a small dose of reality

Congresswoman was involved in scuffle, but she blames GOP

Associated Press
Published August 9, 2006

DECATUR, Ga. -- Cynthia McKinney, the fiery Georgia congresswoman known for her conspiracy theories about the Sept. 11 attacks and the scuffle she had earlier this year with a U.S. Capitol Police officer, lost a runoff election Tuesday for her district's Democratic nomination.

Attorney Hank Johnson, a former county commissioner, soundly defeated McKinney by more than 12,000 votes, winning 59 percent of the total vote. More than 70,000 votes were cast -- 9,000 more than in the primary three weeks ago.

Johnson, a political unknown three weeks ago, strode into the ballroom of his campaign party to shouts of, "Hank! Hank! Hank!"

"I'm here to serve you," Johnson told cheering supporters. "I'm going to make you proud. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to serve you."

The district is heavily Democratic, so Johnson is the favorite in November over Republican challenger Catherine Davis.

Meanwhile, there was no sign of McKinney at her campaign celebration for most of the night. At midnight, the media comprised most of the crowd still awaiting her arrival.  She was too busy filling out unemployment and welfare application.

Her campaign manager, John Evans, blamed the loss on the ABC -- Anybody But Cynthia -- strategy.  Why would that crazy eyed nutjob blame herself she is so out of touch with reality.

"I'm getting tired of being embarrassed. She's an embarrassment to the whole state," said Republican James Vining, a 72-year-old retired electronics repairman from Tucker, who crossed party lines Tuesday to vote for Johnson.

Leading up to the July 18 primary, McKinney had expected an easy return to Congress this year. Instead, she was upset for the second time in the past three primary elections.

Four years ago, McKinney lost to political newcomer Denise Majette, who was backed by an organized, well-funded Republican effort.

University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock said McKinney's political career has come to an end.

"She's history," Bullock said. "You don't get another chance to come back after losing two primaries. It's rare to come back after losing once."

At White Oak Hills Baptist Church in Stone Mountain, the precinct where McKinney votes, Tony Wilson cast a ballot for her with mixed feelings. "She's a radical, but she's ours," said Wilson, a 36-year-old software developer.

Still, Wilson said, McKinney's public image jeopardized her political future. "She makes us look bad," he said.