Runoff will test character of candidates and city
Between now and Dec. 1, we’re going to learn a few things more about the character of Mary Norwood and Kasim Reed, and about the character of modern Atlanta as well. The city and the two candidates who hope to lead it are going to have their fine words and good intentions tested under fire, which is what a campaign is all about.
Norwood and Reed are both decent people who embrace the city that Atlanta is becoming. For example, in an interview before Tuesday’s vote, Reed praised Atlanta as a place comfortable with its diversity, a city “where talent and merit are going to be decisive and rule the day.”
“The fact that you are an African American will not guarantee that you win the mayor’s office,” Reed said. “I think that’s healthy. If you cannot walk a path through various communities, you will not be mayor now, or in the future.”
Norwood likewise stressed her connections and grass-roots support in every area of the city, black and white, rich or poor.
“Dr. King said we should be evaluated on who we are, not what we look like,” Norwood said. “I’m very hopeful citizens of Atlanta will evaluate me on who I am, not what I look like, and they will select me to be their next mayor.”
But let’s be frank: Racial differences and suspicions are real, even in this city too busy to hate, and it would be naive to pretend otherwise. Race has played a role, probably a central role, in every single mayoral election in this city’s history, and much as we might like to pretend otherwise, it will do so to some degree in 2009 as well.
One test of leadership over the next few weeks will be how the candidates respond to that reality. Will they attempt to soothe and minimize those natural tensions? Or, with the prize within reach, will they or their supporters attempt to leverage those tensions for crass political gain?
The line between typical political hardball and tactics designed to milk racial suspicions can admittedly be murky. Even if race were eliminated as a factor, we would still have two candidates with competing political and geographical bases, and it’s a natural part of politics to play your base off that of your opponent. That’s especially true in a runoff campaign where turnout is likely to be decisive.
But murky as it may be at times, that line does exist, and it’s important. The state Democratic Party, for example, edged close to or even over that line last week when it injected itself into the nonpartisan campaign with fliers charging that Norwood is a Republican.
On the surface it was a meaningless distraction, and Norwood did herself no favors with her flustered response. It doesn’t matter in the least whether Atlanta’s mayor is tall or short, white or black, male or female or Republican or Democrat.
But in a city in which Republican equals white, the underlying message wasn’t hard to decode.
Personally, I voted for Reed in the general election Tuesday. I have reservations about Norwood’s ability to lead a City Council on which she made little discernible impact in her eight years as a member. She’s right on the issues, but knowing the right thing to do and knowing how to get it accomplished require separate skill sets, and I’m not convinced Norwood can implement the solutions she identifies.
Conversely, I think Reed’s record of consensus-building as a black urban Democrat in a Republican-dominated state Legislature would stand the city and the region in good stead. For that reason, I hope to be able to cast the same vote in the runoff that I cast on Tuesday.
However, supporters of both candidates have the right to expect that they conduct this race honorably over the next few weeks. Both Norwood and Reed have earned the right to have their qualifications and positions judged on their merits.
The same is true of the two remaining candidates in the runoff for City Council president. Clair Muller and Ceasar Mitchell are both veteran, well-respected City Council members, and in many ways their race echoes that between Reed and Norwood.
Muller, however, has shown the hands-on leadership skills that Norwood has so far not demonstrated. In fact, while Norwood and Reed are both strong mayoral candidates, Muller might have been a better candidate for the top office than either of them.
All four top candidates have made sincere efforts to broaden their appeals beyond their bases, and it would be a shame to see those efforts tarnished by racial opportunism in the next few weeks.
We’re better than that. We may not yet be the city we aspire to be, but we’re better than that.
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176 comments Add your comment
Angry Black Man
November 6th, 2009
11:48 am
Jay
I’d have to differ with you somewhat on your vote if I had one. Reed has displayed those characteristics that you touted, but I also see him as too connected to past administrations. The previous office holders don’t have a completely stellar record when it comes to running Atlanta. I think Norwood would be a great break from the current chain of control that Atlanta has had. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes and a fresh mind is all it takes to move forward.
Either way, I wish Atlanta the best, because the entire metro area is depending on it regardless to whether or not people want to admit it.
Bosch
November 6th, 2009
11:54 am
Is it just me, or the blogware a real suckopotamus today?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Ate Up With Envy mmm, mmmm, mmmmm!
November 6th, 2009
11:55 am
This being about race is pitiful.
It doesn’t say much good about Atlanta.
@@
November 6th, 2009
11:59 am
I’ve got no dog in this fight, jay. I did see a video of Mary Norwood at “The Beautiful Restaurant” full of beautiful black supporters. Said she made herself accessible to their calls and concerns. When they needed her, she was there.
And damn…..just DAMN!
The state Democratic Party, for example, edged close to or even over that line last week when it injected itself into the nonpartisan campaign with fliers charging that Norwood is a Republican.
Close? CLOSE you say!!??!!
Simply astounding. It was typical for the dems to label her an EVIL REPUBLICAN who has no interest in the black community.
I guess all her black supporters don’t know what they’re talking about.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
November 6th, 2009
12:01 pm
Well, we’ll see the character all right. This Mary Norwood is going to learn she’s about 10 shades too White to ever be elected mayor. She’ll get beat like a rented mule.
Anyhow, I’m laying in a good stock of beer in all the places I haul to. The stock market may be down but the beer stocks in my 401k keep going up and up. So all you drunks on this blog need to get out there tonight and act like a siphon hose if you want me to enjoy the finer things in life once I retire. I know a bunch of you are real beer hogs and you’ll do your part. Course, I don’t haul no cheap kitchen wine so it don’t matter to me if Sister Dusty gets as wobbly as a cow gobbling up spoiled apples.
Have a good weekend everybody.
GoingBroke
November 6th, 2009
12:01 pm
Here is to HOPE.
jackalope
November 6th, 2009
12:04 pm
That was NOT a flustered response by Norwood. It was perfect. Here’s why:
- The highest Norwood ever polled was 45 and 46%.
- On Election Day she got 46%
What does that mean? That means the Reed machine and the the State Democratic party have already gone completely negative and it did LITERALLY NOTHING to her poll numbers.
Why did it do nothing to her poll numbers? Because she responded. She responded nearly instantly and forcefully and has completely negated their attack. NOW THE REED CAMPAIGN HAS NO OTHER NEGATIVE AMMUNITION TO USE.
Lee Morris got tagged as a Republican and it destroyed his campaign. Norwood had no other choice. She chose the proper course of action, probably pissed off a couple hundred Republicans (who will still vote for her anyway) and held on to ALL of her vote – including getting MORE BLACK VOTE than Lisa Borders did.
This is all Fact. Not opinion. If you can show me some veritable data to show that her response was ill advised, I’ll wait for it. If you don’t, I’ll accept that as an admission of you being incorrect.
newA
November 6th, 2009
12:09 pm
Reed is ready for the job, Mary is not.
DebbieDoRight
November 6th, 2009
12:09 pm
ABM: Either way, I wish Atlanta the best, because the entire metro area is depending on it regardless to whether or not people want to admit it.
Actually it’s the entire STATE. The earnings from Atlanta, (remember the Super Bowl, Peach Bowls,etc.); don’t get to stay in Atlanta — it’s distributed throughout the state. So all the yokels who are criticizing Atlanta should really be thanking it for making the whole state viable.
Normal
November 6th, 2009
12:13 pm
Like @@, I’ve got no dog in this hunt either, but I think that between now and 1 December, we are going to witness a knife fight in a phone booth. Just sayin’…
Turd Ferguson
November 6th, 2009
12:14 pm
city “where talent and merit are going to be decisive and rule the day.”
Thats unless you apply for a City of Atlanta job
Hillary
November 6th, 2009
12:18 pm
I was ready for the job, Obama was not.
’nuff said.
Midori
November 6th, 2009
12:34 pm
who needs a laugh?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgJ4Q70FBWU
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Ate Up With Envy mmm, mmmm, mmmmm!
November 6th, 2009
12:35 pm
But instead of a somber chief executive offering reassuring words and expressions of sympathy and compassion, viewers saw a wildly disconnected and inappropriately light president making introductory remarks. At the event, a Tribal Nations Conference hosted by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian affairs, the president thanked various staffers and offered a “shout-out” to “Dr. Joe Medicine Crow — that Congressional Medal of Honor winner.” Three minutes in, the president spoke about the shooting, in measured and appropriate terms. Who is advising him?-ChicagoNews
It made him happy, mmm, mmmm, mmmmm!
Allah Akbar!
Nothing Is Free
November 6th, 2009
12:38 pm
The problem will not be from Ms. Norwood and Mr. Reed. It will come from other sources. and I’m afraid that it will be very nasty.
Angry Black Man
November 6th, 2009
12:39 pm
DDR @ 12:09
Good point!!
Nothing Is Free
November 6th, 2009
12:40 pm
RW
**She’ll get beat like a rented mule.**
Sadly, I’m afraid you are right. The African American turnout will be the largest in the city’s history.
Angry Black Man
November 6th, 2009
12:41 pm
Normal @ 12:13
The visual that I got from that… I don’t think Bounty will be able to clean that up.
Brad Steel
November 6th, 2009
12:41 pm
Let’s see if this city too busy to hate has the spare time that it seems to have always found when needed.
The cynical perspective of this looks like a vote for cronyism verses questionable leadership skills. Politics frequently digresses to the saddest choice.
It's all about the Oh
November 6th, 2009
12:41 pm
It’s always about a race. A race to the finish line. Oh. That race.
Mrs. Godzilla
November 6th, 2009
12:46 pm
That’s what I like about Atlanta…..it’s full of characters!
Mrs. Godzilla
November 6th, 2009
12:50 pm
oh my….another shooting….8 people…..Orlando
stands for decibels
November 6th, 2009
12:55 pm
Damn. just damn.
Cutty
November 6th, 2009
12:57 pm
For all of you complaining about the competence of the City of Atlanta, look at Gwinnett. The expected to receive $200,000 from parking at the minor league stadium there, and instead for a check for $9,100… Call it hoodwinked, bamboozled. The Braves pulled a fast one on the County Commissioners, and in turn the citizens of Gwinnett. Thanks for funding their stadium with nothing in return.
stands for decibels
November 6th, 2009
1:04 pm
look at Gwinnett.
Well, be fair–most of us Gwinnettians knew we were going to get taken to the cleaners on that deal.
But hey, ain’t it a purty ballpark?
Nothing Is Free
November 6th, 2009
1:04 pm
You go girl:
http://abcnews.go.com/
Hit him four times before he hit the ground.
Lorna
November 6th, 2009
1:07 pm
Voting for Reed and Muller-that’s a good pair to have!!!
SOUTHERN ATL
November 6th, 2009
1:10 pm
Excellent article Jay! I agree with you 100%
Brand
November 6th, 2009
1:12 pm
Washington Post – Democrat leaders aim to quell unrest, avoid delays on health reform vote
For party leaders, setting a weekend deadline for passage represented a calculated risk, one that could backfire if the vote fails or continues to be delayed. But they feared that if members were given more time to consider the legislation, new issues could arise, particularly as lawmakers digest the results from Tuesday’s elections.
Well doesn’t that just say it all? How freaking arrogant can these @#$$wipes be? Did they not see the tens of thousands of protesters outside OUR capital?
Can’t let a little issue like tens of thousands of american protesters stand in the way of THEIR dreams.
GET THESE ZOMBIES OUT OF OUR WHITEHOUSE!!!!!!!!!!
Midori
November 6th, 2009
1:14 pm
Did they not see the tens of thousands of protesters outside OUR capital?
just like Bush didn’t see the MILLIONS who came out against invading Iraq?
Mrs. Godzilla
November 6th, 2009
1:15 pm
…can’t let a little thing like tens of thousands get in the way of hundreds of millions…..
Angry Black Man
November 6th, 2009
1:15 pm
I saw that Mrs. G, and I can’t do anything but shake my head.
Marsh
November 6th, 2009
1:17 pm
Allahu Akbar – God is great.
Mrs. Godzilla
November 6th, 2009
1:19 pm
ABM
I am afraid these episodes happen in clusters…..
Doggone/GA
November 6th, 2009
1:24 pm
“I am afraid these episodes happen in clusters…..”
Yep, anytime something that hits the news big like this happens, police around the world brace for “copycat” crimes.
Nothing Is Free
November 6th, 2009
1:27 pm
Midori
Millions worldwide. Not marching into the Congressional Office Building.
And don’t forget, Democrats voted to go to Iraq. They own it just like the Republicans own it.
NO republican owns this “worst bill in our history-WSJ”.
They are now not going to post it on the web like they promised and like the failed stimulus, they will force the vote before anyone has time to actually read it.
I’m all for the democrats being as slimy as they can. We are going to send them home next year. When NJ turns red, the writing is on the wall.
Midori
November 6th, 2009
1:29 pm
NIF –
yes.
millions worldwide.
and they weren’t bussed in by Fox and Friends.
Marsh
November 6th, 2009
1:29 pm
Fact: President Obama has kept us safe longer than Shrub did.
Joan
November 6th, 2009
1:31 pm
Jay, did you read the headline in today’s paper. Didn’t it say this election would be all about race? How is that for attempting to incite a riot? The AJC is worse than a joke. I am sure you are ashamed of it, as most intelligent people are. If Reed wins because he is “ready” it is only because he already knows how and from whom to have his pockets lined, and has his relatives lined up for jobs.
Angry Black Man
November 6th, 2009
1:31 pm
NIF
Reminds me of a joke I heard while going thru the academy.
Lawyer: Why did you shoot my client 13 times?
Officer: He fell to the ground before I could reload.
Lawyer: And what did you feel when you shot him?
Officer: Recoil!
getalife
November 6th, 2009
1:32 pm
nif,
Are you the corporal?
Midori
November 6th, 2009
1:32 pm
NJ turning red?
LOL!!
You ever been there?
Bwahahahahahahahaha!!!
It’s alllll yours!!
Mrs. Godzilla
November 6th, 2009
1:36 pm
http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf
1990 glorious pages
Brand
November 6th, 2009
1:38 pm
Lemmings! All we want is time. All we want is transparency. All we want is to have our voices heard. This administration can’t delivery on any of those.
Poll: Majority says health bill not ready
As House Democrats prepare to push through their health care overhaul this weekend, a new poll suggests that most Americans aren’t satisfied with the sweeping measure and want Congress to keep working on it.
In the CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released this morning, 33 percent of respondents said they wanted Congress to pass the final legislation only after “major changes” are made, another 24 percent said Congress should start from scratch and seek passage next year, and 15 percent said Congress should stop work on an overhaul altogether.
The poll also found 55 percent in favor of the public option — a government-run plan to compete with private insurers — though that support was down from 61 percent two weeks ago. Support for President Obama’s health care plan has also declined to 45 percent from 49 percent in mid-October.
And the poll found that health care is far behind the economy in importance to Americans — and that gap has grown in the past two weeks. Now, 47 percent rank the economy as the most important issue facing the nation, compared to 17 percent for health care — a 30-percentage-point difference compared to 21 percentage points two weeks ago.
No vast majority. No vast minority. Just people who want this fascist train to slow down. We want safe passage.
If they rush it through, it will be at their own political peril. Go ahead, libs, cheer them on. It’ll be the last chance you ever have to cheer your party. The voters will drive them over the cliff in 2010 and 2012.
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/11/poll_majority_s.html
Marsh
November 6th, 2009
1:39 pm
Jon Stewart
There’s a war going on in America, and the stakes are nothing less than Glenn Beckerwood’s internal organs.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-november-5-2009/the-11-3-project
Doggone/GA
November 6th, 2009
1:40 pm
“Can’t let a little issue like tens of thousands of american protesters stand in the way of THEIR dreams”
DC police estimated the crowd at 4000, not “tens of thousands”
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/11/05/2120383.aspx
“Three Capitol Hill police officers all guessed that the crowd numbered at about 4,000.”
Nothing Is Free
November 6th, 2009
1:40 pm
ABM
I had a friend that worked for the old Riverwood International. They designed and created beer packaging. He brought home a new four-pak that they were having a hard time naming. I helped them out: Not Enough Beer.
Some things are just too easy.
How’s your chances against LSU this weekend?
Midori
November 6th, 2009
1:40 pm
Go ahead, libs, cheer them on
YIP,
YIP,
YIPEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bosch
November 6th, 2009
1:41 pm
getalife,
You know that if NIF were the Corporal Kool, he would still be braggin’ ’bout his Secret Service stuff.
Nothing Is Free
November 6th, 2009
1:41 pm
Midori
Been in the Poconoes. Beautiful Place. I can’t say the same for most of the shore, but it is all about the electoral college. 15 votes: the same as Georgia.
Thanks, we’ll take it.