Norwood, Reed resume campaigning

By Mike Morris

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta mayoral candidates Mary Norwood and Kasim Reed wasted no time returning to the campaign trail Wednesday after vote tallies put them into a Dec. 1 runoff.

Both candidates made the morning talk show rounds and Norwood was attending mid-day meeting of the Atlanta Hotel Council to answer questions focused on the hospitality industry. Reed was also invited but did not attend.

A spokesperson for the Hotel council said public safety is also likely to be discussed at the session.

Both candidates appeared before daybreak on WSB-TV, with Reed saying that he and Norwood "have run a high-road, high-minded campaign, and it's going to be left to us to make sure we do not divide this city during this very important election."

Asked about the prospect of being the first white mayor of Atlanta in a generation, Norwood said, "I have said all along that this is about uniting Atlanta. Dr. King said we should be evaluated by who we are, not what we looked like, and I have been so gratified that so many Atlantans across the city have decided that they can support me because of the work that I've done, because of how much I care about all communities in this city."

Reed said he planned to "focus on keeping the citizens safe, restoring fiscal stability ... and taking care of our young people."

Norwood also put fiscal responsibility high on her list of priorities.

"We have to fix the finances," she said. "This is a wonderful city. It just needs to be cleaned up, fiscally and physically."

Reed said that while he appreciates several high-profile endorsements he's received, "I just want to get out there and keep meeting voters. I love campaigning. I've been doing it 17 months and it's gotten good results thus far."

Later in the morning, Norwood was interviewed on WAGA-TV, saying, "I think we have the grassroots campaign that truly is unifying the city, so I think we will prevail in the end."

Norwood said she planned to call City Council President Lisa Borders, who finished third in Tuesday's election, later Wednesday.

"I would love to have her support and the support of her supporters," Norwood said. "She is a great lady and I would just be very honored if she would decide to support me."

Reed followed Norwood on the WAGA morning show.

"As soon as I finish this, I'm going to be knocking on some doors this afternoon," Reed said during the 7:30 interview.

If elected mayor, Reed said he would first focus on "starting to put more police officers on the street to secure our city. We've got to turn the tide of violence in Atlanta. We've got to recognize that we have an organized gang problem in our city."

He said that during the runoff campaign, "we're going to stick to blocking and tackling, fundamentals, going out and meeting voters wherever they are."

Norwood planned to spend most of her morning calling supporters and writing them an e-mail thanking them for their help, said campaign manager Roman Levit.

She'll also be talking to them about the runoff, focusing on her campaign platform that she is the candidate who will bring changes to city financial accounting and improve public safety.

"Mary will go out, talk to people and try to bring this community together and make sure people continue to hear her message," Levit said.

Reed plans to spend the day talking with supporters, members of his team and building bridges with the other campaigns.

"We're working to have a win on Dec. 1," said Reese McCranie, director of communications.