Posted on 06/16/2004 9:32:59 PM PDT by Veritas_est
Senate winner may be pioneer
Web posted Monday, June 14, 2004 By Brian Basinger | Morris News Service ATLANTA - Could Georgia voters be on their way to electing the state's first black U.S. senator?
The question might have seemed like the stuff of fiction only a few years ago - even in what was long considered one of the more progressive states of the New South.
But among the 11 major-party candidates vying to replace outgoing Democratic Sen. Zell Miller this year are two black candidates - Republican businessman Herman Cain and Democratic U.S. Rep. Denise Majette - whose campaigns are gaining strength as the July 20 primaries approach.
"Some would probably argue it's been a long time coming," said Mike Digby, a political science professor at Georgia State College and University in Milledgeville. "Here we are in the 21st century, and blacks have been legally franchised since the 1870s. That's a long time to wait before being serious candidates for major statewide offices."
Still, the idea of a Cain-Majette face-off in the Nov. 2 general election is perhaps even more interesting because of what it could mean to the way politicians view - and woo - black voters in Georgia.
"It is definitely a step forward, as opposed to the days of Jim Crow and segregation," said F. Erik Brooks, a political science professor at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.
With polls showing support building among Republicans for Mr. Cain, Mr. Brooks said Ms. Majette may have to put more effort into winning a black electorate that is usually loyal to the Democrats.
"It shows the diversity of ideas and ideology within the black community," Mr. Brooks said of Mr. Cain's candidacy. "For far too long, when one thinks of the African-American community, people tend to think of one ideology, one vision. It's very false."
Indeed, the differences between Mr. Cain and Ms. Majette are striking - but not unexpected given their party affiliations.
Mr. Cain opposes abortion; Ms. Majette favors abortion rights.
Ms. Majette says U.S. forces in Iraq should be brought home as quickly and safely as possible; Mr. Cain is asking voters to maintain resolve in the war on terrorism.
Both are aware that their campaigns are, at the least, destined to become footnotes in the annals of black history. But both also hope to transcend mere racial diversity, hinting that they each want to attract voters with their ideas and political philosophies.
"I think it's important that we have representation at all levels of government that reflect the richness and the diversity of our communities, our state and our nation," said Ms. Majette, a 49-year-old former state court judge, who is completing her first term in Congress representing a metro Atlanta district. "It's not just the issue of race or gender. It really is about representing all Georgians and their priorities and values and beliefs."
Mr. Cain, the 58-year-old former CEO of the Godfather's Pizza chain, said a political race in which black candidates run from both sides of the political spectrum is healthy for the state.
"This is one of the things that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. included as part of his dream, and that was that we would see the day when a person would be judged more by the content of their character than by the color of their skin," said Mr. Cain, who lives in the southern Atlanta suburb of McDonough. "I believe what it means is that more people are looking at the person and not the color."
Ms. Majette, who lives in Stone Mountain, is running against six other Democrats in the primary, including multimillionaire businessman Cliff Oxford, of Marietta, and state Sen. Mary Hodges Squires, of Norcross. If a single candidate fails to win a majority of the votes, which appears likely, a runoff will be held Aug. 10.
In the GOP race, Mr. Cain faces significant challenges from U.S. Reps. Johnny Isakson and Mac Collins. Mr. Isakson has raised more money than Mr. Cain and Mr. Collins throughout the campaign but is failing to poll above 50 percent.
Martin Luther King and Herman Cain both said, "character not color."
This white boy is voting for Cain.
I'm diverse.
Cain is right.
Cain Ping
He certainly sounds like the best candidate. I hope he gets the chance to run for the office. Knowing only what this article says, I'd be inclined to vote for him if I could.
Go Cain!
"Cain is right".
He well might be. The article touches (lightly) on his ideas, but says absolutely nothing about ideas and stands of his rivals in the primary - Isakson and Collins. Since there is no info on them, it is impossible to judge - are they right too? If yes, then to what degree?
Isakson and Cain share conservative views but Isakson has been seen as waffling on the abortion issue. Cain would be a great addition to the Senate and might convert to conservatism the Republicans in Congress, too many of whom seem more and more like liberal Democrats these days.
While both Collins and Cain were enforced by Georgia Right to Life, they said Isakson has waffled on abortion throughout his political career.
Collins has been a Congressman for 12 years and has a commendable conservative voting record. He has voted against abortion, but nothing of any consequence has changed. He voted against NAFTA . . . we got NAFTA. He voted against GATT . . . we still got GATT. etc. etc. etc. He just doesn't seem to have the leadership ability to build the kind of conservative coalition that is needed to get his conservative ideas passed into law.
Herman Cain is NOT a politician (a big plus in my book), but he is a leader and a problem solver.
Take a closer look at Cain for yourself. Link to Cain Facts and Issues
After you check out this portion of his site, click on "Home" and then "View Herman's Latest TV Ads" for a better look at his stand on the issues.
Spell checker just will not catch them all. That should read, "Collins and Cain were endorsed by Georgia Right to Life"
One of you needs to ping your Georgia list.
Hermain Cain MUST win.
FReepMail me if you want to be ON or OFF this list
Go Herman Go! Pray for Herman Cain!
Click Here for the Herman Cain for US Senate Web Site
ping!
Yep, they are signs for Herman Cain. And he was a big Clinton booster, for whatever that is worth.
My plan is to snag him before he leaves for work ( construction man, he's up and gone early every day ) and ask where he got his signs.
Meanwhile, click on the picture:
Oh! and as we used to say in the days of DOS?
I see a lot of Cain bumper stickers and signs around town, and contrary to the speculation of those unfamiliar with the deep South who ask "but will white people vote for him?" they appear on vehicles, homes, and businesses across the spectrum.
I can only speak for myself- Collins and Isakson are not bad guys- the problem with them is they are "more of the same"- tired old Republican retreads with the same old worn-out ideas.
Cain is different. I just wish we could toss out the other 99 "critters" in DC and replace them with men like Herman Cain.
Your comments are encouraging.
Still plenty of time for Herman Cain
to attract more support --- enough
for him to win the nomination.
I truly believe, if he can be our
party's nominee, he'll be the junior
senator from Georgia.
Prayers for Herman Cain.
He must win.
If I can rustle up a sign, it will make 3 houses in a row with them, on the busiest truck route in the South End. Can't hurt!
I remember your location.
Perfect.
Three houses in a row with
Herman Cain signs will get
noticed for certain.
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