Errr uuhhhmm.....You are saying vote for Michael Johnson only because he is not John Lewis? That's irresponsible and erases your credibility. You just wasted your morning.

It is not surprising that a “right of center,” “voted for Republicans” conservative is attacking Congressman Lewis.

But let’s look at the record. What has Congressman Lewis done for us lately Mr. Wynters? In the most recent year that is on record, 2010 (in 2011 Congress banned earmarks) Congressman Lewis helped secure $47,600,000 (grant funding) plus $23,129,000 (earmark funding) for a total of $70,729,000, thus helping to secure more funding for his district than any other Georgia Representative did that year.

Since 2008, Congressman Lewis’ efforts have helped secure approximately $56,254,000.00 in federal funding and $247,600,000.00 in grants for a total of over Three Hundred Million Dollars secured for Georgia’s 5th District.

Additionally, Congressman Lewis holds an outstanding legislative record on job creation, sponsoring bills to help working people, families, women and children, helping homeowners struggling with foreclosures, providing student loan relief, promoting truth in lending, fighting against bank fraud, and more.

What experience or record does Michael Johnson have of bringing money into a Congressional status or passing bills? None! And suddenly, we expect to believe that a newbie freshman who does not have the years of seniority, experience, access and membership to the most powerful Ways and Means Committee (which takes years to obtain by the way) is supposedly going to bring in more money than Congressman Lewis will?

But let’s look a little more at Michael Johnson’s record. Where John Lewis has a history of advocating for the people and fighting for the civil rights of the powerless and disenfranchised, Michael Johnson has a history of advocating for big banks and insurance companies who paid him to fight against the injured and powerless Georgia citizens. For example, in the case of Bellamy v. Resolution Trust Corporation, Michael Johnson as lead attorney represented big corporations against an African American husband and wife. They were both Georgia homeowners who were victims of bank fraud, robbed of their life savings and losing their home while the husband died of brain cancer. Michael Johnson was paid by his clients who tried to evict these Georgia homeowners even though they had been victims of fraud.

More importantly, who is supporting Michael Johnson?!! Who is loudly advocating for him in addition to the conservative, “right of center” Shelley Wynters? Who are Michael Johnson’s friends???

As noted in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution on March 10, 2005--- along with Harry MacDougald (a GOP-linked attorney); Jack Winter (then Fulton County GOP Chairman); and 49 other Republican elite, Michael Johnson celebrated the “triumph over the left-leaning media agenda” at a special party to watch liberal media reporter Dan Rather resign because of his attack against George Bush. Partygoers “included former Fulton County GOP Chairman Jack Winter and Fulton County Superior Court Judge Michael Johnson -- who munched hors d'oeuvres on napkins and paper plates decorated like the American flag.” No wonder Johnson states with confidence: “I continue [to] enjoy bipartisan support.”

But let’s look at some of the reasons why Republicans support Michael Johnson. Perhaps it has something to do with Michael Johnson actively stating: “I’m interested in lowering the top income tax rate.”
Johnson’s comments come at a time when Politifact’s Truth’o Meter finds that billionaire Warren Buffet’s statement that the mega rich pay the lowest taxes, while the middle class gets hit with the highest tax burden is TRUE. No wonder Johnson states proudly: “I continue [to] enjoy bipartisan support.” Lowering the top income tax rate will surely gain Republican (bi-partisan) support. To the contrary, true Democrats and President Obama have stated that it's the 'height of unfairness' that very wealthy millionaires now pay lower tax rates than millions of middle-class households, some billionaires having tax rates as low as 1 percent.

But then if you look at who is funding Michael Johnson’s campaign, it all makes sense. Johnson is supported by law firms who support Republican, conservative leaning judges. One of Johnson’s major contributors is Bendin Sumrall & Ladner, a staunch defense firm that supports Republican lawyers for judicial seats at the local level. For example, or Huff, Powell Bailey is another top donor to the Johnson Campaign. This defense firm and its partners have supported conservative judges.
It is particularly notable that at a time when African American judges are fewer and fewer on the bench, Michael Johnson resigned his spot so Republican Governor Nathan Deal could appoint a white, conservative Republican judge as his replacement.
We have a proven track record in Congressman John Lewis, who is respected on both sides of Congress for his ethics and integrity, oftentimes called “the Courageous Conscience of Congress” who consistently stands up for what is right rather than what is politically expedient. Congressman Lewis has provided a voice for the powerless whereas Michael Johnson is the stalking horse for the conservative, Republican, powerful. True Georgia Democrats, People of the 5th District…do not fall for this trick!

Again, just look at the record. In the most recent year that is on record, 2010 (in 2011 Congress banned earmarks) Congressman Lewis helped secure $47,600,000 (grant funding) plus $23,129,000 (earmark funding) for a total of $70,729,000, thus helping to secure more funding for his district than any other Georgia Representative did that year.

Since 2008, Congressman Lewis’ efforts have helped secure approximately $56,254,000.00 in federal funding and $247,600,000.00 in grants for a total of over Three Hundred Million Dollars secured for Georgia’s 5th District. Additionally, Congressman Lewis holds an outstanding legislative record on job creation, sponsoring bills to help working people, families, women and children, helping homeowners struggling with foreclosures, providing student loan relief, promoting truth in lending, fighting against bank fraud, and more.

What experience or record does Michael Johnson have of bringing money into a Congressional status or passing bills? None! And suddenly, we expect to believe that a newbie freshman who does not have the years of seniority, experience, access and membership to the most powerful Ways and Means Committee (which takes years to obtain by the way) is supposedly going to bring in more money than Congressman Lewis will?

Uh=m err richard, i said vote for michael johnson because lewis has not done a good job of bringing back money to district. think that was fairly clear sir.

@sarah please tell me where that money went? Please maam? explain where it went. And to call johnson a "repub" is old news and old hat. that does not fly anymore with knowledgeble voters. what does fly is 22 years of nothing. Pls explain grants and what mr lewis against the banks? WHat tax reform has he written as head of sub committe in year you losted. thank you

BTW, i supported Mr obama BEFORE mr lewis did. And when I did I was told obama was supported by Banks, repubs, yada yada yada. so good try maam. so for that reason alone we should support johnson. Lewis with a history of civil rigths went for the white woman until the last moment over the young black guy.

Hellooooo? Ms.wallace has the lewis campaign sent the answer yet?

I have given ms wallace several hours to respond but as usual after misleading the public with non facts and calling her opponent a "republican" which is standard tactic. So here are the facts (you can check me at legistorm.com). FACT: In 2010, here’s what the Democratic Reps. secured; Lewis was 3rd out of 5!

Sanford Bishop: $57,565,000
David Scott: $31,228,000
John Lewis: $23,129,000
Hank Johnson: $20,688,000
John Barrow: $5,350,000

From 2008 - 2010, here are the results; Lewis is 4th out of 5!

Sanford Bishop: $199,130,894
David Scott: $72,587,000
Hank Johnson: $60,216,000
John Lewis: $56,524,000
John Barrow: $41,649,000

With respect to the $47,600,000 grant you referenced regarding the streetcar project, let’s not forget the parts that former Mayor Shirley Franklin and Mayor Reed played in initiating and closing the deal for the streetcar project. Also note that when Gov deal went to DC to talk to obama about savannah river project, he took Mayor reed not our "well respected" congressman. As to your point about seniority and experience, all of representatives above have served for a shorter period of time than Rep. Lewis, with Hank Johnson only in office since 2006!

Further, bills sponsored or initiated does not equate to bills passed and enacted into law. In fact, only 27 out of 231 items sponsored solely by Rep. Lewis during his 25 years in Congress have been passed and enacted, and most of those are resolutions, not laws which amount to major or ground breaking legislation. I have no doubt Rep. Lewis, like many of our representatives, cares about constituents, but let’s be honest concerning the facts.

Additionally, while I do not generally take issue with who contributes to campaigns, since you reference specific donors to the Johnson campaign, should voters overlook donations to the Lewis campaign from casinos, which many feel pray on the poor (MGM Grand), and Wall Street banks and insurance companies (Bank of America/Countrywide, Credit Suisse/First Boston and ING), all of whom benefited from the taxpayer funded bailout! Have you received any of the bailout?
.

Dear Mr. Wynter, I am sorry but I have a full time job which keeps me from posting. I did my best to research the answer your question by searching on the large number of government transparency websites that are out there that publically report all the money elected officials obtain. Regarding money Congressman Lewis has brought into the 5th district in answer to your question “where did the money go?” The money has gone hundreds of places all over the 5th District. Just four basic areas to name just a few:
1. Over the past few years alone, Law Enforcement throughout the 5th District has received $664,000.00 in earmarked funding;
2. Specific neighborhoods have received funding: For example, East Point has received over 1M since 2008 to help Law Enforcement fight crime ($564,000 to East Point Police Department + 500,000 for flood control and environmental infrastructure) in earmarked funding;
3. MARTA: Over the past few years, to help everyday people within District 5 commute to their jobs in a safe, clean efficient manner, Congressman Lewis secured approximately $9,520,000.00 dollars for MARTA in earmarked funding; and
4. The Environment. Over the past few years in an effort to help create a safe, cleaner environment, Congressman Lewis helped secure approximately $13,000,000.00 in earmarked funding.

I don’t have time to list out the hundreds of items that are publically posted all over the internet. But in the most recent year on record (2010) which was the last year prior to the earmarks ban, just a few of the items that are listed:
1. Atlanta Environmental Infrastructure Civil Works: $1, 429,000.00
2. Road Way upgrades: $500,000
3. Defense upgrades: $1,600,000.00
4. Marta acquisition of clean buses, $4,000,00.00
5. Biotech Research: $3,000,000.00
6. Money for Advanced Research on Soldier Survivability: $2,500,000.00
7. Morehouse College: $2,400,000.00
8. Emory University Transplant Center for Combat Wound Repair: $2,000,000.00
9. Morehouse College Minority Engergy Science Research and Education: $2,000,000.00
10. Grady Health System for Facilities and Equipment: $1,100,000.00
11. Metro Georgia Water Planning District for water waste improvement: $500000.
12. City of Atlanta sewer system improvement: $500,000.00
13. Fulton County High Intensity Crime Area Task force: $100,000
14. Covenant House Georgia Rights of Passage Living Program: $100,000
15. Women’s Sports Foundation Atlanta Initiative: $100,000

Mr. Wynter, I appreciate the fact that you support Mr. Johnson and that you are passionate person about your beliefs. Nevertheless, the facts don’t support your contentions. Congressman Lewis has brought just in the past few years alone (since 2008) Congressman Lewis’ efforts have helped secure approximately $56,254,000.00 in federal funding and $247,600,000.00 in grants for a total of over Three Hundred Million Dollars secured for Georgia’s 5th District. To suggest that a first year congressional freshman would beat that is simply hogwash.

Additionally Congressman Lewis has been a trailblazer fighting for our 5th district on the issue of jobs, the economy, and working families. He has shown this from money he has brought in to help us to the legislation he has sponsored. To say differently just doesn’t represent the truth.

Like I said Mr. Wynter, I have a full time job that keeps me from being able to post frequently on this page, but I can tell you I appreciate and respect our differences which is why I am one of your readers.

May the best candidate win...

wow, law enforcement gets money to lock up more our children. thanks for the info. have a blessed day.

The stimulus dollars go to the State not to the Congressional districts. If we haven't seen stimulus dollars, it's Deal's fault not Congressman Lewis'. Florida and Wisconsin were both given dollars for high speed rail and both governors turned down the money, thus no stimulus.

mike so john got this check from deal? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4oC9UXcu2M

and if he did, should not a civil rights icon receive A LOT MORE than 200k? and where is money for APS and schools? I could on but you guys keep electing people because you like as opposed to them being effective. but keep copmplaining every day. you get to politics you deserve.