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DEL.ICIO.USThe return of goodbyecynthia.com. Sort of.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Press Club has set 7:30 p.m., Monday, July 31 for its live, GPTV debate between Hank Johnson and Cynthia McKinney in the 4th Congressional District runoff. That means it will air just before the start of early voting.
We wonder if she’ll make it.
We’re also hearing from people who walk the halls up there, that cops at the U.S. Capitol in Washington are passing the hat for Johnson. Not sure about the amounts involved, but if Georgia cops jump in as well, it could produce a tidy sum fairly quickly.
The most intriguing news of the day comes from the office of Mark Davis and his Duluth outfit, Data Productions Inc. Davis is a Republican data miner. Four years ago, in a matter of three weeks, Davis and a few Republican friends activated a dormant political action committee and waded into the McKinney fight, on the side of Denise Majette.
Their web site was goodbyecynthia.com.
We talked to him Thursday. He’s jumping in again, but in a capacity that hasn’t entirely been sketched out yet. His main task will be to find DeKalb County voters who didn’t cast a ballot on Tuesday, and let them know — via direct mail or automated phone calls — that they’re eligible to participate three weeks from now.
But should she lose next month, Davis said, McKinney won’t be able to argue that Republicans did her in. All the hardcore Republicans in the district voted in the Reed-Cagle race on Tuesday. Which means Davis’ job will be harder, because he’ll be reaching out toward the disaffected middle.
So here’s the day’s topic for you armchair strategists out there. And remember, the following is a tactical discussion — not an endorsement:
The technology is there for Republicans. But do you pull the trigger? We’ve heard a good many people say no, Republicans need McKinney as a poster child for liberal excess. But that’s a fund-raising argument the Republican National Committee might make. The more pressing strategic argument involves the re-election of Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Say that Democrat Mark Taylor makes all the right moves, and the race for governor in late October is tight. Would Republicans rather have a happy, enthusiastic McKinney pushing all the south DeKalb County buttons at her disposal? Or would they rather have a sullen, defeated McKinney who thinks Democrats — perhaps including Taylor — didn’t do all they should have to help her?
We’ve passed this by a number of people today, and it’s produced one cogent objection: They say that McKinney’s turnout machine, like that of Ralph Reed, is highly over-rated, and is decreasing in power as south DeKalb’s middle-class wealth increases.
If she can’t keep herself out of a run-off, her involvement in Democratic get-out-the-vote efforts in November aren’t worth worrying about. And so would have little impact on the outcome of the governor’s race.
Remember, one Democrat told us, that had John F. Coyne III of far-away Alpharetta not jumped into the race — and siphoned 5,249 votes from Johnson — there would be no run-off. It was Johnson who was drawn into the run-off on Tuesday, not McKinney.
Comments
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By William
July 20, 2006 4:20 PM | Link to this
The outcome of the govenor’s race will be decided by independent voters. Those who have no strong attachment to either party don’t judge candidate A by what candidate B does or says. McKinney won’t cause repulsed independents to vote for Perdue so I don’t see how her presence on the ballot would be of any benefit to the Republicans.
By Sam T
July 20, 2006 4:30 PM | Link to this
In regards to Congresswoman McKinney and the Republican party… she is the gift who keeps on giving. Were I living in the fourth, I would definitely jump in and vote FOR her and encourage others to do the same.
Regarding the Governor’s race, if the race comes down to McKinney mobilizing her base to help Mark Taylor, then something has gone terribly wrong. Although conservatives and liberals have not liked everything that Perdue has done, he has governed well and is well-liked. Although he is not flashy, he seems to be down to earth and a common-sense leader.
By NoAmericanTaliban
July 20, 2006 5:07 PM | Link to this
That is what Neil was saying this morning is to vote for McKinney since the dems don’t really want her & she is a liablility for them. He is going to lay off of her. As far as Perdue - I think of him everytime I drive on 285 with all those trucks. Wish he didn’t kill the outer loop because of a hand full of complaining home owners who knew what they were getting into when they bought their homes. Also tired of coming in second to when it comes to new business - just lost the flu vac. deal.
By MMM
July 20, 2006 5:27 PM | Link to this
Could we PLEASE just get rid of her!
Any republican who would HELP her just because she hurts democrats is putting party affiliation before their duty as an American to make the best choices that they can for this country. Shame. If Neil is saying that, someone should accuse him of treason.
By bud
July 20, 2006 5:47 PM | Link to this
Neal Boortz is arguing that its good for Republicans for Jihad Cindy to keep her seat, since only a Democrat can win in the 4th District and she’ll continue to make herself and her party to look bad. But I’m a Republican and I voted against her because incompetency shouldn’t be rewarded and I want a Representative that won’t say something stupid over and over again. I might actually need this persons’ help as a constituent…maybe a sane Democrat would be better than a crazy one.
By Party-pooped Anarchist
July 20, 2006 6:41 PM | Link to this
In the Northlake area, I know of several republicans and more independents who didn’t succumb to the “Reed-Cagle” bashfest. As Bud stated earlier, reality is that the US 4th District will never elect a GOP representative, even given the mental instability and churlish behavior of the incumbant. In six years, we’ve never seen Cynthia’s “big-haired, truth to power act”, north of Lawrenceville Highway. As a constituent and conservative independent, I agree that a sane Democrat (who won’t fizzle after one term, Denise) is a vast improvement over and overbearing, bullying bigot.
By Anne
July 20, 2006 7:02 PM | Link to this
Maybe the fine gentleman and taxi driver who refused to take me because of drunkeness to Ralph Reed’s Intercontinental Hotel will read this. Thank you so much. Anne—Buckhead Comunity
By Snowflake BabyBoomer
July 20, 2006 7:35 PM | Link to this
Hack Alert!!! Sam T, who posted at 4:30 pm today, hacked the phrase, “Cynthia McKinney is the gift that keeps on giving” from the honorable Jim Wooten who used it in a blog this week.
Hacks: Be forwarned. There’s a new etiquette in town and hacks are the lowest scum on the planet. Use you own words, or stay off the blog.
By formerstephensguy
July 20, 2006 8:33 PM | Link to this
Snowflake BabyBoomer, Who made you judge and jury?
By Snowflake BabyBoomer
July 20, 2006 9:33 PM | Link to this
In response to this comment, “Who made You judge, jury, and executioner”??
I reply now with: “I’m Snowflake BabyBoomer. I’m Sleet, pal. I’m hail. I’m nor’easter. I’m freezing rain. I’m the snowMAN! I’m the sludge, the dreary, AND the air conditioner! I’m dope with ice, blood”.
That’s who.
By russ
July 20, 2006 9:35 PM | Link to this
THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A CONGRESSWOMAN LIKE CYNTHIA SHOWS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF MIDDLE SCHOOL DROP OUTS IN HER DISTRICT.
By Norma
July 20, 2006 9:58 PM | Link to this
Don’t be a hater. Cynthia may be the devil’s advocate, but her statements are rarely found to be untrue. Both Democrats and Republicans should welcome and back her to keep those DC liars in step. I’m not in her district but she would have my vote if I were.
By Claude
July 20, 2006 11:29 PM | Link to this
I’m a Republican, but politics works best when both parties are on the sensible side of life. Cynthia McKinney is mentally ill, filled with anger and paranoia, and a pathetic failure as a Congresswoman. Her defeat will be a relief to liberals and conservatives alike.
By Sam T
July 20, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this
To: Snowflake BabyBoomer
Sorry… came up with that one on my own… didn’t intend to “hack” Mr. Wooten.
By GodHatesTrash
July 21, 2006 7:50 AM | Link to this
The saddest part of all this is that Cynthia is the second best congressperson in Georgia, trailing only John Lewis.
By GodHatesTrash
July 21, 2006 7:53 AM | Link to this
The racists and femiphobes that make up the GOP hate Cynthia mostly because of her blackness and her gender.
What pathetic trash you all are…
By Clay More
July 21, 2006 8:28 AM | Link to this
Hey if McKinney loses the 4th district runoff maybe Cynthia could go up to Forsyth County and run for election up there. We’d never see her again!
By Sam T
July 21, 2006 9:54 AM | Link to this
To: GodHatesTrash
True racism and femiphobia do exist… I have not experienced that in the GOP. And for the record, I do support an African-American woman for the 4th district seat. Her name is Catherine Davis. She is a fantastic human being with a good work ethic and a desire to serve her community. She would make an excellent Congresswoman and she has my unswerving support.
By sean w
July 28, 2006 5:58 PM | Link to this
I’m neither a democrat nor a republican, but I voted for Hank Johnson in the primary because he’s a better diplomat and seems infinitely more level-headed and effective as a leader , than Cynthia. That’s really a shame too, because I used to consider her one of the few people in congress willing to speak their mind (a rare if almost exctinct quality in American politics these days). Unfortunately, after the whole “I am a BLACK WOMAN” ordeal, no one can ever take her seriously again. In that one irrational moment, she lost the people-power she had worked so hard to gain. My friends think I’m turning my back on her in her hour of need, but, as I keep telling them, “Considering all that this country is going thru, we need someone who adds value and merit to our arguments; not someone who discounts our arguments just by their very presence on our team.”