Posted on 08/05/2002 5:31:29 AM PDT by SJackson
Throughout the nation, incumbents vying for re-election to Congress are relying partly on their comments, actions and votes in reaction to the 9/11 attacks, in hopes that they will receive additional support from the voters. But in one congressional race, the incumbent's comments and actions may turn out to be an impetus for defeat.
According to a recently completed poll, Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, D-Ga., is in the fight of her life against former State Court Judge Denise Majette. The poll, conducted by The Marketing Workshop, which has in the past conducted political surveys for numerous major newspapers, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, shows McKinney trailing Majette in Georgia's Aug. 20 Democratic primary, 41 percent to 39 percent, with 20 percent of the likely voters undecided.
The survey was conducted the last three days of July and sampled 300 likely primary voters. And as McKinney forces would be quick to note, this poll, like all political surveys, has a margin of error. But while the margin of error for the poll is the standard plus or minus 6 percent, the true "margin of error" might be in some of McKinney's actions related to the aftermath of last September's tragedy, and the reaction it created with both white and African-American voters. Both McKinney and Majette are African-Americans.
Last spring, McKinney, who has always prided herself in speaking out on controversial issues, remained true to form by calling for an investigation into whether President George W. Bush and other government officials had advance notice of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. She went on to publicly state that "persons close to this administration are poised to make huge profits off America's new war."
The irony is that McKinney was, in a sense, ahead of the news. Later evidence did emerge that the president had at some point prior to the attack received a general briefing on the threat posed by Osama bin Laden. But McKinney's implication that either the president or other officials might have allowed an attack to take place for potential economic profits led to a national outcry. Even her own state's junior senator, Zell Miller, D-Ga., labeled McKinney's comments "loony."
Unfortunately for the congresswoman, the accusation concerning prior knowledge by the president was not her first brush with the post-September "margin of error." Shortly after the terrorist attacks, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal offered $10 million to the City of New York, but then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani rejected the offer because the prince also suggested that the U.S. shared a portion of the blame for the events of 9/11. McKinney wasted little time in firing off a letter to the Saudi prince, lamenting Giuliani's actions and suggesting that he contact her office for a list of charities who could use the funds to assist what her letter termed "Black America."
Again, some of the underlying points in McKinney's letter were arguably valid. But many in Washington and in her home state saw the move as a quick grab for cash that had already been rejected for the unacceptable "terms of receipt."
McKinney is actually a bright and sincere member of Congress. And contrary to her public image, she is also extremely personable and friendly. But in the world of electoral politics, there is a line over which the most articulate of leaders cannot afford to cross. And it appears McKinney has come dangerously close to that line.
The recent poll suggests that many Republicans in this otherwise Democrat-heavy congressional district are considering crossing over to the Democratic primary in order to voice their displeasure with Cynthia McKinney. And the survey indicates that many white Democrats also intend to vote for Majette.
But of much greater importance to the outcome of this race may be the reaction of African-American voters in the district. McKinney's opponent is not well known, yet nearly 20 percent of the African-Americans responding to the poll say they are supporting Majette, with another 25 percent saying they are undecided. A portion of that particular segment of the district's electorate may feel that McKinney's outspokenness has gone too far.
But that remains to be seen. McKinney and her legendary father, Georgia state Rep. Billy McKinney, have long been considered the strongest of leaders among the state's African-American political community. But the polling results suggest that Cynthia McKinney's outspoken nature may have pushed part of that constituency into the corner of her opponent. Almost 20 percent of the respondents who said they voted for McKinney in 2000 stated that they intend to vote for Majette in the upcoming primary election.
Is Cynthia McKinney finished?
....snip....
McKinney is a vicious, achievement hating, racist. She fully embraces the philosophy of Marx and totally rejects the philosophy of individual freedom espoused by Jefferson, Washington, Adams and their contemporaries. Further I find her to be rude, and obnoxious. I wonder what planet the writer of this article is from?
That's just the start. In the Hilliard-Davis race in Alabama, Hilliard's campaign put on a commercial that morphed Davis into a white man...plus the antisemitic whisper campaign. McKinney is as desparate as Hilliard, so you know it's going to get UGLY.
Believe me, I am no fan of Sheila, not even a little bit, but Sheila looks like Mother Theresa next to McKinny..
I hope I see him August 20.
Walt
Her problem is that for Americans, 9/11 tended to override the differences that the race-baiters use to divide us. She can't get used to the idea that many of her usual supporters have, at least for the time being, given up their "Liberal Plantation black" identities, and have turned pure Red, White and Blue.
Methinks it's time to stick a fork in her, she's almost done.
"Inshalla, is this the end for Cynthia?"
With apologies to Edward G.Robinson
I wondered the same thing.
(found via instapundit.)
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