McKinney hit for missing vote on Voting Rights Act amendment

[Freddie Stubbs]

By Jonathan E. Kaplan

Rep. Cynthia McKinney’s (D-Ga.) Democratic opponent is criticizing her for missing a vote on an amendment to a bill reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that opponents argued would have gutted the legislation.

“Once again, Representative McKinney was missing in action for a crucial vote. While her colleagues fought the good fight, she was planning for that evening’s festivities in New York. She let others carry the load and came in at the last minute to take credit for a fight already won,” DeKalb County Commissioner Hank Johnson Jr. said in a statement after he was informed about the missed vote.

It is unclear why McKinney might have been traveling to New York City; she did not respond to requests for comment.

McKinney and Johnson, who are both black, will square off Monday in a debate in which Johnson is likely to highlight her missed vote. He forced a runoff election, scheduled for Aug. 8, by holding McKinney to 47 percent of the vote in last week’s three-way primary.


more: http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/072606/mckinney.html

[Lithos]

1. That will probably prove a grave omission

For McKinney.

L-

[ulysses]

2. likely so.

A poor choice on her part.

[OKNancy]

6. She has poor political instincts

or her advisors do.

[God Almighty]

40. She was in Georgia fighting Diebold's theft of her victory.

Diebold switched votes from her to her anti-choice, right-wing opponent. There will be a runoff and Republicans are all planning to vote for her opponent, a real friend to Diebold.

[wyldwolf]

49. meanwhile you were fundraising for Republican Ron Paul, right?

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TheVirginian]

5. Huh?

[RangerSmith]

8. I justed wanted for

once to be the first one on a McKinney thread to pull out the race card in regards to any criticism of her.

The fact that her opponent is male speaks volumes about his even opposing such a fine standard bearer for the party.


:sarcasm:

[theboss]

4. I've never understood how she's ever gotten elected

She just seems to have awful instincts as a politician. I would love to know how she got into politics in the first place.

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. She is a great public speaker and

she has a familiar name (her father was an elected official).

[goclark]

15. thank you and she is a FIGHTER that will speak TRUTH

to POWER when others sit back.


She is a warrior.

Seems that was OK when she took a bold EARLY stance against the WAR, now she is all kinds of crazy here by some.

Do a SEARCH for all the good things that she has done for the Democratic Party and for PEACE and JUSTICE.


Why do we always chop up our own and give RUSH so much more to talk about? One thing the RepubliCONS do very well is SHUT UP when the going gets rough for one of their own. And that means they shut up all the time.


She has done NOTHING that would even come close to what GW does on a daily basis.

[Freddie Stubbs]

29. Speaking truth to power doesn't do much good if you don't show up to vote

Many voters are more interested in action rather than talk.

[goclark]

31. I spoke of all the ACTION that she has given

that is not now appreciated.

[Freddie Stubbs]

63. How long can someone coast on thier past actions while not doing

their current job?

[goclark]

66. Ask Joey Lieberman

End of discussion

[Freddie Stubbs]

68. But he does show up for work

[Judi Lynn]

69. A lot of Democrats wish he'd stay home, or at least switch parties. n/t

[cgrindley]

74. He doesn't show up that often

He missed a hell of a lot of work during his run for VP and his vanity attempt at the nomination. Unacceptable behavior.

[karynnj]

77. Not fair - that is standard practice

in a more civil time (yea,nay) votes were paired for those unable to vote because they were outside DC or ill. No Senator could ever run for President if they had to make the majority of votes. The solution has been to vote only when the result is in jeopordy - but the Republicans play games with this - several times when Kerry came back to DC, Frist simply rescheduled the vote.

[cgrindley]

82. Who cares about past practice?

If you're a senator, show up. If you want to run for something else. Resign.

[onenote]

83. as I recall, you think Obama would be a good VP nominee

But you'd demand that he resign, correct?

[cgrindley]

90. Absolutely

And he would, you know, because he's a straight up guy.

[Baselinereality]

98. I Respectfully Disagree.

Republicans are quite quick to devour their own, as evidenced by their rapid attack on Trent Lott after the comments he made at Strom Thurmond's birthday party. Looking back at that incident, it seems apparent that the extremists in the Republican party wanted to remove Senator Lott in order to get someone much more fundamentalist in the position of Senate Majority Leader.

Didn't Rep. McKinney accuse President Bush of deliberately allowing the attacks of 9/11 to happen? That's not bold, that's dangerous and inflammatory.

Politics is a hideously ugly business. It chews people up, period. Georgia politics seems particularly nasty to me, but that's probably just because Max Cleland losing his district seat seemed incredibly harsh.

I don't know her voting record, but she seems crazy as her hair. That's fun in normal times, but the stakes just seem so much higher these days.

And I honestly can't see how anyone can defend a black politician not being present for the vote on the renewal of the Voting Rights Act. If it is true, that's just a horrible mistake on her part.

I am on the left-end of the political spectrum, but I refuse to admit that political seats are the sole property of the incumbent, only to be surrendered upon death or indictment. If another Democrat thinks they can do a better job then her, good for them. I think we need to bring more of that back into our so-called democracy, not less.

[Judi Lynn]

99. Jesus ####ing Christ. A late-arriving kick at Cynthia McKinney.

You, being "on the left-end of the political spectrum," should be enough in step with maturity to never even consider trying to ridicule Ms. McKinney's hair. It's a modern style these days, doncha know?

Nice work.

[Baselinereality]

100. What?--I'm Not Even Allowed To Make Fun Of Her Hair?

I don't know sh*t about her politics, but ya gotta give me the right to comment on that 'do of hers.

I can't decide if she reminds me of Sideshow Bob or Whitney Houston.

Maybe she's their love child.

[Judi Lynn]

101. This forum concerns politics. It'd be appropriate if you DID know shit

about her politics.

[Baselinereality]

102. There Are 435 Representatives. Can't Know 'Em All.

I'm no Ken Rudin.

In fact, I wouldn't know Cynthia McKinney from William McKinley if it wasn't for her crazy antics, which I think is effectively represented by that hairstyle of hers.

Are we not allowed to have senses of humor about our insane representatives anymore?

Why is everyone so testy?

Geez.

I thought us lefties were supposed to be the funny ones.

[Judi Lynn]

103. What about your post would suggest a sense of humor?

Making fun of someone's hair? Is that clever? Probably not.

If you want to make fun of Democrats' hair, simply go to Free Republic.com.

If you have something political to discuss, this is the place.

[Baselinereality]

105. Just Because McKinney is Going To Lose Her Seat

Is no reason for you to lose that lovely sense of humor that we all know and love, lady.

I'm not the one who didn't show up to vote to renew the Voting Rights Act.

And I've found that it's easier, when blathering about political opinions, to take the stick out my own butt and make a joke ever once in awhile. You might want to try it, too.

But, then again, the Democrats do seem to be missing those rabid, better than thou, humorless fundamentalists that have propelled to Republican party to prominence over the past ten years. So, maybe you're onto something. You go right ahead and get sanctimonious on my butt! I respond incredibly well to intimidation.

But, hey, thank you for rappin' with me and showing me that stern disapproval of anyone who is not in complete agreement with you and your principles is more of an American, rather than an exclusively Republican, trait.

[Mike Daniels]

19. Her start in politics as listed in Wikipedia....

"Her political career began in 1986 when her father, Billy McKinney, a representative in the Georgia House of Representatives, submitted his daughter's name as a write-in candidate for the Georgia state house. She received about 40 percent of the popular vote despite the fact that she lived in Jamaica at the time."

More at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynthia_mckinney

[theboss]

37. That sounds like that bad Eddie Murphy movie

The one where he had the same name as a Representative.

[Freddie Stubbs]

64. The Distinguished Gentleman

VOTE JOHNSON, The name you know

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104114/

[underpants]

78. The first father and daughter to serve in the House

I don't think there has been any others either.

[Freddie Stubbs]

81. Her father is quite a peice of work

McKinney's father Billy McKinney, an Atlanta state representative, when asked just days before the primary to explain why she ran, claimed the endorsement of former U.S. congressman and ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young (who had endorsed her in earlier campaigns but declined to do so in 2002), and said in front of an Atlanta TV station camera: "That ain't nothin'. Jews have bought everybody. Jews. J. E. W. S."

more: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/baroneweb/mb_020829.htm

[bluestateguy]

9. I wonder what her excuse will be this time

thumbs twiddling...

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

14. Remember what her dad's excuse for her was last time?

N/T

[Freddie Stubbs]

88. He showed that he can spell

[Supersedeas]

17. Oh, she'll have a good one...she always does

[seriousstan]

10. They will debate only if she shows up. She hasn't made it to a debate yet.

[illumn8d]

28. She did make it to two of them

John Coyne, who is challenging McKinney along with Hank Johnson, said he wasn’t expecting McKinney to attend the debate. Coyne said she hasn’t come to several events for the three candidates on the July 18 Democratic primary ballot. The trio has been together only twice, at debates within her district earlier this month.
Coyne said it was disrespectful to the other candidates for McKinney to skip the debate.
‘‘She only shows up on her home turf,’’ Coyne said. ‘‘She is trying to force this election through with her core votership. She cannot pick up any votes as it stands now — she can only lose votes.’’

----
snip

http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=32&url_article_id=17018&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2

[Hosnon]

11. Release the McKinney defenders!!! nt

[acmavm]

12. I was thinking that maybe they're running out of excuses for

her 'mistakes'. I mean you can only play the race card and claim that she's the proverbial innocent bystander so many times.

[Hosnon]

13. I agree. At some point you have to take your blinders of and say: Wow, she

REALLY isn't God's gift to Atlanta and the U.S.

Her supporters remind me a lot of Bushbots.

They are noticeably silent in this thread...

[goclark]

16. No they are not, see my remarks upthread

I just have a long memory of times when Progressives loved her.

Her "defenders" are not saying that she is perfect, we are saying that she has stood TALL on many issues in the past and we appreciate her for those BRAVE actions.


Recall that the case was dismissed on the "cell phone" incident.

[Judi Lynn]

21. Trying to call out the Democrats?

This problem gets kicked up again and again, whenever there's a chance for an idle DU visitor to streak to his keyboard to be the one who posts a negative thread on anyone from a collection of liberal black Democrats, or liberal white, or liberal hispanic Democrats, or any other liberal group.

Democratic posters who've been here any length of time recognize their patterns, and see them as completely predictable.
They don't generally show up UNLESS they've got something they can use for a dirty purpose.

It's been done to death. Sometimes people just get sick of being jerked around, and not inclined to respond to every stupid trolling attempt. DU'ers all who have been here long all know where they and other DU'ers stand on issues. Nothing to get whipped up about.

Being someone's supporter doesn't mean you have to be available anytime a couple of assholes try to get something inflamatory going, to drag in supporters, and their fellow right-wing, racist cretans to create another free for all.

Stupid waste of time.

Cynthia McKinney's constituents tend to support her: that's why, if the election doesn't get messed with, they tend to re-elect her, REGARDLESS of what right-wing busy-bodies want.

[ronnie624]

76. Yes, the patterns are clear.

Such postings also seem to present opportunities for leveling accusations without providing substantiation against others as well.

For instance, some have chosen to smear Cynthia McKinney with the anti-Semitism meme by associating her with Khalid Abdul Muhammad who presumably made an anti-Semitic speech. Now, I'm not denying he made such a speech. I find many references to it on Google, but little in the way of evidence of anti-Semitism (but I am in a hurry so I could be overlooking something). If someone is going to level such a charge, should they not at least have the decency to paste an excerpt from the offending speech that would support their claims so everyone can see it with their own eyes? Another poster claims Mckinney's father is an anti-Semite; again, no substantiation. Perhaps I am guilty of an inexcusable level of ignorance on this matter, but I will always be suspicious of what appears to be an echo chamber broadcasting "conventional wisdom", especially if no one even bothers to source their claims.

[stepnw1f]

104. "Bushbots"? That's Funny.... (nt)

[Ken Burch]

46. It's always wrong to vote for a conservative man against a progressive

woman. No real Democrat can do that with a clear conscience. We know Johnson will be a DINO. That's why Republicans crossed over for him.

[Ken Burch]

45. No good came of defeating McKinney last time.

Denise Majette was a waste of time. You can't trust a Democrat nominated on Republican crossover votes.

[illumn8d]

72. What specifically was wrong with Majette?

Her positions and voting record aren't conservative. What did she do that was so bad.

[Ken Burch]

93. She was basically silent. You didn't know she was there.

And I think she pretty much blandly obeyed the leadership.

[DaDeacon]

18. We aren't silent we just tire of fighting in circles with other dems

Look it,
Rep.McKinney has a base of supporters who don't play political games. Who watch the news and thire community. We work and stay active but we offten wonder why we are some how singled out as "bad" supports becouse those that don't like her just want her gone. I still recall her as the ONLY Rep. to question 9/11 when it happened, while most of the country was sitting around singing "God bless America" drunk on false Nationalism and silly pro-war sentiment. Oh you might have forgot how she was ran out of office by very powerful local interest groups in the area. I remember her Dad calling them out and him being treated like some delusional racist even though her opponents campain contributions seem to have a very common "connection". This group did nothing more than bring in an out of town canidate who jumped at the chance to get a little more power, who then lost , and was never seen again. It's a shame that the only time we see her in when she looks the worst. I wish she had voted but the fact remains that voter act should be made permanent but no one seems to want to talk too much about that...*shigh.* I would vote for her if for no other reason, that out of all the "local" Politicians I have see McKinney at publix,( just getting chips and some cola) I've spoken with her on everything from the weather to the budget, she's really very nice. Maybe I should fould my wish to send some one to represent me based on political savvy or photo ops, or I can send a representative baseed on something and silly as local community connection. Hmmm I guess you really liked Bush in that kick ass flight suit.

[dsc]

20. Yes her poor father who blames everything on the Jews

oh wait he also blames gays and whites too. Her dad is treated like a delusional racist because her dad is a delusional racist. That has nothing to do with her fitness for office but it sure does have to do with his.

[DaDeacon]

22. Hey Friend,

Your words not mine , but all hate aside follow that money wheredoes it go not to South Dekalb and what did ever happen to Denise L. Majette?...OH yeah :

" Soon after leaving the House, Majette entered private law practice in Atlanta. In March of 2006, Majette announced her candidacy for State School Superintendent of Georgia. She defeated substitute teacher Carlotta Harrell in the primary, garnering 67% of the vote. She will now face Republican incumbent Kathy Cox."

Good Luck with that!

Dislike her, vote against her but come on enough sideways attacks.

[dsc]

24. Majette is clearly ambitous to a fault

She never should have run for Senate but her ambition clearly got the better of her. But that doesn't negate the fact that McKinney has made some very bad decisions. She ran the typical incumbents race and it blew up on her. She has some huge positives and I might even vote for her if I lived in her district (I don't know enough about her opponent to know if I would or wouldn't). But she also has some glaring weaknesses. She is clearly out of touch with her constituents to an alarming degree. It isn't just that she won such a narrow victory it was that she apparently had no idea she was in trouble, which can be deduced by her decision not to debate. I think she is in deep deep trouble in this race. She has very little to blame that on but herself.

[DaDeacon]

30. Yes, I agree that she blunders...

Yes, I agree that she blunders,but her support of HR 2077 ( Arabia Mountain btw is so cool to visit if you live in Metro Atlanta make a day trip in spring!) and H.R. 635 to impeach chimpy make me smile from ear to ear.

[Sven77]

23. she is unique

not like the herd of sheep trailing bush. i hope she wins again. despite the voter fraud.

[Freddie Stubbs]

32. Actually, 17 others missed this vote also

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll370.xml

[onenote]

33. only one other Democrat from the south missed the vote

Of Democratic representatives from the southern states that are most directly impacted by the Voting Rights Act, only McKinney and Lloyd Doggett of TX missed the vote. I don't know why either of weren't there, but its hard to imagine a good excuse for missing this vote.

[NaturalHigh]

25. Does McKinney even care about the issues she claims to hold dear?

Sometimes it seems to me that she just wants the position, not the responsibilities that go with it.

[never cry wolf]

26. Big deal

Her vote was not needed nor would it have changed a thing.

But when the House began voting on the afternoon of July 13, McKinney missed voting on the first amendment, offered by Rep. Charles Norwood (R-Ga.). His amendment would have made it easier for some areas to change their voting laws without approval from the Department of Justice (DoJ) while requiring new areas to get the government’s permission.

The House rejected Norwood’s amendment 96-318, as well as three other amendments; the bill passed 390-33. The Senate passed the measure 98-0.

[AtomicKitten]

27. and HRC missed the bankruptcy vote

shit happens

[illumn8d]

34. Something I never see in McKinney threads

Is there anything wrong with Hank Johnson?

Reading his bio and positions, he seems rather progressive. Is there anyone in this district (or from anywhere) that has anything that would say why he would be a bad replacement?

[Freddie Stubbs]

35. Some 'Democrats' are cliaming that he is a right-winger

Exit polls show McKinney winning by a majority but Diebold steals another victory. In a desperate effort to defeat Cynthia McKinney, the neo-cons ran two right-wing extremists in the Democratic Primary in a state where all Republicans can vote in the Democratic Primary. Adding to McKinney's problems were Diebold machines that changed votes for McKinney into votes for Hank Johnson, a neo-con of the Clarence Thomas variety. Learning about the rigging from a voter who tried to have the switch corrected and was told 'next election,' McKinney put out an alert. Despite Diebold and the heavy right-wing funding of her opponents, Cynthia won a clear plurality.

However, on August 8th, she will face Diebold and well-financed, neo-con Hank Johnson for a runoff. Cynthia McKinney, who was tied on our 2005 human rights voting chart for the top Congresswoman score, and who is currently scoring very high on the 2006 human rights chart, was targeted for questioning the cause of 9/11 and the war in Iraq. If America loses McKinney, it will have a chilling effect on Congresspersons considering bringing out the truth about the Bush Administration. Therefore, ask everyone you know to donate all they can to this brave champion of truth and human rights. A dollar for Cynthia is a dollar against the Bush Administration. Now is the time for all Democrats to take a stand for a leader who is under fire for standing up for us. On August 9th, 2006, Georgia's 4th District seat will be either in the hands of Cynthia McKinney or in the hands of the Bush Administration.

http://patrickhenrythinktank.org/

If you read further down the page, this group also urges people to donate money to Republican Congressman Ron Paul.

[onenote]

36. some "Democrats" make stuff up, apparently

Calling Hank Johnson a "neo-con" and a "right wing extremist" is bull. His website clearly states his position on Iraq, and it is neither "far right" nor neo con. He states unequivocally that the war "is and always has been a mistake" and that he has "stood by that position since before Day One." He also state that "the alleged weapons programs and stockpiles simply did not exist, and it is unacceptable that we are now engaged in such unnecessary and destructive conflict. The human toll is tragic, the economic burden enormous, the erosion of international respect for our country devastating." He goes on to add that "This war is a product of irresponsible and inept leadership.


He is definitely more moderate than McKinney. For example, he does not support setting a hard date for withdrawal. But that is hardly a benchmark of a "neo con" or "right wing extremist", seeing as there are a number of Democrats who share that view.

[Ken Burch]

47. Why the hell is he even running?

There is no reason to replace a progressive incumbent with a "moderate"(which as everyone knows is code for a conservative).

And anyone who wins a Democratic primary on Republican crossover votes is clearly tainted. You can't do that and honestly call yourself a Democrat. It means you don't give a damn about what the party stands for.

[onenote]

65. maybe its because some people want a more effective representative

Its possible to be progressive and effective. For example, John Conyers has, in the past year, sponsored nearly 50 resolutions, bills or amendments, frequently attracting significant numbers of co-sponsors.

In contrast, over the same time period, McKinney has introduced 16 bills, only one of which attracted more than 10 co-sponsors (and the majority of which had no co-sponsors at all). Actually, giving McKinney credit for 16 bills is generous since that includes two bills that she introduced twice. One of those bills that she introduced twice was the all-important "Tupac Amaru Shakur Records Collection Act of 2005"

Johnson talks about his interest in education, the environment, jobs. It might just be that a lot of the voters in the district care more about those things than about the establishment of a depository for the records concerning the life and death of Tupac.

[Freddie Stubbs]

70. How exactly does Johnson differ from McKinney on policy?

Is he really a moderate, or just someone who isn't going to hit police officers?

[Ken Burch]

94. He does the neocon Hillary shuffle on the war.

He's against a firm pullout date, which means he doesn't care if our troops are there for the next twenty years.

This means he'll be perfectly happy to see his young constituents coming home in flag-draped coffins forever.

This is unconscionable.

[illumn8d]

89. Please provide specific evidence that Johnson is a conservative

And while the statistics made it obvious of a concerted cross-over effort in 2002, there is nothing to suggest that this time. Majette trounced McKinney by 16 points. This time McKinney won by 3 points.

[Ken Burch]

44. There was never any reason for a primary challenge to McKinney.

The only reason Johnson is in the race is that some people didn't want a progressive African American woman holding this congressional seat. No progressives will support Johnson against McKinney, only DLC'ers and Republican crossovers.

[RangerSmith]

48. nonsense

besides the obvious answers to that hyperbole, there are progressives that believe in term limits.

[Ken Burch]

58. How do term limits enter into this?

It's not like McKinney's been in for thirty years or something.

[RangerSmith]

62. She's been in long

enough to apparently think she doesn't need to show up and cast a vote for Voters Rights... and that is way too damn long, IMHO.

She needs to be replaced by someone representing constituents and not her own personal interests.

"Statement by Rep. Cynthia McKinney (GA)
On the ongoing disenfranchisement of Black Voters
On June 20, 2006, the eve of the reauthorization of the Voter Rights Act

Thank you Madame Speaker. On the eve of the reauthorization of the Voter Rights Act, I come to the Floor to say that the dream of full participation by all Americans has yet to be fulfilled. And in fact, even at the dawn of a new Century, Black voters are still confronted with a concerted effort to deny their right to vote when it is politically necessary and expedient to do so."

If she actually believed that then she needed to have her ass in the seat during the vote, IMHO.

[wyldwolf]

52. the stats tell a different story

[Freddie Stubbs]

71. Hitting a police officer is a valid reason

[Ken Burch]

51. Well, there's the fact that he can only win on Republican crossovers

This automatically taints anyone who claims to be a Democrat. Also, there really wasn't a good reason for Cynthia to be challenged again. It was enough that she was challenged in the earlier primary. Why should she come in for abuse that no other incumbent gets?

I mean, progressives gave Lieberman 18 friggin' years. Why couldn't the DLC give McKinney at least two or three terms without them hassling her?

[wyldwolf]

53. the stats tell a different story

[Freddie Stubbs]

60. Is that actually a fact?

Do you have some data to back up that more Democrats in the district support McKinney over Johnson in a two-person race?

Perhaps the rough time she is getting this time is not for her political views, but her personal behavior.

[zara]

38. Stupid for a black politician to miss that vote.

As if she wouldn't understand that perceptions matter, and failing to vote on renewing of the most significant legislation for black americans, really hard to understand why she wouldn't insist on being in Washington and on the floor speaking right around the time of the vote. Just mind boggling.

[God Almighty]

39. Clarence Thomas type opponent critizing McKinney on Voting issues

He wants to make the Democratic Party a branch of the Republican Party and the Republicans and right-wing Christians are funding his campaign to do it. Cute.

[illumn8d]

41. Source, please?

NT

[wyldwolf]

54. meanwhile you're rasing money for Republican Ron Paul

[Freddie Stubbs]

59. What Clarence Thomas qualities does he have?

I'm usre that you can back up your statement. ;)

[KamaAina]

42. Hmmm... Johnson is on The Hill's blog

usually reserved for Members of Congress.

http://www.hankforcongress.com/campaign_news?id=0013

Hank is honored to be the only Congressional candidate blogging on The Hill's "Congress Blog," a forum traditionally reserved only for elected Members of Congress.

And just why did they make an exception for him? Why don't other Dem primary candidates get to do this, say, Ned Lamont? Is it that even Lieberman is not despised as much as McKinney by the Dem establishment?

[oasis]

73. Things that make you go Hmmmmm.Good point KamaAina.

:hi:

[Freddie Stubbs]

75. Perhaps the Hill beleives that he will likely be elected

Incumbents usually lose if they cannot avoid a runoff.

[KamaAina]

84. Point taken -- but in that case, Bob Casey should be on, too

since nearly everyone outside Opus Dei believes he's going to beat Santorectum. There are other examples out there, I'm sure. Yet Johnson is the only candidate on there.

Incumbents usually lose if they cannot avoid a runoff.

I was going to forward this to New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, but it bounced. :-)

[onenote]

85. Has Casey asked to be on?

The Hill blog is not limited exclusively to elected officials. Rather "The Hill's Congress Blog has been built as a forum for elected government officials, staff and selected policy experts to exchange ideas. Comments by others will rarely be posted on the blog but some will be published as letters in The Hill newspaper, which can also be read at thehill.com." Presumably Johnson sought out the Hill and they decided to include him. But unless there is an indication that other candidates have been refused the opportunity, I don't think much can be read into this.

Note also that the Hill's blogsite contains links to the websites and blogsites of numerous incumbents and challengers.

[Freddie Stubbs]

86. Usually is the operative word

Not always.

[Ken Burch]

95. It means our congressional leaders want a progressive woman of conscience

replaced by a bland, obedient silent drone.

If you don't know your Congressmember is there, he or she probably isn't doing anything that matters. The bland and silent are usually useless.

After 9/11, Johnson would've just sang "God Bless America" and accepted everything the Bushies were doing without question. That's the only possible reason the DLC types here are pushing him so hard.

There's never a good reason for an African American district to elect someone whose against a firm pullout date on the war.

[Ken Burch]

43. DLC SMEAR ALERT! DLC SMEAR ALERT!

This is all about defeating a progressive Democrat in the primary and turning the seat over to another DLC conservative. That's the only reason this thread is being started.

Cynthia McKinney has proven her worth. The measure was certain of passage with or without her vote.

And there is no reason to argue that this means a conservative man would be better in the seat.

[wyldwolf]

50. LOL! How can it be a smear when the charges are true?

And why do you believe Hank Johnson is a conservative?

[Ken Burch]

55. Why else would Freddie Stubbs be cheerleading for him?

nt

[wyldwolf]

56. dangerous ground there, Burch.

Hank Johnson's record and issue positions are clearly the opposite of what you assert.

[Ken Burch]

57. Ok, I shoulda used the sarcasm icon.

Still, when all the DLC'ers start in on Cynthia like this, you can't blame me for jumping to conclusions about what the guy they're supporting must be like.

I just can't see that it's ever a good thing to defeat a progressive African American female. How can anything that isn't reactionary come of it?

[wyldwolf]

61. because

the "progressive African American female" is reactionary, paranoid, and yes she IS anti-semitic.

"Nation of Islam is not about anti-Semitism. It is about the economic viability of the black community," Source: The Boston Globe, May 18, 1994

"She was the only member of the Georgia delegation to vote against the resolution condemning an anti-Semitic speech by Khalid Abdul Muhammad, an aide to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan." Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, September 13, 1994

She can miss a voting rights vote but can introduce a bill to provide for the "expeditious disclosure of records relevant to the life and death of Tupac Amaru Shakur.

She encourages her "base" to blame voting machines and Republicans for her failings, despite clear statistical data showing her constituents are abandoning her. Think the DLC is in Dekalb county knocking on doors asking everyone not to vote for her?

[Ken Burch]

96. Not on the war.

He basically takes the Lieberman/Hillary position. He's against a firm pullout date, which means he's perfectly happy, whether or not he claims the war was a "mistake", to have it go on for years and possibly decades to come.

If there's anything we don't need, it's an African American Scoop Jackson.

[Renew Deal]

79. That's nasty

You should apologize.

:spank:

[Ken Burch]

91. The arguement for defeating McKinney is based on the idea

That it's worse for an African American female congressmember to give a capital cop a slight, harmless shove for treating her in a way that that cop would never have treated a white male Republican congressmember than it is for a Democratic senator to mindlessly support the continuing loss of human life in a senseless and unwinnable war.

Those who want Cynthia McKinney defeated want that because they can't stand the idea of an African American female congressmember speaking truth to power. McKinney will fight for her principles and be heard. From what I can see, Johnson, if elected, will be bland and silent.
Thus, he will be irrelevant and know his place. That's what being an polite freshman means...disappearing and never being heard from again.

I probably personalized the remark a bit too much. But it is natural to be suspicious when so many people from the right wing of the party are supporting a challenger to a progressive congressmember. It makes sense to assume the worst in such circumstances.

I'm sorry I single out Stubbs by name. But the underlying reason remains valid.

I don't want a voice of conscience replaced by obedient, centrist silence.

[onenote]

97. except her voice is ignored -- she's ineffective

McKinney is an ineffective representative. She introduces little in the way of legislation and when she does introduce a bill, it rarely attracts any support. Only one bill she introduced in the past year attracted more than 10 co-sponsors. Having a "voice of conscience" that has so marginalized herself to the point that even John Conyers almost never co-sponsors anything she introduces is pretty damning.

[Freddie Stubbs]

80. Because his opponent is an embarassment to Democrats

[RCinBrooklyn]

67. I hope she gets elected, just to piss off Repugnants (i.e. the DLC).

[Freddie Stubbs]

87. The GOP loves haveing her around

Nothing like a good scandal to divert attention away form their problems.

[Ken Burch]

92. a slight, harmless shove to a cop is not a scandal.

The guy deserved it for not treating McKinney with the respect he would automatically have given any white member of Congress.