Monday, May 7, 2007
News Mayor Clark Howard?
Posted by Scott Freeman on Mon, May 7, 2007 at 10:27 PM
WSB Radio consumer guru Clark Howard confirmed today to CL's Scott Henry what has been rumored in political circles: He is giving serious thought to a run for mayor.
A radio talk-show host running for public office is usually an opportunity to poke a little fun at their overinflated egos and sense of self-worth. But in Clark Howard's case, it's different because he is very likely the most trusted person in Atlanta.
He's smart, he's personable, he knows his stuff and he certainly has more name recognition than anyone else out there. And he has a disarming amount of empathy.
In short, Clark Howard would make a very formidable candidate.
I wrote two feature stories on Howard for Atlanta magazine -- one was a long cover story and the other involved taking a shopping trip with him to Costco and Sam's Club. People ask me what he's really like. Well, from my time with him, he's exactly like he is on the air: genuine.
This is already shaping up to be a very interesting political season. There's not only no clear-cut heir to Mayor Shirley Franklin, there's every chance Atlanta will see its first white mayor since Sam Massell in 1972. To read Clark Howard's comments, and to find out others who are sticking their toes in the water, check out Scott Henry's story in this week's CL.
Comments (9)
Showing 1-9 of 9
Couldn't happen to a nicer person. Clark's the real deal. Will Georgia politics eat him alive? I bet his hair turns completely grey in office at least. Should he run, and win, that is.
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Glad to know that blacks in the Atl will finally vote for someone who's not African-American. I'm not trying to be prejudiced here but the fact is, black leaders have (implicitly or not) played the race card with the black electorate over the years. Clark Howard is one of the nicest, most intelligent people in the Atlanta metro area -- you make a great point of Clark having empathy with regular folks. Atlanta will definitely benefit because of his intelligence and experience. I hope for all our sake that he is serious about this.
Not only is Clark my absolute hero, but I've met him in person (At a discount restaurant! :D) and he's definitely genuine in person. He wasn't even bothered when my friends, who arrived after I'd already met and spoken with him, interrupted his family lunch for a photo with him. He's an absolutely wonderful person, and has so much to offer to our city.
Clark would make a good Mayor but it wont be a shoe-in. He would have to explain his relationship with WSB's racist Neal Boortz.
I'm NO fan of Boortz or his politics, but Clark's relationship with Boortz shouldn't be a factor. They work at WSB together. They are friends. So what. Does everyone who voted for Shirley Franklin like all of her friends? I think in the end, people across all socioeconomic groups know Clark looks out for the little guy and has worked for years genuinely caring about and helping regular people ITP and OTP. I think he should run for Governor. ;) But as someone about to move intown, I wholeheartedly welcome Clark Howard's entry into the race.
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