Cynthia McKinney Ousted In Georgia
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, won the nomination with 59 percent of the vote, surpassing McKinney by more than 11,000 votes. Johnson is likely to win in the fall in the heavily Democratic district.
After claiming victory, he told cheering supporters, "I'm going to make you proud."
In a bizarre concession speech early Wednesday morning, McKinney criticized the news media, claimed electronic voting machines were a threat to democracy and refused to congratulate Johnson by name.
"We aren't going to tolerate any more stolen elections," she said. "We're watching you and we want our leaders back or we will become the leaders."
McKinney, her state's first black congresswoman, has long been controversial. Her suggestion that the Bush administration had advance knowledge of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks helped galvanize opposition and she lost her seat in 2002, but won it again two years ago.
In her latest brouhaha in March, she struck a Capitol police officer who did not recognize her and tried to stop her from entering a House office building.
A grand jury in Washington declined to indict her, but she was forced to apologize before the House. She drew 47 percent of the vote in last month's primary.
It was the second time in three election years that McKinney has been upset. After 10 years in Congress, she first lost in the 2002 primary to political newcomer Denise Majette, who vacated the seat two years later to run for the U.S. Senate. McKinney emerged from a crowded 2004 Democratic primary to easily reclaim the seat.
University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock said McKinney's political career has come to an end.
"She's history. You don't get another chance to come back after losing two primaries," said Bullock. "It's rare to come back after losing once."
In other election results Tuesday:
In Michigan, moderate Republican Rep. Joe Schwarz was defeated by conservative Tim Walberg, a former state lawmaker, in the GOP primary. Mike Bouchard, sheriff of Oakland County in suburban Detroit, won the GOP nomination to take on Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow in November.
Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Republican multimillionaire Dick DeVos faced no opposition in their primaries.
In Colorado, State Sen. Doug Lamborn beat five other GOP candidates to win the nomination to succeed 10-term Republican Rep. Joel Hefley. He faces Democratic Air Force veteran Jay Fawcett in the fall. In another race, attorney Ed Perlmutter won the Democratic nomination to replace Rep. Bob Beauprez, the Republican nominee for governor. Perlmutter will compete with Republican Rick O'Donnell in November.
In Missouri, Republican Sen. Jim Talent and Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill, the state auditor, won their party's primaries.
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Attorney Hank Johnson, a former county commissioner, won the nomination with 59 percent of the vote, surpassing McKinney by more than 11,000 votes. Johnson is likely to win in the fall in the heavily Democratic district.
After claiming victory, he told cheering supporters, "I'm going to make you proud."
In a bizarre concession speech early Wednesday morning, McKinney criticized the news media, claimed electronic voting machines were a threat to democracy and refused to congratulate Johnson by name.
"We aren't going to tolerate any more stolen elections," she said. "We're watching you and we want our leaders back or we will become the leaders."
McKinney, her state's first black congresswoman, has long been controversial. Her suggestion that the Bush administration had advance knowledge of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks helped galvanize opposition and she lost her seat in 2002, but won it again two years ago.
In her latest brouhaha in March, she struck a Capitol police officer who did not recognize her and tried to stop her from entering a House office building.
A grand jury in Washington declined to indict her, but she was forced to apologize before the House. She drew 47 percent of the vote in last month's primary.
It was the second time in three election years that McKinney has been upset. After 10 years in Congress, she first lost in the 2002 primary to political newcomer Denise Majette, who vacated the seat two years later to run for the U.S. Senate. McKinney emerged from a crowded 2004 Democratic primary to easily reclaim the seat.
University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock said McKinney's political career has come to an end.
"She's history. You don't get another chance to come back after losing two primaries," said Bullock. "It's rare to come back after losing once."
In other election results Tuesday:
Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Republican multimillionaire Dick DeVos faced no opposition in their primaries.
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poster: twilbury writes
"She killed her own political career. Playing the race card to excuse her own behaviors, hiring intimidating & assaultive body guards, demonstrating that she's unable to leave the ghetto behind ... never accepting responsibility for her own failures, always making things "their" fault. A real first class politician."
Mr. twilbury,
Why do you assume, Ms. Mckinney is from the "ghetto"?
Are you playing the "race card" by making that assumption/comment? I think you are.
However YOU are mistaken, Ms. Mckinney was never in the ghetto.
Her background is middle/upper middle class.
Her father was a state representative.
He started his career as a police officer but he later ran for office.
That's hardly "ghetto".
Also just a note; body guards are suppose to be "assertive and imtimidating".
poster: jacklalane writes
"As a Black American women in Dekalb county I was determined to vote this cartoon character out. The race and gender card are played out. Educated employed home owners,and bussiness owners are not buying that *** and obviously we are and we are voting. We are concerned with safe neighborhoods quality educations for our children,lower property taxes , greenspace, park & ride instead of a gas station and fast food restaraunt on every corner"
First of all, Ms. "jacklalane" no one believes that you are
"black american".
Secondly, no one believes that you are educated.
Let%u2019s see - if we get hit by a tsunami is Gorge Bush%u2019s fault,
If you tan too long under the sun and get your complexion real dark we are then stealing their black race by crossing over to still votes,
ahhh - The Power of Technology : that the electronic voting machines have now somehow morphed and/or have mutated into a some sort of a White Power Entity that steals votes and soon it will be creeping into your household over the internet to oppress the black communities.
And all of this is the fault of %u201CPresident Bush and the White People%u201D%u2026
Please get a life%u2026
How ironic that she says she runs on the theme of Peace; however, she can not find peace within herself. We have all seen how the terrorists indwell bitterness/philosophy teaching and hate in their children%u2019s so they can advance their own agenda, however Mrs. McKinney has finally exposed her self as been a racist and coached in the hate for whites and for the republicans to be exterminated like the Israelis. She makes Louis Farrakhan look like the Pope!
that race was a joke.
Obviously this loss (cheat) is not good for the "black community" or any American who has to work for a living. (which is most of us)
carla451
"THIS IS THE BEST LOSS FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY, HAVING A BIG MOUTH DOES NOT MAKE YOU SMART. NO ONE FEARED HER..."
As if YOU would know what's best for "Black community%u201C...
And that's an interesting choice of words "BEST LOSS"---
For those people who are gloating over Ms. Mckinney's loss;
you say that this is good for the African Americans and the working people of GA, ask yourselves these questions;
Did you ever hear the African Americans complain about her? Are they now cheering ?
Did the working class of GA ever complain about her? No they VOTED for her. They kept her in office for over 10 years.
Funny,
all the people who are saying that Ms. Mckinney is "bad for Blacks and the poor" happen to be White , wealthy and powerful.
They accuse her of being a "big mouth"...
but do you notice how loud, and opinionated her detractors are?
Good luck Ms. Mckinney,
I hope you are back in your seat %u201808.
THIS IS THE BEST LOSS FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY, HAVING A BIG MOUTH DOES NOT MAKE YOU SMART. NO ONE FEARED HER, THATS A JOKE. THE BEST THING THE PEOPLE IN Ga DID WAS GET HER OUT. Mckinney was good at making you think she knew what she was doing....games up