Blogging live on the Atlanta Press Club mayoral debate
Updated at 7:58 p.m.: The closing statements by the primary candidates for mayor of Atlanta may have been the most interesting portion of the hour-long debate tonight on GPTV.
Kasim Reed, a former state senator, has had a problem with name identification, despite his influence in the state Capitol. “I’m not the cuddliest guy in the world. Maybe I don’t look too friendly,” he said. But Reed rattled off a list of endorsements to emphasize that he’s the most competetent.
Lisa Borders warned of “potential disaster” if voters make the wrong choice. She cited her wide experience — 30 years as a businesswoman, five years as city council president, and one year has head of the authority over Grady Memorial Hospital. Borders spoke of her endorsement by the police union and Emily’s list, as well as the Committee for a Better Atlanta, a business group.
Norwood’s message: “I’m going to make the city work for all of us again.” She emphasized public safety and trying to make some sense of city finances. “You will be safe. We will fix the city finances.”
Who did well? I’d have to say that Reed and Borders made the best cases for themselves. Norwood, despite her position as front-runner in every poll, wasn’t the dominant figure that one would expect. And that may have been because the other candidates didn’t really single her out.
Updated at 7:47 p.m.: Dave Williams of the Atlanta Business Chronicle asked the mayoral candidates if they’d be willing to see the state take over the operation of MARTA.
Kasim Reed had the most robust answer — he was the only one given the time. Reed said that, without a massive investment by the state, or reimbursement of Fulton and DeKalb counties, which have been funding the transit agency, he would oppose it.
Borders, Brownlowe, Keyser, Norwood, and Spikes agreed.
Updated at 7:41 p.m.: Candidates are asked whether they’d support a commuter tax: Reed says no, and notes that the biggest city of Atlanta employer is the state — through the Capitol, through Georgia State University and Georgia Tech. He says the state would the jobs elsewhere.
Spike says no, I think, as does Norwood. Keyser says yes. Border says no.
But Border says she’s in favor of looking at a parking tax, not a commuter tax.
Updated at 7:30 p.m.: Kasim Reed is asked whether he’d support a Common Cause effort to limit campaign donations by those vying for city contracts. Reed says he would not — because it would limit the ability of less-rich candidates, like himself, to compete against millionaire self-funders.
Updated at 7:27 p.m.: Peter Brownlowe, a minor candidate, asked Lisa Borders why she dropped out of the mayor’s race in August 2008. She replied that her father was a double amputee and a brittle diabetic. Her mother has been diagnosed with dementia.
She dropped out to take care of them, and rejoined the race when their concerns were handled — with their support.
Updated at 7:25 p.m.: All the mayoral candidates said they’d follow Shirley Franklin’s example and cut their pay.
Updated at 7:22 p.m.: The first two big questions of the debate.
Lisa Borders asks Kasim Reed if, as mayor, he’ll promise A) not to have any relatives on the City Hall payroll and B) whether he’ll promise that his current employer, the Holland & Knight law firm, will be barred from contracting. Currently, the firm has a $250,000 contract associated with the airport.
Reed says his brother is already an employee at City Hall, and would not fire him if he’s mayor. No problem with barring his law firm. Reed in term asked Borders if she’d bar her former employer, Cousins Properties, from a contract associated with a future Civl Rights museum. Border said she’d have no problem.
Reed accused Mary Norwood of voting Republican 70 percent of the time in the last 20 years. Norwood said, yes, she voted Republican — but in her area of Atlanta, that’s often where the ballot contests were. Reed brought up her 1999 attendance at the state GOP convention. Norwood said she also went to the Florida Democratic convention, where people mistook her for a Kennedy.
Update at 7:08 p.m.: Kasim Reed is asked where he’s disagreed with Mayor Shirley Franklin. An important question since he’s twice been her campaign manager. One of the examples: He said he criticized Janice Davis, the mayor’s appointment at the city’s chief financial officer.
Update at 7:07 p.m.: Jesse Spikes advocates a customer/business-friendly City Hall.
Kyle Keyser is asked whether he’d approve the use of automatic weaponry and tracking dogs for the Atlanta police department. He says he’d depend on a community-minded police chief to make the decision.
The first big question: Dave Williams of ABC asks Mary Norwood for examples of fiscal mismanagement. She says budget figures from court fines are all over the map.
Original post:
I’m sitting here at home, waiting for the Atlanta mayoral debate at home on GPTV, just like most of you. This is the first of two bookend confrontations — sponsored by the Atlanta Press Club.
Next Sunday, a second debate sponsored by WSB-TV and the AJC will attempt to put a cap the first (?) round of voting next Sunday.
A few days ago, the Rev. Joseph Lowery, the 88-year-old, grand old man of the Civil Rights movement, was speaking at an end-of-term event for Shirley Franklin.
And he wondered out-loud whether the Franklin legacy included the feminization of the mayor’s office. Whether male candidates – Kasim Reed, specifically – were now at a disadvantage.
When I talked to Lowery last week – Friday, I think – he said he was just jesting. But many a jest contains a kernel of truth. This debate is in essence a race for second place, a matter of who will accompany Councilwoman Mary Norwood into a runoff. Kasim Reed, or Lisa Borders.
But Lowery emphasized that he had yet to endorse any candidate in the mayoral race. None had attracted his interest.
A poll released on Friday evening by WSB-TV, conducted by InsiderAdvantage, indicates that Reed, a former state senator, has ousted Borders, the city council president, from the second-place spot.
I’m guessing you’ll see many, many attacks on Norwood – both Reed and Borders will be presenting themselves as the best-equipped candidate to stop the councilwoman from Buckhead.
Lemme know what you think. I’ll try to address comments as we go.
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68 comments Add your comment
Atlanta is Stupid
October 25th, 2009
6:58 pm
Ask the candidates which mayor they will most resemble in their actions: Bill Campbell or Larry Langford?
Mary
October 25th, 2009
6:59 pm
Mary Norwood isn’t very bright:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS0ekhf6PHM
Seth R.
October 25th, 2009
7:01 pm
I know Mary Norwood’s campaign manager cringes every time she has to speak in public.
Mr. Southwest
October 25th, 2009
7:03 pm
I hope Norwood didn’t think buying off corrupt black politicians would buy my vote. Glenn Thomas, Able Mable and Ralph Long should be ashamed.
Help us Lord
October 25th, 2009
7:04 pm
I heard Norwood voted for George W. Bush twice and was a Republican delegate.
Krooked Kasim
October 25th, 2009
7:08 pm
http://notkasim.blogspot.com
Lisa Fan
October 25th, 2009
7:09 pm
Lisa Borders makes Mary Norwood look like Sarah Palin.
Norwood for Mayor!
October 25th, 2009
7:15 pm
Norwood is a Republican.
Next…
atlin83
October 25th, 2009
7:17 pm
I’m disappointed to anyone use the phrase “making sure the trains run on time,” given the general lack of attention that the City – and current candidates, maybe excepting Reed – has given to local transit or passenger Amtrak service.
CJ Dawg
October 25th, 2009
7:18 pm
My GOD will you blacks lay off of Norwood?!?!?!?!?!? It’s a little obvious here. This is about issues……not her being the only white.
Norwood for Mayor!
October 25th, 2009
7:21 pm
I’m white… she’s a republican…. me too.
Next
Lisa Lisa
October 25th, 2009
7:22 pm
Quit it with the Mary Norwood bought off her endorsers meme. The candidate who’s leading in every poll has no reason to buy anyone. It’s a lie and only shows how desperate your campaign is.
We should be more troubled by the fact that State Reps. Rashad Taylor and Stacey Abrams are being paid thousands of dollars per month to run losing campaigns. Are we supposed to believe they find the time to serve their constituents while they’re out mismanaging Reed’s and Borders’ campaigns?
Kris
October 25th, 2009
7:30 pm
Mary Norwood is the only candidate who CAN make a difference in Atlanta. If you want Bill Campbell/Shirley Franklin Part III vote for Borders or Reed.
VOTE FOR MARY NORWOOD!!!!
Justin
October 25th, 2009
7:32 pm
Kasim has made two major blunders: (1) not committing to firing his brother from the City if he’s elected and (2) not committing to limiting the campaign contributions of companies doing business with the City. Those two answers alone show Kasim to be the crook people claim he is. If you are the Mayor, there’s no way in hell your brother should be in charge of minority contract compliance.
THE REAL Shin Jasher
October 25th, 2009
7:35 pm
This debate should really be between Borders and Reed and Norwood. Borders and Reed should slam Norwood on specifics.
opus
October 25th, 2009
7:38 pm
Norwood is the only candidate that can break Atlanta out of the corruption cycle it has suffered from for the past 30 years. We need a grown up in city hall. Rudy Giuliani did it for NYC…it’s time for Atlanta to get over the racial BS and elect the best PERSON for the job.
John Doe Atlantan
October 25th, 2009
7:41 pm
Definitely Mary Norwood all the way. It’s not about race, this is about ending corruption in City Hall. Franklin has been a disgrace, Borders and Reed would be no different…Too much special interest.
Norwood will give us a fresh start. It’s no wonder why she’s been in the lead the entire campaign season. Enough with scare tactics.
You have our support Mary!! Keep it up, we’re at the home stretch.
Bayou Philosopher
October 25th, 2009
7:43 pm
I’m a die-hard Democrat
Hello
October 25th, 2009
7:47 pm
I am amazed at Norwood while watching the debate. For anyone who says she is winning because white people are voting for her because she is white, is bogus. She is clearly the best candidate! Go Norwood!
Bayou Philosopher
October 25th, 2009
7:50 pm
…and I support Mary Norwood because she has been the ONLY council-member and candidate asking the tough questions and doing the hard work FOR citizens. Lisa Borders is very articulate — and is a DeveloperCrat. If you want Cousins Properties and the Developer Mafiia on speed-dial running city hall —vote for Borders. Kasim Reed plays politics in the Legislature and that is why he is raising so much money. If you want a “Vernon Jones” type of guy running Atlanta — then he is your guy.
THE REAL Shin Jasher
October 25th, 2009
7:59 pm
Norwood came off as much of an uninformed figurehead as she usually does. Why do people love her so much? Is it the Palin effect? Help me understand Atlanta!
Politics At Its Finest
October 25th, 2009
8:00 pm
I’m very impressed with Reed. He is the only one that knows state government and you can tell he is well versed in the issues….even recalling specific legislation that deals with the issues. I would rather have a mayor who knows how to work with state government that one who just talks about it.
I am leaning more and more to team Reed. He’s not cuddly but he is smart and doesn’t pass the buck. The city counsel members have whined and not taken responsibility for their actions and their role in creating the current mess we are in.
Mary offered no alternative last year or this year to end the furloughs. She claims she will make Atlanta safe but has no plan.
Keith
October 25th, 2009
8:06 pm
If you thugs want a better city, vote Norwood. Black leader ship does not work. Obviously.
Politics At Its Finest
October 25th, 2009
8:11 pm
and stop making it a black or white issue. It is about competency and results.
If Atlanta really wanted a white mayor they wouldn’t have put Sarah Palin up…. they would have found a Hillary Clinton to run.
Taralyn
October 25th, 2009
8:21 pm
Mary, why would she run for office off lies. She has been in office for 8 freakin years, piggy backing other councilmember’s solutions, taking ownership of the results because she is at-large. I don’t care what you say, she never drove that freakin buick to City Hall before the elections. Just go ask the security in the council members’s garage at City Hall. She should stop lying to get in office. I think Lisa is so Atlanta “entitled”. She jumps in and out of the race because of who her parents are. The are legends, so I should run. They are getting old, I’m loosing, I should drop out. My grandfather help build this city, Im running for sure and on his legacy. Hell I should just call my self a skater, skate my way to City Hall again, without ever making a freaking vote in my LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I was in college, I learned that blacks had a legacy profile for their sororities and frats, If you parents were in, you are in. Why do any work, you are a sure thing because of WHO YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris
October 25th, 2009
8:22 pm
Blacks have gotten very relaxed now in Atlanta. Many do not even go to vote so they no longer care of the past and forgot they could not even vote in 1864. Now today the vote for mayor will be determined by 15,000 on December 1st in the runoff. The sad truth is many blacks will just toss away their voting rights the same as the go to flush the toilet. Shirley Franklin did get the sewers to work so I guess when people flush the toilet they can just flush the vote. For the 15,000 going to vote Dec. 1st you will be the few selected to decide the next mayor. Do not think that all the candidates are not aware of the current apathy of the voters and are counting on you all to stay home and not vote to help them win! If the right to vote is a flush in the toilet just have a good day!
I am a property owner of the City of Atlanta, tax payer this year more than any other year paying more taxes and will vote on 11-3 and 12-01-2009 so will you ? Or will you just flush your vote? Has the history of the South no memory for you? 30 years is a short time if you ask me… like a quick candle flicker…
shirley
October 25th, 2009
8:28 pm
John Doe and others… Norwood is the disgrace… using public money to build a network of political support for 7 years and claiming to save her money…It isn”t her money. It is the taxpayers’ money. The Internal Auditor recommended all Council members use their allotted funding each year and turn the balance back into the general treasury for the next year’s reserves… Norwood says she saved “her money”. That is exactly what the Auditor recommended against. She doesn’t have a clue because she doesn’t read the reports, doesn’t ask significant questions and in tonight’s debate didn’t answer direct questions. “What would you do?”, she was asked. She never said what she would do to correct any problems. Nor has she proposed solutions as a general rule while collecting a salary as Council member. If you want a mayor who is all talk, then vote Norwood.
THE REAL Shin Jasher
October 25th, 2009
8:28 pm
Taralyn, lay off the exclamation marks. I certainly hope nothing bad ever happens to your parents which causes you to have to interrupt your life. Pretty callous.
Angry Taxpayer
October 25th, 2009
8:32 pm
The City needs a mandate for change! This is not about the racial element but about the culture at City Hall. Without a mandate for restructuring the City for the benefit of it’s citizens, we will continue to loose jobs and employers. We simply can not afford to be the most expensive City in Georgia – if we want employers and jobs we must reduce the burden. If you compare Cobb Galleria to Buckhead – we are nearly twice the property tax, 33% higher on sales tax and water and sewer – I dont even need to give a figure as you already know.
Mary Norwood is the only candidate that will be a mandate for change and restructuring the climate in City Hall to serve us – the taxpayers.
shirley
October 25th, 2009
8:49 pm
Angry Taxpayer, then why has Norwood voted to weaken the city’s ethics laws, voted to keep police on furloughs and voted to add money to the city’s pension costs? The “change” she has supported increased the cost of government, increased opportunities for corruption and pay offs and put public safety in jeopardy. You might vote for Norwood but you need another reason. She hasn’t championed anything other than her own political future for 7 years.
Norwood For Mayor!
October 25th, 2009
8:52 pm
Atlanta needs change.
Norwood. For. Mayor. NOW.
frugal voter
October 25th, 2009
8:59 pm
The Cobb Galleria does not require policing like Georgia State,the State House of Georgia, the Georgia Dome, Georgia Tech, MLK Center and Phillips Arena. All non-taxpayers.
The citizens and office buildings pay for the extras that the outlying counties, that are considered “Metro Atlanta”, do not have to cover.
Citizens from all over Georgia visit Atlanta and enjoy its amenities without any concern for the costs to the city and then return home to complain about how expensive the city is.
newA
October 25th, 2009
8:59 pm
Norwood will lose to Reed in the run-off.
cb
October 25th, 2009
9:03 pm
Who cares if norwood is republican or democrat. Neither party has done anything for me lately. Norword or Borders will do a good job. Reed is politics as usual, he also is a tax raiser, which no one should vote that.
Yea right
October 25th, 2009
9:03 pm
You people better keep on hoping. Norwood is leading the polls because Reed and Borders are splitting the votes. Once we get to the run-offs, it’s over Norwood so enjoy your polls as you did this time last year. ooops…you were losing this time last year and Sarah was beginning to break from John. I invite all of you the victory party (Reed or Borders)Dec. 1st……
Jason
October 25th, 2009
9:05 pm
This isn’t about race therefore I will vote for the candidate that looks like me. We’ve always been at war with Oceania.
mel in midtown
October 25th, 2009
9:06 pm
Why does Jesse Spikes get no respect? People who know him say he is really the best qualified candidate based on knowledge. Shirley Franklin called him “brilliant.” Why are you afraid to look at the “non-politician” in the race?
MR164
October 25th, 2009
9:22 pm
Actully Mr. Spikes is most qualified. Read up on his credentials, and then blog…… Idiots.
MR164
October 25th, 2009
9:22 pm
actually
MR164
October 25th, 2009
9:24 pm
Spikes received a bachelor of arts degree in from Dartmouth College in 1972. Spikes was selected to receive the Rhodes Scholarship and attended Oxford from 1972 – 1974. Following Oxford, Spikes attended Harvard Law School where he received his law degree in 1977.
[edit] Professional career
Currently a senior partner at McKenna, Long & Aldridge, based in the firm’s Atlanta office, Jesse Spikes is a corporate lawyer who focuses his practice on corporate transactions, governance and compliance, internal investigations and audits, as well as special committee representations. He also works with businesses in the area of advertising and marketing law, including the negotiation of endorsements and the preparation of licensing agreements.[3]
Slim Pickens
October 25th, 2009
9:35 pm
JOSH NESBITT for HEISMAN
SCLC
October 25th, 2009
9:40 pm
Cynthia McKinney !…….take your name off that Parkway.
Pot Hole Poo Poo
October 25th, 2009
9:55 pm
Atlanta has lost it, …..ever since the tackey Olympic Village days.
Fix that sewer system as you promised.
Jason
October 25th, 2009
10:17 pm
Only a gay man would say out loud that he’s “not cuddly.”
Lee
October 25th, 2009
10:18 pm
Why can’t some people in Atlanta look beyond race and political party affiliation (if any) and just base on experience and what their goals for the city are if elected? Thank heaven this time around it seems most Atlanta voters are willing to look outside the Shirley Franklin box. What a disappointment she became, especially in her 2nd term.
Lee
October 25th, 2009
10:19 pm
By the way, I wouldn’t want Shirley’s endorsement … it may severely hurt the endorsee !
THE REAL Shin Jasher
October 25th, 2009
10:19 pm
The real reason Jesse Spikes doesn’t get any love in this mayoral race is that while he may be a Rhodes Scholar, he’s run his campaign like that of a C-average student. All of his efforts have been subpar, and he’s rested on the laurels of him NOT being a politician. Well guess what, Uncle Jesse? If you become Mayor…YOU’LL BE A POLITICIAN! The more he talks, the less I like him.
And MR164, next time you copypasta from Wikipedia, take out the [edit] part.
Jason
October 25th, 2009
10:24 pm
Mary Norwood can’t remember who she voted for in the past couple presidential elections? Maybe she should be running to the retirement home instead of running for the mayor’s office. How can we trust someone who has such a bad memory (intentionally bad memory or not) to handle the day to day operations of the city?
I don’t care who she voted for but to claim she can’t remember is insulting if she expects us to believe it. Unless of course she really is going senile.
trudytu
October 25th, 2009
10:24 pm
I am tired of Reed…he’s angry,evil,mean…and I wonder if he staged that assault(supposedly) in the parking lot of his worksight…sounded mighty strange to me…nobody was injured nor robbed…Reed will bring all the crooks(I do mean political crooks)back at busy as usual if he is elected…and I will be moving across the river into Cobb County
Incredulous
October 25th, 2009
10:28 pm
I hope Mary Norwood does realize that the City’s budget is available on its website. Why does she kept talking as if Shirley Franklin deliberately hid the ball from the Council?