Dominque Wilkins switches to Kasim Reed
My AJC colleague Ernie Suggs sends word that the Human Highlight Film has apparently added flip-flopping to his repertoire of gyrations.
On Thanksgiving evening, during half-time of the Atlanta Hawks – Orlando Magic game, basketball great Dominique Wilkins announced that he was endorsing Kasim Reed for mayor of Atlanta.
That’s fine.
But Wilkins’ endorsement comes less than a month after he recorded a robo-call for Mary Norwood, supporting her for the general election.
“In basketball, you just can’t show up for the game. You have to work very hard every day in practice,” Wilkins said on behalf of Norwood in the 24 second call. “Mary Norwood is someone who has always worked hard for Atlanta and not just on game day. Now it is time for us to help her.”
On Friday, from his hotel room in Philadelphia, where the Hawks are playing the 76ers, Wilkins said that since he recorded the call for Norwood, his political thoughts have changed.
“Mary Norwood is a very nice lady, but Kasim has been a friend of mine for a long time,” said the Hall of Famer, who played more than a decade with the Hawks and who is recognized as the franchise’s greatest player. “He is good people and I think he will make a great leader. He will do a great job of fixing some of the problems we have in Atlanta.”
Wilkins said he was initially unsure of who he was going to support for mayor. He said a friend of his took him to meet Norwood in October and he was impressed. But he said that since that endorsement, and watching the race play out, he decided that Reed was the better choice for him.
“He has the leadership skills that make a great leader,” Wilkins said. “I think he will do a good job in a long line in the good mayors of Atlanta.”
Efforts to reach the Norwood campaign have thus far been unsuccessful. But we’ll add any comments as we get them. Wilkins said he did talk to Norwood before announcing his switch to Reed.
“She understood,” Wilkins said.
It is still unclear who Julius “Dr. J” Erving, who endorsed Lisa Borders in the general election, is supporting in the runoff.
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311 comments Add your comment
Kasim Reed car wreck
November 29th, 2009
8:30 pm
Kasim Reed was in a car wreck after the debate. Thank God he wasn’t hurt. Repeat, he was not hurt! Elin Woods, Tiger Woods’ wife, happened to come by with a seven iron and busted the windows out and rescued Kasim before any harm was done.
Elin Woods rescued Kasim Reed. Talk about embracing diversity. Isn’t it great how Kasim Reed just brings out the best in people?
Sophie
November 29th, 2009
9:09 pm
Sucker Falls, Georgia citizens …. hey now. You are smarter than all this race talk and now trying to make Mary Norwood the racist. come now. She has “some” are trying to divide this city along racial lines, black and white, north and south” What does “some” refer to?………well, how about bunny, how about the profs, how about Mr.Reed and his ‘passing of the torch’ (to hwom, a white woman?). We all know the ‘code words”, like how about “Republican”…that is code for white you know. So, lets talk about Mary’s ad of “some”….apparently she hit a nerve with “some” of you and with Mr. Reed. If you aren’t guilty of it, then let it roll to someone else.
Mr Reed interjected race in thsi campaign with his two 12th hour mailers depicting an black woman looking likeshe had been beaten up, and the elephant in the room one. You know,black code. Sucker Falls citizens, you have been had by Reed once again. He will do anything to get a 12th hour spin to distract you from the truth. He is 4 more years of the same waste and corruption that we have had. I will guarantee you he will be as bad or even worse than Bill Campbell. He has way too many favors to fulfill from this race. He lies, he cheats the public by not paying his taxes, he lies about his record at the captiol. He has pulled way too many last minute slick moves over the voters….many of them we have caught and stopped dead in their tracks. Just ask those of us who have been watching him all these years,
And Sandra, you continue to support Mary. Pastors shouldn’t be talking politics in the church anyway…they are 501 C3 and tax exempt which is illegal by law to be political. Churches need to starat paying taxes anyway…they are way into our government, getting rich tax free, and influencing voters to go a certain way. (Catholic, AME, Baptist, etc.) they all do it. Sandra, don’t be pressured to vote a certain way. Mary didn’t point a finger at any one person,… I know her well …. she said the truth….there are “some” who have been trying to divide this city along racial lines, north and south. She speaks the truth as witnessed in these campaigns for weeks/months.
She is all about unity of Atlanta. She is th eonly council person known in every single neighborhood. Reed has NEVER been to my neighborhood and he will NEVER be here when he is Mayor. How could he have a clue as to what our issue are? He is clueless about Atlanta’s working citizens.
So, Sucker Falls………WAKE UP!! IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO PAY HIGHER TAXES, CONTINUE TO PAY THE HIGHEST WATER/SEWER RATES IN THE COUNTRY, WANT OT CONTINUE TO HAVE CRIMINALS RUNNING THE STREETS, WANT TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME CRONIES HOLDING ALL THE DOUGH AT THE AIRPORT……..THEN kASIM rEED IS YOUR MAN. IF YOU WANT A REAL CHANGE AND A HOUSE CLEANING AT 55 TRINITY, THEN MARY NORWOOD IS THE ONLY VOTE TO CAST. WE ABSOLUTELY CAN’T AFFORD REED AS MAYOR……….WE CAN’T AFFORD ANOTHER 4-8 YEARS.
Teela
November 29th, 2009
9:17 pm
Politicoracle: My handle “Teela” was hijacked several times. I feel your pain. We may be on the opposite sides of the barriers on this one, but the dishonesty of fools using a posters name here just is….dishonest.
It only creates chaos. Which is the intentions of the mob.
Whomever they are. And right now, it’s time to let the voters decide Tuesday.
I’ve had it with Jim’s blog. Learned some serious lessons here about ’supporters’.
Teela
November 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
Oh, Sophie. I am white and live in SWAtlanta for many years (40 actually). Our household was the only one on our street that DIDN’T receive the Reed mailers. And most times we have voted Democrat.
Could it be because we were too pale to receive his mailers? Just asking.
And….the first time race was injected in this damn election was from the Clark profs and Bunnie.
And whose side again where they supporting???
Just asking. I’m getting foggy now with all the back and forth.
Antwan
November 29th, 2009
9:54 pm
I’m tired of all this negative noise being put out by the Norwood camp about Kasim Reed. Atlanta needs black mayor and Kasim is the best candidate. Norwood’s people need to pack it up—the election is over!!!
IdaHere
November 30th, 2009
12:26 am
What a great debate! If anyone was undecided about who is best qualified to lead our great city, the debate certainly showed that Kasim Reed is well prepared, and ready to lead our city forward! It was definitely clear that when the question was asked of Mary Norwood as to who were the “some” she claims are dividing the city and what she considered divisive, she could not come up with one (1) answer! She owes the citizens of Atlanta an apology for her unfounded accusations and innuendos.
Hats off to Kasim’s record of achievements for the City of Atlanta during his years as an elected State Representative and State Senator! Hats off to Kasim for the great support he has from his colleagues on the State level and from the City Council. Hats off to Kasim Reed for the support from a former Governor, Mayors, Civil Rights Leaders, Preachers, Educators, Public Safety, etc. I am convinced that they all cannot be wrong! Hats off for your Bipartisan support!
It was great to witness the Debate Parties all over the city! They looked like the United Nations: Blacks Whites, Asians, Latinos, Hispanics, Jewish, Catholics, Protestants, teens, youth, senior citizens, gays, straights, preachers, teachers, rich, poor, educated, illerates, and everyone else, all gathered for fun, fellowship and a healthy discussion of the issues facing “a city too busy to hate.”
It is great to be among people who can discuss issues, hear from all sides and arrive at consensus!
It is interesting to note all of the ideas that came forth to continue a hand-up for those who expressed a desire to improve their lot and make a contribution to the betterment of themselves as well as our city! Hats off to the college students for the great work they are doing with tutoring the youth, and volunteering for teaching reading!
Kasim,you did it again. It is so exhilerating to be among those who are for results, not just talk! We are pleased that you have come forth, at such a time as this, to offer your leadership to Atlanta. We look forward to your leadership and our followership for we all have a stake in making Atlanta a better place for all.
Congratulations to the Reed Campaign staff, friends, co-workers who have run a top-notch campaign. Your efforts will not be in vain!
Blessings!
Jamone
November 30th, 2009
6:47 am
Kasim–clearly the best candidate! The African-American community must come out in force and elect Kasim!!!!
Atlanta Runoff Elections Dec. 1 – Vote for Mayor « All Roads Lead to Atlanta
November 30th, 2009
10:07 am
[...] to Kasim Reed less than a month after recording a phone message robo-call for Mary Norwood. (CLICK HERE for the full blog.) You can hear his Norwood endorsement message [...]
Will
November 30th, 2009
5:37 pm
“Atlanta is a black city and needs a black mayor”. Spoken like a true racist. The U.S. is 72% white, does that mean it needs a white president? Norwood would make a find mayor. Reed would make a good mayor. Blacks are showing their “true colors” in this election. It is very sad.
Jamesbrennandoyle
November 30th, 2009
11:50 pm
MARY NORWOOD FOR MAYOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JOHN ODD OWL
December 1st, 2009
1:04 am
If Mary Norwood didn’t speak, the voters could only assume that she doesn’t understand the issues and don’t have any leadership qualities… Bus as soon as mary Norwood open her mouth, she erase all doubt…