Closing arguments: Mary Norwood pilfers from Obama, but Kasim Reed is Reaganesque
A final word on tonight’s AJC/WSB debate of the Atlanta mayoral candidates:
The closing statements were the usual fare – no news, but one of the weirdest transpositions, between fervent Democrat Kasim Reed and alleged Republican Mary Norwood.
Norwood, despite that flyer declaring she hobnobs with Limbaugh, Bush and Palin, pilfered the speechifying of Barack Obama:
“I represent change and hope and a new direction for this city,” she declared.
While Reed was actually Reaganesque. “What I will be is a mayor that stands and delivers for you,” he said. “I still believe that Atlanta is a city on a hill….”
This is why you’ve gotta love politics.
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30 comments Add your comment
GrayBraden
November 1st, 2009
8:08 pm
Is it true Kassim did all of this for the city or is he lying?????? How can a state rep do work for the city? Wouldn’t this be the Mayor or the city council???? If he did all of this then why are we so broke?
Krooked Kasim
November 1st, 2009
9:35 pm
http://www.notkasim.blogspot.com
Get the facts about Kasim Reed.
Downtown Atlanta Voter
November 1st, 2009
10:01 pm
I’m a Democrat and I have not been a supporter of Mary Norwood. However, I do not like this attack mailer that I got from the state party. To post Mary’s picture next to Bush and Rove is the same as lying. If this is how Kasim does business then I want no part of him.
DW
November 1st, 2009
10:39 pm
Reed only helped with the sewer system. He hasn’t helped with the rest of the city’s operating budget.
Luvatlanta
November 1st, 2009
10:43 pm
Borders had an excellent showing. I was undecided but after tonight I will vote for borders. Her command of the issues was impressive.
CJKatl
November 1st, 2009
10:52 pm
The two “drop jaw” moments for me from the debate:
One – Reed saying we need more people on the phone in City Hall. Is he going to make sure the street cars run on time, too? Maybe special parking spaces for the ice man when he delivers the ice block to the houses? Why not promise to update technologies for better performance at lower costs? Why is he favoring the inefficient, old fashioned person on a telephone. Is he that out of touch?
Two – Borders proposing a sales tax! We know who pays the sales tax. Disproportionally, the least able to pay are hurt the most. Businesses lose, because people shop where taxes are lower. Proposing new taxes is not a solution to what ails the City right now. Borders is out of touch.
Justsayin
November 1st, 2009
10:52 pm
Kasim Reed did do all those things as a Senator, passing state legislation that aided the city. We are in this mess because Mary Norwood and Lisa Borders, who where supposed to be stewards of the City, in Ms. Norwoods own words lost track of millions of dollars. They both spoke of gaining accountability, why wasn’t this done before? They were there? Are we to believe that as Mayor they will do what they should have been doing all along. The departments at city hall answer to the council, they are the council. And Mary Norwood has admitted she was ineffective in getting things done, saying she wasn’t given what she needed. Which by the way I think is illegal to deny her what she said she asked for. So why didn’t she make this known at the time when something could have possibly been done to fix these problems? Ms. Norwood has a history of putting out small fires all over the city and that is why people love her, but she was doing all this while City hall was burning to the ground. I don’t think she is capable of handling the big jobs. And Lisa Borders has done nothing for the city.
I think that its about time we accept the fact that both Mary Norwood and Lisa Borders where there when the bottom fell out and that they, who speak of accountability, should be themselves, be held accountable.
General Sherman
November 1st, 2009
11:28 pm
I guess the black candidates are scared,so they attack Norwood.They cannot stand the idea of having a white woman in charge.If they are so scared,why did so many blacks run and split up the votes.Greed,Greed!
Ms atl
November 1st, 2009
11:33 pm
This shows race still plays a factor if you have been to a debate you d know kasim knows how to run the city and doesnt say i ll get back with you on that! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Go Kasim
Ms atl
November 1st, 2009
11:53 pm
And futhermore to say you been in all the communities is a flat face lie i been here 40 yrs and my family 63 and we havent saw you once Norwood. REPUBLICANS LIE ALL THE TIME. GREED WE KNOW THE MAYORS SALARY IS ALL YOUR AFTER! DO THE FREAKIN MATH! AND WHILE YOUR AT LEARN SOME FIGURES.
Cynthia Tucker McKinney
November 2nd, 2009
12:30 am
Jumbo G is the king of conventional wisdom. I cannot wait for election day. Jimbo, they are both democrats. And you know it. Kasim sounded like Reagan and Bush and we know Bush is evil. Obama is the man and Norwood is all about the Hope and Change!
midtowner
November 2nd, 2009
12:50 am
Borders showed that she is simply on another level tonight. Reed is in over his head and I felt bad for Norwood (not bad enough to vote for her though).
Proud Mary
November 2nd, 2009
12:54 am
Why wasn’t Kasim at the Pride Festival? I know he’s openly said that he’s against equal rights for gay couples “because of his faith,” but you would think he could at least show his face.
No worries — I’ll cast my formal complaint at the polls this Tuesday. Go Lisa!
Bert
November 2nd, 2009
7:32 am
Krooked Kasim. Your obsession with Senator Reed is not healthy. You seem jilted? Did you catch him with your woman, or perhaps your mother?
jsh
November 2nd, 2009
7:43 am
The election is bipartisan and I do not care if Mary Norwood belongs to the party of hell. I want new leadership in this city including transparency and accountability.
Yes it is a vote for change and a end of the Maynard Jackson era……..!
Atl politico
November 2nd, 2009
8:02 am
What’s really interesting is that Mary Norwood used Ceasar Mitchell’s tag line in her closing. She said, “Atlanta can be clean, safe and thriving.” Drive around the city, from Buckhead to 75/85 by University Avenue and you will see Ceasar Mitchell billboards saying, “Clean, Green, Safe and Thriving.”
Matt
November 2nd, 2009
8:39 am
I agree.. not Kasim. Mary Norwood is still my choice.
Midtown Momma
November 2nd, 2009
8:59 am
Mary means well, but as the saying goes the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Mary has had years to show us that she can be an effective leader, and she has failed. Kasim Reed gets results.
Proud Mary is BLIND
November 2nd, 2009
9:00 am
I saw Kasim marching in the parade… in front of his float clapping and passing out beads… even dancing to “We are Family”
professional skeptic
November 2nd, 2009
9:03 am
Note to the GA Democratic Party:
Comparing Mary Norwood to Rush Limbaugh in an attack ad is no better than when Saxby Chambliss and the Republicans questioned Max Cleland’s Patriotism and compared him to Osama bin Laden.
You DO NOT need to stoop to the Republicans’ level in order to get a point across.
dgroy
November 2nd, 2009
9:28 am
It’s quite obvious what the last thirty five years has come down to……a financial mess brought on by less than ethical and fiscally conservative administratiors……Mary Norwood might not be the exact fit that Atlanta needs but, at least she doesn’t have kinfolk with fat Airport Concessions and who knows what else……she’s right…..”Change is needed” in the worst sort of way.
Brad Steel
November 2nd, 2009
9:31 am
I second this sentiment from jsh:
Yes it is a vote for change and a end of the Maynard Jackson era……..!
It means a vote for Norwood.
Voice of Reason #1
November 2nd, 2009
9:32 am
I sure hope Norwood hasn’t shot herself in the foot with her “I voted Democrat” ad. Some of those hard-butt rethuglicans might not like that. But I hope they get past it and get out and vote tomorrow. I’m Black, but I want Mary, not because she’s great; but because I’m sick of the current admin and the apron strings to which all the others (except Spikes) are attached.
No run-off, people. MAKE IT HAPPEN TOMORROW!!! Get out and vote and this mess will be OVER!
Lloyd Braun
November 2nd, 2009
9:33 am
I second this sentiment from jsh:
Yes it is a vote for change and a end of the Maynard Jackson era……..!
It means a vote for Norwood.
Mazel tov,
Brauny
Tecumseh
November 2nd, 2009
12:39 pm
That’s why the folks in South Fulton are glad Reed is running for mayor. He tried to do more to aid Shirley and Atlanta than he did for his state senate district. Go Reed and take the rest of the bums with you.
Grace McDade
November 2nd, 2009
1:09 pm
Mary Norwood is, by far, the very best candidate to lead our city!!!
David
November 2nd, 2009
9:25 pm
Mary Norwood has had years and years as a City Council member to change things. If she couldn’t show leadership then, she is not ready to lead this city. She is a one issue politician and the city’s needs are too complex. No way I would vote for her, if she were blue, purple, or red!!
DEE
November 2nd, 2009
11:36 pm
Im still confused, and need more facts. I dont fully trust any of them.
Norwood's Leading
November 3rd, 2009
3:36 pm
Norwood is leading despite the Political Insider’s attempts to taint reality and to discredit her.
Mary Norwood is clearly the best and most capable candidate to lead Atlanta.
drty7 gu8tfvc
April 23rd, 2010
9:14 am
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