We’re told that ousted Atlanta mayoral candidate Lisa Borders is about to sit down with former state senator Kasim Reed, who finished in second place Tuesday behind Councilwoman Mary Norwood.
You can presume they’re talking about an endorsement. Borders has scheduled a photo op for 4:30 p.m. at 100 Terminus in Buckhead, with hints that she’ll also have a few words to say.
Reed was on V103 this morning, buttering up Borders during a discussion about improving the city’s economy:
“My colleague Lisa Borders had a wonderful idea of focusing on micro-lending, which I thought was an excellent idea that she actually developed….
“She talked about making small loans – certainly to women-owned businesses, and small businesses, to really get them [on] their feet. They don’t need $100,000 to start a business. They may need $10,000 and $15,000 or $20,000 to start that small business.
“That’s an initiative that she actually developed, that I would like to continue to champion. Because during the campaign I thought it was an excellent idea.”
Allow me to remind you of this paragraph from a Monday post:
One unspoken consequence of the state Democratic party’s entry into the Atlanta mayoral race: It may have cost front-runner Mary Norwood any chance she had of striking an alliance with candidates left out of a run-off – if there is one.
Based on their statements in Sunday’s AJC/WSB debate, in which they accused Norwood of misleading voters on her party identification, it seems unlikely that Kasim Reed, Lisa Borders or Jesse Spikes would endorse Norwood.
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136 comments Add your comment
AH
November 5th, 2009
2:44 pm
Maybe she is just breaking the news to him in person that she will be endorsing Kyle Kessler in the runoff.
Jed
November 5th, 2009
2:50 pm
Actually, I think they’re going to discuss that memo written by the two Clark Atlanta professors.
So Reed has the backing of P.Diddy and Ludacris. I’m thinking his team should just invite Kayne to speak at a fundraising event. Maybe he’ll say, “Mary Norwood hates black people,” and lock in the election.
well
November 5th, 2009
2:51 pm
You know all them would unite behind the black candidate to keep Atlanta balck. What’s shocking?
Howell T.
November 5th, 2009
2:52 pm
It does not matter how many endorsements Kasim Reed gets if Atlanta residents repeat what they did on November 3,(not bothering to vote) Norwood will win anyway.
John Doe
November 5th, 2009
2:53 pm
Sad but true…Amazing, the candidate endorsed by Ludacris and TI will be mayor of Atlanta. I will say though this election proves it’s a matter of time before the Jackson political corrupt machine will end. Atlanta’s demographics are shifting (white flight ended)
Tim
November 5th, 2009
2:57 pm
Well,
It sounds like you are a Mary Norwood supporter so that you can make the city white..
Goodness
November 5th, 2009
2:58 pm
oh brother no what.
intown
November 5th, 2009
2:58 pm
It’s good for the only two qualified candidates to meet dontcha think?
Chris
November 5th, 2009
2:59 pm
Isn’t it funny how no black celeb or political person is backing up Norwood? The thugs out there say they don’t vote based just on skin color. YEA RIGHT. The thugs in this city should be smart and vote for Norwood so she can clean up the mess that all of the black mayors made. Black leadership obviously does not work!
DT
November 5th, 2009
2:59 pm
Only had 78k or so vote in general election, just a question of how many show up in runoff (half that, two-thirds, pick a #). Don’t know how important an endorsement is, how likely is it that Ms. Borders’ voters will vote again?
peaches
November 5th, 2009
3:00 pm
To Well……Kasim Reed is doing what any candidate would do……Hilary Clinton and President Obama did the same thing…they came together for the good of the people……stop hating and see this for what it is…….Now if you think you can do a better job…..Run for office….This is not a Black or White issue…this is an issue of who is better qualified to help my “City” get back to where it is a healthy vibrant city generating jobs and eliminating crime…..
peaches
November 5th, 2009
3:03 pm
To Chris…..you have issues you need to address…..stop hating and get a life……maybe you are the one committing all the hate crimes in Atlanta…..you are racist….if you don’t like Blacks you need to move to Alaska dude because we are not going anywhere…I was born and raised here and I am staying
derick
November 5th, 2009
3:03 pm
well,
What’s shocking is that Norwood got 46% of the vote in the primary!!!
She clearly was the least competent, least intelligent and least prepared of any of the remaining 4 candidates.
The only reason she got so many votes is because she is white.
The Abominable Snowman could have run and whites would have voted for him over the 3 much more qualified black candidates.
urple
November 5th, 2009
3:07 pm
for real derick i agree and to chris u racist. if luda ran we would vote for him. holla!!!
Steve Collins
November 5th, 2009
3:08 pm
If bozo the clown was black he would get any endorsement.
It is so funny.
urple
November 5th, 2009
3:08 pm
i Wish pdiddy would run for mayor he has created an empire. he is a jenous
L Borders is a smart lady
November 5th, 2009
3:09 pm
I like Lisa Borders. If she backs Norwood, I would be surprised. She has presided over do-nothing-in-8-years-at-city-hall Norwood and knows first hand what would happen if she got control over the city.
It isn’t a black vs white thing. It is who has the strength and leadership to fix the problems.
She knows Norwood personally and I doubt she will do anything for Norwood.
Lisa Borders supporter…turned Kasim Reed supporter.
SO?
November 5th, 2009
3:09 pm
Derick… you are a race baiting fool. Did you see the number of black voters who pulled the lever for Norwood? What do you have to say to them? Mary Norwood has worked all over this city to bring us together. But racists like you think blacks should vote for blacks and whites should vote for whites. You are what is wrong with this city and this country. Shame on you.
Jessica
November 5th, 2009
3:11 pm
To Chris: Peacher is right. African Americans are not going anywhere. If you don’t like it, then may i suggest IOWA which is 95% white. Although the good people in IOWA don’t deserve to have to live around you. Also, I know where you can find some moving boxes. Start packing because “we” aren’t leaving. Don’t let the door knob hit you….
Chris
November 5th, 2009
3:12 pm
“Peaches” what a typical thug name. Do you know why we don’t like black people? Because you people cause nothing but crime. 99% of news stories that talk about murder, drugs, robberies are all caused by blacks. Shouldn’t you be out doing something like that?
E-Roll
November 5th, 2009
3:13 pm
WOW!!! Did any of you people read the breakdown of traditional black and white precients that was given yesterday in this same section, Political Insider?
In majority black precients, Mary Norwood was able to get support of 15 – 25% of those that voted on Tuesday.
In majority white precients, Kasim Reed was able to get support of 3 – 7% of those that voted on Tuesday.
And before you say that the rest of the white voters were split between the rest of the black canidates, Mary Norwood was getting over 90% of the vote in those precients.
Now I am not going to say that a white voter in Atlanta will not support a black canidate over a white one but the numbers are the numbers.
Go back to yesterdays breakdown of numbers and read for yourself and then come back with your overt and concealed rascism comments.
I Voted
November 5th, 2009
3:13 pm
…. all these people criticizing blacks as thugs and such are making it that much easier for me to switch my vote from Norwood to Reed. Keep it up geniuses.
Chris
November 5th, 2009
3:13 pm
Jessica, you may want to check your facts. In the last 5-10 years, Atlanta’s white population has gone up while the black population has gone down. I guess from them killing each other off?
Brian
November 5th, 2009
3:14 pm
I am just glad Borders is out of the picture. I would almost say an endorsement from her might hurt Reed, just like Mayor Franklin’s endorsement didnt help him. I like Reed, maybe more than Norwood, but I have a hard time voting for him with the company he keeps.
Chris
November 5th, 2009
3:16 pm
“Urple” typical thug. Nice spelling.
PoliticOracle
November 5th, 2009
3:16 pm
It’s saddening how often commenters try to turn this election into an issue on race. Mary Norwood had the entire playing field to herself, as far as the northside white vote goes. If she was as great a candidate as y’all want to make everyone believe she would’ve closed the deal on Tuesday. There were three main black candidates that split the vote and Mary garnered 75% of the white vote (which by the way reflects racial bias) and she still was forced into a run-off.
Your stupid, psuedo-victim comments are only angering black voters because many don’t believe Ms. Norwood is a great candidate and many believe her to be a republican. For the record, Ludacris has never been convicted of any crime, is a great father and has a stellar philanthropic record. TI is currently paying his debt to society for his wrongs and has not endorsed Kasim Reed.
How about mentioning the fact that Pat Gardner, Kathy Ashe, Nan Orrock and Karla Drenner are all supporting Kasim Reed. And guess what? Wait for it…they’re all WHITE, FEMALE STATE LEGISLATORS.
This is election is not centered on race. As a matter of fact, why don’t all you loons go write on the birther comment page. Nathan Deal is writing a letter to President Obama for him to release his birth certificate. MARY NORWOOD IS A SHAME AND THESE COMMENTERS SHOULD GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF HOW SHE’D GOVERN AS MAYOR.
Vote Democrat! Vote Kasim Reed!
Graceful
November 5th, 2009
3:17 pm
Mary Norwood is a republican!
Chris
November 5th, 2009
3:19 pm
PoliticOracle you are an absolute moron. White people lead better. That is a fact. Look at Atlanta’s black mayors, Atlanta PD, Atlanta schools, Grady, Obama, etc. All morons who don’t know what they are doing. I can’t wait for Norwood to win just to piss you thugs off. She will clean up Atlanta and make it good again. “Vote Republican.”
E-Roll
November 5th, 2009
3:19 pm
By the way Chris, 99% of the new stories that I hear about concerning mass murders, home grown terrorist or meth addiction are referring to white people but I am smart enough not to let that cloud my mind to think that this represents the total population of the white race.
Maybe you should open your mind more and your mouth less. A wise man once said that it is smart man that keeps his mouth closed and have those think of him as a fool instead of one that opens his mouth a remove all doubt.
Chris
November 5th, 2009
3:22 pm
E-Roll how often do we hear about “mass murders” nationwide? MAYBE once a year? How often do we hear about murders in Atlanta? DAILY. Which is worse moron? What’s worse? Meth-addiction or daily murders? What a fool you are. “E-Roll” ha ha ha. Go kill someone or whatever you people do.
Ross
November 5th, 2009
3:22 pm
People act like being a republican is being declared a member of the nazi party. Partisan politics make me vomit.
L Borders is a smart lady
November 5th, 2009
3:23 pm
Anyone who refers to Black people as “thugs” who are “killing each other off” is obviously hiding behind an alias for a reason.
Fear, prejudice, and hatred have no place in society. If you are so scared of Black leadership, then you should probably leave the US. You are Un-American and go against what so many people fought and died for.
Blacks, women, LBGTs are all people who have overcome many obsticles. Fearful and ‘ignorant’ people have failed. Sorry buddy, it doesn’t work here.
White people and black people are smart enough to not fall for discrimination scare tactics.
Charles
November 5th, 2009
3:24 pm
Just wanted to point out that I AM WHITE, born and raised here as well, and I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE EITHER! So since I’m not going anywhere, and you’re not going anywhere, don’t you think its time to start working together?
Jackalope
November 5th, 2009
3:25 pm
Mary Norwood got a larger % of the black vote than Lisa did.
Think about that.
That means the majority of the support Lisa got was white. Who do YOU think those white people who supported Lisa (a pro-business candidate) are going to be more likely to go back and vote for? Do you REALLY think those people are going to become “I voted for Kasim “Rapper Approved” Reed?
HAHAHA.
John Doe
November 5th, 2009
3:25 pm
The sad truth is both races play the race card in Atlanta politics…Don’t pit one race against the other, both are guilty.
John Doe
November 5th, 2009
3:27 pm
Charles hit the nail on the head, neither race owns Atlanta, it’s very much a 50-50 make up…Let’s start getting along for once!
Joan
November 5th, 2009
3:27 pm
Just a word to the wise–the top 10 poorest cities in the United States have one thing in common. They have not elected a Republican mayor for anywhere from 25 to 50 years. I guess Democrats know how to give it away and people love that, but Republicans know how to make it, and expect something from others–and that is not what people want in this country. Of course, the goose will die someday and then we will all starve together. So fight it out on race, but you should be fighting it out on economics.
ed
November 5th, 2009
3:27 pm
My vote will never go to any candidate endorsed by a black celeb. What do they know about city governance. Like all other Atlanta blacks their only interest is in a hand-out.
Diddy
November 5th, 2009
3:29 pm
This is Diddy. Please stop using my name in vain!….
Norvee Michelle
November 5th, 2009
3:29 pm
@Chris Actually Dominque Wilkins, former Atlanta Hawks player, endorsed Mary Norwood this past week. So she does have some powerful black people behind her.
TheEnd.
November 5th, 2009
3:29 pm
I don’t like the way Kasim spent his campaign funds.
G. Roberson
November 5th, 2009
3:30 pm
What else could you expect from such a racial city! The blacks do not care who is the best qualified candidate. They will support their own color before electing a well qualified person! Shirley Franklin has done nothing she promised the city and they get what the deserve if they do not vote for the most qualified person! Glad I don’t live in Fulton County.!!!!!!!
Chris
November 5th, 2009
3:31 pm
As I just said, it’s always blacks:
UGA ALERT
UNIVERSITY POLICE AND ACCPD ARE CURRENTLY SEARCHING FOR AN ARMED AND DANGEROUS SUSPECT AT THE REAR OF THE UGA GOLF COURSE AND WHITEHALL RD AREA, RIVERBEND RD. SUSPECT IS A BLACK MAN WEARING A CAMOUFLAGE JACKET AND BLUE JEANS. EVERYONE PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THIS AREA. IF YOU HAVE CONTACT WITH ANYONE MEETING THIS DESCRIPTION PLEASE CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.
William
November 5th, 2009
3:32 pm
It does not matter who endorses who, people still are not going to get off their lazy butts and go out to the polls. Everyone will have sooooooo much to say about whoever wins this election, however 99% of the folks doing all the talking and blogging are the main folks that didn’t vote on Nov 3 and the same lazy butts that won’t vote on Dec 1. I am a white male that voted for Lisa Borders, so now I will more than likely vote for whomever she states that she will vote for. Lets please stop pulling the race card, talking about the thugs endorsed Kasim, majority of whites voted for Mary and quite a few blacks as well. I personally don’t care who wins, just take office and get something accomplished. Good luck to Mary and Kasim
GET OUT TO VOTE OR SHUT UP ON THE TOPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Norvee Michelle
November 5th, 2009
3:36 pm
@Ed Your vote is 100% your choice, and how you come to that important decision again is up to you. But to make sweeping generalizations against one specific group of people is wrong. I am African American and live right here in Atlanta. I am educated. I own my home, my automobile and am very established in my career. And if you like, I can point you to many more African Americans who are just like me. So I’m not sure how you come to the conclusion that all other Atlanta blacks expect a handout.
Ditto what William said
November 5th, 2009
3:36 pm
Finally someone witch some sense.
also L borders supporter said it best:
White people and black people are smart enough to not fall for discrimination scare tactics
Reed Supporter
November 5th, 2009
3:37 pm
Chris — Dude you are obviously a disgruntled racist who loves to shoot off at the mouth. It’s funny now how so many white people use the term “thug” now to define black people, when all along they really want to use the word n**ger. It’s ignorant a-holes like yourself that keep the stigma of the the old south alive! Get over yourself man. In case you haven’t heard it’s almost 2010 not 1960!
True Skool
November 5th, 2009
3:38 pm
I am not opposed to the reversal of white flight in the city of ATL. Maybe that will also mean that more corporations will move operations inside the perimeter. Maybe the ATLANTA journal constitution will not relocate to Dunwoody…
Maybe we will all get along and really be the city too busy to hate…
There I go with the wishful utopian thinking again…
E-Roll
November 5th, 2009
3:39 pm
Chris,actually you hear about school shootings and mass murders at least once a month it seems like and by mass murder, I mean multiple murders at the same time. I know that this concept probably went over your head but that is OK.
What people like me do is probably the same thing that people like you do. Right now I am sneaking online at my job debating an issue with you while I am at work instead of taking care of some other things that I could be doing. Degrees of badness has nothing to do with if something is bad or not.
Ed – as an Atlanta resident that works 6 days a week and supported the additional taxes on my home to end the furloughs, I can assure you that the vast majority of us black Atlantains are not looking for handouts. I also guestion you statement that you would never vote for a candidate that was endorsed by a black celeb, could you vote for that candidate if the were endorsed by Jeff Foxworthy or Chipper Jones?
Wild Eyed Crazy Larry
November 5th, 2009
3:40 pm
The reason Norwood received the most votes is not because she’s white, it’s because she’ll be less corrupt.
This election mirrors the presidential election. You have a person with little experience gathering people of all races to” fight the man” because the public’s tired of having no representation in government. They work for us, not us for them.
I don’t care who’s in office as long as they’re the “change” Obama cited so often in his run to the office. That’s why Mary’s getting my vote.