Teacher groups react to Barnes in 2010 Gov race

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – Georgia's largest teacher groups are pleased to hear former Governor Roy Barnes admit his mistakes. In 2002, the Democrat lost re-election to Republican Sonny Perdue.

This week, Barnes joined the 2010 race for Governor.

Barnes says not listening to teachers cost him his office. Georgia Association of Educators President Jeff Hubbard says Barnes told him, if elected, he won't make the same mistake.

HUBBARD: "And so I do think that he realizes he had a very ambitious program but not all the voices were at the table and he did pay for it."

But it's unclear how many teachers still harbor resentment towards the Democrat for trying to change teacher tenure and accountability. Tim Callahan is a spokesman for the Professional Association of Georgia Educators.

CALLAHAN: "Since Governor Barnes was Governor, we have hired over 100 thousand teachers in this state and about 75 thousand of those were hired because of attrition. That is they replaced and outgoing teacher who retired or left the classroom for one reason or another."

However, GAE's Jeff Hubbard argues retired teachers still vote. Plus, pundits expect Barnes' opponents to try and sway voters by referencing the past.