"The only job he's ever wanted." That's how Atlanta Magazine describes the gig Kasim Reed is on the cusp of leaving in two weeks. If you want to understand the mayor's psyche, you should read the opus by Steve Fennessy.
It includes the list of high-profile folks on his naughty list, his struggles in his first year in office, and the legacy he leaves behind. It also includes this quote from former Mayor Andrew Young: "Kasim is like a bowling ball: Get the hell out of my way, or get knocked down."
Oh, and it highlighted a parallel with Stacey Abrams, a candidate for governor who recently revealed a spreadsheet plotting her course to the White House. From the piece:
When he was a teenager, Reed began mapping out his life on three-by-five cards. Go to Howard. Then law school. Run for state representative. Win. Run for state senator. Win. Each accomplishment was a stepping stone toward the ultimate goal: becoming mayor of Atlanta.
As for his future plans, here's what Fennessy wrote of Reed:
I asked if he would consider running for mayor again. "I don't know," he said. But he seemed eager to put to rest any thought that he'd play a behind-the-scenes role in a Bottoms administration. "I really have a strong 'leave' personality. I never wanted to be the guy who went back to his high school with his varsity jacket on. If you look at my career, I haven't gone back.
"I'm ready to leave."
(Greg Bluestein)
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