We now have a narrative in Georgia's 12th congressional district. 

Congressman John Barrow, who voted against the President's health care bill earlier this year, is facing off against former state Sen. Regina Thomas in the July 20th Democratic primary.  The grassroots activists are furious at Barrow for his vote, but the establishment is doing all it can to prop up the three-term Congressman.

Tuesday afternoon, the Associated Press reported that state Democratic Party chairman Jane Kidd delivered an ultimatum to the county Democratic committee chairs in the district of Congressman John Barrow:

Stop publicly criticizing Barrow and his vote against the Obama-backed health care bill or resign your post in the Democratic Party.

The chairwoman of the Georgia Democratic Party is telling local party heads to silence their criticism of U.S. Rep. John Barrow, a Savannah Democrat facing opposition in next month's primary election.

The Associated Press obtained a letter Democratic chair Jane Kidd sent to county chairmen in Barrow's southern Georgia district. Kidd's letter says party officials need to resign if they continue to criticize Barrow publicly.

Bynum, Russ (2010-6-8). APNewsBreak: Dem chair scolds Barrow's critics. Washington Examiner. Retrieved on 2010-6-9.

Montgomery County Democratic Party chairman John Brewer was the first county Democratic head to yank his support from Barrow over the health care vote.  Several Democratic state legislators in the 12th district who backed Barrow in the past or remained on the sidelines have now switched to Regina Thomas.  The local labor unions appear to be against Congressman Barrow as well.

Yet. the big boys (and girls) in the establishment seem to be ignoring the folks on the ground despite their promises to listen to the grassroots.

Behold the power of incumbency in Georgia.