Representative Cynthia McKinney Watch: Debate With Hank Johnson Brings Personal Attacks

Georgia 4th Congressional District Democratic candidate Rep. Cynthia McKinney, right, speaks to Hank Johnson, left, during a runoff debate on the set of Georgia Public Television, Monday, July 31, 2006, in Atlanta. The candidates assembled for a live debate in front of an audience, at the GPTV studios as part of the Atlanta Press Club 2006 debate series.

AJC: McKinney, Johnson clash over finances, donors

In their first face-to-face televised debate, U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney and Hank Johnson, the local politician who forced her into Democratic runoff, traded verbal jabs Monday on her voting record and his past financial problems.

McKinney pounced on Johnson’s past debts, including a bankruptcy and overdue taxes, which the inumbent highlights in a new 60-second radio ad. The spot also accuses Johnson of ethical violations while he was a DeKalb County commissioner, claiming he accepted a $1,000 campaign contribution from landfill developers.

Ahhh, the politics of personal destruction…….

McKinney has taken the offensive against Hank Johnson by painting him with the corruption brush and steering the campaign away from her extremist stance on the issues and her own personal problems.

Rep. Cynthia McKinney, echoing a new radio ad from her campaign, highlighted her opponent’s financial problems during their debate Monday night.

“Was it sound judgment when you took money from landfill developers at a time when landfill issues were before your commission?” McKinney asked during the half-hour debate on Georgia Public Broadcasting. “Was it sound judgment when you didn’t pay federal taxes over several years, resulting in federal tax liens? Was it sound judgment when you refused to pay multiple debts, resulting in lawsuits and garnishments against you?”

And Johnson responded:

Johnson acknowledged that he had financial problems involving nonpayment of taxes and had filed for bankruptcy several years ago, but he repeatedly denied taking money from landfill operators. He challenged McKinney’s motives for bringing up his past problems as a campaign issue.

“This allegation was just simply a desperate attempt by a desperate candidate to try to inflict some personal damage on this candidacy,” Johnson said. “Quite frankly, it was the politics of personal destruction. And in addition to that, she’s been the candidate of polarization and divisiveness.”

Will McKinney be able to surmount her own personal problems and win re-election?

Perhaps…..