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DEL.ICIO.USMcKinney vs. Johnson and a definition of clout
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
That was an intriguing punching match between Cynthia McKinney and Hank Johnson last night.
Consider it a contest between McKinney’s enthusiastic glibness and Johnson’s plodding - supporters would say relentless - attacks on the incumbent congresswoman’s fondness for excess.
One of the questions is whether anti-McKinney voters are at all bothered by Johnson’s financial troubles, which include a bankruptcy. His sonambulant nature shouldn’t hurt him - and could in fact help him with his work-horse-not-a-show-horse campaign. Think Casey Cagle versus Ralph Reed, Joe Frank Harris versus Bo Ginn.
While you’re kicking this around, here’s something to chew over: McKinney repeatedly said on Monday night, televised nationally on C-SPAN, that congress.org had rated her highest on legislation among the Democratic members of Georgia’s congressional delegation - even above U.S. Rep. John Lewis.
True enough. But not the whole truth. What she referred to was only a partial ranking by congress.org, a score based on the fact that she was the only Democratic member of the Georgia delegation to successfully introduce legislation in 2005. In that category, McKinney came in at No. 285 among 437 House members.
The McKinney legislation would lay the groundwork for the Arabia Mountain national park in DeKalb County. It passed the House on July 24, but still requires Senate approval. Ironically, Johnson criticized McKinney for missing a post-primary vote on the legislation.
But in In its comprehensive “power rankings,” - which includes such things as committee position and general influence - congress.org put McKinney, a 12-year veteran, second to last in the Georgia delegation, at No. 408. Just ahead of rookie U.S. Rep. John Barrow of Savannah.
In terms of total clout, Lewis ranked seventh in a 13-member Georgia delegation, ahead of Republicans Lynn Westmoreland and Phil Gingrey.
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By griftdrift
August 1, 2006 3:22 PM | Link to this
So a little editing after the cease and desist comment, eh?
By SW
August 1, 2006 3:27 PM | Link to this
Good move on the part of someone in the McKinney camp to sedate her and clean her up. The real whacko McKinney came out in the expression on her face and the eyes locked in place and how she spoke. You can dress up a pig, but it’s a pig. She would never crawl out from under her rock if she wasn’t forced to do so by trailing over twenty per cent in the polls. She has always faired better when the public never had to see her in an ad, she does not have that luxury this time around. Johnson is going to send her packing for good.
By Fratboy
August 1, 2006 3:34 PM | Link to this
Hank Johnson is a STIFF. Period. I don’t see how he could even stand up straight without having a spine.
By Kim
August 1, 2006 5:58 PM | Link to this
Big mistake for McKinney to throw out that congress.org website. She truly distorted the rakinkings. She’s looking even worse than I thought.
By American Blackout
August 1, 2006 6:20 PM | Link to this
For Immediate Release Aug 1, 2006
Contact: Jesse Derris, Ken Sunshine Consultants – (212) 691-2800
Sundance Award Winning McKinney Documentary to Make Early Theatrical Premiere in Atlanta
American Blackout Portrays Smear Tactics Against McKinney in ’02 That Mimic Current Efforts of Hank Johnson, Republicans Today
ATLANTA – With Cynthia McKinney once again fighting for her political life, director Ian Inaba has decided to push up the scheduled release of his Sundance Award winning documentary American Blackout to THIS FRIDAY, August 4, exclusively in Atlanta. The film, which mounts a compelling defense of McKinney as she faces down a tough primary runoff against Hank Johnson, will open exclusively at the Landmark Midtown (931 Monroe Drive).
Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and hailed as “powerful� and “engrossing,� director Ian Inaba’s searing documentary chronicles the recurring patterns of disenfranchisement witnessed from 2000 to 2004 while following the story of Rep. McKinney, who first loses, and then regains, her Congressional seat in the film.
“So much of what we saw while we were making American Blackout is replicating itself again this cycle,� said director Ian Inaba. “Once again, McKinney’s opponent and the Republican Party are manipulating her words and actions to influence an election. Once again, they are trying hard to suppress the African American vote while at the same time driving Republican voters to the polls. People need to stand up and take notice – we are fighting for the future of our democracy.�
Many of the anti-McKinney players in the movie, including Republican operative Mark Davis, are again aggressively courting Republican money for her opponent. As in the ’02 election, Davis is going so far as to send direct mail to Republican voters pushing them to vote in a Democratic primary for a party they do not support and are not a part of.
American Blackout will be released later this year in a significant theatrical and grassroots campaign to screen the film for voters across the nation. It serves as an alarming wakeup call for minority voters that forces are actively conspiring to co-opt and even steal their votes.
The film features interviews with: US Congressional Representatives, John Lewis, Cynthia McKinney, John Conyers, Bernie Sanders, and Stephanie Tubbs-Jones; former US Civil Rights Commissioner & Dean of UC Berkeley’s School of Law, Christopher Edley; BBC journalist Greg Palast; and, Van Jones, Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center.
American Blackout is directed by GNN’s Ian Inaba, the creator of the controversial pre-election music video for Eminem’s “Mosh� and features music from: DJ Shadow, Soulsavers and Thievery Corporation, among others.
#By Markus
August 1, 2006 8:09 PM | Link to this
American “Black Eye” is more like it. One of my favorite blog posts about McKinney yet:
*”Well if anyone had any doubts that Cythnia McKinney is a freakshow of political graffiti, I hoped you watched this evenings debate on GPT or listened to it on WSB 750!
I couldn’t belive her lies. She said she was ranked highest in “effectiveness� by congress.org, even saying she was ranked higher than Rep. John Lewis. LIE!
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/power_rankings/state.tt?state=GA&submit=GO
And a little further digging into her “facts� is that she’s ranked 408th out of 438 in OVERALL power effectiveness.. in the bottom 10%. LMAO!!
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/power_rankings/overall.tt
But of course the media probably won’t call her on her hypocrisy and LIES because they are afraid of her. Further, her supporters are probably just too stupid to research what she said.”*
By Justin
August 1, 2006 9:48 PM | Link to this
The debate made me feel bad that most likely one of those two is going to be my representative in congress. The fact that it was televised on C-SPAN for the nation to see made me feel ashamed. Thank goodness this year I have a real alternative to vote for. The most intelligent and exciting candidate to come out of this district in a long time is Loren Collins.
By GodHatesTrash
August 1, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this
The sad thing is, Cynthia McKinney is Georgia’s second best congressperson, behind only Mr. Lewis.
Take a look at the rest of the Georgia congressional delegation - mediocrity, inanity and stupidity personified. Trash all.
By brent in atlanta
August 2, 2006 12:15 AM | Link to this
did anyone else notice that there was not a cellphone in the house?
By Cletus Snow
August 2, 2006 12:32 AM | Link to this
Cynthia Mckinney, what a joke. This movie from Sundance,is her brother Alfalfa in it? The way to tell them apart is Cynthia is the one with the Jackass grin.Cynthia Mckinney is a national disgrace and a embarassment to the State of Georgia.Lets get rid of her now.
By Hunter
August 2, 2006 6:06 AM | Link to this
(I think you meant ‘Buckwheat’…Alfalfa was a white boy!)…
By Hunter
August 2, 2006 6:07 AM | Link to this
oops…STRIVE to be SMARTER than a DEMOCRACKKK !!
By Epublius
August 2, 2006 8:25 AM | Link to this
There’s an old expression in public relations that says, “What you DO speaks longer and louder than what you SAY”. I find this particularly relevant to Rep. Cynthia McKinney who talks continuously, but has accomplished virtually nothing of true benefit to her constituents.
She not only ranks in the lower 10% of all Members of Congress, but she even fails to show up to vote for key legislation such as renewal of the Voting Rights Act!
How McKinney-ish that she would file a lawsuit against a newspaper that merely told the truth about her bizarre and disgraceful behavior where she actually denies assaulting a Capitol Police Officer with her cell phone when there were witnesses.
It’s time to consign “Sin-thia” McKinney to the rubbish heap of arrogrant politicians who thought it was all about them instead of the people who elected them.
By Lawrence of Decatur
August 2, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this
OK, I checked congress.com and saw that Georgia is ranked 50th as a State. With a majority of the delegation Republican, in a Republican controlled administration, this is pitiful. Why aren’t people upset about the lack of performance from the 7 Republicans? And why aren’t folks disturbed that the Republicans have obsessed about Cynthia…wanting to cross-over, donate money, nit-pick every McKinney word? Cynthia has consistently given voice to the under-represented. That’s what she does and why people vote for her. You don’t see the Republicans have the same “concern” and put the same effort into cleaning up their own scoundrels. They protect and remain loyal to Delay, Ney, etc. and ignore the scandals of their own. I guess it’s just more fun to just be disruptive to the Dems. BTW, I am white, have pulled Republican and Dem ballots in the past and always look for candidates who are dedicated to helping the average, struggling citizen. No matter what you think of her hair, her reflexes, her clothes, her poor-peoples politics, or even her political speeches…her votes have not been in support of the corporate fat cats. That is why she has already gotten my abseentee vote.
By Bob
August 2, 2006 3:38 PM | Link to this
Congress.org put McKinney, a 12-year veteran, second to last in the Georgia delegation, at No. 408. Just ahead of rookie U.S. Rep. John Barrow of Savannah.
This shoud sum it all up.
By joyce
August 7, 2006 5:45 PM | Link to this
To me it is a question of integrity. While McKinney may have her problems it appears Johnson has a problem of telling the truth. First he states during the Channel 30 debate that all of his financial problems were over in 1985. However, when confronted with documentation he stated which showed he had filed 2 bankruptcies, the last one ending in 1998. Second, he told voters he never accepted money from landfill operators and has now had to clarify that. He stated McKinney brought no money to the district now has to admit she brought the money and he and the DeKalb Commission have yet to use it for the purpses it was sent. He ran an ad which stated she did not vote for the Voting Rights act and has to correct that when presented with proof. Stated a work program she touted was not operational, yet the union stated it is and he has had to retract it. Repeatdly Johnson has made statements he has had to retract when the facts are presented. Personally, I think it is a serious question of integrity and truthfulness on his part.