DEL.ICIO.USThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/12/08
Declaring himself a " doer and a fighter," U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Atlanta), on Monday kicked off his first political campaign in eight years.
"Some people talk about change, I am change," said Lewis, to a crowd of enthusiastic supporters gathered at his Northside Drive campaign headquarters. "No one, but no one will out work or out campaign me.
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"When I'm not in Washington voting, I'll be out here campaigning," Lewis said. "You're going to be sick of me."
Lewis faces the biggest challenge of his of 22-year career as a U.S. congressman.
For the first time since 1992, Lewis faces, not one, but two challengers from within his own party. Lewis hasn't faced an election opponent since 2000, when he crushed GOP challenger Hank Schwab.
One of Lewis's July Democratic primary challengers is a 31-year-old Atlanta minister and community activist, the Rev. Markel Hutchins. The other is longtime state Rep. "Able" Mable Thomas (D-Atlanta), 50.
Both challengers say Lewis, 68, is an aging civil rights-era veteran who has grown out of touch with his Atlanta constituents. Lewis, at least publicly, appears eager for the fight.
When asked last week about his two-front primary challenge, the one-time lieutenant of the Rev. Martin Luther King replied, "I'm going to give them a nonviolent kick."
Political observers say it's possible, if not likely, that Hutchins and Thomas will fare little better than any of Lewis's past challengers, none of whom carried a third of the vote.
Hutchins has never held political office. In Thomas's first try at Lewis's seat, she carried only 24 percent of the 1992 Democratic primary vote against Lewis. Neither challenger appears to have the financial or political clout at this point to beat Lewis.
But their candidacies alone may suggest there at least a crack in his iconic stature. Hutchins and Thomas point to Lewis's presidential endorsement reversal as a main reason.
Last October, Lewis endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton for president.
"I have looked at all the candidates, and I believe that Hillary Clinton is the best prepared to lead this country at a time when we are in desperate need of strong leadership," Lewis said at the time.
Georgia voters, including 5th district voters, did not agree. They overwhelmingly voted for Barack Obama for president on the state's Feb. 5 presidential primary.
Ten days after the primary, the New York Times reported that Lewis was switching to Obama. The same day, an aide to the congressman called the story "inaccurate," but wouldn't cite the specific error.
For nearly two weeks, Lewis refused to say who he was endorsing for president. On Feb. 28, he threw his support to Obama.
Bob Holmes, a fellow Democrat and a retiring Georgia lawmaker from Atlanta, says the Obama-Clinton endorsement flap hurt Lewis, but not nearly enough to imperil his re-election chances.
"What's their secondary issue?" asked Holmes of Hutchins and Thomas. "If it [the endorsement controversy] doesn't take hold with voters, what are they going to take him on for?"
Holmes predicted that Lewis would win the July 15 Democratic primary without a runoff.
"I'll say he [Lewis] gets 60 plus percent of the vote," said Holmes.
David Bositis agreed that Lewis will likely win an easy re-election contest. Bositis, a specialist in black electoral politics with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies in Washington, D.C., said the endorsement controversy will be largely forgotten by election time.
"The fact is, he did switch," Bositis said.
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More on ajc.com
- Lewis faces opposition within party (05/13/2008)
- No political ad bonanza for Atlanta TV stations (09/30/2008)
- Q&A / BOB SCHIEFFER: CBS host brings campaign fever here (09/29/2008)
- Cheers, jeers - but how many minds changed? (09/27/2008)
- Political ads drying up on local TV (09/26/2008)
- Nobody can call him a 'pretty boy' (09/24/2008)
- Cobb early voting has heavy crowds (09/23/2008)
- Early voting already a winner (09/23/2008)
- Georgia's beauty contest for new judges cheats voters (09/22/2008)
- Three amendments on ballot deal with taxes (09/22/2008)
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Comments
By brittaniad
May 15, 2009 8:49 AM | Link to this
decrease infrared simulation research capacity extinctions contribution
By Jason
May 16, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
I'm posting again because I couldn't just let this go... It's really interesting that some of you (probably black just like the Congressman) makes these comments about him not speaking clearly. At times that may true but every time I listen to this man on the House Floor in Congress... his peers applaud him. He probably sound so much like your pastor at your church on a Sunday morning service.
It's really not cool to make fun of a person's disability. Blacks hating on Blacks -- a system designed so well that we as blacks can not see it. We all know who benefits.
By Jason
May 16, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
What's embarrassing about the entire process are the individuals who's implying that John Lewis hasn't done anything for the 5th District. To make a statement like that clearly says you don't follow politics and you don't know the issues that impacts the 5th District. It's almost as some of you are writing from talking points by John Lewis' opponents.
Some of you talk about the Congressman being out of touch because at one point he supported Senator Clinton or Senator Obama. Even so... I wonder who Senator Obama would come to the 5th District and campaign for. I am sure it will be the candidate that is and will continue to make a difference in Congress. Let go of those talking points... Mr. Hutchins and Ms. Thomas WILL not have the power in Congress as Congressman John Lewis does. Let's not go backwards Atlanta. We must support our leaders in position and not tear them down because of our selfish reasons. Jason
By Ron Ali
May 14, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this
Congressman John Lewis is a great man. He paid his dues with his blood on the Edmond Petis Bridge, so that we can have the right to vote. Mable Thomas and the good Rev. Hutchins are only opportunist. They need to get jobs like reagular people and leave Congressman Lewis alone to continue doing a great job in Congress. His seniority is a asset to the 5th. Congressional District. Both Thomas and Hutchins if elected for that seat would not know what to do.
By Reba
May 13, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
John Lewis may be my representative, but he does not now, nor has he ever represented me or my views. He is married to the unions, civil rights only for the Black population, and is addicted to a lifetime tenure in congress. It is way past time for a change. And while we're at it, lets reclaim our city, too.
By Real Talk
May 13, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Markel is shady. Dont trust him further than you can spit. He is a cheater, liar, and fake. John Lewis did support the Millon Man March. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was a MAJOR contributor and sponsor of the march and Lewis is a Sigma Man just like Hosea Williams. I like Able Mable but she is not better than Lewis. Lewis supported Hillary so what? He switched to the right candidate OBAMA when the people spoke in his district. Cant hold that against him. With Lewis you know he is honest a fighter but no he is not perfect. With Markel you will get another lying wannabe leader/preacher. He is not a leader by no stretch of the imagination. And the way Markel behaves when he thinks nobody is looking lets me know he is not a very loyal man of the cloth. Yeah, I said it. And its the truth.
By linorra
May 13, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
steve-o
Point taken, the man DID take a lot of crap to effect change. Good for him.
The point is, he's still trying to RIDE that 40 years later.
What has he done for his consituents lately?
Guess he's been busy responding to your inquiries --- but not mine.
John Lewis needs to learn how to speak clearly so as not to embarass himself and those he represents. He loses a lot of the message because people have a hard time seeing past the messenger.
Is it right? It is fair? Of course not.
But it is reality.
And I want a representative who represents me, not 1964.
By steve-o
May 13, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
JUSTICE,
And it was John Lewis, who had more guts than anyone on this blog, that took bumps, bruises, and beatings for your blackass to have the right to vote--let alone giving you the right to take a pss in any public facility you choose.
Lewis is a great Congressman and his office has always responded to the letters that I've sent them. His views also closely represent mine.
Lewis '08!
By JUSTICE
May 13, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
I am tired of John Lewis and his crap. He is one of the reason as a so called leader that the problems exist in our communities. Oh yeah I am a black man.
By linorra
May 13, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Chcuk 12:05 pm comment
LOL!! These Atlanta folks ride the movement waaaay too long. It was 40 years ago!!
Lewis needs to step down. He's just trying to hang on to the old days.
Btw, I tried to contact him about something using his on-line form AND calling both the D.C. and Atlanta offices. Think I EVER got ANY response? Heck, no! Guess I didn't march in the right marches.
Can't stand the guy.
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