Franklin: I’m no prom queen
May 9, 2008 at 5:23 pm by Scott Henry in NewsMayor Shirley Franklin lately has publicly boasted of having a thick skin in the face of criticism over the city’s current budget crisis. But her actions seem to speak otherwise. In a Wednesday column, AJC editorial page editor Cynthia Tucker took the Mayor to task over the budget shortfall, calling it a “blot” on her legacy.
 ”After six years in office, she presides over a budgeting process nearly as dysfunctional as that left behind by her criminal predecessor, Bill Campbell.”
As the first time (we can remember) that Tucker has badmouthed Franklin in print, the column raised eyebrows across the city and seemed to represent a turning of the tide of public opinion.
Well, Franklin wasted little time in responding. In an open letter to Tucker posted on the city website, she swipes back with no small amount of sarcasm.
“You quickly conclude my record is blotted. Did you think I was running for prom queen, a one night stand?”
Then she accuses Tucker of dissing Franklin’s political courage:
“You seem to prefer the ‘get elected, duck and hide model.’ Too bad for you and your readers that you don’t comprehend the full breadth of reform that this city, state and country desperately needs.”
Folks, this whole thing is getting uglier by the moment.
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May 9th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
shirley is always quick to throw her gloves off
May 9th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Why didn’t Shirley just tell Cynthia to “talk to the hand?”
Very unbecoming of a “big city mayor.”
Also - if Obama wins the presidency, I don’t see Shirley fulfilling her term.
May 10th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Shirley got lots of heavy PR lifting to do around City Hall. The doo-doo is coming in from everywhere. My advice? Take a page outta the W White House exit strategy, Mayor. Spin something good now! Anything! Do it before ‘09 though. Heck, if White House propogansists can pimp-over Dick Cheney into something suitable for an Oprah show, your PR make-over, legacy-build will be a cake walk.
Bonus PR hint: Keep an eye on how Hillary’s exit will go. Graceful bow with lots of recovery cash negotiated in, or rickety cat fight? Stay tuned! These is heady media timez.