
Devoted Democrat Kasim Reed
How will Mary Norwood and Kasim Reed approach the December 1 Atlanta Mayoral run-off?
When we left this story, my candidate — who had spoken so eloquently in so many forums and appearances about bringing Atlantans together for a better tomorrow – had decided that the most important issue he had to communicate to ATL voters was his belief that his opponent in this non-partisan race was a closet Republican.
I’m a yellow-dog Democrat, a committed left-winger, and don’t recall ever voting Republican. That said, the word “Republican” doesn’t translate to “evil” to me. I’ve known Mary Norwood since she’s been on the Council, and if she’s a Republican, then I’ve voted Republican in every ATL election… for her. In my experience, Mary’s politics translate into standing up for neighborhoods, working to protect the people she represents – which, as an at-large council rep. – is every neighborhood in the city, and helping all those who contact her office navigate the byzantine ways of City Hall. What’s more, her politics mean connecting with people all over the city, no matter where they live, what they do for a living or their cultural, religious, political or sexual orientation.
The biggest fear I have of Republicans is that they seem to value business over people, development over neighborhoods. “The business of America/Atlanta is business” kind of thinking. That is definitely not Mary Norwood. As a matter of fact, “Committee for a Better Atlanta,” which bills itself as a “citywide business coalition,” rated the ATL Mayoral candidates. Mary Norwood scored 86 while Kasim scored 93, just behind Lisa Borders.
Kasim says Mary is a Republican. If what I’ve described is a Atlanta City Council Republican, then fine. Obviously, party affiliation in city politics doesn’t matter. It hasn’t affected how she’s served her people, or her city. Maybe that’s why COA races are non-partisan.
So, on Election Day, I cast my vote for Kasim, deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt, and to wait and see how he and his campaign-brains would approach the run-off.
“We are saying to the candidates, avoid gutter politics and raise the bar of unity…”
Then I read an article in the AJC by Eric Stirgus, who has been covering the mayoral election (including attending countless public forums and debates). It confirmed that many Atlantans are worried about the tone of this run-off: a group of Atlanta pastors was calling on the candidates to focus on the issues. Stirgus spoke with the Rev. D.L. Winston, president of the Greater American Ministerial Association, which represents 60 Atlanta churches.
“We are saying to the candidates, avoid gutter politics and raise the bar of unity,” said Winston, himself pastor of Greater Works Assembly in southeast Atlanta. And, God bless him, Wilson also “urged voters to focus on the issues and not vote based on race.”
The responses from the two candidates? Stirgus reports:
Norwood campaign manager Roman Levit said the candidate agreed with the group’s appeal. “Mary welcomes the sentiments expressed by the ministers, and her whole campaign has been about bringing Atlanta together and solving our problems through common purposes,” he said.
Reed spokesman Reese McCranie made a similar commitment. “Senator Reed has spoken about issues that affect Atlanta and will continue to do so in the runoff,” he said.
How is that a “similar commitment”? To me, it couldn’t be more different. Mary’s people are committing to run the campaign in a way that brings Atlanta together.”
Kasim’s people are saying… nothing. No commitment to a clean campaign, no assurances of developing a unifying message.
“Senator Reed has spoken about issues that affect Atlanta and will continue to do so in the runoff.”
Do the Reed campaign-brains think that casting doubt on Mary’s commitment to all Atlantans – by painting her as a Republican – is speaking about “issues that affect Atlanta”? Can we expect more of that kind of campaigning?
Does this mean Kasim going to continue to talk about non-issues that are really great subjects for misleading voters or casting doubt on his opponent’s commitment, politics, or life choices? Who knows? Are Reese McCranie’s words deliberately vague? Kasim claims to be a devoted Democrat, but his campaign’s tactics feel less like David Plouffe and more like Karl Rove… or that master of slime, the late Lee Atwater.
This path could split this city, perhaps irrevocably? Will we soon hear the kind of radio ad used against Lee Morris in the Fulton County Commission Chair race?
“We understand that campaigns are campaigns and governing is governing.”
I wonder and worry, especially as I continued Stirgus’ report, and read a quote from Kasim that gave me chills.
Stirgus asked Kasim about his meeting with Lisa Borders, at which he sought her endorsement. Things were barely civil between the two in the last days of the campaign. In fact, Stirgus observes, they “sparred with an increasingly bitter tone in the final two weeks of the campaign.”
“We understand that campaigns are campaigns and governing is governing.”
Read it again: “We understand that campaigns are campaigns and governing is governing.”
I guess the “we” means Kasim and Lisa, their campaigns… But it sure doesn’t mean this voter.
I’ve voted for negative campaigners in the past when I felt I had no choice. I had made a commitment to Kasim, and despite his Mary-is-a-no-good-Republican maneuver, I took a deep breath and voted for him.
It’s not really that bad, I told myself as I took my voter card and handed to the poll worker; really, it could have been worse.
Then I remembered saying that to my friend Earl at work one day: Ah well, it could be worse. He laughed at me and shook his head: But Marcia, he said, it could be better.
Of course it could be better. What’s more, it has to be better.
Why? It’s simple:
If the candidates won’t campaign with integrity, how can they govern with integrity?
Kasim says: “…campaigns are campaigns and governing is governing.”
No, really, Senator, they’re the same. At least to this voter.
So, I’ve taken down my Kasim Reed for Mayor yard sign until I see if Kasim is willing to step back, re-evaluate his strategy and take a different approach. I hope he’ll realize that his original strategy is best: statements that bring all Atlantans together; reminds us of our shared issues, troubles and accomplishments; and promises a unified future.
Like the Rev. Wilson says: “We are saying to the candidates, avoid gutter politics and raise the bar of unity.”
Is anyone listening?



I’ve made my choices and am looking forward to voting tomorrow. And, like last November, I am delighted to be voting for my candidates, not voting against others.





This year, I once told a reporter, is a “perfect storm” for Atlanta.
On October 20, for the first time ever, Southeast Atlanta neighborhoods and organizations are partnering together to host the Southeast Atlanta Mayoral Forum, with Moderators Derrick Boazman and Bishop Matthew Norwood. The forum is being coordinated by the Sixth Precinct Clergy Coalition, which is partnering with a multitude of Southeast Atlanta communities and organizations.
I also loved their harmony, but – perhaps because I didn’t realize that there was anything radical or subversive in their words or music – I accepted their point of view without question. After all, it made perfect sense. And that point of view remains to this day, over 50 years later.




