Posted on 09/21/2007 8:07:53 PM PDT by LdSentinal
Now that she's turned down a run for the White House, and has largely paid down the debt from her 2006 congressional defeat, Cynthia McKinney is dropping mega-hints that she's ready for a return to the Georgia political scene.
On her Web site, she's invited supporters to send their thoughts on the "possibilities facing her in the 2008 electoral cycle." But otherwise, she is making no commitment. "You can wait until next year," she told Roll Call newspaper this week, after a Washington appearance.
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, who took her 4th District congressional seat following a bitter Democratic primary run-off, says he assumes he'll be the target of any renewed McKinney ambition.
"We feel good about our ability to continue to represent the district," he said in an interview.
Perhaps not by coincidence, the first-term congressman will appear this afternoon at the side of presidential candidate Barack Obama, at a rally of 2,000-plus people planned for the Georgia World Congress Center.
But Congress isn't McKinney's only option next year.
Though he claims no special knowledge, John Evans, who was McKinney's campaign manager in '06, said there is a possibility that she could run for CEO of DeKalb County government next year. Democratic incumbent Vernon Jones is term-limited, and is in the midst of a campaign for U.S. Senate.
"I have no earthly idea what she plans to do," said Evans, a former DeKalb County commissioner.
"When and if she decides anything she's going to do, she will share it with us and we'll decide whether or not we want to get on the train," he said.
Efforts to contact McKinney directly for this article were unsuccessful.
Elected six times to Congress and defeated twice, McKinney remains one of the best known and most polarizing political figures in Georgia — the object of both extreme loyalty and tenacious opposition in DeKalb County.
She has spent much of this year testing the waters for a presidential campaign under the banner of the Green Party. This month, citing the "level of development" within the party, and "my own long postponed personal priorities," McKinney opted out.
But throughout her presidential explorations, said Evans, her ex-campaign manager, McKinney has paid particular attention to paying down an '06 campaign debt of nearly $45,000.
McKinney is now within $6,200, according to her web site, www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com — where she's also offering autographed campaign T-shirts for $100 each, suitable for framing or wearing.
"Please give generously," says the web site. "Together we can help prepare our congresswoman for her next step in service to our nation's people."
Johnson thinks it unlikely that, as a freshman congressman, he'll escape a re-match with McKinney. In preparation, he's gone to great lengths to raise his profile — and yet maintain a quiet demeanor.
"We have to have professionalism in that position," he said.
William Boone, a political scientist at Clark Atlanta University, gives short shrift to speculation that McKinney might run for CEO of DeKalb County.
"It's a hard-working position — similar to a mayor. You don't have the excess of time that you would have as a member of Congress," he observed.
Congress offers its members a higher profile and an opportunity to set their own agendas, Boone said.
ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!
The PERFECT “face of the Democrat Party”.
The perfect mindset also.
Wrong planet, Jack.
Other than donations to her web site, how does looney toons pay down this debt?
Even better, how does she buy groceries, pay the rent, etc. Does she have a job?
Go for it … your freakoid constituency will guarantee your election. We would have yet another dem to laugh at.
too unreal..in a related story, actor/producer/director/drunk Danny Devito has turned down a run at being the Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback..developing..
LOL!
The question was, “What happens when you combine arrogance with stupididty?”
Buckwheat after a ten day crack binge?
Run Cindy run!
I wish she would run for President with Cindy Sheehan as her running mate. Wouldn’t a Cindy/Cindy ticket be dreamy!
No comebacks for her! LOL
Great news!!!! She’s always good for a laugh or two. Nothing like adding yet another blathering idiot to the mix of traitors in the RAT comppund!
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