Fresh Loaf

Mable got paid, beeyatch!

Finally I’ve got an answer to my earlier question of what Mary Norwood had to spend to earn an endorsement from “Able” Mable Thomas.

Thanks to the most recent financial disclosures, filed Friday evening, we now know that the councilwoman’s mayoral campaign paid the mercenary rabble-rouser $1,500 for “consulting services.” Here’s the PDF.

Is it too cynical to wonder if Thomas’ services consisted of consulting with Norwood on what it would cost to buy her endorsement?

Frankly, unless there was some kind of “in-kind” compensation promised, “Able” Mable comes cheaper than I thought.

(more…)

Bookmark It

What's in it for Mable?

Just yesterday, one of our commenters predicted — jokingly, or so I thought — that former state Rep. “Able” Mable Thomas would endorse Councilwoman Mary Norwood for mayor.

Well, it’s happening. I just got an e-mail alert from the Norwood campaign about an endorsement photo-op scheduled for Friday.

How weird is this? Anyone who’s been around Atlanta any length of time knows “Able” Mable — herself a former Council member who most recently ran against U.S. Rep. John Lewis — to be a career politician and lip-service populist who never gives away what she can sell.

So, the question is, what did Norwood offer her in return? Just askin’.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

Bookmark It

Here’s a quick rundown on the July 15 Georgia primary results. The big news was generated by high-stakes runoffs:

* U.S. senator: The two experienced Democrats — Vernon Jones and Joe Martin — vanquished three first-time candidates and will face each other in an Aug. 5 runoff. With 91 percent of precincts counted, DeKalb CEO Jones won 40 percent of the vote, while Martin got 35 percent. Martin — who entered the race late and has been criticized for a lackluster campaign — may have a slight edge in the runoff: He has more money in the bank, he seems more likely to pick up support from supporters of other candidates, and his largely white base historically shows up for runoffs better than does Jones’ base of black voters. What does Jones have going for him? A runoff in the contest for who will replace him as DeKalb CEO could spur turnout in his home county. The winner takes on Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss in November.

* DeKalb County CEO: The contest for the most powerful local government post in the state heads for a runoff as well, although DeKalb Commissioner Burrell Ellis turned out an impressive showing with 46 percent of the vote. No surprise that he’ll face well-liked state Rep. Stan Watson in the runoff. But a 20 point head start has gotta give Ellis the edge. (more…)

Bookmark It