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Political Insider

Gearing up for the AJC/WSB debate, and a robocall for Republicans about Mary Norwood

5:05 pm November 1, 2009, by jgalloway

Just getting settled here at WSB-TV studios, to watch the final Atlanta mayoral debate among the top four candidates. Taping starts at 4 p.m., but the last confrontation won’t hit the air until 6 p.m., and an embargo applies.

But we’ve agreed that in case of actual news, all bets are off.

Supporters of Kasim Reed covered nearly every square inch of the entrance to the studios – the only early candidate presence.

One thing making the rounds on this Sunday before election is a robo-call aimed at Republican voters, looking to work both sides of the coin on the Mary-Norwood-as-Republican issue.

You already know about the state Democratic party’s attempt to paint Norwood, who calls herself an independent, as a member of the GOP. In a defensive TV ad that aired through the weekend, Norwood declared that attendance at a 1999 state GOP convention turned her off Republicans.

And she rattled off the Democratic presidents she’s voted for, including Barack Obama.

A Republican contact called this morning to tell of an automated phone blast aimed at GOP voters in Atlanta last night. Buzz Brockway captured the sound and posted it on PeachPundit.com:

Attention, Republican voters. This is a Republican action alert. Mayoral candidate Mary Norwood has viciously attacked Republicans, and reaffirmed her support for Barack Obama.

The robo-call then played back Norwood’s words from her TV ad, and closed with this:

Remember on Nov. 3, what Mary Norwood has to say about you and your family.

Editor’s note: Given the impending Atlanta mayoral election, instant commenting has been closed on the Political Insider blog. Readers are invited to submit comments on all posts, which will be published as soon as possible after review.

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15 comments Add your comment

Interesting...

November 1st, 2009
5:13 pm

Wow. And the plot thickens… I was wondering if Republicans would take offense to that line in her last commercial.

Krooked Kasimmm

November 1st, 2009
5:15 pm

Kasim is divisive to our community.

http://www.notkasim.blogspot.com

newA

November 1st, 2009
5:16 pm

Norwood’s flip-floppyness is destroying her campaign.

UndecidedIndependent

November 1st, 2009
5:38 pm

We need more options. How the HELL can Norwood have voted for Obama when she’s a small business owner? I can’t stand Democrats and I hate Republicans. I’m also sick of racist African-Unamericans.

I think I’m going to buy my own island.

newA

November 1st, 2009
5:39 pm

As an ex-campaign staffer with the Reed camp, this strategy of earning votes by dividing the community is destructive. We need someone who builds bridges. His strategies have proven the type of leadership we’ll have if he get’s in the mayor’s seat.

Ms. B. Boop (That Original Gal Named Betsy)

November 1st, 2009
6:12 pm

Since this here comment moderation went on, a girl can’t just fire up and post like she used to. But can I just tell you? These past few days have been on FIRE! That wor…woman Norwood has been hit left and right, and anyone with half a brain cell can tell that Reed cooked this up. I mean look at it — the Democratic Party of Georgia mass prints and mails 2 full-color mailers days calling Norwood on her Democratic voting record before Election Day, and Jane Kidd commits political seppuku. Then, the Georgia GOP sends out a robocall AGAINST Norwood because she voted for Barack Obama! Unless she goes mowing down people in that Buick Century, her public stock has got to be following.

What’s more interesting though is that Reed, who has worked in Georgia’s House and Senate with Democrats and Republicans, is now denouncing Republicans the state over. Think about this Khasim — don’t you think that if you become Mayor, you won’t still need the help of Republicans? Or did you figure that because you’re not under the Gold Dome anymore that you can use them as stepping stones to become Mayor? So much for touting that whole “legislative experience” malarkey. Republicans have a good memory. Why do you think their mascot is an elephant fer Christ’s sake?

The one who comes out on top of all this political party parcheesi is Borders and Spikes. By being quiet and not playing fully into this whole mess, they’re going to stand out for keeping their noses clean amidst all this.

GA GOP LOVER

November 1st, 2009
6:38 pm

Wow! I actually have more Republican friends supporting Kasim than Mary.

They have talked to GA State Reps and believe he is at least honest and will give ear to our concerns.

I was going to vote for Mary but no one from her camp has called me back and I have left 4 messages. I met Kasim two nights ago and he is a well spoken LAWYER who seems to have some backbone.

I live in Grant Park and I am voting for Kasim or not voting at all. Sorry Mary…..

Joshua Randolph

November 1st, 2009
6:48 pm

This lady aint crazy if she wants to be mayor of BLACK ATLANTA she has to say she supports President Obama lol what a liar she is.

Ragga

November 1st, 2009
7:09 pm

All the talk of Republicans, Democrats, etc. is merely more divisiness. This not only being seen across the country, but now apparently here in the Atlanta area as well. What really matters is what is in the best interest for the true citizens of Atlanta metro area, and how things can be improved, jobs, transporation, commerce, etc. Partisan politics with all of its liberal and conservative mudlslinging garbage is how we got in this mess in the first place. Leadership for ALL is what is needed. If you don’t have a jacket on during the interview, honestly, who really cares if you can do the job?

Rita simmons

November 1st, 2009
9:06 pm

Kasim is the only candidate that is showing that he actually wants to be mayor! He is not trying to trick people into voting for him either. Norwood is such a criminal, she won’t even release her family’s financial information. Not to even think about all of the favors she owes. How can seh represent Atlanta she is from Savannah!

Atlanta

November 2nd, 2009
12:20 am

@Rita simmons – good point about Norwood being from Savannah. That said, I’d like to know what you think about Kasim being from New Jersey. And if by saying that “Kasim is the only candidate that is showing that he actually wants to be mayor” you mean he’s willing to polarize our city by race baiting to no end in order to further promote his political career, then yes I think he’s shown that time and time again. I’m not voting for that.

HomeGrown

November 2nd, 2009
1:14 am

So does Mary think she has that part of town won so much that she doesn’t need supporters? I hope this election is over soon! I really need Kasim to win so Atlanta can go ahead and be great again.

Kerry

November 2nd, 2009
8:26 am

There’s been a large uptick in robocall complaints at http://www.callcatalog.com recently

Midtown Momma

November 2nd, 2009
8:54 am

I was originally going to vote for Mary Norwood, but I must say that Kasim Reed has really earned my vote! I don’t care about all of the political posturing and mudslinging – I just want to know the person I vote for is going to get things done when elected. You can’t argue with results; the fact that Kasim Reed has gotten as much legislation passed as he has in a Georgia legislature that is hostile towards Atlanta speaks volumes to me about his ability to be effective.

a

November 3rd, 2009
8:23 am

Why did she do this? She panicked, and overreacted.

If she had just laughed it off, she would have kept her lead.

Instead, she alienated all the Republicans who have been campaigning for her. My God, she lives in Buckhead amongst 100s of them. Now, how will she look them in the eyes? They wear her shirts, put her signs in their yard, give her $$$, and then she makes an ad basically saying they have the plague, and she would never be associated with them.

I hope this forces her into a runoff. She would have easily won the election if she didn’t offend every single Republican who gave her money.

How can you take someone’s money and then attack him/her like that?

She needs to give all the Republicans their money back.