ATLANTA (FinalCall.com)�Dekalb County�s 4th District Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney has been belittled by vicious critics as an off-the-chain "wacko" and a polarizing political maverick. But to her support base, she is a passionate, courageous, savvy and substantive internationally acclaimed progressive politico; and she proudly promotes a 14-page paper detailing what she has delivered for her constituents since she was elected in 1993.

Rep. McKinney (D) is now being challenged by another Black female�former Judge Denise Majette. Despite her outspokenness and shrill insightfulness on issues that ring true to liberal and enlightened thinkers, political pundits predict Ms. McKinney will again prevail despite a Majette poll reviling the colorful congresswoman with a 60 percent negative job performance.

"Cynthia McKinney does her homework," said Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas). "When she says something, if she is quoted correctly, she can back it up. She is one of our brightest members."

"Cynthia McKinney�s reelection is absolutely imperative," adds Minister Ray Muhammad, southeastern regional representative of the Nation of Islam. "We�ve witnessed what happened with the dastardly defeat of Alabama Congressman Earl Hilliard, and we certainly believe there was an outside influence that was used to bring him down as a Black leader. We will not allow Congresswoman McKinney to be victimized by a similar fate. We need her voice and vision and verve in Congress."

Min. Muhammad accompanied Rep. McKinney�both flanked by members of the F.O.I.�when she swept into and out of an overflow meeting of the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists to present her case. Later, Min. Muhammad talked about the singular significance of Rep. McKinney�s political prestige to a battery of Black reporters.

"As our elected officials represent the Black interests more and more and, particularly, as they become involved in international affairs, they are perceived to be a danger to America and her foreign policies," said Atlanta�s youthful, born and raised Muhammad. "She is the truth. Most Americans were shocked to learn that our government could have known there was a palpable potential for a terrorist attack prior to Sept. 11. Blacks and Caucasians alike thought Cynthia McKinney�s suggestion of that possibility was absurd. But after she was vindicated�after the truth of the matter was revealed�there was a wealth of congressional calls for investigations. Once the people know the truth then they begin to support her even more. Much of the media mischief that we see is designed to defeat her and quench her fervent fire."

Alabama�s venerable Congressman Hilliard was defeated because of his political ties and support for Palestinian issues. His opponent was backed by a windfall of Jewish monetary muscle. Min. Muhammad believes Rep. McKinney is the next and newest target of the Israeli lobby.

"The Jewish constituency knows the importance of supporting a candidate financially and with the vote," Min. Muhammad said to reporters following Rep. McKinney�s charge and challenge to Atlanta�s Black Press. "We have not realized the importance of the financial backing of our candidates, but Arabs have. They are now trying to align themselves with Black candidates. They did it with Congressman Hilliard and I believe they want to support Rep. Cynthia McKinney in the same way. We must be equally willing to give generously and vote vigorously."

During her brusque and revealing remarks to the AABJ group, Rep. McKinney urged the Black media professionals to search for the truth. She was invited to address allegations that the Bush administration�s role in the Sept. 11 attacks, but she calculatingly focused on what�s making headlines�the nauseous news that reveals the human condition. That included the videotaped beating of a Black teenager in Inglewood, Calif., and the release of documents that purport that the U.S. government was scandalously involved in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"I�m so happy to be here to provide you with the real information so you can report it to the people," she gushed. "Yes, I am a fighter. I am a fighter for freedom, I am a fighter for justice, and I am a fighter for dignity."

Photo:
Rep. Cynthia McKinney speaks at Atlanta Association of Black Journalists (AABJ) forum, July 13, 2002.