By Eric Stirgus and Ernie Suggs

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta mayoral candidate Mary Norwood downplayed the string of endorsements her runoff opponent Kasim Reed has received this week, calling them in a statement Thursday "politics as usual."

"That's a great quote if you don't have any political endorsements," Reed shot back at a news conference where the state's last Democratic governor, Roy Barnes, pledged his support for the mayoral candidate.

Barnes, who hopes to win his old job back next year, is the third former or current elected official to endorse Reed this week. Former state lawmaker Jim Martin endorsed Reed on Monday. Outgoing Atlanta City Council President Lisa Borders announced her support for Reed on Wednesday.

The Norwood campaign released a statement that suggested these endorsements won't matter in the Dec. 1 runoff. Norwood, who's at the end of her second four-year term on the City Council, has cast herself as the outsider in the mayor's race.

"Mary Norwood has a clear and documented track record of having always been someone who stands up for all Atlantans against the politicians and the special interests," it read. "Voters know that a string of endorsements from politicians is nothing more than politics as usual."

Her most prominent endorsements include state Rep. Ralph Long (D-Atlanta) and the 450-member Atlanta Professional Firefighters Association.

Reed, a former Democratic state lawmaker who's served as outgoing Mayor Shirley Franklin's campaign manager, has dominated the endorsement race. He said he'd prefer to have more endorsements, arguing these people know him well.

"I'll take my side of the ball any day," Reed said.

At a news conference at its headquarters, Norwood's campaign characterized the quest for endorsements as way for politicians to stay in power and wield influence.

"Politicians trying to protect their status quo are going to stick together," said Norwood's campaign manager Roman Levit.

Conspicuously absent Thursday was Norwood herself. Her staff said the candidate was spending the day campaigning, notably with firefighters.  . She was also out Thursday filming a television commercial.

Norwood campaign spokesperson Zee Bradford said it would be unfair to say that Norwood is missing, since she had news conferences on Monday and Wednesday, skipping Tuesday only because of the weather.

"Mary is out campaigning. She started at 5 a.m. this morning," Bradford said. "It is not a secret. She is not dodging the media."

Reed, meanwhile, wouldn't commit to endorsing Barnes Thursday, although he said "you will hear from me soon."

"I'm comfortable with that," Barnes said to laughter.