Lightning Rod Puts Spark in Georgia Race

[Judi Lynn]

April 5, 2004

THE NATION
Lightning Rod Puts Spark in Georgia Race
Cynthia McKinney, an outspoken and liberal former congresswoman, is running for her old seat. Her reemergence stirs up strong feelings.

By Ellen Barry, Times Staff Writer


ATLANTA — The most interesting new candidate to watch in Georgia's congressional race this summer may in fact be an old candidate.

Two years ago, political observers pointed to Rep. Cynthia McKinney's defeat in the Democratic primary for Georgia's 4th Congressional District as the signal of a new moderation in Southern politics.
(snip)

But with Majette's recent announcement that she intends to seek the Senate seat of retiring Democrat Zell Miller, McKinney may be able to get her job back.

Her reemergence was met with a range of emotions: Plenty of voters in her district rejoiced, and so did Republican strategists who said her presence would be a tonic to conservative voters across Georgia. Democratic insiders fretted about the ripple effect of McKinney's return. Her old political allies celebrated, saying her critique of Bush's foreign policy — seen as radioactive two years ago — has proved to be prophetic.

"Any time, you pay a price for being a pioneer," said state Sen. Ed Harbison, chairman of the state Legislative Black Caucus. In the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, "we were all poised to defend ourselves" and hesitated to criticize the president, he said. "Now, in hindsight, it looks like she was right."
(snip/...)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-mckinney5apr05,1,1263952.story?coll=la-home-nation

[wuushew]

1. How about the best of both worlds?

McKinney wins her old seat and Max Cleland re-elected as Senator

[0007]

3. A dream come true that would surely piss the freepers

Go McKinney and go hard Max Cleland, I love 'ya both.

[bluestateguy]

2. My only one beef with her was this

accepting campaign contributions from people who endorsed or excused terrorist actions against Israel. A woman of her profile can raise plenty of money without taking cash from such persons.

I'm actually kind of glad she is running if it keeps her too busy to run under the Green Party or the Ralph Nader ticket for president.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

4. Did she ever admit to taking money from the Saudis?...

Was she even aware that the Saudis had donated money? Or was that story just another of Rove's many dirty tricks?

[David__77]

5. Cynthia McKinney is a Democrat not a Green.

She is a Democrat--a progressive Democrat. I wonder what the uniform standards should be for taking campaign contributions. Should someone return contributions from a someone who voiced support for Kach or radical racist settler movements in the occupied territories? There should be one standard that applies to all, if there is any at all.