2010 Georgia Governor's Race: Roy Barnes' Redistricting Plan Backfired on Him Last Time Too

Redistricting the state of Georgia for House, Senate and Congress seats will take place during the new Georgia governor's term starting in 2011. Roy Barnes is chomping at the bit to be at the helm of that again, according to the AJC, just as he was during 2001, when he ripped the reins of power from the General Assembly. But we can't let him!

Roy Barnes opposed by his opponents

Nathan Deal and John Monds are just as insistent that Roy Barnes must never be allowed to play the redistricting game again at the expense of Georgia's citizens. Both Georgia governor candidates oppose Roy Barnes about his redistricting game plan and insist it is a job for the General Assembly to decide, not a biased governor.

"I think we have a commission. It's made up of the House and Senate. Those are the ones we traditionally use," Nathan Deal said.

Deal went on to add that he wouldn't be playing Barnes' kind of politics in this way if he becomes governor, "I will not be a governor who strong-arms the General Assembly," the AJC reported.

John Monds feels the same way as Nathan Deal about how Roy Barnes put his hand in the redistricting cookie jar back then, insisting that this time will be different if he is governor, too.

The AJC quoted Monds as adding, "We stick with the legislature," when discussing his position on the issue.

Roy Barnes' redistricting agenda

The reason Roy Barnes is so gun ho to bring in an alleged "independent counsel" is to influence what portions of Georgia will be represented by which party. He can't do that if the General Assembly maintains that control.

Roy Barnes wants to do what he did in 2001. Roy wants to be able to reduce the jurisdictional geographical size a republican candidate represents in one portion of the state so he can enlarge the area of a democrat in another area. The General Assembly doesn't allow that kind of shenanigans to go on.

I'd call it a smart move on Roy Barnes' part if it wasn't so devious and underhanded. He was King Roy his first and only term of office, and it is obvious he hasn't learned to be different in spite of what his mouth is saying now.

Roy Barnes' redistricting not good for Georgia

Georgia doesn't need any more moves like they are making in Washington. We don't need a governor who is more focused on drawing up geographical lines that benefit his Democratic Party politicians than he is about doing state business.

NY Times predicted Roy Barnes' demise due to redistricting before

In 2001, as Roy Barnes was attempting to draw new district lines in the state of Georgia the New York Times made a bold prediction, saying this about the Democrats and Roy Barnes' "independent commission":

"If they create maps that not only maximize Democratic chances in the two new districts but also threaten any of the eight Republican incumbents, they may encourage one or more of the Republican congressmen to run for governor or United States senator next year."

The NY Times hit the nail on the head, as that is exactly what happened, with Georgians giving Roy Barnes the boot when one of those Republicans by the name of Sonny Perdue ran for governor the next year.

Georgians were so fed up with redistricting shenanigans amidst all the other stuff Barnes did in office that they horsewhipped him but good. That's why Barnes is still carrying only 40 percent of the vote now, six years later. Roy Barnes still hasn't learned, has he?

Resources: Opinion/Editorial; AJC.com; NY Times.com