Ga: Andrew Young (Fmr. Black Atlanta Mayor) May Run for Senate

[liberalpragmatist]

Former African-American Atlanta mayor Andrew Young, a former congressman, former UN ambassador, and former civil rights activist is seriously considering a run for the US senate for the seat Miller's vacating. I think this is great news. He'd make a great senator, could really make this race competitive, and would really energize Georgia Democrats -- he's extrmeley popular w/ them and he would really bring out African-Americans. If elected, I assume he'd serve 1, maybe 2 terms (he's 71 right now).

In fact, when I think about it, I think he could be a great Secretary of State in the next Dem. admin. should he lose in '04 or decide not to run.

Here are the links:
> http://www.polstate.com/archives/003630.html#003630
> Democrat Andrew Young, civil rights activist, three-term House member, United Nations Ambassador, and two-term Atlanta mayor, is considering a campaign for Senate. Returning from a recent visit to Africa, he was encouraged to run by "a group of former congressmen who had just left Liberia. We began to talk about conflicts around the world, and I guess they were impressed that I knew about them all. They said I ought to be back in government and ought to take a shot at the Senate seat." So he may.

> http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/07/24/young.georgia/
> "He has a lot of political juice. He's almost a clear-the-field candidate," said Georgia Democratic Party Chairman Calvin Smyre, who spoke with Young about the Senate race Thursday morning. "He's well respected. He's articulate. He knows the issues. He doesn't need on-the-job training. He's certainly one of Georgia's finest citizens."

> http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/0703/25young.html
> State Rep. Calvin Smyre of Columbus, chairman of the state Democratic Party, said Young called him Thursday morning to say he was exploring the idea of running. "He's an international figure, well established, has a body of knowledge -- he'd be a formidable candidate." Smyre said he expects a decision from Young soon.

> http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=34474
> "He is internationally known; he brings a great wealth of experience," said Smyre. "He is a former congressman, former ambassador, former mayor. He knows about governance. He knows the legislative bodies."

Here's hoping he'll run! :dem:

[buckfush2]

1. I didn't realize he was no longer African American

That Michael Jackson has started a trend!

[hlthe2b]

4. LOL

I just love editors who can't pick up even this level of grammatical error!

[BayCityProgressive]

2. Why can't they just say "former mayor"

You don't hear "former European American mayor". Anyhow, I would love to have a new progressive voice in the Senate. Progressives are badly needed there!

[Brian Sweat]

5. For one thing, there are no African Americans in the senate

So the fact that he is African American is significant. Especially since he has the name recognition to make a real run of it.

[mndemocrat_29]

3. I hope he runs

Andy Young and Inez Tenenbaum will be great candidates (though I'd wish that they'd announce their decisions soon.) Also, I'd like the John Edwards-Erskine Bowles thing decided.