11Alive/V103 poll: Mary Norwood closes in on the magic 50 percent mark
11 Alive News and radio station V103 released a new poll of the Atlanta mayor’s race this afternoon, again showing Kasim Reed in second place — but also putting Councilwoman Mary Norwood at 46 percent and within reach of winning the Nov. 3 contest without a runoff.
The poll was conducted over the weekend by Survey USA. Margin of error is 4.2 percent, with 556 registered, likely voters interviewed.
Crosstabs can be quickly viewed here.
In once sense, this newest poll duplicates the WSB-TV/InsiderAdvantage poll of Friday, which also placed Reed in second place, ahead of Council President Lisa Borders.
But anytime a candidate cracks the 45th percentile in a multi-candidate race, you have to seriously consider the possibility that the race could end on the first Tuesday. The WSB poll of last week had Norwood at 41 percent.
The race, according to 11Alive/V103:
– Norwood at 46 percent;
– Reed at 26 percent;
– Borders at 17 percent;
– Undecided at 5 percent.
Among the findings: Norwood leads 6-to-1 among whites, Republicans and independents. Reed leads among black voters. Norwood leads on voters focused on crime. Reed leads among those who think the big issue is jobs.
The key to this poll is the turnout model, and several of its assumptions are debateable, so take it with a dash of salt:
– Male voters outnumber female voters by 53 percent to 47 percent;
– 53 percent of voters are under 50;
– African-Americans make up 59 percent of the voting universe; white voters are 37 percent.
– 65 percent are college graduates.
– 8 percent say they’ve already voted.
– 36 percent earn under $40k a year; 39 percent say they earn over $80k annually.
By racial breakdown, this is a relatively conservative poll. This line comes from the Survey USA analysis:
If African Americans vote in larger numbers than seen here, a runoff is possible. If whites vote in larger numbers than the 37% seen here, Norwood avoids a runoff.
But 65 percent of the Atlanta electorate has a college degree? We know the city’s population has shifted away from its public housing base, but has it shifted that much?
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102 comments Add your comment
Krooked Kasim
October 26th, 2009
4:22 pm
http://notkasim.blogspot.com
Wait a Min
October 26th, 2009
4:24 pm
46 + 26 + 17 + 5 = 94
who lost their calculator?
Jackalope
October 26th, 2009
4:24 pm
YOU REPORTED IT WRONG JIM.
ACTUALLY LOOOOK AT THE CROSSTABS.
NORWOOD ALSO LEADS AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN VOTERS
Jackalope
October 26th, 2009
4:26 pm
MY MISTAKE, YOU ARE RIGHT. NORWOOD LEADS AMONG EVERYTHING ELSE ALTHOUGH THEY REPORTED REED LEADING AMONG LOWER INCOME PEOPLE WHICH IS INCORRECT.
These are all Crap
October 26th, 2009
4:26 pm
None of these polls have over 800 people polled. All of these polls are crap!
Blain
October 26th, 2009
4:28 pm
Norwood will fall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS0ekhf6PHM
nOrWoOd UnFiLtErEd
October 26th, 2009
4:29 pm
Hilarious Video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS0ekhf6PHM
PoliticOracle
October 26th, 2009
4:29 pm
Norwood’s numbers are only as strong as they are because of her 50% hold on the white vote. Once this is a two MAN race, it most likely Borders’ and Spikes’ supporters will go in large for Reed and the race will be more even.
NOTE: JACKALOPE, REED HAS THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF THE BLACK VOTE!
SEE BELOW: ATLANTA — Mary Norwood holds a significant lead in the race to become Atlanta’s next mayor, according to an exclusive poll commissioned by 11Alive News and V103 and conducted by Survey USA.
In a poll conducted between October 23 and 25, 46 percent of respondents said they would vote for Norwood if the election were held today. Kasim Reed followed with 26 percent and Lisa Borders trailed with 17 percent.
Complete crosstabs can be viewed by clicking here. Survey USA made the following observations about the poll:
Norwood leads 6:1 among whites, Republicans, and Independents.
Reed leads among blacks, who make up 59% of the electorate in SurveyUSA’s turnout model.
If African Americans vote in larger numbers than seen here, a runoff is possible.
If whites vote in larger numbers than the 37% seen here, Norwood avoids a runoff.
Reed leads among voters focused on jobs.
Norwood leads among voters focused on crime.
Reed leads among the less affluent.
Norwood leads among the more affluent and the more educated.
8% tell SurveyUSA they have already voted.
Betsy
October 26th, 2009
4:31 pm
You need at least 1000 people to really have decent poll numbers. How come all of these polls are shooting towards the low end?
Margaret
October 26th, 2009
4:32 pm
Lisa Borders has over 30 of the most influential preachers in this city supporting her. Lisa, if you are reading this, please know Southwest Atlanta is behind you. I will never forget what your family, starting with your grandfather, has done for us in the city. God Bless!
PoliticOracle
October 26th, 2009
4:44 pm
@Margaret,
Lisa ran a poor campaign and she is now losing as a result. I hope that no bitterness will be carried forward post general election. We must unite behind Reed. Not because he black, white, purple or green but because Norwood is not a leader. She’s a talker, who has accomplished nothing. Reed doesnt seem to be the nicest guy and I honestly dont know him well, but his plans seem the most attainble and he has a REAL record to stand on.
It is so sad that many in Atlanta want to change the color of the leaders so bad that they would resort to Mary Norwood. As a black person, i have and will continue to support substantive candidates and much like Mayor Franklin over my life that has mostly been white candidates but Norwood doesn’t cut the muster. I would’ve had a very hard time supporting Reed if Cathy Woolard, Sam Williams, Cathy Ashe but in all fairness Mary Norwood is a JOKE!!
Don't Be Mad !
October 26th, 2009
4:45 pm
If YOU are from Atlanta and YOU know the people in these neighborhoods, then YOU know that Mary CAN win this race without a run-off…simply put, being pissed off is not relegated to color…Mary for Mayor!
Jackalope
October 26th, 2009
4:49 pm
PolitcalOrical: I correct myself before your post buddy boy.
Reed did an internal poll showing Norwood at almost 50.
Borders people are more likely to RETURN AND VOTE FOR NORWOOD.
Same with Spikes.
Betsy
October 26th, 2009
4:57 pm
Both Jackanape and Political O-Gimme-A-Break are talking out the sides of their campaign staff necks. Is Reed paying you both well enough these days to post these outlandish comments, or have you fallen on hard times, and are now blogging for the other teams?
newA
October 26th, 2009
5:00 pm
I think Reed will get 68%+ of Borders’ support, and 100% of Spikes support. Also, upon reading the crosstabs you will notice Norwood received a large % of the 18 – 29, which will not sustain; Reed will pull a lot of that support.
The race will tighten up between Reed and Norwood in the run-off.
THE REAL Shin Jasher
October 26th, 2009
5:08 pm
Borders may have slipped in the polls, but I don’t think we should count her out of the fight just yet,
mike
October 26th, 2009
5:12 pm
Shirly Franklin just upset because Mary Norwood won’t wear a flower the size of Texas on her chest!
OneChris
October 26th, 2009
5:18 pm
POLLS ARE CRAP … W BUSH never followed the polls and he was a 2 term prez
THE REAL Shin Jasher
October 26th, 2009
5:19 pm
OneChris, I’m actually finding myself agreeing with both you and *gulp* Betsy. Poll more than 1K people and then we’ll really see how it shakes out in Atlanta. These sub-600 people polls don’t mean a hill of beans with such a large and diverse electorate.
Scared to death
October 26th, 2009
5:22 pm
I am black and I am voting for Mary Norwood….I am ready for change! I don’t care if the candidate is poka dot, if they can change the City of Atlanta, I’m ready! Go Mary!!!!!!!!!
Betsy
October 26th, 2009
5:27 pm
Scared to death, how many sides did you get with that meal at The Beautiful? Don’t tell me she bought your vote too…
Dave
October 26th, 2009
5:28 pm
My vote will go to the candidate who promises to put some retail downtown.
THE REAL Shin Jasher
October 26th, 2009
5:29 pm
@Dave: Borders has promised that; she said as much in the APC debate last night.
Politico
October 26th, 2009
5:33 pm
Sorry folks, the sample size is correct for the a city the size of Atlanta. This isn’t a statewide or national race. The question– should there be a run-off– is not how much of Borders’ support Reed will get (not as much as one might think), but how much will return to the polls a second time. I suspect the Norwood base is a more reliable voter and will return with a lot less effort/money expended. Norwood is closing in on 50+ 1, which explains the widespread panic and Mayor Franklin’s post from yesterday. The closer she gets to 50, the tougher it will be to take her out in a run-off… if there is one.
itpdude
October 26th, 2009
5:45 pm
Norwood needs to keep her head down and play conservative football. She’s trending the correct way and Franklin’s anti-endorsement may help Norwood. She absolutely needs to avoid a runoff.
Dana Blankenhorn
October 26th, 2009
5:52 pm
People forget Atlanta is not a big city. There are only 500,000 people in the whole city — including kids. So a survey with 800 can be valid. The size of the necessary sample is always related to the size of the total universe.
facethefacts
October 26th, 2009
5:53 pm
face the facts people the next mayor is Norwood and im saying this as a black person. Just get behind her because most of the comments are from people who dont even live in the city and dont even know whos in office were there are in the outside the city
Bwood1906
October 26th, 2009
6:01 pm
I hope all these people being polled are City of Atlanta residents. It will be a runoff come on people! I was a supporter of Norwood but after these debates she has lost me totally. The more she talks and interacts with people the more ground she will lose. Reed has his finger more on the pulse of the residents but I hope he can get people out to vote twice!!!
Voice of Reason #1
October 26th, 2009
6:08 pm
‘Margaret’…Lisa isn’t William Holmes–she’s not her daddy. I think Shirley Franklin’s comments boosted Norwood’s chances. Go Mary!! I really hope Norwood wins this without a runoff; a runoff wouldn’t be to her advantage, I don’t think. I’ve had enough of seeing the present clique of Atlanta politicos. Let’s look at some of Mary’s mess for a while. It can’t be any worse than the past 10 years. And Atlanta is still waiting for its first real woman for mayor. Ask Luz.
GA Girl
October 26th, 2009
6:10 pm
Yea, Norwood all the way!
D. HAIRFIELD
October 26th, 2009
6:13 pm
If Mary Norwood is elected, the city of Atlanta is in deep ____!! Anyone
who would use family tragedies to promote her political agenda has absolutely no class at all!! Those ads showing where tragedies took place are appalling and she should be ashamed of herself. Surely Atlantans could use someone with much more class and integrity. She obviously has none!!
OZZFEST
October 26th, 2009
6:40 pm
Man, I would hate to have to choose from this idiotic field.
Kasim comes across as a bumbles from what I have seen on TV, if he wins I hope he can improve on his seeming “dumbness”.
North Fulton
October 26th, 2009
6:59 pm
White Folk 46 Black Folk 54. That’s the score.
The next mayor is Kasim Reed, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out.
pap
October 26th, 2009
7:07 pm
To: PoliticOracle, you are surely a hypocrite. I’m sure you voted for Obama. He was just a talker, and still is, and also has not done anything so those arguments show just how bigoted you really are, It’s all about race with you.
Steve Chaudointh
October 26th, 2009
7:20 pm
I am white and I live in Buckhead. I will not be voting for Mary Norwood. The published polls have no way of counting the white voters who will not publicly admit their distain for Norwood, a real Buckhead Betty. I know that Mary was trying to change Atlanta’s building code such that she would limit what I could build on my lot. Since I pay higher taxes than I care to admit, I should be able to build whatever the existing code allows. This is how Atlanta increases the tax base. I have just read Mary’s latest contribution report and see that numerous payments to black activists were paid and the only explanation was “outreach”. I wonder just how much outreach Mary has extended in the black community. Lisa Borders has the qualification to run the city, Mary should stick to the garden clubs.
SWBorn
October 26th, 2009
7:53 pm
If Shirley doesn’t like Norwood…than I LOVE NORWOOD!!!!
Mark
October 26th, 2009
8:06 pm
Has Shirly Franklin or any of the candidates ever visited downtown? Why is every other street light not working or pedestrian side walks left in ruin? Downtown has a begger on every corner and two thirds of the buildings are vacant.
AngryVoter
October 26th, 2009
8:13 pm
Yes, Franklin gave Norwood a huge boost by making it clear Norwood is the anti-Franklin.
Up until this weekend, I wasn’t sure if I was going to vote for Reed or Norwood. The more I learned about Reed, though, the less I thought of him as an agent of change and the more I thought of him as Franklin redux. Like most people just making up their mind, I’m voting for Norwood. Don’t want to, but she is the best of several lousy choices.
Now, if I could only decide who to vote for in the Governor’s race.
Lou
October 26th, 2009
8:17 pm
I just took a poll of 3 people….2/3 of those polled support Lisa Borders. This last poll is total crap. Mary Norwood is Atlanta’s Dan Quayle.
Ward
October 26th, 2009
8:18 pm
Personally, I can’t believe that any of these losers is about to elected Mayor.
Bubba
October 26th, 2009
8:38 pm
I’m a white male Republican on the north side. I will vote for Kasim Reed because he’s smart, politically experienced, competent, and has good sense. As much as I am tempted to vote for a fellow Caucasian who looks and sounds like my friends and neighbors, I believe that Reed will be the best choice to lead Atlanta.
Kris
October 26th, 2009
8:43 pm
Bill Campbell = Kasim Reed
john
October 26th, 2009
8:48 pm
When Lisa Borders had intruders in her home she was cowering in the bathroom. If she was a person of action and had a backbone, she would have confronted them with her firearm (which obviously she does not really own) and dropped them on the spot if they did not comply. Do we want her as a mayor with no backbone trying to lead this city out of the mess it’s in thanks to squirrely Shirley? I say NO !!! I’m voting for Mary Norwood and while I can’t say what Norwood would have done in that situation of having intruders in her home, I’m saying that I’m NOT voting for Borders because I CAN say that she is not the person of action and backbone that I would like to see as mayor. Norwood IS getting my vote because of all the candidates I have to choose from, I think she is the most likely to break up the Atlanta city government jobs factory infested by incompetent idiots. Maybe also the privatization of the airport will happen under Norwood while it was squashed by squirrely Shirley and Delta. I’d sure like to see those millions of $$$ lowering my property taxes.
tyger
October 26th, 2009
8:51 pm
Norwood is a Maverick!
Keith
October 26th, 2009
8:53 pm
Mark: Have you ever visited downtown? What the h*ll are you talking about?
cletus T Rockafella
October 26th, 2009
8:53 pm
This is pathetic at best. Borders: A waffling liar and a thief. Shirley Franklin: An incompetent POS who has squandered the taxpayers money and belongs in jail with bill campbell. A total loser.
Will Jones: a communist who despises America and prays for it’s demise.
New Zealand looking good. I say put the above trash I mentioned in jail, or expel them from this nation.
shirley
October 26th, 2009
8:57 pm
John, The airport is and has been a private/public partnership for at least 50 years. Of 50,000 people employed at the airport, 49,000 work for private companies not the city. The financial model of Hartsfiled Jackson world reknown for its success. Just 30 years ago the airport was a regional airport, now it is the busiest passenger airport in the world serving the entire Southeast region as the major economic catalyst. It would be a shame to dismantle this successful model and the state’s and SE region’s economy would suffer, meaning hundreds of jobs in small and medium size private businesses would be at stake. Squirrley I’m not. Your idea is squirrely. Shirley
jacko
October 26th, 2009
9:02 pm
omg, I’ve lived here 10 years and this whole time I wondered why Mayor Franklin kept changing her hair color??? Then, it hit me, that was Monica Kauffman. Crazy coincidence, but I’ll still be voting for Norwood. She looks like my neighbors as Bubba, AKA Leroy, said so sarcastically!
Truth be told
October 26th, 2009
9:09 pm
Just like she did in the Fulton County Commission race, where she invoked racial imagery to defeat Lee Morris, so now is Shirley stirring the racial pot to defeat Mary Norwood.
Mary Norwood has plenty of vision, intelligence and integrity, she just opposes Franklin’s autocratic rule and city hall that has run the city into a ditch.
Franklin’s legacy will be, and should be, a total repudiation of the status-quo and the election of a real change agent – Mary Norwood.
Reed and Borders would be 8 more years of Shirley Franklin.
Steve
October 26th, 2009
9:24 pm
I initially leaned towards Norwood but am voting for Borders. Youtube Norwood. She doesn’t even know the MARTA fare and she wants to run this city? Even the local politicians in my zone are “suggesting” Borders. My city council rep hinted to me that Norwood was unqualified and unorganized.
I think we’d be in deep trouble if we fell for Norwood, as she won’t be able to cut it. This city is a mess, and we need strong leadership, not a Buckhead Betty.
PolitcOracle
October 26th, 2009
9:34 pm
@pap
I know you don’t know me, but did you actually read my comments. If you did, what about them is racist? That’s the problem with you people, it doesn’t get more substantive than my comments. I gave you several examples of people I could realistically support, though I left out Sam Zimmarippa (excuse the spelling) he would make an excellent mayor. Again, there is nothing racist, bigoted or prejudiced about my comments – now or before- you know why? Because I am not ignorant and I honestly love mankind. Just as there was nothing racist about Mayor Franklin’s comments. She went at Mary Norwood the weak, dumb and inarticulate candidate. She mentioned nothing about Mary’s race. My only. Mentioning of race was to clear up facts that Jackalope was giving in error.
I believe Atlanta to be a great city and I could care less if the mayor is white, black, hispanic, asian or arab. I am a very young person and my parents raised me to love all men. I have never felt discriminated against or hated because of my skin and I am certainly not one to do those things either.
MARY IS A wEAK CANDIDATE AND NOT EVEN ALL WHITE PEOPLE ARE VOTING FOR HER.
P.S. Barack Obama is a proven leader and has gotten a lot more accomplished than his predecessor in a lot less time. Check out the DOw Jones or the Unemployment numbers recently. Also, I will be supporting Roy Barnes over Thurbert Baker for Governor and Mayor Franklin probably will too. You know why? He’s a better candidate and race has nothing to do with it.
john
October 26th, 2009
9:48 pm
Steve, just like the Atlanta City government, Marta is another bloated group of incompetent idiots. Marta needs to be gutted and rebuilt. They have proved that they can’t operate on their budget after the whining pleas we had to listen to and the threats of service interruptions the citizens of Atlanta would be subjected to if they did not get their way. Want to know who else threatened and carried out service interruptions if they did not get their way? It was squirrely Shirley who did the brown outs of fire stations and furloughed police officers if she did not get her tax increase that was denied to her once. I could care less if Norwood knows the current fare for riding Marta, most people with cars don’t use Marta and so don’t know what the fare is. I know that it is too high and it is partly to do with the incompetence of the buffoons that are running Marta. A couple years ago, Neal Boortz was reporting that Marta employees were provided with personal trainers in their gym. Why is an organization that soon was to be crying poverty paying for personal trainers for the employees? Just more of the swill and scandal in this cesspool known as Atlanta. I just hope it isn’t too late for Norwood to turn things around after Campbell and Franklin had their way for so many years.
Jethro Bodine
October 26th, 2009
10:02 pm
How’s about we all just shet-up an go Vote.
Ted Turner's mom
October 26th, 2009
10:02 pm
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeee, looks like Atlantas own CNN is now in dead last with only 5 viewers per week. Now, go ahead and scream FOOOOOOOOOOOX NEEEEEEEEEEEEEWS IS EVIL!!!!!!!!!
CNN Drops to Last Place Among Cable News Networks
CNN, which invented the cable news network more than two decades ago, will hit a new competitive low with its prime-time programs in October, finishing fourth – and last – among the cable news networks with the audience that all the networks rely on for their advertising.
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/cnn-drops-to-last-place-among-cable-news-networks/
Joyce
October 26th, 2009
10:42 pm
If Franklin is against Norwood, then I am for her.
Grant Park
October 26th, 2009
10:49 pm
Norwood! Yes We Can!
Mary L
October 26th, 2009
10:51 pm
“It is so sad that many in Atlanta want to change the color of the leaders so bad that they would resort to Mary Norwood. As a black person, i have and will continue to support substantive candidates and much like Mayor Franklin over my life that has mostly been white candidates but Norwood doesn’t cut the muster. I would’ve had a very hard time supporting Reed if Cathy Woolard, Sam Williams, Cathy Ashe but in all fairness Mary Norwood is a JOKE!!”
Not black but I agree with you. If Mary was as smart as a Kathy Ashe or Cathy Woolard, she would be a sure thing for Mayor. But she is none of the above. The other candidates are good, boring but good. But Mary is excitingly stupid and insults my intelligence with every soundbite. She would be a BIG change from highly qualified to unequally yoked for the position as Mayor. Say no to Mary on Nov 3, PLEASE SAY NO!!!!! Her brain is on crack if she can’t even remember who she voted for, who cares, but this is clearly her mode of operation when she does not want to answer a question. She gets amnesia. How convenient and clever, because most Atlantans are stupid. With over 50% black in Atlanta, I think her words of incompentency draped in city hall paidfor = free lunches and dinners fall to deaf ears of blacks and seniors. She is amazingly smart at manipulation tactics from what I see.
Mike
October 26th, 2009
11:00 pm
We should all consider a write-in for Clark Howard. He’d be cheap, he’d be corny at times, but he’d be honest and I believe genuinely looking out for the interests of all Atlantans. I don’t really think it would happen, but think it would be a good thing. I liked Mary for a lot of things, but I’m concerned that Kaseem may be correct about her approach on a commuter tax. Good politics, but if it drives companies outside of Atlanta – oh yeah, I live in Smyrna. Never mind…low taxes here…
As for Shirley. I don’t always agree with her (I’m a Republican), but she has been fixing the sewers, unpopular but necessary, and has been pretty non-partisan, except in election years. Darn better than the previous Mayor.
Chris
October 26th, 2009
11:58 pm
In response to all of the comments about the polls not surveying enough people, the sample size is not really that important. It can be accurate as long as the sample is representative of the city’s population. If they sampled correctly a survey between 500-1000 people is fine.
say what??
October 27th, 2009
12:23 am
Black people will vote for who they think is the best person for the job….wait….never mind.
atlanta boy
October 27th, 2009
12:55 am
you folks don’t know squat about polls or statistics. the sample size is not particularly related to the total universe being queried and a sample of 300 – 400 will suffice in most circumstances. the problem with polls these days is getting a truly random sample, not from the poll instigators but from the fact that there are so few people who will agree to be polled. only numb nuts answer the phone at home this time of year, there’s too dang many poltico robo calls for me to pick up that thing. that and my home phone these days is nothing more than an answering machine. Now THATS a problem for poll accuracy.
Matt
October 27th, 2009
1:14 am
Whoever gets elected needs to step up big for the less fortunate of this city. The scarcity of basic human needs breeds desperation, desperation drastically increases crime. Crime is poison. Let them call you a communist. The naysayers will be quickly silenced when they are greeted with smiles instead of sad, hungry eyes. Businesses like crime free areas. This is Atlanta, society is sick of backing the agenda’s of the top 5%, seize your chance and make this a better world for all of us.
Mark
October 27th, 2009
1:27 am
As a matter of fact, Keith, I have visited downtown for the past 7-years since I live downtown. I’m sure I know downtown better than anyone. And I’m not talking about Midtown which many people think is downtown.
Just keep hoping downtown will someday evolve into something more than a few scattered restuarants here and there. Visit the Farlie Poplar district, Okay. Barbara Asher Square.
Backing Norwood
October 27th, 2009
1:35 am
Mary, keep up the great work. You have represented every corner of Atlanta better than anyone.
Matt
October 27th, 2009
1:37 am
Let’s not grinding meaningless axes here, this is an important blog in regards to the future of your city.
JJ
October 27th, 2009
1:54 am
Have you heard Norwood speak? OMG!!! Do you want someone that speaks like her to represent Atlanta? She would be an embarrassment to Atlanta.
mosesnose
October 27th, 2009
6:02 am
Mary Norwood, in her younger days, was a radio tycoons assistant. They traveled together, worked together, and well, you know the rest. She is very sensitive about that period of her life. It’s a well known fact among radio old timers.
Altio
October 27th, 2009
7:19 am
These polls are all jokes. How has Borders been running at 24-30% consistenly in the polls for months, then all of a sudden in one week be 8-10 points down in third place. These polls are cooked up for certain people. Borders must have never had much support and that WSB poll cooked the numbers up for her.
Walter
October 27th, 2009
7:28 am
I hate that we still vote based on race and not substance.
Boots
October 27th, 2009
7:41 am
This election may truly be a Win/Win situation for the City. It really doesn’t matter who wins, they’ll be better qualified and more competent than Red Carpet Shirley with her stupid flower.
drsoul
October 27th, 2009
7:44 am
It is time to rid Atlanta of the leftovers from the last few administrations and clean this city up in many ways… Franklin’s negative endorsement of Norwood only confirms that change is needed..
there has been a little power group for several mayors that has retarded the growth and prominence of Atlanta.. it is time to move forward.. Borders is just a ‘rubber stamp’ of Franklin.. same kind of bootlicking that Franklin did for years to become mayor.. time for progress, substance, honor and integrity which has been missing for more than a decade or two… let’s get Atlanta back to a favorable and sound running city… move forward with Norwood…
Robert Richardson
October 27th, 2009
8:00 am
Vote right vote white!!! This is how alot of how the blacks votes.
Norwood as more class than all the other canidates and she not slamming anybody like Reed and Franklin. We need someone in office that can do basic math and count money, not steal it!
Killer Mike T.
October 27th, 2009
8:01 am
LET The Best Person Win.
Corey
October 27th, 2009
8:05 am
Ted Turner’s Mom, this is about voting for the mayor of Atlanta. If it makes you feel better why don’t you go to CNN Center and stand in the middle of the food court and scream your glee at CNN’s dismal ratings.
tp4u
October 27th, 2009
8:06 am
I can’t take it. Some of you are really talking out of the side of your mouth. Mayor Franklin has done a stellar job. First, she was handed a city that was in disarray with a financial system gone to hell in a hand basket. When every city in this country fell on hard times because of the recession; Shirley Franklin was in front of the ball making the tough choices and this was way before the state or any of the counties did anything to rein spending in. NO one before her tackled the infrastructure of this City. But now you guys want to villify her for some missteps. Time Magazine did not get it wrong, Shirley, by far is head and shoulders above any of her predecessors. Mary Norwood’s record speaks for itself. Please review archived committee meetings they are posted on City of Atlanta’s website. When will the voters do some research about the candidate’s I don’t know. There is no excuse for the Norwood supporters to really know their candidate. For pete’s sake, you have the internet because you’re on this blog. Stop talking rhetoric–and save your City from disaster. Now, go do your homework! There will be a test on Tuesday.
Corey
October 27th, 2009
8:09 am
Mark, why do you continue to make your home in an area you find so disgusting? I guess secretly you love slumming.
Robert Richardson
October 27th, 2009
8:15 am
Can’t wait until Franklin is gone so she can take that Pennington with her. He is the worst chief we every had. He’s either on vacation, doesn’t know or no comment!!! He’s invisable!
Mrs.M-H
October 27th, 2009
8:24 am
A week before the governor’s race in 2002, I received a little postcard from our local NAACP. It depicted Klan figures lighting a cross and waving a Confederate flag and it urged us to remember to vote in the upcoming Governor’s race and to never go back. It was supposed to inspire us to go out and vote for Roy Barnes. I was incensed. I resented the gross manipulation and scare tactics. After all, I am certainly smart to decide on a candidate for governor based on the issues. How dare they?
A week later, on a rainy day in Tuesday this state would go on to vote for Sonny Perdue for governor (without my vote of course). A lot of people think Perdue won because of some coalition of teachers and flaggers but he really won because it rained that day….a LOT. He immediately brought up the Confederate flag nonsense just as promised (and later stabbed the flaggers in the back but that’s beside the point). Needless to say he is one of the worst governors this state has had in recent history and that’s saying something. He has done nothing to bridge the divide between Atlanta and the rest of the state, he’s corrupt and inept.
So what’s the point? Well, a few weeks ago there was a big uproar over a memo urging Black voters to unite behind one Black candidate. Of course, everyone said it was wrong, why play racial politics etc. But Sonny’s win taught us that sometimes the candidate before us is just who they appear to be. If they appear to be inept and divisive, they probably are. Now is not the time to exercise the appearance of racial impartiality just to make some sort of point. Mary Norwood would be a disaster for this city just like Perdue was for the state. It’s tempting to say if she thinks she can do better, let her have it but that’s a bad idea. If we have learned nothing from the governorship of Perdue and the presidency of Bush, we should have learned that that the public does not mind incompetence as long as the person in charge echoes what they are secretly thinking. I wouldn’t be surprised if before she left, Buckhead had seceded and Hartsfield-Jackson was renamed R.E.Lee International and in the hands of the state. Do not be fooled people!
Rose
October 27th, 2009
8:24 am
Regarding your last question, yes – the city of Atlanta is getting more and more people who are well educated and liberal-minded. That’s why I live in the heart of the city!
Keith
October 27th, 2009
8:24 am
Hey Mark, I live downtown, too. Where do you get this crap that two-thirds of the buildings are vacant?
Robert Richardson
October 27th, 2009
8:39 am
Perdue is not a governor! When was the last time anyone saw him! He’s the biggest joke around. I’m embarrassed that he was elected and disappeared except when there’s barbecue being served!
Reality
October 27th, 2009
8:42 am
Mark, why don’t you take a more active role in helping to make your neighborhood(downtown)a more livable place. Instead of bashing get involved and make a positive change. Buckhead is my neighborhood and I constantly e-mail Mr. Howard Shook who represents my district and make suggestions on solving problems and improving the quality of life in my neighborhood.
Isis
October 27th, 2009
9:14 am
I left Atlanta 6 years ago because of environmental stressors, increased water and sewer rates and crime. I moved to South Fulton where environmental stressors are increasing, a waste treatment plant may be built and crime is increasing. Then I found out about breaking Fulton County into 2 parts. How could Borders allow Riley to hold a fund raiser for her while she’s on a committee to break up Fulton County. What role did or didn’t SB552, authored by Reed, play in annexation? Norwood is not qualified. What terrible choices! I probably would not vote.
Mike
October 27th, 2009
9:16 am
People need to quit this voting for somebody just because of their skin color. Look what happened with all the blacks voting for Obama. We’re in a world of serious hurt now. Voting is a SERIOUS matter that should not be used to vote for someone just because he/she is white/black. That marginalizes the REAL issues such as economy, freedom, fiscal responsibility, freedom, crime, less government intrusion. And did I mention freedom?
lmno
October 27th, 2009
9:19 am
Our current Mayor wants to pretend that there is no problem with crime in Atlanta. At least Norwood is pointing it out. “Here is where this guy was shot…”
Mark, I am downtown about once a week. I was just talking to someone the other day about how they really cleaned out the pan handlers. Its not like it used to be. I don’t know where you are that you are having that issue, but for the most part the pan handlers have left due to the changes in the law.
Bobby
October 27th, 2009
9:32 am
God forbid we should start taking personal responsibility for our own future, neighborhoods, communities! Stop whining and start acting. Mark me down as a white guy voting for Lisa Borders because she has an understanding of issues that matter. I have as much in common with Mary Norwood as I do with a doorknob (true that I am white but I’m not THAT white)and I’m willing to give three to one odds that if elected Kasim Reed will be headed to federal prison within ten years (this has nothing to do with his skin color, the guy is just a pandering greasebag). If only I could elect Shirley again I would, she tough and is trying to squeeze blood from a rock while every stands around her with their hands out. Let’s just pull a Bloomberg and change the rules to keep Shirley.
Butch Carpetmuncher
October 27th, 2009
9:33 am
Glad I don’t live in the city, but unfortunately have to deal with its sins living in the metropolitan area. Since the regimes of Young, Jackson, Campbell and Franklin you have to ask:
Do I fee safer in my home?
Am I satisfied with my neighborhood schools?
Are the roads in decent shape?
Do I look forward to going down town, or fear having to go there?
Does my city or county government provide me with courtesy, and professionalism when I need to interact with each department?
If the answer to the above is no, then what is the probability of change under each of the candidates. Let’s be honest and frank here. For the last 20-30 years we have had black leadership in the city and Fulton (and DeKalb) counties. It has been the “good enough” mentality, which has become a cancer to our city.
Good enough isn’t good enough.
biggdawg96
October 27th, 2009
9:33 am
First, the numbers do not equal 100 percent because there are two more candidates that are pulling lower numbers than Jesse Spikes.
Next, those that are showing Norwood not knowing the price of MARTA should have shown the whole clip. Only one candidate knew the answer. Borders came close but was wrong. Spikes was wrong. Reed was actually right. It comes from 11Alive’s (WXIA) debate a couple of weeks ago. That question was part of a speed round where they only got a few seconds to answer.
As for the Norwood’s ad being distasteful. That is your opinion. That doesn’t make it true. I was actually impress that when she was being pressured to pulled the ads that she stood her ground. The first step to solving a problem is actually admitting it.
I like Reed’s plan for more officers, but he doesn’t really talk about how to fund said officer increase. At least, he isn’t stressing the funding part of his plan. Cops want to be paid. We are losing them because other areas are willing to pay more. We get cops right out of the academy, we give them experience, then they go to the suburbs where they can get more money.
All the candidates have major flaws.
Tank
October 27th, 2009
9:44 am
PoliticOracle @ 4:44 pm states,
“She’s a talker, who has accomplished nothing.”
Hey, if it’s qualification enough to be POTUS, then it’s qualification to be mayor of Atlanta. I love the hypocrisy that rolls out of some people’s mouths.
Actually, Shirley running her pie hole AGAINST Norwood has pretty well locked it up FOR Norwood.
Kevin
October 27th, 2009
9:51 am
I’m a black man, and I’m voting for Norwood. So-called black leadership has done NOTHING for this city other than attempting to drive it into the ground. Norwood has shown passion for the city– not the entitlement mentality that has prevailed for 30 years.
I don’t care if she’s white, black, green or blue. She’s getting my vote.
Kevin
October 27th, 2009
9:54 am
Mrs.M-H @ 8:24
You ask “How dare they (insult your intelligence with KKK references)?”
And then you go on to make IGNORANT comments about Buckhead and the airport?
You’re the worst kind of hypocrite. A stupid one.
TuPac (from the grave)
October 27th, 2009
10:01 am
Get whitey! and then catch the thugs that shot me (hint – they ain’t white)
No more black leadership!
October 27th, 2009
10:01 am
I am voting based on race and I am tired of the black leadership in this once great city. Nothing but incompetence for the past few decades and what is the constant? Black folks. It’s time for a change because all they do is look out for themselves. The black women are bitter and vindictive, the black men can’t stop smoking crack, keep their privates in their pants and hands out of the cookie jar! Oh yeah, and I am black.
Honkey Cracker Devil WhiteBoy
October 27th, 2009
10:01 am
Well Norwood could at least say she voted for Bush rather than stating she couldn’t recall who she voted for. WTF!!!! That is some serious political BS and indicates a lack of integrity and character. And she is a bony weasely looking thing.
Atlanta Voter
October 27th, 2009
10:14 am
Go Mary!! She’ll win without a runoff.
Butch Carpetmuncher
October 27th, 2009
10:19 am
Just to clarify my earlier post – leadership has nothing to do with skin color, but everything to do with setting the agenda, putting programs and management in place to address the specific items and then holding those responsible, managers and employees, that have been put in place to make things happen. That is where the city and leadership has failed – no follow through or accountability. Just a “good enough” attitude!
dww44
October 27th, 2009
10:44 am
Hey, Mike, re this and the Obama bashing:
“That marginalizes the REAL issues such as economy, freedom, fiscal responsibility, freedom, crime, less government intrusion. And did I mention freedom?”
You obviously consume all your news from Rush, Fox, et al. because anyone who mentions freedom as if it were disappearing since 1/20/09 obviously wasn’t paying attention during the Bush years. Your response is so typical of those who do get their news from these all too biased sources, simplistic rants which have no depth or logic or reasoning. Other commenters here have posted rationed and reasoned arguments specific to the Mayoral race. Seems to me you are the one deciding bsed on color and not on “content”.
ray
October 27th, 2009
11:34 am
Mrs. M-H @ 8:24 am
You sound foolish and silly to me, with your comments about Buckhead and the Airport. Maybe you are the fool, not the people who are going to vote for Norwood?
Sick of it...
October 27th, 2009
12:25 pm
The reason the math doesn’t come out right on these numbers is that the media is excluding the other candidate so that they can get the election they want. Why won’t the AJC cover all the candidate? Why are they excluding the only candidate with the educational qualifications to be mayor? Why is the media afraid of Jesse Spikes?
Master and Racial Bater
October 27th, 2009
2:26 pm
If only Norwood were a woman of color things would be okay. You can’t be a strong BLACK woman if you aren’t BLACK.
You morons need to get a life. Whatever happened to judging them not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character!
You know, there are some white people that voted for Obama. Why is it black folks thought OJ was guilty, but it was okay to acquit him. Do you think Nicole’s skin color had something to do with it? Now, be honest!