Word: Black, like us
if a white candidate were to win the 2009 mayoral race, it would be just as significant in political terms as Maynard Jackson's victory in 1973'
Earlier this week, a memo by African American political operative Aaron Turpeau calling on black leaders to join forces to ensure the election of a black mayor injected controversy into, well, the mayor’s race.
“The view that the times are too serious to stand on the sidelines is absolutely correct from the perspective of a black mayor at all cost. In fact, if a white candidate were to win the 2009 mayoral race, it would be just as significant in political terms as Maynard Jackson’s victory in 1973.”
— Turpeau, from his memo
“These tactics divide the very community that has made Atlanta emerge as a leading city in the South and dishonors the legacies of Mayors Maynard Jackson, Andrew Young, Ivan Allen, Sam Massell, and William Hartsfield.”
— Mayoral candidate Kasim Reed, in a Thursday press statement
“I reject the analysis offered by Aaron Turpeau. He is absolutely wrong. I oppose anyone, of any race, who would distract us from what is important today.”
— Candidate Lisa Borders, in a Thursday press statement
“Mary’s take on all of this is that she is who she is and people are going to judge her on her ideas, value and ability.”
— Roman Levit, campaign manager for candidate Mary Norwood, as quoted Thursday by the AJC
(Photo by Joeff Davis)