Your morning jolt: Who’s earning what in the Atlanta mayoral race
In these difficult economic times, the Atlanta mayoral race is helping political operatives cover the rent.
According to my AJC colleague Cameron McWhirter, the most recent campaign finance reports show that campaign managers are making a pretty penny helping bosses pitch the city’s financial recovery to voters.
Lisa Borders’ campaign manager, Stacey Abrams, a state representative from Atlanta, brought in $33,281.55 in compensation, reimbursement and retainer, according to July-through-September financial reports.
Letetia Jackson, a political consultant from Dothan, Ala., earned $28,888.95 as Jesse Spikes campaign manager. Spikes is, and has been, in single digits since the outset. And Jackson is no longer employed by Spikes.
Tharon Johnson, former state senator Kasim Reed’s campaign manager, earned $27,000. The least costly campaign manager was front-runner Mary Norwood’s Roman Levit, who earned $13,163.88. Norwood didn’t hire him until August.
That kind of frugality allowed Norwood to declare herself, as of Oct. 1, the candidate with the most cash on hand for the final drive: $620,594.
It also should be noted that we may not be seeing all the compensation. Staffers on many campaigns agree to delayed payment and bonus clauses – so much for getting a candidate in the runoff, another lump sum for victory – that won’t be seen until the final disclosure at year’s end.
Here’s the latest Lisa Borders ad, released by her campaign yesterday evening:
Says Borders:
“We know something isn’t working, but promises won’t fix Atlanta. I’ve been where you are – a struggling mom, a small business owner, and a victim of a home invasion. Atlanta needs a mayor with a vision and experience to fix what’s broken – someone who can do the math.”
Last week, Borders issued a challenge to rival Kasim Reed. She demanded that Reed to commit to a City Hall absent of relatives on the payroll, and that the law firm where he works, Holland & Knight, will not get any city contracts.
Challenge accepted, sort of.
Reed said Monday he won’t hire any relatives. His brother, Tracey, is already employed in the city’s Office of Contract Compliance.
As for Holland & Knight, Reed says if elected he’ll review the lobbying contract the firm has with the city and all others that exceed $500,000.
Reed still seemed steamed about the issue, accusing Borders of “mudslinging.”
“I didn’t start this conversation, but as long as Ms. Borders wants to have it, I’ll continue it,” he said at a news conference.
Borders says she’ll won’t hire any relatives and won’t offer any contracts to her former employer, the development firm of Cousins Properties.
If that car-crash of a campaign cartoon was designed to earn attention for John Oxendine, the GOP candidate for governor, it worked.
As of this morning, the YouTube cartoon – given the general-election title of “The Ox vs. King Roy the Rat” — had earned 48,811 views since its unveiling last week.
Travis Fain of the Macon Telegraph’s Lucid Idiocy even counted up the number of times the narrator says “the Rat” in four minutes: 14.
But a total 474 critics rated the four-minute spot an average 1.5 stars out of five. Which is possibly why commenting has been turned off.
While you ponder that, consider these items found while perusing this morning’s ajc.com:
Couch resigns as environmental protection director. Mistress cut out of will. Hank Johnson endorses Reed for mayor. Atlanta to hire 50 new cops with federal funds. Metro Atlanta gears up for census. DeKalb County police to get subsidy to buy homes. McKinney fined $6,000 for campaign fund violations. Gwinnett County library board schedules special meeting. GSU president gets official welcome. Deadline nears for flood income assistance. Sandy Springs to give Scientology a yes or no.
Some opinion:
Put MARTA under state control now. You’ll never use this math again. Pro & Con: Should local public safety units enforce immigration laws?
From elsewhere in Georgia:
MDJ: Taxpayer dollars being used to tout parks bond?
And beyond:
WP: Clear majority now supports public option plan, according to poll. NYT: As the commander-in-chief deliberates on Afghanistan, frustration builds within the ranks. WSJ: Opinion on the battle for Pakistan.
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45 comments Add your comment
Krooked Kasim
October 20th, 2009
9:35 am
http://www.notkasim.blogspot.com
A World (Atlanta) Without (Lisa) Borders
October 20th, 2009
9:38 am
Anybody but Borders. She’s Bill Campbell in a skirt.
Lisa
October 20th, 2009
9:40 am
With all Lisa Borders ethics issues and dubious conservative connections, I can’t trust or vote for her.
GOP Dan
October 20th, 2009
9:41 am
Lisa Borders is definitely a Republican:
http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/news/0523.html
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 20th, 2009
9:43 am
Rather than address the historic macro-crime issue/treason, of which Hank Johnson is aware, he panders along with Kasim Reed, diverting the Public’s attention by touting the Police State as “solution.”
Some “Buddhist.”
Mary
October 20th, 2009
9:44 am
Norwood is nothing without her campaign manager…she can’t get through a debate without being coached every other second.
GoOx
October 20th, 2009
9:48 am
My man Ox, using the latest technology to get the message out that he is the only one who can beat “King Rat” Barnes.
Collin
October 20th, 2009
9:50 am
Borders’ new campaign ad is one step up from Spikes’.
Collin
October 20th, 2009
9:51 am
Why hasn’t Lisa Borders proposed one piece of legislation while City Counsel Pres? But now that she’s running for mayor she has all the answers. Things that make you go Hmmmmm?
RUKidding
October 20th, 2009
10:15 am
Best thing for anyone running against the Ox is for everyone to watch the dumbest video in the world. Like the Ox, not original, he has to steal Sonny’s idea from 2002.
Sonny
October 20th, 2009
10:47 am
Collin,
You are way off, sonny boy. You might not remember this because you were probably committing smash and grabs at the time (you are a Reed staffer right?), but before Lisa took over the reins down at City Council, the meetings would last until 11:30 p.m. with bickering and arguing that normally occupied most of the session, and agreements came once every blue moon. When Lisa did take over things, meetings ended on time, agreements were made, and the execution of the day’s tasks were achieved. There hasn’t been this much organization since the beginning of Andy’s second term. But being the youngin’ you are, you probably have no idea what you are writing about. Keeping playing your thug rap right off Lynhurst, boy. Every time that paddywagon of fools comes by blasting that thug rap music, my neighbors and I are that much more convinced that Lisa is the BEST candidate for Atlanta.
Angry Taxpayer
October 20th, 2009
11:23 am
Interesting comment – meetings lasted until 11:30 because the taxpayers were being asked to spend billions and the Council pushed back. At the end of the day everything was a “mandated by Federal Consent Decree” or must be done by tomorrow or the world will come to an end. That was the way the Franklin Administration steam rolled and at least some of the Council members tried to find a different path. In the end, the money got spent and we are holding the bag. The structure of the City must be changed. 15 Council members and millions in expenditures must be addressed by the next Council. But until the mess at City Hall is fixed everyone still calls their Council member….. so it is a chick and egg situation.
Lisa introduced no legislation and was the most inactive of the Council President’s that I can recall.
THE REAL Shin Jasher
October 20th, 2009
11:36 am
Angry Taxpayer, how many council presidents can you recall? Quick, do a Google search then get back to me with the results. I can think of Borders and Woolard. Anyone else?
I still need concrete proof of Borders being “Bill Campbell in a skirt” or being “bought and sold by Cousins” other than the fact that both Borders and Campbell are light-skinned African-Americans and Borders once worked for Cousins. If that’s the case, then I’m against fair employment because I worked at Wal-Mart as a kid. I’d like to have thought the time for loosely-connected tangential slanders against a candidate had come and gone, but I guess not.
@Shin Jasher
October 20th, 2009
11:50 am
Firstly, I’m not angry taxpayer and I don’t agree that Borders is Campbell in a skirt, but some of her allegiances are very questionable (I didn’t say unethical, but I did say questionable). That’s what discerning voters do, ask questions. To accept money raised from Lynn Riley and the North Fulton ilk when they are out parading the re-creation of Milton County, which would be disastrous to MARTA, Grady, Courts and the whole of Fulton County.
Secondly, its obvious that her relationship with Cousins extends way beyond her being a former employee. Tom Bell, former CEO of Cousins, is an active republican operative that has been very critical of president Obama and he formerly worked for Fred Thompson. Come on people, do your research and draw your own conclusion. This discerning voter has.
Mary is also a republican stiff that voted for Bush 41 and Bush 43, was a republican delegate at their state convention in 1999 and pander-voted for Obama in 2008. I dont have anything against people making their own political choices, but be honest about when folks call you on it. THESE INTERESTS DONT ALIGN WITH THE CITY OF ATLANTA.
BTW, did y’all see the article in yesterday’s AJC about Atlanta and Georgia’s relationship?
Tea 4 2
October 20th, 2009
12:16 pm
I don’t know who the winner will be but I know who the loser will be the Taxpayer.
The Real Deal on the Campaign
October 20th, 2009
12:25 pm
The real Mary Norwood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffKUPBdbB6E
The real Kasim Reed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNzsjuAzGJA&feature=fvw
Reality
October 20th, 2009
12:28 pm
Here is one excrpt from a blog about Washington, DC’s Metro Sysytem. You know the transit system in DC that is the rave of the nation. We think MARTA is the worst system in the country. Check this out: “Does anyone honestly believe that Metro which can’t even keep it elevators and escalators working,
that Metro which, after almost four months, still doesn’t know why its “fail safe” system permitted the tragic crash
will improve with fare increases and increased government subsidies?
I don’t.
Metro is broken.
Throwing more money down this rat hole isn’t the solution.
All of its management and so-called safety officers must go.
Condemn and close this death-trap until all suspected safety issues have been thoroughly investigated and resolved by a competent independent authority.” Whew!
Cutty
October 20th, 2009
12:47 pm
FYI- The Council President does not introduce legislation to the Council people. Some of you staffers and ‘informed’ citizens should read the City Charter first.
Cutty
October 20th, 2009
12:49 pm
Section 2-203. Powers and duties; limitations.
(a) The president of the council:
(1) Shall preside at meetings of the council but shall not be a member of that body;
(2) Shall vote only in the case of a tie vote of the council;
(3) Shall appoint the members and chairpersons of such committees as may be established by the council pursuant to its rules, and fill vacancies therein, provided any such appointments shall be subject to rejection by a majority vote of the total membership of the council; and the president of the council shall not be a member of any said committees;
(4) Shall exercise all powers and discharge all duties of the mayor in the case of a vacancy in the office of mayor or during the disability of the mayor;
(5) Shall be authorized to compel the attendance of councilmembers by subpoena, subject to the rules of council;
(6) Shall have such further powers and perform such other duties consistent with law as may be provided by ordinance or resolution of council; and
(7) May speak to any pending matter before the council but shall not introduce ordinances or resolutions.
(b) If the president speaks to a matter pending before the council, the president shall temporarily relinquish his or her role as presiding officer to the president pro tempore while speaking to such matter.
(c) If the president of the council exercises the powers and discharges the duties of the mayor as provided in subsection (a) herein, he or she shall note exercise any of the powers and duties enumerated herein.
(1996 Ga. L. (Act No. 1019), p. 4469)
@Cutty
October 20th, 2009
12:50 pm
The City Council President can introduce legislation through other councilmembers. This was very common during Marving Arrington and Robb Pitts’ years as CC Pres and is exactly how the mayor introduces legislation. It’s called being an activist council president and using your status as a citywide elected official to bring forward sound policy initiatives to build the city, not just advance your own business and political interest.
Now you go read the charter.
@Cutty
October 20th, 2009
12:52 pm
Also, Cathy Woolard was good too! Sorry your candidate’s been weak on the issues!
Cutty
October 20th, 2009
1:04 pm
I don’t care who wins honestly, as each candidate is light on a proven track record. Norwood views in-fill housing legislation and auditing the Watershed department AFTER she voted to increase water rates as leadership. This in 8 years on the Council. I question the ties of Reed and Border to the status quo as a problem. Say what you want, but I’m the undecided voter your candidate should be trying to woo.
Seems like people would want someone as Mayor that follows the rule of law instead of looking for ways around it. Seems we’ve had enough of that in this city. IMO.
Learn how to spell Marvin too, staffer.
@Cutty
October 20th, 2009
1:10 pm
I’m definitely not a staffer and fast typing leads to simple typos sometimes, but i’ll try to be more careful. That doesnt negate the information that I shared, though. I think if people honestly looked at Reed’s credentials, they’d see that he’s the best for the job. He has a proven track record.
Again, i’m nobody’s staffer. I’m actually quite a successful young professional in the city and I know people that work in the Norwood, Borders and Reed camps and I’ve been listening during this election. I didnt know much about Reed before, but the dude is impressive. His connections do give rise to question, but they certainly aren’t unethical. Neither are Lisa’s and Mary’s but they all beg to be questioned. I just want folks to be informed. And stop taking cues from silly-season pundits.
Cutty
October 20th, 2009
1:25 pm
As you can see, I do my best to stay with the facts. I have yard signs of all four viable candidates and will be putting one in my yard soon, but I think I won’t be completely satisfied with any candidate. I’d like to see someone finally walk the walk. Reed does not have much executive experience which concerns me as well.
@Cutty
October 20th, 2009
1:37 pm
Reed has as much relevant public management know-how as his opponents. Norwood and Borders have both been in the private sector, which is good but much different from public management i.e. MBA and MPA. A CEO doesnt always make a good public executive. Plus, Borders and Norwood were vice-president and small business owner respectively. Again, with Reed being a partner at one of the top law firms, he’s just as much qualified from the executive experience category.
Business Experience We Don't Need
October 20th, 2009
1:42 pm
I keep hearing about Borders Business experience as a reason to vote for her. She has said her years at Cousins she was just a “paper pusher.” Before that, the other two businesses she headed ended up in bankruptcy. Sound familiar? I think we elected a president 8 years ago with similar business experience and we see where that go this country. I don’t want my government to run like a business. I want it to run like a government. Business is worried about the bottom line. Government should be worried about the people. Stop telling me about business experience and start telling me about how you’re going to help people.
Jackalope
October 20th, 2009
1:44 pm
Here we go again – another Galloway article and another bunch of comments from Borders and Reed staffers attacking each other and Norwood. Let me clue you in on something:
YOUR CANDIDATE IS GETTING THEIR A$$ KICKED.
Complain all you want, but Borders is down 15 points and Kasim is down 20. With 2 weeks to go and no money to spend. HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA
Keep up the good work posting on blogs no one reads. It’s certainly working (for Norwood). HAHAHAHA
Manny Fresh
October 20th, 2009
1:44 pm
I’m baaaack.
Manny Fresh
October 20th, 2009
1:47 pm
Tom Bell thought John McCain should be President of the United States. Before that he thought Fred Thompson was the right choice. He wanted Ralph Reed to be Lt. Governor over Jim Martin. Help Ronald Regan. And was in the Nixon White House during Watergate. Now he’s working just as hard to make Lisa Borders Mayor of Atlanta. He is financing and controlling the Borders campaign. I’m worried.
Stop riding them
October 20th, 2009
1:53 pm
@Cutty and @@Cutty; who are you supporting? Be honest….
Jacaklope's Mom
October 20th, 2009
2:08 pm
My son is right. It be wise for the candidate that loses in the primary have their staff who’s on here constantly to support the other. It looks like its going to be Lisa who wins, so it would be best if all you silly Kasim supporters would get behind Lisa in order to defeat the crazy uninformed Mary.
Grant Park
October 20th, 2009
2:19 pm
Norwood! Norwood! Norwood!
@@@@
October 20th, 2009
3:11 pm
@Stop riding them, I’m leaning toward Reed.
@Jackalope, you obviously dont know Atlanta politics well. You’ll be surprised and hopefully enlightened come election day.
@Jackalope’s Mom, You seem about as clueless as your son…LOL
Cutty
October 20th, 2009
3:33 pm
I could stay home on election day and be just as happy.
@@@@
October 20th, 2009
3:34 pm
BTW, I’m willing to bet big $$$ Norwood can’t reach 50+1 in a heads up bout between with Borders or Reed. And this won’t be because of blacks, a number of whites won’t support her in the general or the run-off. Mayor is just out of her league.
@@@@
October 20th, 2009
3:39 pm
Polls are inflated, we see how well they read the New Hampshire showdown between Obama and Clinton.
Jackalope
October 20th, 2009
5:37 pm
@@@@: Norwood needs 50% +1 in the general – she probably won’t get that. Want to bet $1,000 she’s in first on election day though? Now, as for the run off, I would normally agree that it would be difficult for Norwood, BUT Borders (who will probably be in the run off) has run (and I am not kidding) the worst big city Mayoral campaign in the history of American politics.
Let me repeat that: Lisa Borders has run the worst big city Mayoral campaign in the history of American politics.
THE REAL Shin Jasher
October 20th, 2009
5:48 pm
Jackalope, who’s paying you for your backroom opinions? Tom Bell?
@@@@
October 20th, 2009
6:07 pm
Reed will be in the run-off with Norwood, i’ll bet you $1000 on that.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 21st, 2009
4:36 am
Reed’s chosen work has been to wake up each morning thinking of better ways to convince juries that some Black person hasn’t been a victim of racism in a racist society. No doubt there are false claims, but with all the injustice in the world, why pick that area, as a Black man, to make your money? What does it say about the soul’s desire of forty-year-old, never married Kasim?
Mary Bush Norwood made her living as a professional “Voice Over” actress sounding the way some advertising producer or director wanted her to. Now she’s being paid to sound like she’s an Atlantan when she’s a Roman Catholic carpetbagger affiliated by blood and votes with the Anti-Christ from which President Obama’s recent Election has just begun to save us.
Any vote for Norwood or Reed is a vote against the progress America has made putting the anointed Barack Obama into the White House.
Borders will win without a run-off. DV.
Jackalope
October 21st, 2009
11:03 am
@Will Jones – Borders will win without a run off???!?!?!?!?!? hahahahahahHAHAHAHAHahahahahahAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAahahahahahahAHAHAHAHAHAahahahaha
Jackalope
October 21st, 2009
11:05 am
RealSHIN – not sure I “get” what you mean? Tom Bell is on Border’s team and I think Borders has run the worst big city Mayoral in American political history.
Norwood is obviously running a good campaign and I think Reed is too, and I’m surprised Reed hasn’t passed Borders in the polls yet.
Lee
October 21st, 2009
1:14 pm
DO NOT VOTE FOR REED. check his employment background people. This man and his law firm fights discrimination lawsuits filed by blacks, women, and minorities. When blacks, women and minoriies are discriminated against in the workplace by corporate America, they show his face to the judge to fight against them. You know what this is? He is a “well paid UNCLE TOM”. He does not care about the avereage citizen here in Atlanta, who are primarily black, women, and minorities. HE IS A JOKE. He is in this for a position on his resume. DO NOT LET HIM USE THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTA TO ACHIEVE THAT OBJECTIVE. He is already using Andy who has lost his mind in his old age. And we know he is using Shirley because she thinks she owe him something for helping her get elected mayo, but instead she should owe the people who were working in the field, daily, who were defending her character, knocking on dorrs, and shaking campaign signs duirng her first election. SHE STILL OWE THESE FOLKS. KASIM AND HIS BROTHER DID NOTHING. They did not break a sweat like many, many others who worked her field campaign. That is why Kasim is struggling now. Those same people who helped Shirley would not touch him with a “TEN FOOT POLE!!” His “ARROGANCE and “UNLOYALTY” is not something the citizens of this city needs at this time in history.
VOTE FOR ANYONE ELSE BESIDES KASIM REED!!! YOU WILL REGRET IT IF YOU DO!!
VOTE NOVEMBER 3.
ugh on city council candidates
October 21st, 2009
1:59 pm
What are the choices for city council.. no better than mayoral candidates. I live in district 6 and will be governed by an at-large candidate post 2. I don’t have much to choose from but I definitely wont vote for AAron Watson. My goodness. Mr. Watson wants to come back after 7 or 8 years of being appointed to all kinds of commissions. He was so terrible on the school board. Always so defiant and arrogant too.. the kids were done an injustice nothing accomplished but giving more money to his buddies at law firms and developers. I don’t want that guy on the city council. I want someone that’s going to do something for us–not him and his friends. Oh well, if voters are considering reed, than they are probably picking watson too.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 21st, 2009
7:08 pm
Don’t cast a vote for carpetbagger Wesley Knapp for City Council, please.
White or Black, vote for someone, whether native or transplant, who appreciates what it means to be an Atlantan, a Georgian, and a Southerner.