, you must meet publicly with those that you represent, hear what they have to say, know how the changes will effect them and work towards the goal of putting others first and not yourself. If this bill passes almost 3,000 senior citizens here in the 12th will avoid the Donut Hole in Medicare Part D and over 2,000 families annually will have a fighting chance to avoid bankruptcy brought on solely by unaffordable health care costs.

I'm more interested in what happens with small businesses here in the 12th than I am with Insurance Industry giants. Here in this district 13,800 small businesses, the backbone of our local economy, would receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees. Big business can take care of themselves-- but who will look out for the little people, the working class and the small entrepreneurs-- those whose shoulders we stand on, those who have worked hard for little of nothing, still to be trampled on by those who would rather deceive you than to tell you the truth. Given the opportunity to meet with those whom one represents is what democracy is all about. Good bad or indifferent the public has the right to know and to be involved and to have their say. To do less than that is truly unAmerican.

This sure sounds like we're going to have a fighting grassroots progressive running against one of the worst Blue Dogs in America.