Politics
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Politics Obama campaign setting up office on Auburn Avenue
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Thu, May 17, 2012 at 4:15 PM
- Joeff Davis
- Then-senator and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama visited the Old Fourth Ward and laid a wreath at the grave of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King in January 2008.
The president's setting up shop in Atlanta's most historic African-American neighborhood which also happens to be in the thick of Georgia State University, a move which could help the commander-in-chief's campaign team connect to young voters. Reports Rebecca Burns:
The campaign is leasing space in the Renaissance Walk complex at the corner of Auburn and Piedmont Avenues and will be a next door neighbor to another noteworthy political operation: John Lewis for Congress. "With its rich history and bright future, it's no surprise that the President choose Auburn Avenue as home for his campaign headquarters. We're thrilled he selected Renaissance Walk," says Gene Kansas who, along with Michael Dinerman, represented landlord Cohen & Associates in the lease transaction. Cohen, based in LA, acquired Renaissance Walk this January.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Politics / LGBT The Guardian's fun infographic illustrates how rainbowy Georgia isn't
Posted by Gwynedd Stuart on Wed, May 9, 2012 at 4:05 PM
Yesterday, North Carolina voters decided to amend their state's constitution and ban gay marriage. Today, President Obama finally came out in support of gay marriage. "It is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married," Obama told ABC's Robin Roberts, further affirming the decision of a many West Virginia democrat to vote for a Texas prison inmate instead of the current president.
It's a country torn, alright. At least regionally, according to this handy, rainbow-colored infographic put together by the Guardian that details what rights have been granted to gays by state.
Should progressive Georgians begin feeling haughty in the wake of the North Carolina gay marriage ban, you can see that Georgia is among the worst — even among Southern states — in terms of gay rights. That pale blue sliver just means that single people can adopt children, not just couples. And, of course, Georgia passed its own gay marriage ban in 2004 (and it passed by an even larger margin than N.C.'s).
Politics Congressman John Lewis' new campaign gear is mugshotty, awesome
Posted by Gwynedd Stuart on Wed, May 9, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Whether he's jogging in Atlanta's pride parade, getting arrested at rallys for Darfur, or hanging out at indie craft markets, 71-year-old congressman John Lewis excels at demonstrating how cool he is, particularly for a septuagenarian politician.
He's been arrested 40 times since the 1960s, for a variety of civil and human rights causes, and it's a thing he wears as a badge of honor, so much so that the new campaign gear he's selling via Facebook features an old mugshot and the motto, "Getting into good trouble since 1960."
That's the poster, which comes autographed for $30. There are also T-shirts featuring the mugshot for $30. Lewis is up for reelection in July.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Pop Culture / Politics The Daily Show's John Oliver goes 'Behind the Political Curtain' with Herman Cain
Posted by Gwynedd Stuart on Tue, Apr 24, 2012 at 11:49 AM
Now that he's no longer threatening to become the boss of our country, Atlanta-based pizza CEO Herman Cain is infinitely more likable. It's like he finally came to terms with the fact that he was ill-suited for the presidency, and we can finally laugh with him rather than at him, which seems like so much more fun.
In the spirit of being in on the joke, Cain sat down with John Oliver for a "Inside the Actors Studio" parody called "Behind the Political Curtain" to answer questions about his most embarrassing moments as a candidate, like when he shouted "Aw, shucky ducky" at supporters in Atlanta, when he called a country "Uzbeki-beki-stan-stan," and when he forgot what a Libya was. Then he gives a speech to the Cit-iz-zens of Earth and we all start rethinking his viability. Oh, just watch.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Politics Yes, Cynthia McKinney's back
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Mon, Apr 23, 2012 at 11:21 AM
In early April, Atlanta Progressive News reported that McKinney, a lightning rod who lost the seat in a 2006 primary against Hank Johnson, was mulling a return to Congress. Today we learn that the one-time Democrat turned Green Party candidate is busy collecting the nearly 19,000 signatures needed to get her name on the ballot to try and reclaim the seat, which includes much of DeKalb County.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Politics LGBT activist and Midtown resident Ken Britt joins race for Ashe's seat
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Wed, Apr 18, 2012 at 11:21 AM
- Ken Britt
- Ken Britt
Britt, who's lived in Atlanta since the 1960s and retired three years ago as executive director of Alston and Bird's Atlanta law office, has served on the campaigns of Atlanta City Councilwoman Alex Wan and Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner. He recently joined Congressman John Lewis' 2012 re-election team as a community liaison representative. As the Georgia Voice notes, this would be the first time that Britt's put his name on the ballot rather than helping others win elected office.
In addition, the U.S. Army veteran has worked with myriad LGBT and civic organizations, including the Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund, Midtown Alliance, CHRIS Kids, AID Atlanta, The Atlanta Opera, the Human Rights Campaign, and Georgia Equality. (Read the whole list of his community work and awards on his website.)
“I have been encouraged to run for this office, and I would be honored to serve the people of the 56th District in the Georgia House of Representatives," Britt said in a statement. “I look forward to using the extensive business experience I acquired working as the executive director of one of the nation’s largest and most respected law firms, as well as the passion of an activist, to make things happen.”
State Rep. Kathy Ashe, the Democratic incumbent who's held the seat for nearly 21 years, recently announced her retirement from the Gold Dome.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Politics Pets dumb enough to think they can vote declare allegiance to Newt
Posted by Gwynedd Stuart on Tue, Apr 17, 2012 at 5:12 PM
Say hello to Little Dude (pictured right). Dude hails from Portland, Tenn., looks dapper in winter wear, and will believe Barack HUSSEIN Obama is a U.S. citizen when he sees the birth certificate and not a second sooner. "I'm with Newt!" says Little Dude on my favorite website-that-I-found-out-about-four-months-too-late, PetsWithNewt.com. Aw. He thinks he's people. Rightwing people.
You knew Newt Gingrich was crazy ... but didja know he's also WILD ABOUT ANIMALS.
Besides pictures of pets on whom people have insisted on projecting their political beliefs, PetsWithNewt.com links to a list of Newt's favorite zoos (Zoo Atlanta made the cut ... phew) and a slideshow of Newt cradling a variety of animals in his arms, which is unfair and made me physically angry. Look what good friends Newt was with penguins BEFORE THEY STARTED ATTACKING HIM.
On Friday, Newt was at the St. Louis Zoo and a Magellanic penguin nipped his finger, requiring him to request a Band-Aid. Newt is "running for president" and this is what people are talking about. Little Dude, you'll have to settle for Romney.
Politics / Shenanigans State Sen. Nan Orrock bids adieu to controversial conservative think tank
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Tue, Apr 17, 2012 at 3:59 PM
- Joeff Davis
- State Sen. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta
State Sen. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta, one of the Gold Dome's most liberal members, has cut ties with the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, the controversial think tank that's successfully pushed a conservative, free-market agenda by whispering sweet policy into the ears of state lawmakers across the country. In related news, Nan Orrock was a member of ALEC?!?
The senator's reason for tearing up her membership card is pretty awesome. Via Bryan Long of Better Georgia, the progressive organization that's been hounding Georgia lawmakers to part ways with ALEC, which has been under intense scrutiny for its role in crafting such legislation as the controversial "Stand Your Ground" law:
“As a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council for several years, having joined ALEC with the primary goal of better understanding the corporate-dominated organization, I know first-hand that ALEC is not the innocuous organization it claims to be.
ALEC is underwritten by corporate dollars to push corporate financial interests that disadvantage middle-class and working families. This group enrolls state legislators to promote its radical legislation in state after state, creating the false illusion of public support for its dangerous agenda. ALEC promotes legislation that suppresses voter participation, undermines state budgets and services, and impedes democracy.
With my departure, Georgia’s delegation to ALEC can no longer claim to be bi-partisan. Any lawmaker who cares more about Georgia residents than multi-national corporations should leave the group. We need to be focusing on real solutions for our state, not fanning the flames of wedge-issue politics.”
Some of the Gold Dome's bigwigs, including Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, have links to ALEC. The Washington, D.C.-based group today said that it'd stop pursuing social conservative issues, such as Voter ID laws, and stick to economic initiatives. The announcement comes after ALEC saw several high-profile corporate sponsors, including Coca-Cola, pull their funding.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Politics Democrat Steve Oppenheimer launches bid to unseat PSC Commissioner Chuck Eaton
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Mon, Apr 16, 2012 at 11:54 AM
A retired Sandy Springs resident who says he's spent the last decade working on energy and energy-security issues wants to unseat Chuck Eaton, the Republican utilities regulator who's represented Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties since 2006.
Democrat Steve Oppenheimer announced his candidacy today to face off against Public Service Commissioner Chuck Eaton in November. The five-member state agency helps decide how much Georgians pay to turn on their lights and heat their ovens, among other regulated industries.
Oppenheimer, who retired from dentistry in 2001, promises to push for lower utility rates and more clean energy, among other issues, and touts his service with such groups as Clean-Cities Atlanta, Metro Atlanta Plug In Electric Vehicle Readiness Task Force, and the the city's Electric Vehicle Task Force as greenie credentials. He also points to his role as a "Coalition Member of Analysis" of Global Security, a "Washington, D.C. group focusing on energy security."
According to campaign disclosures, Oppenheimer's raised nearly $95,000 and, after expenditures, has more than $86,000 available. Eaton, a former real estate agent who's finishing up his first six-year term on the PSC, reported more than $79,000 in cash on hand. Considering he's an incumbent, the Atlanta resident could probably depend on a few GOP networks and fellow pachyderms for cash as the campaign continues.
Interesting tidbit: Nowhere in Oppenheimer's announcement — or on his website that we can find — does it mention he's a Democrat. His campaign did confirm this, however, and his disclosures show expenditures to Landslyde LLC, a political consulting firm that's worked for the Democratic Party of Georgia, state Sen. Jason Carter, D-Decatur, House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, D-Atlanta, and other Dems. It's a smart move to downplay the Democratic ties, we suppose. Though the PSC is broken into districts, voters across the GOP bastion known as Georgia get to decide its commissioners.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Politics Watchdog group asks FEC to investigate Congressman Broun's campaign loans
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Thu, Apr 12, 2012 at 1:13 PM
In a report released in late March about how members of Congress use their positions to benefit themselves and their families, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington chided the Twitter Pro for collecting more than $28,000 in interest on what he originally claimed were interest-free personal loans he made to his campaigns.
Broun subsequently told the Athens Banner-Herald that he never pocketed any cash and that the "interest his campaign paid on the loans went to the bank he borrowed the money from."
“The problem, however,” CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan said in a statement, “is that even if Rep. Broun’s new version of events is true, failing to tell the FEC you are financing your campaign in part with bank loans is illegal.”
CREW says that federal election law requires candidates "to report which bank lent the money, how much was lent, and when. The regulations also require the candidate to specify the collateral put up to secure any loan."
The nonprofit's asking the FEC to find out the loan's origin — including whether the borrowed cash came from a Carrollton bank Broun co-owned and which failed in 2010. (We sent Broun's spokeswoman a line and will update once we hear back.)
