Barnes, Political Possibilities for PBA

Former Georgia Governor, Roy Barnes, gave an animated speech as he stood before PBA members and attendees of the PBA leadership class. Barnes told of his experiences as Governor and his journey into the political arena.   A long time friend of law enforcement, Barnes presented a realistic, no holds barred picture of politicians and their priorities while offering his opinions and advise on strategies to gain political favor.

“…building a relationship with a political ally starts years before they are actually in a position to help you.  Knowing where a representative eats breakfast on Saturday morning is more valuable than any petition.”

Governor Barnes also alluded to his attempts to introduce a “Due Process Bill” for law enforcement. He told the PBA members that his attempts were met with adversity and that the road to getting a bill like that passed would be a difficult one, but not impossible. He encouraged each member to continue to build relationships and gain favor for future actions.