Fresh Loaf

Now that Roy Barnes has jumped in the 2010 governor’s race, where does that leave other Democratic challengers who’ve already announced their plans? Here’s what we’re hearing from little birds that land on our windowsill, chirp silly songs, and blurt rays of gossipy sunshine into our dark and twisted lives:

• Attorney General Thurbert Baker: Our tipsters tell us that Baker was apparently waiting to hear whether Barnes would run to decide a.) to bow out of the race and join a big-name law firm or b.) make a run for — hold on to your courageous haircuts — U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s seat. Which, judging by Johnny Boy’s popularity in the state, might be the same as dropping out of public service. Longtime political gadfly Tom Houck, who recently floated the idea that retiring Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears might make a run for governor, relays an overnight rumor that Baker could get a Federal judgeship and drop out of the race. High-ranking Democratic Party officials say they’d like to see Baker in a statewide campaign, however.



• House Minority Leader Dubose Porter, D-Dublin: The state House veteran lightly ribbed Barnes when the former governor was reportedly still on the fence. From what we’re hearing, Porter still wants to make a run for governor. But he’s got a tough slog ahead of him. Pundits say it’ll take at least $3 million to run a primary campaign against Barnes. If you survive that battle, you better be prepared to raise as much as $12 million for the general election. There’s also talk Porter should make a go at Speaker.




• David Poythress: The Georgia National Guard Adjutant General is in it to win it, he says. Our tipsters said the same. He even took a shot at Barnes, calling him a “polarizing figure.”

How Barnes’ announcement affects downticket races remains to be seen. We’re hearing Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond — “a team player,” one li’l birdie says — might make another run for his seat. He’d been rumored to be considering a run for lieutenant governor. “Whatever’s the best for the party, Thurmond will do,” our source says.

(Photos by Joeff Davis)

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NPR and MSNBC, citing anonymous sources, both report Supreme Court Justice David Souter has notified the White House that he plans to retire at the end of the current court term. (The Supreme Court declined to comment on the reports.)

The reports say Souter would remain on the bench until President Barack Obama’s nominee to replace him is confirmed. It would be the first Supreme Court Justice pick by the president. NPR says most observers expect the president to make his first appointment to the court a woman.

Since Obama was elected, many Peach State political observers have pointed toward Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears as a worthy nominee if a vacancy appears on the bench. Sears announced her retirement from the highest court in the state last October. She steps down on June 30.

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The presidential campaign, economy and whisper campaign about this “pundit” will take a backseat in the news today as an alien race named the Federation of Light will visit our perfect world.

According to several believers, a “craft of great size shall be visible within [our skies]” and will land in the southern hemisphere. I’m only mentioning this because “Alabama” has something to do with the landing.

From Blossom Godchild, psychic and channeler (click on “Federation of light” on the left menu, then “The Message”):

TO LEADERS, GOVERNERS, POLITICIANS AND
ALL PEOPLE OF EARTH …

We wish it to be understood that on the 14th day of your month of October in the year 2008 a craft of great size shall be visible within your skies. It shall be in the south of your hemisphere and it shall scan over many of your states.

We give to you the name of Alabama.

It has been decided that we shall remain within your atmosphere for the minimum of three of your twenty four hour periods.

During this time there will be much commotion upon your earth plane. Your highest authorities will be intruding into ‘our’ atmospherics that surround our ship. This ‘security field’ is necessary for us, as there shall take place a ‘farce’ from those in your world who shall try to deny that we come in LOVE.

KNOW OF THIS
WE COME TO ASSIST YOUR WORLD.
WE DO NOT COME TO TAKE OVER.
WE DO NOT COME TO DESTRUCT.
WE COME TO GIVE YOU HOPE.

This blog reported lights over Australia and said the ship was supposed to appear in North America this morning. Didn’t happen. (How awesome is it that Tom Cruise has a paid ad on the site?)

If the Federation of Light does pull through and makes an appearance, please go easy on them. Don’t ask them what they think about the bailout package or if Barack Obama is really a Muslim. These superior beings have more important things to check out while they visit us.

In other news, the Georgia General Assembly will try to arrest these illegal immigrants. CL, however, welcomes its alien overlords and offers free advertising space for their message of love and unity.

(Hat tip to Christa at PecanneLog, who is clearing a landing zone in Eufaula, Ala.)

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