Willie Herenton is now speaking with members of the media. He's pensive, calm and almost nostalgic.
But he's still taking shots at the media - specially at The Commercial Appeal.
"I think it's been exceptionally tough for me because of my style," Herenton said of his 17-plus year tenure. He added that it's been hard because The CA has used more ink on him than all previous mayors.
"I don't think any other mayors have been treated as bad as me," Herenton said. "I've never seen such blatant bias of a treatment of an elected official. And you guys, you've been unrelenting. I guess I create news for you."
Herenton said he viewed this mayoral position as a servant job.
"You get some gratification out of seeing your community grow. I'm real proud about how we turned public housing around... that's a source of pride for me. I'm proud of FedExForum. I'm proud of the growth of Downtown... "
"I'm not so proud of the fact that we didn't consolidate the governments," Herenton added. "I've had some successes and perhaps some failures."
Herenton said throughout his tenure, he hasn't governed on the basis of politics.
"Most politicians will always make a decision to get some votes. I don't do that," Herenton said. "I don't do things to get votes."
Yet Herenton said he still wins elections. "I'm a real competitive guy."
He said he'll win this upcoming congressional race, saying he's a better candidate than incumbent Rep. Steve Cohen.
"The people who have donated to Cohen are gonna waste a whole lot of money," Herenton said. "I don't need all that money."
CA,
STAY ON HIM! He is going to engage in gutter politics against Steve Cohen. Report the overt race cards he will hurl at Cohen. And I laughed when he said he doesn't do anything to just get votes - hilarious - he screams racism at the top of his lungs at every opportunity to energize his base. He is the most divisive politician in Memphis, and he is proud of it. Disgusting.
He is one-half the man (and I am rounding up) that Steve Cohen is. There are going to be a whole lot of Republicans in this city that will vote for Cohen (and Steve will get the overwhelming majority of Democratic votes) if for no other reason than to send Willie back to private life after a resounding defeat.
But Willie will trash Cohen in the process. I believe that the vast majority of Memphians will reject such vulgarity and character destruction as well as the racism embedded in his campaign. It will be Nikki Tinker Part Deux.
Is he serious? He's trying to make himself a victim?
He's done nothing but divide and conquer this city.
willie, you can get the hell out of our office!