Atlanta mayoral race: Poll shows Mary Norwood with early lead (Mitchell: neighborhood, horse)

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by ronricks

I don't think that really matters. There are going to be a lot of other factors like the huge shift in demographics from the last election 8 years ago, which candidate is going to be the most believable/has the best plan for the hot button topics like Crime, The Beltline, Education, etc.

There has been a shift, but I wouldn't be quick to assume that means one thing or another. Those Whites that have moved in to the city tend to be young and progressive minded. That's not exactly planning in to the hands of someone who comes off or plays to a conservative agenda.

[cqholt]

How was this poll collected? Using landline phones, if so they trend towards an older crowd, that could overwhelmingly support Norwood. Many of my neighbors and friends have not spoken ob her, but other candidates like Woolard, Fort, Hall.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

I'm not talking about me though, just an inevitable group of citizens/voters. There most def is a subset of voters that will vote with race in mind. BTW, I am not implying that all black voters will think this way, that's dumb. Just that this group of voters exist and I think the success of the Norwood will hinge on how influential this group is.

Norwood's appeal is that she is very neighborhood and grassroots-oriented, rather than being developer-centric.

While some may associate that approach with conservatism, that misses where she is coming from. Norwood's fierce commitment to local communities and the "little guy" made her popular throughout the city and brought her within a few votes of Kasim Reed the first time around.

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by arjay57

While some may associate that approach with conservatism, that misses where she is coming from. Norwood's fierce commitment to local communities and the "little guy" made her popular throughout the city and brought her within a few votes of Kasim Reed the first time around.

Well, in the team/sports based political culture of today, I have doubts many people will be able to get around her "conservative" rep. I don't expect any degree of thoughtfulness in politics anymore.

PROVE ME WRONG ATLANTA! Please God prove me wrong...

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

I'm not talking about me though, just an inevitable group of citizens/voters. There most def is a subset of voters that will vote with race in mind. BTW, I am not implying that all black voters will think this way, that's dumb. Just that this group of voters exist and I think the success of the Norwood will hinge on how influential this group is. Gentrification and displacement will likely speed up due to already in progress projects. I think the odds are high that she will become a poster child for the negative effects of gentrification for many.

Honestly, my concern isn't regarding the election rather how people are going to react to her as things happen during her term.Her country club look isn't going to help, she just looks rich. I can see how this could lead folks to believe that their elected representatives don't represent them and even are working against them. Do you think Mary will be able to have a frank conversation with the less reasonable side of BLM as Reed did in that town hall without intense pushback? Hell no.

None of this is a good reason to vote against Norwood or any candidate. But it will be a factor in her candidacy/term unfortunately and it is something I am concerned about.

Interestingly, history shows her to be anything but an advocate for unchecked gentrification:

"In Atlanta, the City Council in February rejected by an 11 to 3 vote a proposed 120-day ban on construction of McMansions in five neighborhoods.
"You would have thought it was the second burning of Atlanta," said Councilwoman Mary Norwood, who drafted the plan. She said the Atlanta Board of Realtors mounted a massive campaign to defeat the measure."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archi...=.8a5cb1d597bd


As far as her current position on gentrification, her statement is as follows:


RESPONSIBLE GROWTH

Our Zoning Code must be must updated to reflect the type of development we want in our City. We cannot have communities that are harmed with traffic congestion, blight, or abandonment. Protection of neighborhoods: Atlanta is a city of neighborhoods–both our traditional single-family residential neighborhoods and our newer high-rise and multi-family communities. We must continue to protect every neighborhood and every Atlantan’s quality of life.


AFFORDABLE HOUSING

We must develop policies that guarantee our citizens can stay in our city. Innovative workforce housing initiatives can help both our companies and their employees. Aging-in-place initiatives can protect our seniors and long-term residents from displacement. We must compassionately grow our city without losing those who have made Atlanta their home.


So her statement of intent with regard to this issue is out there.

It may well be that the Democrat Party will again kick into action if this becomes a close race.

"According to an investigation by the staff of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, campaign records show that the Georgia Democratic Party spent at least $165,000 to attack Reed's opponent, Mary Norwood, and contribute to an unprecedented eight percent jump in voters for the runoff held on 1 December 2009. Reed won the mayoral runoff election by about 700 votes after trailing Norwood in the general election by more than 7,000 votes.
If she had been successful in her mayoral bid, Mary Norwood would have become Atlanta's first white mayor in 36 years.[4]
Norwood received 46 percent of the vote on Election Day, the largest proportion of all the candidates, but as no candidate received a majority (more than 50% of the vote), she entered a runoff election on December 1, 2009.[5] However, Kasim Reed received more votes in the runoff, and, after a recount, Norwood conceded."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Norwood

[tikigod311]

Thanks for the insight LovinDecatur! I like what I see. I hope she can actually capture some ears, but I'm concerned that too many will make a snap judgement with their eyes.

BTW, what business does the stink of Democrats or Republicans have in a mayoral race? It's time to shed that garbage

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

Well, in the team/sports based political culture of today, I have doubts many people will be able to get around her "conservative" rep. I don't expect any degree of thoughtfulness in politics anymore.

Where did this "conservative" rep come from, tiki? I've never seen Norwood say or do anything that would warrant that label. Her claim to fame is sticking up for neighborhoods and average folks (all over the city).

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

It may well be that the Democrat Party will again kick into action if this becomes a close race.

"According to an investigation by the staff of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, campaign records show that the Georgia Democratic Party spent at least $165,000 to attack Reed's opponent, Mary Norwood, and contribute to an unprecedented eight percent jump in voters for the runoff held on 1 December 2009. Reed won the mayoral runoff election by about 700 votes after trailing Norwood in the general election by more than 7,000 votes.

That was truly a shameful hour for the machine Democrats.

Of course they've done the same thing to others. It is amazing how virulent and nasty the machine can be when it senses a disturbance in the force.

[oldschoolChevy]

Originally Posted by arjay57

That was truly a shameful hour for the machine Democrats.

Of course they've done the same thing to others. It is amazing how virulent and nasty the machine can be when it senses a disturbance in the force.

For what its worth she attended that DNC conference that was here a few weeks ago. Pretty sure she is playing the game behind the scenes that she needs to play.

[fieldm]

Im voting for whoever Kasim Reed endorses because i dont know who to pick