But in any case, I’d venture to say that Shirley is a teriffic executive, which is why I would never vote for her to be my representative in a legislature.

With the demographics shifting so rapidly in the city, I wouldn’t be surprised if the next mayor is not African-American. I don’t think Lisa Borders has what it takes to run a successful campaign for mayor and there doesn’t seem to be anyone else with a large profile in the black community that has appeal in the white community. People like Kwanzaa Hall and Shirley Franklin can get white votes but I doubt the same is true for someone like Julian Bond or Rob Pitts. Will we end up being the first major American city with an openly lesbian mayor in the form of Cathy Woolard?

And there is also the question of what will Shirley Franklin do when she is done being mayor. This is still Georgia and I don’t think she can win statewide office, at least not for a high profile position. The only public office I can see her moving on to would be the US House of Representatives. She is definately on the national radar. As long as John Lewis wants his seat, she won’t go after it but maybe Cynthia McKinney and David Scott should start looking over their shoulders.