My friends and I talk about political candidates who can “flow.” We have adopted the term from the early days of hip hop…”Can the M.C. flow on the mic.” Many a well-intended candidate can’t flow in the sense that the they can’t present issues and solutions in a manner that compels the electorate to action. “Can the person move the crowd.”? MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and YoYo didn’t play on the mic back in the day and YoYo (Yolanda Whittaker) is currently a community activist eyeing a congressional run.
Keith on Peanut Politics blog posted a video of Senate candidate RJ Hadley speaking in middle Georgia and I must say he can flow and is clearly an intelligent guy. During his speech he mentioned the people that think he should run for something else first. I am included among those numbers because I could see this guy really connecting with people in the right contest.
(Video: U.S. Senate Candidate R.J. Hadley)
http://peanutpolitics-keith.blogspot.com/2009/10/rj-hadley-ga-democratic-candidate-for.html
Hadley is Ivy Leaguer like former Congresswoman Denise Majette. The congresswoman gave up her seat to run for Senate against Hadley’s opponent Johnny Isakson. Hadley can flow as well as Majette, who while intellectually brilliant had a thing about speaking on the mic. Let’s see, Isakson beat the engaging businessman Herman Cain and self-made millionaire and former congressman Mac Collins before winning over Majette, but this newcomer wants to beat the senator in this red state.
Relatively speaking, Isakson is much better than the average conservative in congress and Georgia could do much worst. The Senator’s years in Atlanta when the Democrats ran Georgia government prepared him to better deal with the two party system that most GOPers. To my centrists friends, the best argument for Isakson is the fact that the ultra-conservatives fuss at him for negotiating with all senators. That’s what senators do.
This senate race will serve as nice showcase for Hadley’s political and policy skills and the beginning of a bright political future. I just wish he were running to remove one of the bitter members of the loyal opposition.
If you are a candidate who can’t flow on the issues and the details of government, why run when a Sarah Palin, Katie Couric situation awaits you. Also, do your homework first because there are some smooth talkers who have zero substance on the mic. If you want “to be down,” step to the mic with something to say.
Project Logic Ga 
Slyram,
Thanks for respecting my flow, but why do we accept “better than the average conservative” in “red Georgia?” The lower class (formerly known as middle class) needs better than that. Isakson has made his fortune and he’s not thinking about the rest of us. All he has to consider is the fringe right and his corporate buds. Why do we throw up our hands and say, “Well he’s not as bad as the other one.”
Politics as usual. Everyone’s sick of it, but everyone expects the same crap from our candidates. Talk about the issues? Shoot we know the issues. We know the plans and proposals. We’ve heard them all before from every Dem and Rep who has come before.
Here’s what I want to know. Are you going to listen to me over your big donors? Are you going to do what’s right or just go straight party line every darn time? It’s time for average citizens to get into this political game at the highest level. The solutions will not come from the guy/lady on the stump. It will come from the everyday American who desperately needs those solutions. That means we’ve got to be willing to accept candidates who don’t flow the way we’re use to. rj
Mr. Hadley: Maybe you should be running to lead the Democratic Party of Georgia since Jane Kidd is mentioned in a draft for Senate movement and your obvious experience with the Obama campaign (thanks) has you ready for action. The logical Dem opponent for this Senate seat would be Rep. Bishop or Rep. Marshall but both know the GOP simply has numbers in this state. Not that the GOP is better on issues but that the majority of Georgians agree with a combination of their approaches and the mindset of Fox News and far-right talk radio.
You are –no doubt- fighting the good fight by advocating for positions and issues you find most appropriate. I have seen the Blue Dogs take hits from the liberals for being to near the center and I have seem Georgia’s two senators take hits from the far-right for discussing legislation with Democrat colleagues. The Democrat primary winner for Senate will help with the party’s turnout for governor but also unleash Isakson’s warchest and his campaign network; an operation best left idle if he can’t be beaten. Under that scenario, Isakson should have more productive discussions with Senate Democrats now without concern for reelection.
Just this morning I learned that the moderate GOP congressional candidate in NY23 Debe Scozzafava was basically pushed out the race by the far-right who want Doug Hoffman. R.J. it is a delicate balancing act because in one sense Democrats should want GOP candidates who make for easier targets but at the same time reasonable Georgians and Americans should hope that sensible people are sworn into office. For example, I am an Obama supporter and like his service—a second term would be grand but I don’t think I am prepare to have a certain tundra queen be his November 2012 opponent just to improve the chances for holding the White House because if she won that would be scary to me.
I like the exchange and I too, wish that people can be elected based on their merit, their ability to connect and work with all sides of the aisles. It’s a fight that must continue to be pursued. The old way of thinking will dim, sooner or later. If courageous people, like you Hadley (and frankly I know little about you), continue to stay firm in your belief, your approach to politics, then we’ll see some of the ‘change’ we’re yearning for. Stay encouraged.
And by the way Slyram, I love the video. You know how to pick them.
And you know there is alot of truth to voters getting energized by candidates who know how to ‘flow.’ With voter apathy so high, it is a two way street to rally the voters to go to the polls. The candidates need to give the voters something to get excited about. And of course, it’s the responsibility for the voters to make the move to the polls too. Not every candidate is a good speaker. And that is okay, but please have something to say that will make the constituent standing in the crowd looking at you say ‘wow, they don’t bring the juice like so and so, but I sure liked what she/he had to say.’
Slyram,
Appreciate the reply. The state party already has its leadership roles. I am not advocating for positions. I’m tired of debating the positions. I’m over here and you’re over there. Ok we’ve got that! I am advocating for solutions to our greatest challenges in areas like the economy and education. I am fighting for the electorate to wake up and realize that the solutions will come from them. My primary role as a Public Servant is to listen to them. My primary role as a Public Servant is to work for them NOT the other way around. Politicians take a glass bottle, put a ribbon on it one election cycle, a bell on it next cycle, and each time tell us it’s something new – some brand new plan/proposal that’s going to save the day. It’s still the same bottle folks!
Ms. Helen,
Thank you for your comments. If you care to know more about me, please google: RJ Hadley Bio
or you can just call me at (404) 602-0920. I’d be glad to talk further. Be blessed, rj