For the day when every vote counts, Republican or not
You’ll remember that, earlier today, we told you that the blog Georgia Liberal had spotted a Kasim Reed mailer advertising his Democratic party roots.
“Mary Norwood isn’t a Democrat,” that flyer added helpfully.
Another mailer hit Republican households today, presumably aimed at much of Buckhead, identifying Reed as “the fiscally conservative choice for mayor.”
The flyer quotes “Republicans for Reed:”
“We do not agree with Kasim on every issue, but we all agree that Kasim is the best choice for Atlantans who want to see a more fiscally conservative and more responsive city government.”
Republican names attached to the mailer include state Rep. Joe Wilkinson of Sandy Springs, House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin of Evans; former state senator Mike Egan, and Robert Highsmith – former legal counsel to Gov. Sonny Perdue and Reed’s law partner.
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66 comments Add your comment
John
November 30th, 2009
6:13 pm
Kasim Reed is the most solid choice whether you’re liberal or conservative.
Confused with Norwood Supporters
November 30th, 2009
6:13 pm
Sounds to me like everyone is for Kasim Reed.
VHighlands
November 30th, 2009
6:14 pm
Makes sense. Not even my conservative friends can bear to vote for Mary Norwood.
Patient Atlanta
November 30th, 2009
6:15 pm
Is there anyone left to vote for Mary Norwood? lol. She really fell apart in the runoff. Good luck to Kasim Reed tomorrow…he has my vote.
Druid Hills
November 30th, 2009
6:17 pm
I still can’t believe that Mary Norwood couldn’t get one credible public official to endorse her candidacy. If your peers don’t respect you, how can you expect voters to respect you. 8 years in the City Council seems like plenty of time to earn respect.
Confused with Norwood Supporters
November 30th, 2009
6:17 pm
I heard the campaign disclosures are out for the run off period.
Poor Mary.
Silent Majority
November 30th, 2009
6:18 pm
After Mary Norwood mysteriously disappeared for half of the runoff, her support really died. As soon as Kasim Reed started to make a run she froze. That’s not the type of person who can lead a international city. Kasim Reed for Mayor!
Mike
November 30th, 2009
6:19 pm
hahahahahahahahahaha
Norwood by 4
GOP
November 30th, 2009
6:20 pm
I’m a Republican and even though it’s clear Reed is a solid Democrat, I could never vote for Norwood. I don’t like all his stances, but he’s clearly the best candidate for the job.
Simon T.
November 30th, 2009
6:22 pm
It’s looking like Kasim Reed will blow Mary Norwood out of the water tomorrow.
Cousin Vinny
November 30th, 2009
6:25 pm
Norwood supporters wanted to keep everything non-partisan until Reed got support from both sides. Reed ran an excellent campaign and deserves to win.
Look before I leap
November 30th, 2009
6:38 pm
Yet once again the voters get a choice of the better of whomever and yawn. Kasim Reed represents the professional political pysche and a continuation of existing policies and direction. Mary Norwood pulled a Pennington and all but disappeared in the crucial home stretch – the words “stand”, “heat” and “kitchen” come to mind.
American Politics – selling mediocrity one day at a time.
Outwrite book store
November 30th, 2009
6:41 pm
Outwrite book store just endorse Kasim Reed for mayor.
The Real Gop Party
November 30th, 2009
6:43 pm
Kasim Reed have my vote from the true Republican party.
Republican for Kasim Reed
M.M.
November 30th, 2009
7:04 pm
You heard it first:
Norwood 52%
Reed 48%
MC W
November 30th, 2009
7:06 pm
You know what? You staffers can go home now. The election’s already arrived by tomorrow, not too many people are undecided, and you’re coming on so strong that you might be accomplishing the opposite of what you’d set out to do.
Fiscally conservative, eh? How is 750 officers in four years, more than the Atlanta Police Academy can even handle, fiscally conservative? Come up with something that’s not impossible, Kasim, and we’ll start to trust your accounting skills.
Tuxedo Park
November 30th, 2009
7:14 pm
As a recent supporter of the GOP and a known Kasim Reed supporter, I am getting calls from friends throughout the city about this GOP show of support for Sen. Reed. I told them what I have been saying for weeks, this guy is a better choice than Norwood plain and simple.
Alice Pickett
November 30th, 2009
7:27 pm
Enter your comments hereThese comments about GOP/Conservative support of Kasim are so bogus it is embarrasing. Still, Atlanta may elect this man. I certainly hope not. If only 36 % of the people voted for him in the first place, he is not truly the choice. Mary Norwood is a choice for change.. Reed is status quo.
If you want more of the same, vote Reed in; if you want a change, pick Norwood.
Look before I leap
November 30th, 2009
7:37 pm
The Reed staffer who has been posting all day on this blog and who can’t handle a simple verbial past tense has been cracking me up. He has also convinced me to vote Norwood tomorrow. A mayoral candidate who hires staffers who flunked 6th grade English can’t be trusted with the keys to city hall. We have enough illiterate yahoos running things down there.
Kris
November 30th, 2009
7:46 pm
Kasim Reed = Campbell/Franklin III
Vote for Mary Norwood tomorrow
Let’s clean out the corruption at city hall!!!!
Vicious Truth
November 30th, 2009
8:07 pm
Too many folks can’t see the obvious signs. This is why you can’t trust this guy. The folks endorsing him are the same characters that want to split Fulton County and who tried to destroy what is left of South Fulton (his district). He was too busy preparing to run for mayor and carrying water for Shirley Franklin to do anything for his district. He also took campaign contributions from them. Look it up for yourself. He likes to play the ends against the middle. He can’t be trusted.
In addition, he’s a megalomaniac. I’ve seen him almost in tears and foaming at the mouth after being criticized during a forum with Michael Bond when they were running to be the state representative for the South Fulton district that included Sandtown and other parts of unincorporated S Fulton. He was huffing and puffing like a three year old. Again, I watched him as state senator get upset in a delegation meeting with a senior citizen who criticized his failure to properly author the bill establishing a city of South Fulton. He went into his “Darth Vadar” act again. Reed is not the right person. He’s has a darkside that will ultimately be unleashed on this city to the detriment to all.
A few other things…where are the women or woman in his life. Not having a steady girlfriend says alot about a “straight” black man. Is he too much of megalomaniac for a strong black woman to handle? My dad always told me no woman wants an a$$hole.
Also, Atlanta has yet to elected a darked skinned person as mayor. My fear is that is about to change and those of us OTP will suffer because some of you don’t see the signs.
StrawGrasping
November 30th, 2009
8:15 pm
This story is exactly why Kasim Reed will be mayor. He has put forward smart platitudes that will set this city on the right path, for everyone.
SEE LINK: http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/amid-closings-across-atlanta-219557.html
Marey Snorewood
November 30th, 2009
8:38 pm
Why did AJC write this story about rec centers saving the little ghetto children in Peoplestown? Those rec centers can’t be re-opened. It would mean Mr. Reed is right in his assertion that young people need viable outlets, despite the city budget. Either spend it on rec centers or increased public safety. Either divert the young people to positive things or pay for it in police and jails. That is a basic principle across the globe.
Say what?
November 30th, 2009
8:49 pm
After derisively calling Mary Norwood a Republican, Reed wants Republicans to vote for him instead – he insults my intelligence. He thinks I’m stupid enough to be manipulated that easily? This was the last shot of a desperate politician. Too cute by half. I’m voting for Norwood the break the grip of these shysters at City Hall.
Oh, and Shiley, you read too much of your own press. Just because David Edwards thinks you hung the moon, don’t make it so. He’s a professional sycophant who buys Chapstick by the barrel.
And the downtown business community heaps praise on whoever is in that office. Get over yourself.
HowardU
November 30th, 2009
8:57 pm
REED was taught at Howard that as a Black Man It’s OK to Win At Any Cost.
Wonder How his COEDs felt about that
HowardU
November 30th, 2009
8:59 pm
REED has the same rage of CAMPBELL. Remember him? Maybe he is now helping REED since he’s OUT of JAIL
HowardU
November 30th, 2009
9:03 pm
Franklin has been working in the shadows of REEDs campaign for a number of weeks. No wonder – she needs to make sure she is elected At ANY COST so she stays out of jail.
HowardU
November 30th, 2009
9:04 pm
From a BORDERS Website – “Doesn’t matter if Shirley Franklin supports Kasim Reed…
Some Folks can’t see beyond the SMOKE & MIRRORS… ATLANTAN’S SHOULD HAVE LEARNED THAT WITH “BILL CAMPBELL”!
AS UNCLE HOSEA WILLIAMS WOULD SAY…”UNBOUGHT & UNBOSSED! THAT’S THE KIND OF MAYOR ATLANTAN’S NEED!!!
“SHE IS THE TRUTH”
Teela
November 30th, 2009
9:07 pm
After derisively calling Mary Norwood a Republican, Reed wants Republicans to vote for him instead – he insults my intelligence. He thinks I’m stupid enough to be manipulated that easily? This was the last shot of a desperate politician. Too cute by half. I’m voting for Norwood the break the grip of these shysters at City Hall.
Agreed. What the crap is this??? He ’smears’ Norwood by calling her a Republican and now
he courts their votes?
He’s unstable….no! he’s part of the machine…and will win at any cost.
Problem is…..Atlanta will lose.
Be ashamed
November 30th, 2009
9:08 pm
Norwood supporters, just stop
Chris Murphy, Atlanta, GA
November 30th, 2009
9:11 pm
I guess the Reed campaign staffers that man this blog 24/7 didn’t get the memo that the typical voter doesn’t get their info from newspapers anymore.
HowardU
November 30th, 2009
9:12 pm
On another note, from reading Reed’s press releases, Kasim clearly thinks the citizens of Atlanta are not paying enough taxes.
Vicious Truth
November 30th, 2009
9:12 pm
@be ashamed you should stop believing the lies your candidate (boss) is spreading.
He a Darth Vadar type. You heard it here first. Megalomania is more like it.
Teela
November 30th, 2009
9:19 pm
Kasim has shown his ability to work across the aisle and has thus proven again why he is the best choice in the mayoral election. We tried to get Norwood in, but she doesn’t cut the muster to Mr. Reed.
I apologize for all the slanderous and prejudiced things I said about Mr. Reed. I should’ve never let my emotions run so high in this election.
Jason
November 30th, 2009
9:31 pm
Exodus 20:16 – You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Proven Facts About Mary
November 30th, 2009
9:39 pm
Mary’s Poor Ethical Decisions and Judgment: Irresponsible Leadership
Mary has displayed poor ethical leadership. She voted to establish ethical standards for elected public officials such as herself and then afterwards voted to repeal those same standards, to allow herself, other elected officials and certain employees to receive unethical gifts, meals and ticket prohibited by law. She also signed a document that supported the irresponsible spending of millions of city funds. Mary has acknowledged the nature of her actions: she admitted to each action as being a mistake. But she only tried to rectify each “mistake” after being highly criticized.
On March 10, 2002 Mary Norwood voted for ordinance 02-O-0377, an ordinance that strengthened the ethical standards of City Council Members and other public officials, by disallowing elected officials such as Mary from receiving tickets, gifts and other items of value from people doing business with the city.[1]
HOWEVER, On May 15, 2006, Mary voted in favor of an ordinance that repealed the established ethical standards she had helped establish by vote, just 4 years prior. The new “unethical” standards Mary supported granted appointed and elected officials, and 8,000 city employees, the right to accept free meals up to $75 and tickets up to $100 from people doing business with the city,[2] in direct violation of the law.[3] Moreover, the new ordinance did not establish any reporting requirements or restriction on the source of gifts.[4]
Mayor Franklin immediately vetoed the ordinance, stating that “we cannot accomplish anything… if we lose public trust…in order for the city to move forward, we have to have the public trust.”[5]
When asked why she had voted in favor of an ordinance that attempted to overrule the city’s ethical standard, one that she helped establish, Mary stated:
“My reason is I was completely distracted. I made a mistake. I should have voted against it.”[6]
Mary’s “completely distracted” excuse for attempting to overturn the city’s established ethical code, which she had voted for, isn’t the only time she irresponsibly supported questionable actions.
In the same year, 2006, Mary signed a letter to NASCAR, a letter that committed $62 million dollars of city’s backed funds to build a NASCAR hall of fame. The letter did not mention any time line for repayment of the funds or any other common sense details that one would want to see before signing. When asked why she signed such a letter (she had her staffer sign the letter), Mary stated that:
“I thought I just signed a letter that said ‘I love NASCAR.’”[7]
This is a very poor excuse for several reasons. First, why would you have your staffer sign a letter, which clearly committed millions of dollars of city funds? Second, why would you endorse city fund expenditures without understanding the details involved in the transaction? Third, would a strong, accountable leader do such a thing?
[1] See copy “Amending the Code of Ordinance of the Cit of Atlanta so as to Delete Chapter 2, Article VII, Division 2 Standards of Conduct in its Entirety and Replace it with New Standards of Conduct; and for Other Purposes. Substitute Ordinance as Amended by Atlanta City Council. Ordinance 02-O-0377. (Copy on file); see also Resolution Urging the Atlanta City Council to Sustain the Mayor’s Veto of Ordinance 06-0-0980. May 18, 2006. City of Atlanta Board of Ethics
[2] Mayor Keeps Vow to Nix Council’s Ok of Freebies.” May 19, 2006. Atlanta Journal Constitution
[3] Mary voted in favor of this ordinance despite the fact that the city ethics board had established a long standing rule that city officials accepting tickets is “unethical.” And the City Council had already made it illegal to accept these types of tickets. Ord. No. 2002-27, § 1, 4-10-02; Our opinion; These Gluttons Deserve Punishment; Mayor’s Veto of Freebies Ordinance Shouldn’t Let City Council Members Off the Hook for their Foolish Decision.” May 19, 2006. Atlanta Journal Constitution: see also FAO Gifts of Tickets to Athletic and Entertainment Events, at http://www.atlantaga.gov/government/boards/boardofethics.fao2004-7.aspx
[4] Resolution Urging the Atlanta City Council to Sustain the Mayor’s Veto of Ordinance 06-0-0980. May 18, 2006. City of Atlanta Board of Ethics.
[5] Id.
[6] Our opinion; These Gluttons Deserve Punishment; Mayor’s Veto of Freebies Ordinance Shouldn’t Let City Council Members Off the Hook for their Foolish Decision.” May 19, 2006. Atlanta Journal Constitution.
[7] “ NASCAR Hall of Fame: Mayor Boosts Bid Without Funds in Hand. March 3, 2006. Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Mary has used over $100,000 of her campaign contributions to pay herself and her own company for the past 8 years. She is Illegal and unethical. It is all listed in all of her campaign disclosure reports since 2001, Why is AJC not writing about this? Jim Galloway get on this now! Bad journalism:
Expenditure Date Amount Campaigning for:
One Call Web 1/21/2009 $396.78 mayor
One Call Web 1/21/2009 $230.04 mayor
One Call Web 1/21/2009 $158.28 mayor
One Call Web 2/3/2009 $126.12 mayor
One Call Web 2/3/2009 $124.32 mayor
One Call Web 3/4/2009 $124.32 mayor
One Call Web 3/10/2009 $505.20 mayor
One Call Web 4/2/2009 $124.32 mayor
One Call Web 4/2/2009 $505.20 mayor
One Call Web 4/8/2009 $1,364.52 mayor
One Call Web 4/9/2009 $197.82 mayor
One Call Web 4/24/2009 $555.90 mayor
One Call Web 7/15/2009 $187.90 mayor
One Call Web 2/20/2008 $15,874.82 city council
One Call Web 4/3/2008 $1,364.52 mayor
One Call Web 8/11/2008 $1,053.90 mayor
One Call Web Aug-08 $3,002.40 mayor
One Call Web 9/26/2008 $4,797.96 mayor
One Call Web 10/30/2008 $1,327.68 mayor
One Call Web 11/11/2008 $2,263.62 mayor
One Call Web 8/16/2007 $521.40 city council
One Call Web 10/24/2007 $4,593.24 city council
One Call Web 11/28/2007 $327.70 city council
One Call Web 7/10/2006 $2,312.60 city council
One Call Web 5/4/2005 $2,952.60 city council
One Call Web 6/9/2005 $2,920.50 city council
One Call Web 9/8/2005 $978.00 city council
One Call Web 9/8/2005 $2,801.90 city council
One Call Web 9/8/2005 $793.70 city council
One Call Web 9/20/2005 $3,066.60 city council
One Call Web 9/26/2005 $391.10 city council
One Call Web 10/18/2005 $4,242.70 city council
One Call Web 6/5/2001 $5,155.08 city council
One Call Web 6/12/2001 $5,155.08 city council
One Call Web 6/26/2001 $243.27 city council
One Call Web 9/5/2001 $10,200.00 city council
One Call Web 10/30/2001 $5,680 city council
One Call Web 12/21/2001 $4,242.64 city council
TOTAL MARY PAID HER CORP: $90,863.73
DURING CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR: $18, 410.80
Expenditure Date Amount Purpose
Mary Norwood 2/28/2009 $2,000 “outreach”
Mary Norwood 6/30/2006 $1,211.15 Amex reimbursement
Mary Norwood 9/7/2005 $200.00 food
Mary Norwood 9/7/2005 $300.00 “senior outreach”
Mary Norwood 11/7/2005 $7,000.00 loan repayment
Mary Norwood 12/9/2005 $1,100.00 community events
Mary Norwood 11/14/2001 $5,000.00 loan repayment
Total Mary Paid Herself: $16,811
Vicious Truth
November 30th, 2009
9:41 pm
John 8:32- “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
mary's is outta her league
November 30th, 2009
9:47 pm
mary norwood is tracy flick (reese witherspoon). this lady has her bachelors from 30 plus years ago. kasim has a law degree, was a state senator, and a partner had an international law firm. the lady is out of her league. signing nascar contracts committing the city to 60 plus million. she is a space cadet and will destroy our city
Oh Shirley
November 30th, 2009
10:03 pm
When Shirley becomes frightened enough to use the City’s website to attack Norwood, you know that something is up.
Shirley is afraid that Kasim won’t get elected tomorrow and her tricks will be laid bare.
If Atlanta was a public company, Shirley would be in shackles by now
Angry Taxpayer
November 30th, 2009
10:06 pm
Jim – you missed the most important part of this story buddy.
3 of the 7 endorsers are employees or a consultant to one of the largest City vendors. Do your research because voters deserve to know more.
PoliticOracle
November 30th, 2009
10:09 pm
Glenn Richardson is nuts. Did anyone just see the story from his wife on Fox 5?
Vicious Truth
November 30th, 2009
10:13 pm
I’ve told you your guy has a darkside that is much more dangerous than any of you will ever admit. I don’t have to go by what I’ve been told or heard rumors about. I’ve seen it for myself on two ocassions.
Atlanta is in trouble. He’s a true slickster. He makes Bill Clinton look like the last boy scout.
Mary may not be all that you want but, she will honestly put the needs of the city before her own ambitions.
Humility for Kasim?
November 30th, 2009
10:15 pm
Let’s imagine that Special K wins. If so, it will be by a very small margin, despite the (clearly desperate) backing of:
a) the entrenched, self-protective political incumbancy (no, I don’t include has-been Roy Barnes in this category)
b) a heapin’ helpin’ of cash from out-of-state and the no- bid contract holders. (Did he ever explain all the outta-state cash? Oh, I forgot, he did – it was his college buddies!)
c) Dominique Wilkins
d) 2 male lesbians and a disgruntled Republican or 2
And this would be a victory, he would have you believe, over an ineffective council person, with no connections, who communicates poorly. And who is possibly a Republican!
If he barely squeaks out a victory with such superior fire-power, over such a weak opponent, how should he interpret this? One would hope that he realizes there is a VERY strong undercurrent flowing in Atlanta, and he will govern with some humility, and not vastly over-interpret his election as a mandate.
This is just a hypothetical question, though. Because Mary, with all her faults, is going to SCHOOL K-Fed on Dec 1. mmm hmmm. That just happened. Talk to me goose! How do ya like me now? Yippee ki-yay-yi-oh. Hosta la vista, *%#$@. Word up.
Vicious Truth
November 30th, 2009
10:29 pm
@PoliticOracle Glenn Richardson and your boss Reed are of the same cloth. Richardson will survive because Republicans are down right stupid. Reed will squeak this out because Atlantans are down right stupid. Both will deserve their punishment.
Just the Vicious Truth
Druid Hills says it best
November 30th, 2009
10:29 pm
As Druid Hills said, not one member of the Jackson political machine endorsed Mary Norwood.
And that, in and of itself, is the best endorsement Mary could ever have.
Oh Shirley
November 30th, 2009
10:32 pm
How will Kasim Reed not = more of me, Shirley Franklin? I mean, he did work for me for both of my elections… you know the one where I pulled the wool over Atlantans eyes. Said there was a surplus, when there was a black hole of a deficit.
Kasim is going to fix Atlanta with more Taxes…. just like Obama is fixing the US with more Stimulus. Oh yeah, were are all those jobs?
By these calculations, Mary will win handidly
How clueless the Reed camp is
November 30th, 2009
10:34 pm
The Reed camp comes on here with a blast of paid bloggers, then tries to pretend that everyone is for Kasim Reed.
The problem is they were so incompetent, they posted that everyone was for Kasim after only one post.
Political hacks
Everyone Chill
November 30th, 2009
10:42 pm
Torn from the pages of the historic tune “Vote Mary #1″ which my good friends and I spent a solid 7 hours on…
“Put your hands up in the air and say Mary”
hear the song:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-McLeod/100926547807?v=app_2405167945#/pages/Mary-Norwood/36222173596?v=app_2405167945&ref=ts
Still climbing the charts on ReverbNation, over Musiq Soulchild, Gucci Mane, Gorilla Zoe. I’m one slot below Soulja Boy. for now!
see the chart:
http://www.reverbnation.com/controller/main/bes_chart?artist_id=570503&genre=Hip+Hop&genre_geo=Local
PoliticOracle
November 30th, 2009
10:59 pm
No matter how much you insist that people work for the Reed when they are against Mary it’s not all true. There are posters on both sides that work for the campaigns.
Oh Shirley
November 30th, 2009
11:03 pm
How will Kasim Reed not = more of me, Shirley Franklin? I mean, he did work for me for both of my elections… you know the one where I pulled the wool over Atlantans eyes. Said there was a surplus, when there was a black hole of a deficit.
Kasim is going to fix Atlanta with more Taxes…. just like Obama is fixing the US with more Stimulus. Oh yeah, were are all those jobs?
By these calculations, Mary will win handidly
Georgia Beat Tech
November 30th, 2009
11:10 pm
I am confused. I thought Senator Reed attacked Mary Norwood because she was allegedly a Republican and all Republicans are evil and will destroy Atlanta. Now, he is touting his Republican friends and their endorsements. How is that logical? What gives? So are we supposed to believe that he hates Republicans or likes them? Confusing. I am so very glad that all of this is over tomorrow.
Rick
November 30th, 2009
11:13 pm
I apologize to all posters here: I have been jerking your chains because my boy Reed would like this.
It’s Atlanta politics, so don’t hate me. I have slandered many people here and I beg their apologies.
I really don’t believe Reed can do a damn thing but I have to stick with my color.
It’s really what I do best: right or wrong.
Oh Shirley
November 30th, 2009
11:14 pm
Kasim is trying to win by any means necessary. That’s the way he rolls. Include in here how he defended Cracker Barrel against African-Americans and the LGBT community.
He’ll be a great mayor if elected. LOL and eyeroll
Kris Kross Kasim
November 30th, 2009
11:17 pm
He’s the liberal, oops I mean conservative, oops I mean Democrat, oops I mean Republican nominee, candidate of the common citizen, oops I mean leader in out of town kingpin makers.
Has Zig Zag Zell been replaced with Kris Kross Kasim?
Vote Cas$him Dec 2!
November 30th, 2009
11:26 pm
some random questions:
1. Has anyone invited Shizzerly to the Bitter Ball?
2. What’s up with all the out of state $$ for Ca$him? Creepy!
3. Can we all agree that Kasim is Shirley’s McCain?
4. Has Dominique changed his mind again, yet?
PoliticOracle
November 30th, 2009
11:35 pm
@Georgia Beat Tech
Ms. Norwood wasn’t called out for being a Republican solely. Kasim called her out for misleading the public as to her political affiliations. Now the Democratic Party’s attack (which I didn’t agree with) against Norwood posed the Republican party in a negative light and I don’t think that was the best use of party resources, but I have never given a dime to the state party.
Kasim has demonstrated a great ability to work across party lines for consensus despite ideological differences.
I think its going to be close, but Kasim will be successful.
Ask your neighbors
December 1st, 2009
1:00 am
I’m sure the Kasim bandwagon will be out there in full force tomorrow.
Shirley’s people. Andy’s people. Maynard’s people , and the rest of the Jackson doppelgänger-remember, it’s not politically correct to call it a machine any more. They’ll be joined by the Democratic, we are going to skirt the law by playing for Reed signs Party. And let’s not forget the we make a mockery of the 501(c)(3) tax exemption religious folks. And last but not least the Imaginary Republican who love candidates who promise to blow up the city’s budget with no discernible way of paying for it.
And what you will see is an ungodly, phantasmagorical Public Display of Affection for Kasim Reed that will make the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah look like the Ned Flanders family in comparison.
A coalition of the willing. Willing to devise any psychological construct necessary to convince themselves that Kasim Reed is a paragon of virtue, a moral and ethical beacon of light, and our only hope to save Atlanta.
Don’t be surprised if Reed foot soldiers confront Norwood supports and say HIS NAME IS NEO! that’s how bad they have a need for him, that’s how bad the Jackson doppelgänger needs Reed to be The One.
And what will Norwood supporters do in the face of Jackson Redux, The Rise of the Machines?
Ask your neighbors. From Grant Park to English Avenue, from Westview to Midtown to Druid Hills to Bankhead and all points in between, ask your neighbors.
I suspect you will be very pleasantly surprised, where ever you live in Atlanta. Not by the machine. But by the groundswell. The groundswell of rising up against the hype, the groundswell rising up to support Mary Norwood.
You can only hammer people into submission for so long, with backroom deals and cronyism. It’s when the cronies and the dealers, scream loudest, and scream ugliest, that you know they are threatened. Not threatened by power, as is their standard operating procedure, but threatened by the loss of power, their worst nightmare come to life.
And it’s coming. Because all around the city, people have stopped listening to hype, stopped giving in to fear and started asking their neighbors. And neighbors in neighborhoods all across this city have reached a critical mass, each one coming up with the same answer.
Mary Norwood. For mayor. It’s time.
Sophie
December 1st, 2009
5:14 am
Hey, @ask your neighbor ……… right on. Have been all over this city in the past two weeks. The ground swell is monumental. Have never seen anything like this in Atlanta. Blacks are tired of it from Cascade to Peoplestown, Mechanicsville, to Kirkwood. Whites are tired of it from Druid Hills, to Inman Part over to Grant Park up to Buckhead. City employees are behind the scenes working for and voting for Mary Norwood. The citizens are sick and tired of the mismanagement, poor services, rising crime and basic lack of government for and by the citizens. Sick and tired ot the cronyism in contracts, appointments.
We have heard all the awful things about Mary Norwood from the other side. She isn’t perfect, but one thing resounding and should be comforting about having Mary Norwood as our Mayor……..she is one courageous and strong woman! To go up against these decades old power brokers is a feat in itself. Just think what she will accomplish as our new Mayor !!! Come December 2, Mary is going to need our help, our input, our patience through commitment to her administration. Change won’t happen overnight. The problems are monumental at 55 Trinity. BUT, it is a beginning in the right direction.
Her campaign ad for unity where “some have been trying to divide us along racial lines” is true. Reed attacked her in the last debate trying to throw the racial thing Mary’s way……. that “some” started with Bunny Jackson and her racist release quote, then the two professors with their ‘vote black’ emails and the list goes on right up to Jesse Jackson’s parade and plea over V-103 this morning. I know so many black citizens who are insluted and fed up with this rhetoric of divide and conquer. Reed passed out turkeys before Thanksgiving. Old time politics to buy votes. I know many who took those turkeys enjoyed them and will cast their vote for Mary Norwood.
Reed and Norwood are both very tired. He is upset that ‘he should have to work this hard with all his celebrity connections to get a job of entitlement.” Reed comes across as angrym frustrated and arrogant in these last hours. Norwood is also exhausted from the race. The difference is that she is energized by the citizen strong support and commitment to finally wanting to change the inside of city hall. She is on the last lap, 1/4 mile to go. It will be a photo finish for many reasons. This 5′ dynamo has remained steady, and focused on what it is she is trying to accomplish. Atlanta having a Mayor who is truly one for all the citizens focused on doing more with less and delivering quality services to all citizens.
God bless you Mary Norwood for staying the course and taking up this challenge. I say worst case 51%-49% up to 53%-47%. She wins, even by one vote – it is a landslide for the citizens of this city !!!!!!
Bryant
December 1st, 2009
6:12 am
Poor Atlanta. The idiots will vote for another lackluster mayor, Reed, who will suck the city dry for another term. At least his law firm can handle all his ethic violations and criminal trials when he leaves office. Thank God Franklin is leaving. Unfortunately she leave the city broke and worse off then when she took over.
When will Atlanta learn: answer never!
The Late Maynord Jackson
December 1st, 2009
6:28 am
VOTE REED EARLY & OFTEN… ALL MY DEAD FRIENDS HAVE.
Obama supporter, Democratic Party supporter
December 1st, 2009
6:48 am
Reed can’t have it both ways. Norwood clearly is the anti-developer candidate here and the “liberal” who has the backing of the neighborhood activists. Reed rarely backed neighborhoods because he really has no roots in grass roots movement. He has grass roots in big business politics and that crosses Repub/Dem. lines. The joke is portraying Mary as a right winger when she is the one taking on developers for years. Kasim is part of the power establishment and if he wins, you will see Ga.Power, the big developers, law firms, etc on all the boards and with the power. Thinking Reed is for the “little guy” is a bit of a joke.
Lastly, Mayor Franklin, you have damaged yourself in this campaign by showing how thin skinned and below the fray you have gone. You are the least magnanimous person I know in politics, the most thin skinned who loves to punish your enemies and to think that even George Bush did not criticize Obama, however, you unleashed your venom against Norwood during this campaign. Why can’t you accept criticism? You make everyone your enemies. Its too bad. Norwood criticized you early and you made her like Osama. She’s qualified for Mayor just as Reed is and you are too small to accept that.
Time to Clean Up Atlanta
December 1st, 2009
8:51 am
Vote Mary Norwood!
Kasim Rules!
December 1st, 2009
8:53 am
Kasim’s getting 99.99% of the African-American vote, as it should be, and will win this election easily! Atlanta needs a strong African-American mayor, not a rich white woman from the suburbs looking after her white friends in business. Vote Kasim!!!!
Vote Cas$him Dec 2!
December 1st, 2009
10:02 am
News Flash… Dmitri Medvedev has endorsed Ka$him. There are lucrative airport contracts for Soviet vacuum tubes at stake.
Praise Allah and Kasim
December 1st, 2009
10:16 am
Glory be to Allah and Kasim Reed. He is the choice that will help bring much needed muslim values to the city of Atlanta. Reed will make women have to wear formal headress and not talk on Tuesdays. He will ban alcohol and make all residents pray 5 times a day. Vote for Reed, we need Muslim rule in the A-town more than ever.
PoliticOracle
December 1st, 2009
2:14 pm
With all the ignoronce being spewed on these thread, there’s no reason to wonder why Kasim will win tonight. Norwood’s camp has been fanning racial flames since day one in this election. I would go into details, but it’s not even worth it because the polls will close in a little while.