Barnes, in a debate sponsored by WSB-TV, said state officials are already enforcing some federal laws, a key element of the Arizona law that empowers local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws.
``Would I sign a law that had some of those elements? I would,'' Barnes said. ``But I would want to make sure it was not a racially profiling bill.
Barnes also said he doesn't believe ``the United States government should sue any state.''
``I don't think that's appropriate,'' Barnes said.
Barnes was one of a few Democratic candidates to answer the question directly during the hour-long debate, which will be televised on WSB-TV on Saturday.
Attorney General Thurbert Baker who is trailing Barnes in a poll released this week said the federal government needs to do a better job of enforcing immigration laws. After the debate, Baker told reporters he would need to see any legislation the state Legislature passed before he could say whether it would win his signature.
Former Georgia National Guard Commander David Poythress said during the debate that he needs to see whether the Arizona law survives an ongoing legal challenge. After the panel, he told reporters he'd be inclined to support a similar version in Georgia if it did.
House Minority Leader DuBose Porter also said after the debate that if the Arizona law was found constitutional he'd sign it.
Former Ray City Mayor Carl Camon said Georgia must have a law that works for Georgia.
State Rep. Randal Mangham was the lone Democrat to say he would oppose the law arguing it could lead to racial profiling.
The Arizona law has become a flashpoint this election season in Georgia and elsewhere. All the Republicans running for governor in Georgia have backed an Arizona-style law.
The Arizona law requires law enforcement officers conducting traffic stops or questioning people about possible illegal activity to inquire about their immigration status if they had ``reasonable suspicion'' they are in the country illegally. The law also makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally.
Following the debate Barnes said he wasn't sure he would go as far as the Arizona law did in making illegal immigration a state crime.
``I don't want us to pay the cost, that is a federal government cost,'' he said. ``If it is a state crime, then you have to house them.''
Barnes said the state could combat racial profiling through law enforcement training.
``That's the way we did it with blacks and we overcame it there,'' Barnes said.
The seven Democrats are vying for their party's nomination in the July 20 primary. Republicans were scheduled for their debate Friday afternoon.
Also on Friday, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed endorsed Barnes. Barnes had backed Reed's bid for mayor.
Roy Barnes
http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/7/230818