The Newsmakers Journal - Politics 411 -- 4th District Democrat Nominee Hank Johnson: "Don't Buy into the Hype"
4th District Democrat Nominee Hank Johnson: "Don't Buy into the Hype"
By Maynard Eaton
The NEWSMAKERS Journal
Hank Johnson, a suave, 52-year-old, silky-gray, soft-spoken, unassuming DeKalb County attorney garnered national attention this summer by handily beating incumbent 4th District Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, a fiery, arrogant, lightening-rod political celebrity. His victory shocked the pundits. Now, the thoughtful outgoing DeKalb County Commissioner is being buffeted by critics' cross-winds in the November 7th General election sweepstakes. His new opponent is Republican Catherine Davis.
"I think I am being victimized by a cruel hoax," he says. "First they said I could not win. Now they're saying he's a shoo-in. They must be trying to suppress voter turnout so the Republican can walk in. That's my worst nightmare. I go to bed and wake up in a cold sweat thinking that I made it to the 10 yard line and then I fumbled the ball. And, my opponent recovers the ball and returns it all the way back the other way for a 90 yard-long touchdown."
Johnson ruefully admits that a recurring nightmare will not let him rest until he actually wins the 4th District election on November 7th. Because DeKalb and neighboring Rockdale County, which comprise much of the 4th District, are considered a "safe" Democratic Congressional seat, Johnson is favored to win the seat easily.
"Don't believe the hype! I need your help so that I can win, so please go out to the polls [again]." he pleaded to the "NEWSMAKERS Live" audience at the Elegant Affairs emporium at 201 Courtland Street downtown and to 4th District voters destined to see his streamed online interview on Newsmakers Journal.
Is Johnson a fluke or a flake, or God forbid a fake? I think not. No, he's not a Cynthia McKinney clone -obviously DeKalb voters rejected her peculiar, bizarre brand of politics - but his soul, his savvy may well speak to a new school of political thought and consciousness in the Black community.
"I want to take care of home and I'm going to offer solutions, not politics," he said. "People looked at my record as a County Commissioner and said, We'll bank on Hank.' It's clear that whatever color we are that we are on the same boat. Now this boat is sinking. We need a change here in America, and I represent that change."
He adds quixotically "All people have a right to prosper and to be safe and secure - not just those at the top. That's the message I went out and spread to everyone regardless of color. Our basic issues now have more to do with economics then color. I want to look past color. For too long, we ourselves have allowed our color to hold us back. When it comes time to fighting the monster of racism that's right there at the door, I'll be the first one to stand tall and proclaim righteousness or wrongfulness. But I'm not walking around with a chip on my shoulder as an angry Black man. I'm walking around with a strong desire to excel; to help others, particularly the young people."
Johnson, who should easily defeat his Republican opponent if his voters go back to the polls, is likely to be one of the new and decidedly different voices as the new class of freshman entering Congress in January. But during his surprisingly successful campaign critics called him "soft."
"I didn't consider the criticism to be harsh," he said. "I speak with a soft voice. I'm a consensus-builder, I'm not a flame-thrower. I know exactly who I am at the age of 52. I'm comfortable with myself."
Johnson's message resonated with the NEWSMAKERS Live audience. Freelance writer Alyssa Johnson [no relation] said, "He pretty much has the same views as Cynthia [McKinney] with regard what they think black America needs. They're just going about it in different ways. Her style is antagonistic, his is more diplomatic. He can still get things done. I love her, but I like him too. She's got the fire, he's got the panache."
And, to make his tenure in Congress even better should he win in November - no matter how it lasts - Johnson will be armed with one of Atlanta's most gifted journalists and best public relations experts, Deb McGhee-Speights as his Press Secretary.
http://www.hankforcongress.com/news/?id=0039