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DEL.ICIO.USReed lays claim to Obama campaign advisors
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last year, Councilwoman Mary Norwood said she’s the Barack Obama candidate in the race to succeed Shirley Franklin to become Atlanta’s next mayor.
But when it comes to Obama infrastructure, much of that has been snagged by state Sen. Kasim Reed, according to my AJC colleague Eric Stirgus.
Reed announced Thursday that AKPD Message & Media will serve as his camp’s media consultants. Some of the firm’s better known names include David Plouffe, Obama’s campaign manager; John Del Cecato, who produced many of the presidential candidate’s TV ads; and John Kupper, who helped the president-to-be as a message and advertising consultant.
Additionally, Reed said he has lined up Cornell Belcher, who was Obama’s pollster.
“I am proud that they have joined our team and will help us lay the foundation for victory in this election,” said Reed, a Democrat who represents portions of southwest Atlanta in the Georgia Senate.
Reed spokeswoman Goldie Taylor said she hadn’t seen details about the terms of the contracts, particularly how much they’ll be paid. She said Reed began negotiations with the teams in Denver during last summer’s Democratic National Convention.
Norwood, an at-large city councilwoman, currently has the lead in campaign donations and recently released a poll that showed her with a 30-point lead over Reed. Reed’s folks noted that Franklin was down early in the polls before besting Robb Pitts in the 2001 mayoral election.
Franklin, a two-term incumbent, is prohibited from running for a third consecutive term.
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By MaxieGrrrl
February 26, 2009 7:32 PM | Link to this
Yowsa!
By patrick
February 26, 2009 8:12 PM | Link to this
None of the above.
By FomerObamaGA STAFF
February 26, 2009 11:06 PM | Link to this
Yeh, yeh, and Mary Norwood has the majority of all of Barack Obama’s Georgia staff working for her so sounds like the playing field is rather level. Seven of the 13 top state Georgia Obama staffers are working for Mary Norwood.
By southfulton
February 27, 2009 12:39 PM | Link to this
Will…what the heck are you trying to say?
By Adora
February 27, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this
I am truly insulted that you would step into this race Kasim, you have bragged at several community meetings how you helped hand pick many of the current Mayors administration, question what is there to brag about you Mr. Mohammed Kasim Reed picking the very people that bankrupted the City of Atlanta. I blame you and Shirley Franklin, more so you because you Mohammed Kasim Reed it was your job to pick this people and a fine job you did.
I don’t think the Jewish community in Buckhead is going to elected someone who use to be a member of the nation of Islam, that’s why you dropped using your first name MOHAMMED?
By Copyleft
February 27, 2009 5:06 PM | Link to this
Geez, don’t DO that!
Every time I see “Reed” mentioned in a Georgia article, I think it’s that nutball RALPH Reed.
I could just see Ralph kidnapping Obama’s advisors at gunpoint…..
By MaxieGrrrl
February 27, 2009 6:59 PM | Link to this
Dear Adora: Your comments smack of racial and religious intolerance. There are many people in the black community who have so-called “Muslim” names but were NEVER a member of the Nation of Islam. Reed has two brothers: Tracy and Carlton. No exactly “Muslim” names, eh? His mother’s name is Sylvia for heaven’s sake! And since when did the “Jewish” Buckhead community ever decide the outcome of a mayoral race by themselves?