The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Georgia Senate Race, Round 2

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Georgia Senate Race, Round 2

By W. James Antle, III on 11.11.08 @ 4:47PM

I just got off a conference call held by Sen. Saxby Chambliss, the Georgia Republican who is heading into a a runoff against Democrat Jim Martin after falling about 8,000 votes short of an absolute majority. Georgia requires that the winning candidate receive at least 50 percent plus one. "We were having so much fun we decided to extend [the campaign] about four more weeks."

Chambliss said he was not surprise his re-election fight turned out to be competitive. "When this race was pegged to be a 20-point race, I kept saying it was not a 20-point race. All Senate races in Georgia tend to be close," he said. "We anticipated a close race. What we did not anticipate is the economic crisis." They also wer not sure of the extent of the "Obama factor": "His folks did a good job." Chambliss acknowledged that the Libertarian Party candidate was a factor, pointing out that the LP's senatorial nominee finished 100,000 votes ahead of former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr, the LP's presidential candidate. Chambliss further acknowledged that a lot of the Libertarian's supporters "were upset with me because of my vote on the rescue package." AKA, the bailout. He also remarked that it's "very rewarding to see these people come back."

Chambliss described Martin as "the most liberal member of the state house," "a very pro-choice" candidate who "supports partial-birth abortion, supports gun control, voted against making English the official language of Georgia, he voted against toughening laws against child prostitution." Chambliss concluded that Martin had "nothing in common" with the people who voted Libertarian.

Since Chambliss finished 100,000 votes ahead of Martin, John McCain carried Georgia, the Libertarian didn't make the runoff, and this will be the first red-state election after Barack Obama's victory, the Republicans should hold this seat. But they are concerned about money and turnout. Former Obama campaign workers from Florida are now assisting Martin in about 25 of his offices across Georgia. This will help get-out-the-vote operations for the Democrats. Chambliss also noted that the race is likely to be expensive, costing $7 to $10 million on both sides.

Early voting starts next Monday, "election day" is Dec. 2. Republicans are hoping for a replay of Paul Coverdell's runoff victory over Wyche Fowler in 1992, after Bill Clinton was elected. Democrats are hoping to get closer to 60 Senate seats.

View all comments (4) | Leave a comment

DJ| 11.11.08 @ 5:28PM

Somebody needs to let Chambliss know that his republicans didn't vote for Buckley but rather that Libertarians didn't vote for Barr. We saw him for the republican in sheep's clothing he really is.

GeorgiaGirl| 11.12.08 @ 2:37PM

Senator Chambliss could help himself by just keeping quiet. So many Georgians are so infuriated with him that he doesn't help himself at all when he starts with these flimsy excuses.

First he joined in the amnesty travesty. He didn't just sign on, he fought for it. It is almost impossible for his constituents to get his attention, but finally we did and he backed off his stand.

Unfortunately he was not content to let the resentment die down. While the Republicans in the House were valiantly fighting for the right to drill, Georgia's two bone-headed Senators joined the Gang of 10. It was positively breath-taking for me. Chambliss had a race coming up! When I read that the members of the Gang of 10 were all in safe seats I was positively agog. Anyone here during the primaries knew very well how big the Democratic turnout was going to be. But again, you can't get through to Senator Chambliss.

And then the bailout. Sheesh. He can blame his problems on that if he likes, but it was more like the final nail.

And now we have to persuade voters to go out once again and vote for him. Do you know how hard that is? You have to lead with the whole filibuster-proof Senate argument and then be prepared to overcome resistance to Chambliss. We have our work cut out for us - that's for sure.

And sadly, Isakson is no better. The two Senators seem to work in tandem. After we climb this runoff mountain for Chambliss (or not), it is my fervent hope we can work on finding a conservative replacement for Isakson.

John Greeley| 11.13.08 @ 3:59AM

Saxby Chambliss is being disingenuous by suggesting that libertarians will come running his way, especially considering the bile the Libertarian candidate they voted for had for him.

http://www.reason.com/news/show/129825.html

Buckley closed his remarks with attacks on both candidates. Martin was a "good man" who wouldn't make a great senator, while "Saxby Chambliss is not, and never will be a great senator." He asked for people to support him, which would set up a runoff. And with that, he closed his final debate.

...

"Alan was really good tonight," said Jim Martin as he spotted Georgia Libertarian Party Chair Daniel Adams. Buckley returned the favor. "Jim's a pleasant guy." He did not have similarly kind words for Chambliss.

yaneek smith| 11.14.08 @ 2:19PM

I can't believe Saxby Chambliss ever beat Max Cleland after that disgusting add he ran in 2002. Why would the good people of Georgia want to re-elect him?