Republicans aren't the only ones tearing themselves to shreds over ethics.

Roy Barnes calling for stronger ethics in the General Assembly. In an e-mail to supporters, he said:

During my travels across our state, many of you have expressed to me your disappointment in the culture of corruption that seems to run rampant under the Gold Dome, and I share your dismay. Just last week, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that lobbyists have spent $1.3 million to entertain and influence our state’s public officials this year alone. When I hear this news, I think about the hardworking Georgians I’ve met over the last several months – folks who need state leadership on their side now more than ever – and frankly, I’m more than just disappointed. I’m fed up.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Poythress added four Athenians to his list of endorsements.

Former Athens-Clarke Commission Alvin Sheats; A.R. Killian, a radio talk-show host and the city’s first black police officer; pastor and community activist Larry Fort; and Nathaniel Irvin, who I do not know, have all endorsed Poythress, his campaign announced today.

Athens-Clarke Commissioner Doug Lowry and school board member Ovita Thornton had already endorsed Poythress.

Poythress is polling in the single digits but appears to be making inroads in the African-American community. At least four of those six people are black. Trouble for Attorney General Thurbert Baker, who must be counting on the black vote to win the Democratic primary?

Moving on

Count on voters to be sick of the 2010 election by November. November 2009, that is.

Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine announced a $500,000 media buy today, “locking down television and radio across the state.”

If The Ox is coming to a screen near you, the other candidates for governor can’t be far behind. Everybody pack a lunch, this is going to be a long campaign.

In the same press release, Team Ox announced it raised $420,000 in the first half of the year. That haul gives him a total of $1.45 million, with $1 million on hand, campaign manager Tim Echols said.

Democrat David Poythress, as promised, didn’t do too badly. He announced contributions of $460,000 from 800 donors, including, he emphasized in his ongoing onslaught against former Gov. Roy Barnes, $75,000 since Barnes entered the race last month.

David Poythress is considered a long shot at best to win the Democratic primary for governor, so it makes sense that he wishes former Gov. Roy Barnes would just go away.

The puzzling thing to many Democrats, though, is why he insists that it should be Barnes, not him, who drops out.

Poythress sent out another e-mail today calling on Barnes to drop out of – or rather, since he hasn’t actually started campaigning, not enter – the race.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Poythress announced a couple of endorsements today from our neck of the woods:

“Johnny C. Smith is a former Barrow County commissioner and superintendant (sic) of public works for the city of Gainesville. He retired from the U.S. Army after 23 years of service and now sits on the Barrow County Personnel Review Board. Commissioner Smith wants ordinary Georgians to ‘have a seat at the table,’ and he believes that I am the leader who will make sure the voices of his neighbors will be heard.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Poythress has been taking Republicans to the woodshed over the notion – advanced by a state Senate resolution supporting the doctrine of nullification and Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine’s recent emphasis on states’ rights – that this union might not be so perfect, and this house might ought to be divided after all.

Oxendine and three other GOP candidates – Secretary of State Karen Handel, Sen. Eric Johnson and Confederate-flag activist Ray McBerry – told the Savannah Morning News last week that they would entertain secession.

As reported elsewhere, Poythress responded by calling them “childish” and “immature,” and questioning their patriotism in this video:

Athens-Clarke Commissioner Doug Lowry and Clarke County Board of Education member Ovita Thornton have endorsed Democrat David Poythress for governor, the Poythress campaign announced today.

“Doug and Ovita have provided extraordinary, common sense leadership in their community, and earning their support speaks to the strength of our campaign. From our many visits to Athens and conversations about key issues, Doug, Ovita and I have discovered much common ground. As you might imagine Ovita shares my vision for transforming education in Georgia. Here's what Doug says about me:

“‘General Poythress' positions on education, transportation and local control are best for our state. I believe that Georgians will agree with me and support his campaign because General Poythress is the right person to lead, at the right time.’”

Yes, the 2010 election is not for another 19 months. But politicians are already making the rounds.

The University of Georgia College Republicans will host Secretary of State Karen Handel, who’s running for governor, at 6 p.m. today in room 245 of the Student Learning Center.

While nobody usually says anything newsworthy at these gatherings – Alan Powell excepted – the half stump speech/half lectures are a good chance to get to know the candidates a little more in-depth and hear what the kids are thinking about. For the candidates, they’re opportunities to connect with legions of young political junkies willing to work hard for free.

Retired Brig. Gen. David Poythress, the lone announced Democratic candidate for governor, was in Athens campaigning today.

Poythress, a former labor commissioner and secretary of state, held a meet-and-greet at Athens lawyer Ken Dious’ office, then visited Stroud Elementary, where volunteers were doing landscaping work as part of the MLK Day of Service.

Poythress also attended a noon ecumenical service at Cornerstone Church. He said a few words, nothing terribly newsworthy. He noted that not all Georgians took to Martin Luther King Jr.’s message at the time he delivered it, but that President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration will go a long way toward healing those wounds.

Blake.aued@onlineathens.com