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Palin to the Peach State

By Robert Stacy McCain on 11.25.08 @ 6:34PM

Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin will make multiple campaign appearances on behalf of Sen. Saxby Chambliss next week in Georgia, serving as the political closer for the GOP senator who is battling to win a second term.
This is Palin's first campaign appearance on behalf of another Republican candidate since losing her bid to become the nation's first woman to serve as vice president.
Palin will attend a fundraiser on Sunday night, then appear at multiple campaign stops on Monday in an effort to rally the GOP base to turn out to vote for Chambliss. The incumbent Republican is facing a strong challenge from Democrat Jim Martin. A runoff is scheduled for next Tuesday, after neither candidate received the 50 percent plus one vote needed to win on Election Day. . . .
Nick Ayers, executive director of the Republican Governors Association, said that it made sense for Palin to help Chambliss. . . .
"She is going to bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to this run-off," said Ayers, a close Palin confidante. "She is widely popular in Georgia, and I could not envision a stronger closer for Saxby in this election."

Chambliss made the mistake of voting for the $700 billion bailout, and faces a runoff because Libertarian Allen Buckley got 127,723 votes (3%) in the general election.

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Quin Hillyer| 11.25.08 @ 9:11PM

Stacey,
This is dangerous. Palin could do herself a lot of damage. What if Chambliss loses? Meanwhile, if I were Chambliss, I wouldn't want her there. If I'm Chambliss and I don't have all the Palin voters already, well, I'm toast anyway. But her appearance could turn off lots of the suburban Atlanta housewives who Chambliss needs to attract. I think this is madness.

Dan| 11.26.08 @ 2:42AM

Quin - it's not as much about winning swing voters in the runoff as it is about turning out your base. So far Obama has yet to campaign for Martin beyond a robocall (I think), b/c chances are better than not that he will lose. And without Obama on the ticket, or serious Obama support, it is unlikely the black vote will turn out in anywhere near the numbers they did on Nov 4.

WendyG| 11.26.08 @ 10:09AM

I assume if Sarah is going, they want her there.

megapotamus| 11.26.08 @ 10:45AM

Front row for this one. Chambliss/Martin are locked in a froth of vapidity. Martin lambastes Sax for voting for the bailout, and so do I, but also for being against "Obama's economic rescue plan"... oh mercy! There is no persuasion going on, it is a secure/depress the base game of attrition. Palin can only aid w friendly turnout. Anyone persuadable has sensibly stopped listening to anyone. They will say, "Oh, was there an election yesterday? I thought we just had one."

Notmypresident09| 11.26.08 @ 11:15AM

Quin, Stick to something you know. I live in North Georgia and Palin is the only reason McCain carried the state. Suburban Atlanta Housewifes? Are you an idiot? Now the the lord and savior of the urban Atlantans is in office, you won't get them out of bed twice in thirty days to vote, unless you are offering turkeys or free gas. Chambliss will win this easily.