There’s an episode of The West Wing in which we see the inside of an underdog Congressional campaign in California, based out of a defunct mattress store. Cubicles are formed out of queens and doubles stood on their ends. The campaign director, named Will, is a young politico and speech-writer trying to get attention in a district that usually votes the other way. Oh, and the candidate he’s promoting? He’s dead — killed by a heart-attack with just days to go before the vote.

A couple of little girls walk into the mattress store holding a sign they’ve made out of construction paper. They’re soon to hit the sidewalks, waving signs and getting out the vote. They hold up their creation for Will to see. He takes it and turns it around so they can see it.

“Nice work, girls, but do me a favor: read this out loud,” says Will.

The girls recite in unison, “It doesn’t matter who you vote for. Make sure you vote.”

“It’s a nice sentiment, but the thing is, I think it does matter who you vote for,” Will says. “What if it said, ‘No matter who you vote for, make sure you vote?’”

The girls quickly consider this, look at each other, and nod. “It works,” they say.

“Great. Thanks, ladies!”

I’m thinking of this today because I’m seeing TV ads from the Chambliss campaign and getting door-hangers from the Martin campaign. I’m sitting in the dentist’s office with a metal hook in my mouth, and there’s one politician painting another on the television. I’m watching a movie with my folks, who are in from out of town, and there’s a voice from an eager campaign staffer coming through my answering machine.

I think it matters who you vote for. A run-off is a real election. The candidates are in a run-off, but if you voted in November and you don’t vote again today, then you’ve, as they say, “runnoft.”

Go vote.

I’ve been in Atlanta fourteen years and I can count on my hands the number of people I’ve met who didn’t say “hey! I’ve never met anyone from Alaska!”. Two years ago I met another defector - my SO’s physician, who is now my physician. It’s only been in the last few months have I even run into another ex-Alaskan. And that? That’s because someone in the room brought up Palin.

I wasn’t embarrassed of her enough, so she has to come here and compound it by supporting Saxby? I know her visit all about me and getting under my skin. Go away already. I don’t want you or need you here in Atlanta. I don’t want people associating me with you. It was bad enough when it was just Jewel people associated with Alaska, and she’s not exactly high on my list after lying publicly and repeatedly about going straight her grandfathers homestead to Big City, California when she went to high school with me in Anchorage. I just love it when people leave out key details.

I feel so strongly about Palins visit I had half a mind to rally together the aforementioned escapees to rally in shirts with snappy jabbing slogans, but I’m too busy with other bits. Like planning ATL Tweet-Ups. WHAT? You don’t know? Tsk tsk. Search for ATL Tweeters on facebook and join in the fun.

The only rule is you can’t mention Palin when you meet me.

So a few weeks back, we were introduced to Daniel Blackman, who’s running for State Representative for House District 61 (which covers East Point and Southwest Atlanta). Aside from his Obama-inspired/ripped website, there’s now talk that Blackman isn’t even qualified to run! I’m still researching the truth (if there is any) behind this, but I received the following e-mail from someone calling themselves “Atlanta Voter”:

[Daniel A. Blackman] has only lived in the District for SIX MONTHS, but state law requires all candidates to be residents of the District for a full year before Election Day.

Mr. Blackman resides at 543 St. Johns Avenue, SW, Atlanta, GA 30315, a new construction home that was only built in January. He did not purchase his house until January 15, 2008. He just registered to vote in the district on January 7, 2008. The only time Mr. Blackman has voted in the 61st District was the primary on February 5, 2008.

When he signed up for this election, Mr. Blackman swore under oath, in a signed affidavit, that he had lived in District 61 for at least a year. He acted unethically in his very first political act. How can a person with such shaky morals honestly represent us in the General Assembly?

If there’s any truth to this, has it been brought up to the local media? (Answer: of course not.) I sent several e-mails to Blackman’s campaign for a chance to refute this issue, but I haven’t gotten any replies. Blackman is also running against Ralph Long, III, Tony M.L. McCann, Keisha Waites, Paul Lockhart Sr., Kelley Jackson and Edith Lapido.

Without a doubt, this year’s Presidential primary race has been heated, but Barack Obama has come out on top as the presumptive nominee for the Democratic party. His message of hope and change has caught on and is sweeping the country. People want a part of Obama. People want to be a part of this movement. People like Daniel Blackman, who’s running for State Representative for House District 61 (which covers East Point and Southwest Atlanta).

Mr. Blackman friended me on Twitter a few days ago, so I figured I’d check him out to see what he was all about, since he does cover my district. From his bio:

Daniel Blackman is a 28-year-old husband, father, and friend to many who lives, works and worships in Fulton County. He and his wife Jeanelle live in Southwest Atlanta with their 3 year old son, Anias and their 10 month old son, Zion. His commitment to family and community has fueled his passion to serve as an environmental consultant and community organizer, while his wife Jeanelle is a graphic designer and database administrator who has a passion for mentoring young women. Additionally, the couple co-owns an Atlanta-based graphic design firm called Visual Marketing International.

Nice to know…but does it explain why his website is a poorly blatant rip of Sen. Obama’s?

Ah, so many different ways to go with this one….

This post was not paid for by Daniel Blackman for House District 61.

I’d be surprised if his website was though.

I hate to get political or partisan, but given the current state of the Democratic contest for their party’s nomination, I figured this was apropos.

Former GA Senator Sam Nunn endorses Obama

[h/t Griftdrift]

Now, to hear the commenters “discuss” things over at AJC.com, this is either the magic bullet that saves Obama or the silver bullet that kills him.

I realize we’re not very political here (well, I’ve already endorsed Obama personally on my blog and james has endorsed McCain here & on his personal blog) but I’m curious what Atlantans think of this move.

Does it matter for Georgia?
Does it matter for Pennsylvania?
Does it matter for the Democratic race?

Nunn had previously toyed with the idea of his own Presidential run, do you think he’s lobbying here to be Obama’s running mate? (I do, but I think Bill Richardson is a likely choice).

Anyhow, I’m no political blogger, but I think this is a big deal. Nunn was always well-liked in the state and had that magical “bi-partisan” quality that pundits and voters talk about but can’t quite define. The “I’ll know it when I see it” variety.

Feel free to throw in your two cents on this issue.

Just doing my part to make sure folks know about some of the new & interesting blogs in the Atlanta local.

•  ATL Malcontent moved recently.
•  Grift has a new group blog.
• SpaceyG is watching the (new) media.
• Someone (not me) is watching the (old) media.
• Local pig blogs (new to me).

Happy Surfing!

A post title like that one is about as blindingly obvious as “Rain: Still Wet” but it isn’t often a gangly, bespectacled man with a nasal voice is beset by a crowd of people at Costco.

At least it isn’t during any of the times I’ve shopped there.

Still, this was about a week and a half ago and I didn’t have the nerve to ask whether he was running for Mayor. Most of the feedback he got was in regard to his radio show.

This was as the Cumberland Mall location, FWIW.

Good to know that the man practices what he <strike>cheaps</strike> preaches.

photo courtesy of tanakawho

ah yes, the general assembly is in town again and that means that it is once again time for metro atlanta’s famously libertarian republicans to once again pay homage to the fact that the rest of the state is dominated by republicans who still aren’t sure about that dinosaur thing.

the ajc has it’s obligatory article this morning about how as always there will be no bill to allow sunday sales of beer and wine passed in this session.

you can read all the obligatory quotes in the article. they haven’t change since i last posted about this so i won’t even bother cutting and pasting.

i really am waiting for someone to make the argument that this forces drunks and college students to learn valuable planning skills as a way of defending an outdated and silly restriction.

if you want to tell your representative what you think you can head on over tovotesundaysales.org votesundaysales.com(no web site working right now, but we’ll keep trying), but be under no illusion that it’ll do any good.

don’t forget that this state voted for a presidential candidate whose primary qualification as far as i can tell was that he loved jesus more than the other guy.

(in full disclosure the author of this post does not drink alcohol and attends church regularly - he just happens to think that this whole thing is plain stupid.)

Well helloooo mah babies. Do you know what time it is?

No? Don’t fret. I’ll tell ya.

It’s time for everyones favorite: the “Georgia Rides To The Capitol” event!

Okay, not yet, but the website has been updated with 2008 event information, and registration is now open as well. Registration is free and also entitles the first 2,000 participants to a free light lunch at the event.

Mmmmm. Free light lunch. Sounds delicious.

During the third annual “Georgia Rides to the Capitol” event, cyclists will embark on rides to the Capitol in order to raise support for improved conditions for cycling, including the development of regional systems of bicycling and pedestrian networks.

The event will be Tuesday, March 11, 2008, during the state legislative session. Estimated time of arrival at the Capitol is 11:40 a.m. Your starting time will depend on which city or auxiliary location you choose to start at or which route you choose to join along the way.

For more info, please see: http://www.GeorgiaRidesToTheCapitol.org

Right on, ride on.

Since today is BOTH Super Tuesday AND Fat Tuesday (thx, Amber) I thought that I should solicit photos of folks voting, wearing their “I’m a Georgia Voter” sticker or wearing beads and purple, gold & green.

Obviously cell phone use is permitted at polling places, but I’m sure most of the folks who read this blog are armed with cameras or could snap pics outside the school/church/government building where they voted.

Here’s me:

Feel free to link to your own Primary Election Day or Fat Tuesday pics in the comments.

Stay safe out there.