Are you smarter than an Atlanta mayoral candidate?
The Atlanta mayoral debate that was aired on 11Alive this afternoon was the 36th attended by the candidates.
So attempting to ask them something different has become a challenge. Which the TV station addressed with some game-show style questions intended to measure their knowledge of the city they want to govern:
Question No. 1: How many Atlanta foreclosures are on the market right now?
Jesse Spikes: “I don’t have a finite number. 60,000?”
Lisa Borders: “I don’t have a discrete number, either. I would tell you ZIP code with the largest number of foreclosures in the nation is 30318. So that’s where the vast majority of them are in the city of Atlanta.”
Mary Norwood: “It’s the southwest side, and – the number of foreclosures runs along the line from R.M. Clayton plant, south and west of downtown, and south and west of Grant Park, and that includes ZIP codes 15, 11, 10, 18, 31 and 14. So those ZIP codes have been affected the most. And it is thousands and thousands.”
Kasim Reed: “The number of foreclosures in excess of 15,000. We also have 6,000 condominum units that are currently available on the market right now, although they are not in foreclosure.”
Brenda Woods gave the answer as 10,954, according to RealtyTrac.com.
Question No. 2: How many Fortune 500 business does Atlanta have?
Borders: “I think we now have seven. I’m not positive, though.”
Norwood: “I’m saying 10?”
Reed: “Twelve.”
Spikes: “I’d say 10.”
Ted Hall gave the answer as nine, with11 in the metro Atlanta area, according to Fortune magazine.
Question No. 3: When was the last time you rode MARTA? How much did you pay then on a one-way fare, and how much is it now?
Norwood: “I – as a council…. I can’t tell you. Don’t remember.”
Reed: “Last time I rode MARTA was about a week ago going to my mom’s and I think the new fee is $2.25.”
Spikes: “Last time I rode it, it was $1.75. I rode it to the airport, and it was just increased. Did it go up a dollar?”
Borders: “I believe it’s $2, and I rode the MARTA para-transit system with my father, who is in a wheelchair.”
Woods gave the answer as $2.
The gimme question of the taping, at the tail end, was whether the Atlanta Falcons would have a winning season. All four candidates answered as if they’d already bet their mortgage payments on the team.
But Reed added this: “I want to make sure the Falcons stay in Atlanta. That’s the one we needed to ask Mr. Blank.”
Presumably, this is actually possible. Arthur Blank, owner of the Falcons, has given Reed a $2,000 check, according to last week campaign finance disclosures. He’s given the same amount to Norwood. To Borders, Blank gave $1,900.
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69 comments Add your comment
Corrupt Kasim
October 13th, 2009
2:46 pm
I cannot support Kasim. He is smart but corrupt which is even more dangerous! Http://notkasim.blogspot.com
Definitely
October 13th, 2009
2:50 pm
I don’t think I’m smarter than Lisa or Kasim but I know I’m smarter than Mary. She is near illiterate – Bush style.
Politics At Its Finest
October 13th, 2009
2:52 pm
You are a tool.
No one is interested in mess… your approach is failing since your candidate is slipping in polls and not able to raise money.
Jasher
October 13th, 2009
3:20 pm
Blank gave money to all the candidates. Check the disclosures.
Will
October 13th, 2009
3:31 pm
Kasim is moving fast up the polls, Borders may well leave the race. The real question now is if Reed will garner the most votes on election day. It’s sill going to be runoff unless Borders drops out, however if Reed gets the most votes, how bad would Norwood look.
Jim Galloway
October 13th, 2009
3:43 pm
When you’re right, you’re right, Jasher. Arthur Blank has given to Reed, Norwood and Borders. I’d missed his name in Norwood’s last disclosure — which isn’t alphabetical. You have to troll through the whole thing very carefully. He gave Norwood a check for $2,000. To Borders, Blank gave $1,900.
SC
October 13th, 2009
3:58 pm
Why would Lisa drop out of the race? Kasim only appeals to one demographic. Good luck getting them out to vote in a municipal election.
Pat
October 13th, 2009
4:02 pm
SC:
What group of people are you referring to when you say”them?” Just a question….
Kissy
October 13th, 2009
4:03 pm
SC I’ll assume you’re referring to his demographic as black folks. While I’ll heed away from drawing general racial comments like that, I think you’ll be suprized to see the number of other ‘demographics’ that are firmly moving behind Kasim Reed.
Lee
October 13th, 2009
4:10 pm
I can’t see Borders dropping out of the race but politics can be a very strange thing ! I still think at the end of the day Norwood will be victorious. She has good support in every quandrant in the city. I don’t think Norwood would become Shirley Franklin incarnate. Ms. Franklin’s second term has been a disappointing one.
Revolution for change
October 13th, 2009
4:11 pm
It’s not about being smart, just knowing the facts about or at least coming close to them but Definitely is near definitely dumb. Mary didn’t vote for tax increase so she is actually very smart! Go Mary!
AintSo
October 13th, 2009
4:11 pm
So.. from my understanding of the comments… Norwood, is much like Bush.. who happens to be the only white candidate.. Don’t play off her intellect, and use it an excuse to mask the fact the blacks don’t want atlanta ran by a whitey.
Reed is going to be the biggest disappointment of all. He’s just as corrupt as what’s in there now. Didn’t people go voting this past year on, “change” and “hope” and all that other garbage? But when it’s your own city, and your own civic interests, then it’s different some how? Why on earth would you want another repeat of the “Sewer Mayor?!”
Jasher
October 13th, 2009
4:13 pm
SC – hey…I resemble those remarks! I mean, because I’m Black, y’know.
Lou
October 13th, 2009
4:14 pm
How many of them know the value of pi to the seventh decimal? What is the enrollment at Georgia State? How many Hooters restaurants are within the city limits? What a stupid story!!
Devan
October 13th, 2009
4:16 pm
I’m voting for whoever isn’t going to tax the hell out of everyone and make it harder to enjoy and live in the city. Fiscal responsibility.. How can a city function when everyone here is trying to help out this kin folks make more money at another dead end government job! Tax more, and raise utility mill rates.. Think it’s not fair? I’m offering an open invite to anyone who feels the need to perhaps pay the $200 water/sewer bill each month, and if you don’t think it’s bad enough, come pay my $6500 CoA property tax.
Tax those who aren’t collecting and eventually this city will continue on it’s path of destruction… I’m glad to see Shirley go… And I’m glad she’s going to be taking that idiot Pennington and those stupid flower pins with her!!
newA
October 13th, 2009
4:17 pm
I almost agree with Will; although, since Borders only has less than 30 days to go she will likely stay in the race.
newA
October 13th, 2009
4:18 pm
BTW, Reed just got the Creative Loafing endorsement…
Jasher
October 13th, 2009
4:19 pm
That’s true Revolution — Mary didn’t vote for the tax increase. But you know what the tax increase was for? Funding public safety! So in essence, Mary didn’t vote for public safety! GOOO MARY!
*rolls eyes*
AintSo, Mary is not the only White candidate — there’s also Kyle Keyser.
Devan
October 13th, 2009
4:19 pm
Creative Loafing??? Isnt’ that what the homeless people sleep on on Forsyth St?
Devan
October 13th, 2009
4:20 pm
Jasher-
Thanks for the heads up, I knew there had to be more than one token whitey, y’know.. for the cities sake.
ATL by way of TX
October 13th, 2009
4:20 pm
I don’t know SC, but if I had to guess I think the demographic he is referring to would club goers. Reed likes to get his party on, that’s for sure! And I agree with Definitely: I am most certainly smarter than Mary Norwood! I would take her on in a debate in any day and make her look even “nuttier” if that’s even possible.
Name (required)
October 13th, 2009
4:22 pm
Anybody but Shirley Franklin. And that includes everyone who has won a Special Olympics medal, watch NASCAR, or believe wrestling is real. Even THEY have higher IQs than Shirley Franklin. I also left something in the toilet this morning that had more character and integrity than Shirley.
Devan
October 13th, 2009
4:22 pm
Jasher,
Why do we need more public safety funding?
Didn’t your girl Shirley and Pennington tell everyone the numbers don’t lie.. Crime is down and under control?
Seems to me Mary voted correct then, because if crime is down, lets focus on better things, like installing more meters to feed our change into for the homeless.. If that doesn’t make you roll your eyes, I don’t know what will!
ClemsonDude
October 13th, 2009
4:23 pm
This city is NEEDS some real leadership ….Man I wish Clark Howard would run for mayor! These guys sucks!
Malika Powell
October 13th, 2009
4:25 pm
I hope Atlantans vote against all current politicians in the race for Mayor. Makes no sense to vote for a candidate who has contributed to the debt-ridden and tax raising state of the City of Atlanta. Go Jesse Spikes!!!
Jasher
October 13th, 2009
4:26 pm
newA, you know who needs to drop out of the race? That damn Jesse Spikes. For him to be a Rhodes Scholar and an Ivy League graduate, he demonstrates a lack of common sense and understanding of the issues that makes me question him not only as a candidate, but as an attorney as well. He’s got a great story, but he has no business running for Mayor.
LydiasDad
October 13th, 2009
4:29 pm
Anyone but another racist like Franklin. And change the airport name back to Hartsfield only. The racists had to change that too.
Jasher
October 13th, 2009
4:30 pm
Devan, don’t be a dense. I am very much anti-Franklin and anti-Pennington, so they’re not my girl, my boy, or my whatever. They have been a pain the city’s collective behind though. Good riddance to the oaf and his keeper.
But really, listen to your first question. “Why do we need more public safety funding?” Either you don’t grasp sarcasm all that well, or you really haven’t been watching the news to see all the senseless killings, robberies, and other crime.
A Political Demographer
October 13th, 2009
4:33 pm
Take a look at the video shot at The Beautiful Restaurant posted on Norwood’s campaign website. It’s Item 1 on the “What’s New” box on the Home Page.
Jasher
October 13th, 2009
4:39 pm
I took a look at it, A Political Demographer.
Still undecided. But I think I want some soul food now.
Lynn43
October 13th, 2009
4:43 pm
I am concerned that the vents here reflex the lack of in depth questioning of what the candidates need to have and demonstrate. Winning or making a spectical of one’s self at a debate doesn’t take a lot of intelligence–just a gift of “gab”. Look at the candidates history, education, volunteer work, dedication to family, etc. These are the things to be considered.
Tired of all the BS
October 13th, 2009
4:49 pm
I’m with you ClemsonDude. Clark Howard for Mayor…. He help me save $200.00 on my insurance
Hold on Here
October 13th, 2009
4:49 pm
Question No. 2: How many Fortune 500 business does Atlanta have? That question was not fair you asked how many 500 companies in Atlanta not metro Atlanta.
Jeff
October 13th, 2009
4:50 pm
This is scarry…the questions and the responses..one of these people are going to lead ATL?
ATL by way of TX
October 13th, 2009
4:53 pm
I am sooooo glad I wasn’t at The Beautiful when the Norwood camp blew threw ’cause I would have thrown up all over them! And therein lies the true tragedy of this situation ’cause the food at The Beautiful is delicious! But I digress. Don’t care how many Black people Norwood hugs, or how much soul food she eats, she is not qualified to be mayor! She can’t even figure out the cities finances! She will not win!
woodie
October 13th, 2009
5:09 pm
The only two questions that mean anything are #1 and #2 and they all did pretty good. I like Norwood and Borders answers the best. These people don’t ride MARTA so they wouldn’t know. Mayor Massell pushed MARTA through but everyone forgot him and tried to give credit to others.
findog
October 13th, 2009
5:14 pm
At least they are smarter than the Austell Mayor who wants a five mile tunnel for the creek that flooded his town. Stream mitigation credits go for $450/foot. If they have $12 million for that tiny fraction of the solution then he should buy out his poor constituents in that floodplain.
DHD
October 13th, 2009
5:17 pm
Who gives a flip if anybody knows how much MARTA charges if you NEVER use it? does the winner of this question deserve to be the mayor? Absurd questions. Typical media crap.
outspoken1
October 13th, 2009
5:18 pm
Is it to late to throw my name in the hat? It seems our candidates are no smarter than a fifth grader. I am not saying that I am, but I am not
asking to be Mayor either.
Can we get a do over for candidates?
stupid is as stupid does
October 13th, 2009
5:19 pm
I don’t have a discrete number? Wow, that says it all.
KAZ
October 13th, 2009
5:21 pm
Mary Norwood has always voted with the best interest of the city at heart while on council. Who cares what color she is.
ATL by way of TX
October 13th, 2009
5:34 pm
@ Kaz: great point! Stupid has no color!
itpdude
October 13th, 2009
5:43 pm
Reed is the establishment candidate so I don’t think his “demographic” is all black. I know white staffers with Franklin who are firmly behind Reed.
It doesn’t really matter whether his demographic is black or white. What does very much matter is he is the establishment candidate. If you don’t like how things have been going lately, you should not vote Reed.
Dawg Dude
October 13th, 2009
5:48 pm
@ KAZ : Unfortunately most people are only gonna vote for color and not issues.
Cabo Wabo
October 13th, 2009
6:01 pm
I disagree with those who say the candidates get a pass on knowing the cost to ride MARTA. As Mayor (or wannabe Mayor) you should absolutely know the cost of the city’s rapid transit system. Even if you don’t ride, you should know the fare. Not saying they need to ride the train like Mayor Bloomberg, but knowing the cost shows you are in tune with the issues and traffic and transit are huge issues!
An't it so
October 13th, 2009
6:07 pm
Thank goodness I don’t live in Atlanta . . . . oh but I do live in one of its cesspool metro counties . . which gets all the crime from its neighboring counties.
Anna Burke
October 13th, 2009
6:23 pm
SC: I’m a middle-aged white Southern woman who is active in my community and who has lived in intown Atlanta for over 30 years. AND I’m solidly behind Kasim. Am I part of the “them” you were referring to?
Anna Burke
October 13th, 2009
6:28 pm
PS – I really liked having the REAL answer included in the article. I didn’t know the answers to those questions, and it’s neat to see how the candidates measure up.
Badnews!
October 13th, 2009
6:34 pm
All easy questions but most failed. I don’t think we should continue to subject ourselves to the ignorance of most of these mayoral candidates and their lack of demonstrated leadership. If Borders or Reed should win (and neither will win), the City will continue to spiral into the toilet because both will continue to embrace the Franklin/Campbell administration and the lingering problems. If Norwood should win, she will bring change but it will be comical to watch her try to rid of the corrupt officials, especially those at the cash-cow Airport. Spikes is not a serious candidate. However, if one is to reverse the city’s misfortunes, we must elect a mayor who is willing to make the easy call to first root out corruption (cryonism/neptism) within the departments, hire qualified professionals, balance the annual budget on time, collect revenues, provide a safe environment for all and recruit small/large corporations back into Atlanta. Unless Norwood gets tough and distinguish herself during this mayoral race, the next 4 years will be more frustrating than the last 8 – 12 years if Borders or Reed is elected.
ATL Native Observer
October 13th, 2009
7:29 pm
To echo a message, but in reverse, by a certain Mayor, of a certain city, that was inundated by hurricane flood waters….Atlanta needs to be a Vanilla city again. Its time for the corruption to end and the inept shown the door…..