Dem Keisha Bottoms won tonight's race for Atlanta Mayor by 750 votes - we gotta make sure ppl vote

[iluvtennis]

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

----
Won over Independent candidate Mary Norwood who was backed by Bernie Sanders.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/05/politics/atlanta-mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-mary-norwood/index.html

[Stinky The Clown]

1. Good! The DEMOCRAT won!

[bdtrppr6]

7. barely

no one can be bothered to vote. the so called democrat wave of 2018 is still very up in the air. everyone bitches about the government, but can't be bothered to do anything about it.

vote, motherfuckers!

[thinkingagain]

25. My Momma always said

“ if you don’t vote you have no right to complain”

[workinclasszero]

67. Totally happy that the democrat won!!

[trueblue2007]

2. I know nothing about this race but WHY was Sanders not backing a Democrat ????

What in the world is he doing?

I admit I will spend time tomorrow reading about this lady who won Altanta Mayoral race. Until I'm aware of all facts I
should not say much. But what the crap is Bernie doing??? Not supporting a Democrat?


Well, anyway, I am glad this lady won.

[Drunken Irishman]

4. Because Bernie Sanders isn't a Democrat.

[iluvtennis]

5. Ditto

[jrthin]

56. Inserting an Independent guarantee the votes of the Dems

Get split. And sometimes inserting an Independent gives the win to the Republican. We have a two party system, plain and simple. Until that changes, I always view an Independent as a win for republicans, just my opinion.

[NurseJackie]

21. And not two days ago, a prolific poster here was loudly bragging how he ALWAYS supported Dems

... and that he'd never do anything to harm the Democratic party or any Democratic candidate.

Yet... here we have demonstrable proof that such claims are categorically untrue. (I'm bookmarking this thread and the OP links for future reference. It's always helpful to have the facts at hand when false claims are being bandied about.)

[workinclasszero]

71. Yup

Splitting the vote on the left helps one party for sure.

And it ain't the democratic party.

I'm glad the dems GOTV and won but wow that was close!

[rpannier]

8. It was a complicated race,

involving a fairly unpopular mayor, gentrification, displacement, changing racial demographics, a bribery scandal involving the outgoing mayor's administration who supported Bottoms, a split among Atlanta's political elite in the race and two candidates who neither were terrible

some articles, certainly not all

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/atlanta-mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-mary-norwood_us_5a264b18e4b0f9f0203ed12c
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/10/05/atlanta-white-mayor-black-mecca-215681
http://theconversation.com/could-atlanta-be-on-track-to-elect-a-white-mayor-86970 (tbh: I had not heard of the Conversation until this race. the same article appears in sallon as well)
https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2017/1204/In-Atlanta-some-black-voters-weigh-backing-city-s-first-white-woman-mayor

Take these articles for what they're worth... information about the race and the changing Atlanta politics

[JHan]

15. thanks for those links rpannier, very informative.

[progressoid]

9. Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin (a Democrat) also endorsed the Independent.

As did Vincent D. Fort, Democratic Whip in the state senate per the CNN article.

[Demsrule86]

23. Disgraceful...they should be stripped of any Democratic Party roles...we almost lost this election

because of their actions.

[PatsFan87]

18. I haven't seen anything about Bernie supporting Norwood. Am I missing something?

[Demsrule86]

24. He endorsed her primary opponent and some say caused some damage.

The bottom line is we almost lost this to basically a GOP running as an independent as they can't get elected as GOP...those who attacked the Democratic candidate should never be trusted or have say in the Democratic Party again.

[NurseJackie]

37. Have you noticed all the careful parsing of words and hair-splitting going on in this thread?

I have.

[Demsrule86]

38. Yes, none of us want a hide...but the GOP runs conservatives as independents

in areas they can't win...business wanted the independent as she is conservative.

[NurseJackie]

41. I see exactly what's going on too. There's a lot of "pretending" going on...

... and a lot of implausible and convoluted explanations being used to disguise the plain truth. And since we both know what the TRUTH is, I'll say no more for obvious reasons.

[Demsrule86]

44. Exactly right.

In the end, they will not 'win'. I just hope we don't lose as a result of their efforts.

[NurseJackie]

46. That's always a risk that the Sarandonesque "vanity voters" are pridefully willing to take.

It's an act of sabotage and revenge, that, for some reason, they wear it as a badge of honor.

I mean... take a look at our current situation for example. Just LOOK at how giddy and animated she is she can barely contain her excitement at the horrors that await us.

[Demsrule86]

50. I hate Sarandon...I just hate her...entitled privileged despicable horrible woman...with the blood

of babies on her spoiled useless hands.

[RandySF]

57. I don't know if Norwood is a Republican, but she IS a racist.

She was recorded at a meeting with Atlanta Republicans called black voters "felons", "thugs" and "paid off".

[DBoon]

78. should we get rid of primaries then?

What the point of a primary if you are not supposed to have more than one candidate?

[Demsrule86]

80. Yes, no primaries for sitting Democrats. Spend the money to get rid of Republicans.

The nasty primary in Atlanta almost cost a Black Democrat the election...the person running...Norwood is a white conservative...running as she admitted because she can't run as a Republican and have any chance in Atlanta. We need to spend our money on getting rid of GOP types not Democrats...not this year when we have nothing electorally speaking. Any who run in primaries this year or in 20 (not presidential race) will not receive my vote for any office they might run for ever...it shows a complete lack of judgement. And I dislike any who endorse these people including but not limited to Our Revolution and sadly Move On who is primarying Tim Ryan.

[DBoon]

83. so without primaries, who selects candidates for the general?

The big party donors?

Having elections with a single "choice" is what the old Soviet Union did. It makes a mockery of the Democratic process.

I am apalled that anyone here would support rubber stamp elections

[Demsrule86]

86. The woman who won by the few votes is a Democrat...she was weakened in the primary...

there was no reason for a candidate to jump in who could never win...but did some damage. I hope we don't lose the recount talking about Atlanta...I said sitting Democrats...obviously if you need to choose candidates, that is different. But in general we don't need primaries.

[seaglass]

20. I'm pretty sure Bernie did not endorse a candidate after Fort lost. n/t

[snooper2]

61. Feeding off the "both parties are the same" meme

More people than you would think actually think that way..

Shit, I heard it just the other day when I was rubbing in Flynn's indictment to a repuke co-worker. Another person by us rambled on, it doesn't matter, Hillary, Trump, they all belong in jail!

People

[trueblue2007]

3. posting the good news on facebook and twitter !!!!!

[mvd]

6. Vincent Fort is the one Bernie really wanted

Just making the correction. Norwood was endorsed by the former Atlanta mayor. From what I have read, I have no problems with Bottoms winning.

[NurseJackie]

36. Here's the "Our Revolution" endoresement page for Fort...

https://ourrevolution.com/candidates/vincent-fort/

[yortsed snacilbuper]

10. knr

[oberliner]

19. Atlanta Mayoral Race Poised to Move to a Recount

For the second time in eight years, the mayoralty of the South’s most influential city is likely to head to a recount.

Fewer than 800 votes separated Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mary Norwood after local officials tallied more than 92,000 ballots that were cast in a runoff election on Tuesday, according to unofficial returns. The margin was narrow enough that Ms. Norwood, seeking to become Atlanta’s first white mayor in more than 40 years, said she would ask for a recount.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/06/us/atlanta-mayor.html

[Roland99]

29. Wait. 92,000 votes in a city of millions?

[oberliner]

33. Population of Atlanta is about 450,000

[Hoyt]

22. Good. A Democrat took a legislative seat too. Her main campaign promise was to run for healthcare

for everyone. It was a district GOPers have won in recent past.

Jen Jordan

[NCTraveler]

26. Sounds like an exciting one and a solid hold for progressives.

Eye on the prize.

“Bottoms, meanwhile, sought to cast Norwood as a Republican hiding behind the guise of her independent status.”

“And Bottoms got herself a last-minute boost as well. Democratic US Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Cory Booker of New Jersey appeared in Atlanta the weekend before the runoff election to promote her candidacy.”



Sanders literally worked to oppose the Democrat in the race. Guy has become a stooge for Republicans and this place needs to remove the great white hope from his special protection status.

[kcr]

52. I would rec this if I could

[MrsCoffee]

59. Good for Harris and Booker.

Those two continue working hard to get Democrats elected!

[n2doc]

27. That 'backed by Sanders' statement is a lie

See
http://politics.blog.myajc.com/2017/11/28/a-closer-look-at-the-big-name-endorsements-in-atlantas-mayor-race/

Please revise, or join the rest of the fake news brigade.

[MrsCoffee]

30. Wonder why he backed Fort but wouldnt back Bottoms.

[GaryCnf]

34. Oh good

Substituting innuendo instead of just admitting the truth?

Maybe you should be asking why Reed backed Bottoms in the primary instead of Vincent Fort, a black man esteemed among the most oppressed segment of Atlanta's black population?

http://atlantablackstar.com/2017/10/11/atlanta-black-star-endorses-vincent-fort-mayor-atlanta/

Oh yea, VINCENT FORT WAS A DEMOCRAT

[MrsCoffee]

35. Oh my.

I never said Fort wasn’t a Democrat. Why are you screaming. No lies in my post. He backed Fort then refused to back Bottoms. I just wondered why.

Try some decaf.

[GaryCnf]

43. As opposed

to using my "excess energy" to seek out the most flimsy excuse to continue to bash Sanders long after the primary is over?

I'll consider your suggestion.

[MrsCoffee]

53. As opposed to seeing what isn't there.

Good way to burn yourself out.

[R B Garr]

69. It's about a vote YESTERDAY. Not the primary.

YESTERDAY.

[Demsrule86]

39. He didn't back the Democrat...in the general..that is the bottom line...so not unexpected...

Sen. Sanders is an independent, but we cannot count on his support for Democrats or for the party. He votes with us...that's about it. I appreciate that of course but recognize the limits of such support.

[GaryCnf]

45. "That's about it?"

I know it is upsetting that the media seems to constantly turn to Sanders to get OUR position instead of to political figures with a (D) behind their name (or instead of highlighting one-sentence tweets from other political figures as if they were handed down from Mt. Sinai). I would love to see prominent Democratic politicians(particularly ones with presidential aspirations) seek out the role of spokesperson for the Resistance and/or to perform that role as effectively as can Sanders with his national visibility and personal appeal. They haven't.

Whether he "deserves" that role or even, whether he is "the best" for that role, it is the role he currently has and the message he has been sending is the message of our party.

[Demsrule86]

47. I am not a Sander's fan...and the media does it to stir up trouble in my opinion.

I have been driven to white hot rage by some of his comments...and will not vote for him in a primary should he run in 20. I did vote for him in 16. He should not comment on Democrats or the party until and unless he joins the party. I am against primaries when we have nothing electorally speaking.Primaries often weaken the eventual nominee. we came close to losing this seat to a fake independent who is really GOP. There will be a recount...hope the Democrat survives. Vote Democratic or prepared for a constant GOP majority.

[kcr]

54. Oh good

Insinuating that one is lying in order to hide the truth. Bernie didn't back the Dem. Far from the first time he's done this. That is the truth. That effectively helps the other side.

[dalton99a]

42. +1

[mvd]

81. I am glad the false info is being corrected

I could say more but not worth it.

[GaryCnf]

31. Both the OP and some down string replies

TELL THE BALD-FACED LIE that Sanders backed the independent Norwood AND THEN use this lie to bash Sanders.

THE PRIMARY IS OVER.

[Demsrule86]

48. Nice try...no one is talking about the primary.

[GaryCnf]

60. Of course

they're not.

They're just frustrated that a person they detest and blame for our own failures, is constantly being turned to by the media as a voice for our party. They're frustrated that so many of their former "favorites" within the party have "succumbed" to his siren song (witness the backlash against the Democratic co-sponsors of the Senate version of "Medicaid for All&quot and his critical eye toward our post-1992 political strategy (witness of all out assault on DEMOCRATIC SENATORS Sens. Gillebrand and Warren after they tipped the sacred cow).

I get it.

[R B Garr]

62. How delusional. This is not about the primary. The Democrat won

in Atlanta YESTERDAY despite Sanders endorsement of another candidate. That negates the rest of your contrived umbrage. The Democrat, Hillary Clinton, basically also won the General Election, despite multiple forces against her. Can you think of any forces against her?? I can think of several.

[GaryCnf]

73. "Delusional?"

IN THE PRIMARY Sanders endorsed ANOTHER DEMOCRAT, a black man who just happened to be at one time the Democratic Whip in the Georgia legislature, was a heavy favorite among the most oppressed black voters in Atlanta, and was ALSO endorsed by the leading black newspaper in Atlanta. Your "contrived umbrage" about his endorsement ignores not only the fact that the endorsement came in the primary, but also the fact that the person he endorsed was ALSO A DEMOCRAT.

Your sly suggestion that Sanders was one of the "forces against her" is tripe. Finally, we did not "basically win" the General Election. We lost and we lost because we did not take states which we have taken election and election AND the demographic which had the greatest decrease in turnout than any other in those states was the very demographic that was solidly behind Vincent Fort in the Atlanta mayor's race primary.

In the rush to further the vendetta against Sanders, we are turning our back on the very people we need to win. If you don't think those people are not noticing, you're wrong.

[R B Garr]

76. These empty threats and admonishments about "people noticing"

mean nothing anymore. You all have to live in the same shit world this divisiveness has produced. Why don't you spend your time attacking Republicans instead of Democrats?? This has gotten way out of hand.

It's easy enough to Google what happened, so your whitewashing it doesn't hold water. The Democrat prevailed without Sanders' endorsement. WIN. Despite painting her as some kind of "corporate" something or other, she still won.

[Demsrule86]

75. Maybe they just don't like Sen. Sanders and it has to do with comments he made recently.

As for medicaid for all...how foolish is it to put out a bill that basically says...the ACA isn't good enough when you are trying to save the ACA? I support single payer but timing is critical. As for Democrats supporting Sen. Sanders...his followers have been brutal in their attacks of those who criticize him...like Joy Reid...do they like him or fear his supporters? I will bet you...mark this down...that if Sen. Sanders runs in 20, he won't do nearly as well as previously. I just don't think the support is there.

[David__77]

32. Why are you lying about Sanders?

He didn’t make that endorsement.

[Demsrule86]

40. He backed a different candidate in the primary...but he certainly did not try to help the Democratic

nominee.

[NurseJackie]

49. Has this sort of thing happened before? It seems familiar, but I can't be 100% sure. Still...

... it's disappointing to see an "ally" of Democrats going to such great lengths to keep their distance rather than doing their utmost to make certain the DEMOCRAT wins.

[Demsrule86]

51. It kind of rings a bell... I think I remember something like this not that long ago.

[David__77]

55. I dont understand the misinformation in the OP.

It is, indeed, misinformation.

[R B Garr]

63. What "misinformation"?? The Democrat won and beat out the Sanders'

endorsed candidate.

[David__77]

64. The misinformation is in the final statement of the post. It is untrue.

The misinformation is in the final statement of the post. It is untrue.

Sanders did not make the endorsement claimed in that post. It didn’t happen. That is the misinformation that I’m referring to.

[R B Garr]

65. The linked articles don't agree with you. She beat out the Sanders' backed candidate.

The linked articles don't agree with you. She beat out the Sanders' backed candidate.

Why do we have to keep denying reality??

[David__77]

66. Sanders didnt endorse the independent who lost the runoff.

No article posted on this thread states that he did.

[R B Garr]

68. Yes, the article did say that. You can also Google and see who he endorsed.

Hint: "Big endorsement didn't pay off" (paraphrased article title)

What's the motivation to try and knock the Democrat down, anyway?? SUPPORT DEMOCRATS, I think that's the mission here, not one man.

[David__77]

72. Sanders did not endorse the independent in the runoff.

And he did endorse a Democrat in the primary.

Those are facts.

The misinformation and the original post stated that he did endorse the independent, when in fact, that is untrue.

[R B Garr]

74. This is also not true. You should read the paragraph again.

It also looks like there was a lot done to undermine this candidate, Bottoms, over the usual "corporate" donations bull crap. Jeebus, this is labeled as "helping" Democrats??

[David__77]

82. What I said is true.

Is this the paragraph you're referencing?:

"Norwood also got endorsements from several of her former competitors, and state senator Vincent Fort -- the unsuccessful candidate backed by independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont -- had kind words to say about her after the general election."

This statement does not say that Sanders endorsed Norwood. It says that Vincent Fort was endorsed by Sanders.

There's no paragraph that says that Sanders backed Norwood.

[RandySF]

58. No, but a lot of white progressives abandoned Bottoms for Norwood.

[Calista241]

70. As an Atlanta native and resident, theres a lot of swirling corruption rumors

Around Kasim Reed, the current mayor.

A lot of people, myself included, believe he has an arrangement with Bottoms (whom he endorsed and heavily supported) to avoid possible repercussions with the new mayoral administration.

Kasim Reed has also wholly bought into reinvestment and gentrification policies in Atlanta, which has a side effect of diluting the power of the black vote. Bottoms is likely to continue these policies. Atlanta is not the same city it was 10, 15, or 20 years ago.

[Demsrule86]

77. Well her opponent was Gop disguised as an Independent...and she is supported by

This is from the intercept who though this white conservative would win the race barring a recount failure, it didn't happen thankfully. She is a god damned conservative...any who supported her are as dumb as rocks.

"Her opponent, City Council Member Mary Norwood, is a conservative-leaning independent who has supported both Republicans and Democrats in the past, and she has the support of what Republican Party infrastructure actually exists in Atlanta. Norwood is also white, while Lance-Bottoms is African-American. The last white candidate to win the mayor’s race in Atlanta was Sam Massell in 1969. The state party has come out with heavy-handed attack ads deriding Norwood as a Republican, a signal to the city’s voters of who they are backing. Their argument is laid out on a website called MaryTheRepublican.com, where they point out she has paid some Republican consultants as part of her campaign, that she refused to back Jon Ossof in his congressional race, and that she implied to a local Republican Party group that she is an independent because Republicans can’t win in Atlanta."

[R B Garr]

79. "swirling corruption rumors" -- gee, where have we heard that before???

Those vagaries about corrupt Democrats and such...hmmm. Sounds familiar.

[Blue_true]

85. Atlanta.

I know a High powered sales person from there. Young, White, female, loves the city and is ok with leadership there as well as her neighbors, say she would not want to live anywhere else. There are always different narratives. Some young Whites move to Atlanta BECAUSE they want to live among diverse people instead of live in all White suburbs.

[Calista241]

87. I would bet she lives on the Beltline, Atlantic Station

Krog City Market or near Ponce City Market. Those areas of the city used to be very mixed, but are now lily white.

The Beltline and the new development around Georgia State University are the big issues for Atlanta. Those areas used to be the real areas for low income housing, and the Beltline has just wiped out all of those options on the east side of the city, and Georgia State (where the old Turner Field used to be) is wiping out low income housing on the south side of Atlanta, between the city and the airport.

If gentrification continues in those areas of the city, I would bet that we'll have a white mayor again in the next few years.

[Tarheel_Dem]

84. Chalk up another win for the good guys!