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CNN Live At Daybreak

Controversial Lawmaker Loses in Georgia Primary

Aired August 21, 2002 - 06:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We begin this hour in Georgia, where voters have ousted two outspoken lawmakers during the primary. One of the two is Democratic Representative Cynthia McKinney. With 99 percent of the precincts counted, former judge Denise Majette has 58 percent of the vote compared to 42 percent for McKinney.
With more, we turn to CNN's Martin Savidge.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the end, the Democratic primary race of five-term Georgia Congressman Cynthia McKinney was not so much a contest between her and a challenger, but a referendum on the outspoken congresswoman herself.

She was always known as a politician who shouted out on often- controversial topics, bringing her lightning rod status, earning her the love of supporters and the scorn of conservatives.

But even fellow Democrats were bothered by the verbal slat she took of the Bush administration in the wake of September 11, at one point hinting the White House knew of the impending attacks and chose to do nothing to prevent them, so that Bush supporters could profit in the stock market. It may be her own words came back to haunt her.

Softer-spoken Democratic challenger, Denise Majette, rose from obscurity as a former state judge to serious challenger. The day before the primary, the race was said to be too close to call, but a heavier-than-usual turnout in this Atlanta area district led to a lopsided victory. Majette won by merely 18,000 votes.

DENISE MAJETTE (D), GEORGIA CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: This campaign was not about me. It was not about my opponent. It was about all of you, all of you who represent the spirit, the heart and soul of America.

SAVIDGE: Despite trailing badly all night, McKinney chose to wait until almost all of the votes were counted before admitting defeat.

REP. CYNTHIA MCKINNEY (D), GEORGIA: I want to congratulate Denise Majette.

SAVIDGE: She blamed the upset on a large number of Republican voters casting their ballots for her opponent, something that is legal in Georgia's open primary system, commonly called a "crossover."

MCKINNEY: Tonight, we saw massive Republican crossover.

SAVIDGE: But behind the scenes, McKinney campaign workers said the crossover was not enough to explain the defeat. Instead, saying the people she needed for votes simply stayed home.

MCKINNEY: It looks like the Republicans wanted to beat me more than the Democrats wanted to keep me.

SAVIDGE: Offering no real insight into her political future, McKinney did tell supporters she would be back to fight another day, a message that could be construed as both a promise and a warning that the country hasn't heard the last of Cynthia McKinney.

Martin Savidge, CNN, Decatur, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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