GOP Plowing Big Money And Big Names Into Georgia Senate Race
The Republicans are stepping up their efforts in the heated Georgia Senate runoff, a sign that they may be seriously worried that incumbent GOP Senator Saxby Chambliss could lose to Democratic challenger Jim Martin.
The Republican National Committee has now plowed another $2 million in to the race, giving the money to the NRSC -- an extraordinary sum for an election that is being held in only two weeks.
On top of that, Chambliss is getting help from another major national GOP figure: Rudy Giuliani, who is hosting a big-money fundraiser in Atlanta this Monday. This comes on top of rallies or fundraising help that Chambliss has received from John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and other major Republicans.
It's hard to overstate just how much is on the line for the GOP in this race. In the wake of Ted Stevens' loss in Alaska becoming official and the Senate Democrats' reconciliation with Joe Lieberman, the Dems are now just two seats short of a filibuster-proof supermajority. If they can pull things off in this race and also in the Minnesota recount then they'll have it right there, though this scenario remains somewhat unlikely at this point.
As a national GOP source told us: "Certainly the stakes rise every time the Dems get closer to 60 seats."
GA is the new GOP audition site for 2012.
November 19, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
60-seat filibuster proof majority is the boogeyman under the bed for the GOP that simply doesn't exist. Even if the Dems got 60, I'd bet the cloture power would never be used strictly along party lines.
I think the GOP is putting in so much money because they NEED to win the seat for party psychologies sake. They could point to the Chambliss win and say "See all is not lost". No matter how safe the seat is and should be with the run off.
November 19, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I see your point. But I don't know if winning a runoff in deep red GA will help much in renewing confidence.
November 19, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
A win might not provide a big lift, but a loss in deep-red Georgia would be devastating.
November 19, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good point about cloture votes. They are mostly along party lines, but the margin tends to be determined by a few sens on both sides breaking with their party and voting their ideology.
November 19, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
In terms of the filibuster, the biggest measure in the value in any Senate replacement is not any specific vote, but how differently the replacement Senators will vote compared to the incumbent.
For example, replacing Al Franken with Norm Coleman would be huge because they would vote fundamentally differently. Replacing Santorum with Casey is similarly a huge change. But say we replaced Spector with Casey... big, and there's a party switch there, but its impact is not as large.
November 19, 2008 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK, Jonze, this is off-topic but I've been racking my brain for months trying to ID the person in your avatar. It's from a movie, right? I give up. Who is he?
November 19, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not Jonze, but I think that is the janitor from The Breakfast Club.
After looking it up, I'm pretty sure it's John Kapelos as Carl the Janitor.
November 19, 2008 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup. Carl the Janitor - One of my favorite "unsung" movie characters.
November 19, 2008 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brilliant. I knew I had seen it before! Thanks to the both of you!
November 19, 2008 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Even if the Dems got 60, I'd bet the cloture power would never be used strictly along party lines."
This is correct, but it in no way undermines the importance of getting Martin into the Senate. Even assuming no party discipline whatsoever, replacing Chambliss will take away an almost guaranteed vote against close cloture votes, and put in place a Democrat who will vote much more often with the Democratic Party.
This means, for the most part, one less Republican that needs to be wooed for close cloture votes. And because Chambliss is such a douche, the change in voting patterns from Chambliss to Martin will be very large.
November 19, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is assuming that the Dems will actually agree to, for instance, voting for cloture. Given past history, why should anyone expect this?
I think in reality that a filibuster-proof supermajority for Democrats is probably closer to 75.
As NCSteve said, getting Dems to work together is a lot like herding cats (or faculty members, for that matter).
November 19, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, throw in all the blue dogs and ben nelson's and the dems aren't even close. This 60 seat thing is pure nonsense. It will depend on the issues. No way the dems will vote in lock step. They rarely do. Reid would probably be able to count on the two maine republican senators better than alot of dems in the caucus.
November 19, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely. It will vary from issue to issue. Can democrats find one republican for every rogue democrat is the question.
The two Maine senators are moderate republicans and potential partners on some issues I hear?
November 19, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm Rudy Giuliani, and I'm here to help you...
I know it's GA, but could this be a net negative for the GOP? He's made such a laughingstock of himself in so many quarters...
November 19, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mr. noun, verb and 9/11 to the rescue. Mr. 9/11 won't help at all in Georgia. He's a yank.
November 19, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's not only a Yankee, but he's the quintessential Yankee.
I still remember an interview on the local NPR station in Mississippi about the referendum to change the state flag. One woman said "We don't need some damn Yankee from New York tellin' us how to vote!"
Since no one involved in the referendum was a Yankee, or from New York, and, since Yankees in New York couldn't have cared less about what Mississippi was doing, I burst out laughing.
I don't know that having Mr. 9/11 campaign for you is necessarily a positive thing in Georgia. Remember the primaries? The more people got to know Giuliani, the less they liked him.
Maybe Chambliss just needs the thought of Rudy campaigning, rather than the actuality.
November 19, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely agree on all points. I hope they send Mr. 9/11 out into the georgia countryside to rile up the republican base. Can you picture it? It would be hilarious.
November 19, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
:Snicker:
November 19, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
George Steinbrenner's chief of staff, almost.
November 19, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
...but he's one of the good yanks.
November 19, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
...that didn't come out right...
November 19, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was funny. What happened to the coat of arms?
November 19, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's my "Post election avatar" fastball to the face...maybe I'll switch back after Saxby wins.
November 19, 2008 1:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
What happens if he loses? Fastball to the privates? Too funny. I think that georgia may be tough if the dems get the vote out and the republicans stay home and pout.
November 19, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
...that's why I'll be picking up my walking list at the Bibb Co. GOP HQ at 9am on Saturday...I was so looking forward to relaxing on the weekends again...
November 19, 2008 2:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, take a break. You deserve it. Stay home and watch some football.
November 19, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ha ha...soon
November 19, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good luck. (not on Chambliss actually winning, ;)
but that you have a good canvas. There's good days out there and there are bad days....)
November 19, 2008 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
...and usually entertaining. Thanks
November 19, 2008 2:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm with Micheal A on this one. We're worried about your health. Maybe I could get one of my friends in Georgia to take your place?
November 19, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
...wow...I never realized how much y'all really like me...
November 19, 2008 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
We care. We care. Don't want you to over do it.
November 19, 2008 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup. A Yank who's not opposed to wearing a dress.
Not that anything's wrong with that--whatever floats your boat. But it could be a bone of contention in front of that crowd. Just sayin'...
November 19, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Honestly, who isn't a negative. Seiously. Romney is a mormon, McCain is not conservative enough. I don't want to sound condescending by saying GA and Huckabee are match made in heaven. Are they?
November 19, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, watch those caps! My first, fast read was, "Romney is a moron." Guess I'm projecting a bit :-)
November 19, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Martin's should offer to pay for a Rudy Giuliani speaking tour. Every time he opens him mouth a vote changes from R to D.
November 19, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd contribute to that cause!
November 19, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Chambliss is going to be the new posterboy for the RNC, they are in big trouble! If the election taught us anything, it said there are not enough good ole boys to sway the political demographical direction of the country!
November 19, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wanted Minnesota bad, but that's looking less likely since it's been certified. I hope I'm wrong (which occurs quite frequently).
Also, does Giuliani really have any pull still?
November 19, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Minnesota is looking good. Check out 538.com and some of the other news analysis. There are 35,000 provisional ballots that will be argued about. These ballots contain minor screw-ups and such. Historically, the dem voters are the ones that screw up. Also, in minnesota they attempt to ascertain the intent of the voter, so if its a minor screw-up and they can figure out the intent it counts. For instance, if the voter circled the name or x'd the box as opposed to filling in the box, it counts for recount purposes, but gets kicked in the initial count. Look out, we may have a stand-up comedian in the senate. Too funny.
November 19, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
C'mon, Al! You can take this guy! You can take this guy!!!
November 19, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here is an article on how good it's looking for Al. It's called hope!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/17/frankens-position-looks-s_n_144449.html
November 19, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
It may be pedantic, but Franken has never been a stand-up comedian. He’s been a writer, sketch comic, actor, talk show host, and author, but as far as I know, he’s never done stand-up.
He certainly has a much better résumé than Ronald Reagan did when running for governor or George Murphy when running for senator.
November 19, 2008 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm pretty sure that he did stand-up as well. I thought that's how he got his start.
November 19, 2008 2:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Per Movefone.com:
Granted, it's not what he's best known for.
November 19, 2008 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let them plow their millions to rescue Chambliss. It will not avail them next year, as the Dems will be too close to 60 for it to matter, especially early in Obama's term.
In 2010, the GOP is set to lose another 4-6 seats. The GOP is become a rudderless ghost ship adrift in the waning seas of Old Sooth. Hitching their horses to the Rapturites has assured their Armageddon.
Accepting Lieberman back into the fold makes the closing Dem phalanx quite the challenge for the GOP, a big fat "not this time" right between the eyes.
Clinton at State is a real risk. If Obama can make it work, the country will benefit from a cabinet of luminaries. There is no doubt she would be well-received in the world. The question is: is that good-will enough to balance out real holes in her xp and her ill-management of the Big Tasks?
Bill Richardson: A tenth of the Drama for 1/4 the stature. Tough sell, that.
Hell, if he's going to chose Hill, he may well pick Bill instead.
Pax,
M.
November 19, 2008 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I’d really like to see Obama take at least one day to campaign for Martin. He needs to let the Democratic voters in Georgia know that he wants and needs Martin in the Senate.
This runoff election is going to be all about getting out the vote. His personal appeal to black voters might be what is needed to get them to come out and vote for Martin.
November 19, 2008 2:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
He better take more than one day to campaign for Martin.
November 19, 2008 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just heard that Obama is going to tape a radio ad in support of Martin. This might be all the direct help Martin gets from the P-E. I don't know how/why they settled on a radio ad. Seems pretty weak. Either stay out or do something that might actually help. But Bill is here today and Gore on Sunday. Good stuff.
November 19, 2008 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think Obama can politically risk it given it's likely a loss. GOP will jump on that like you wouldn't believe.
Bill Clinton and Al Gore are bigger than anybody Shameless has stumping for him. Max Cleland should get out there as well - Chambliss' gutter campaign will look even worse in today's political climate. And with McCain campaigning for Shameless you even have an opening to bring it up again considering McCain slammed Saxby for the ads in 2002.
November 19, 2008 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seems they oughta figger out some way to work Max Cleland into the mix...
November 19, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with you SDA1:Anyone really think the dems are really interested in 60 votes in the Sen.I have a bridge to sell you.Then why is the Prez elect not going to make it to Georgia for Martin.Look at the Franken race in MN hardly any creidible moral support for Franken from the Dem leadership.Dems want nothing better but to keep repeating the same ole BS "we don't have the votes".Puhleaze,It won't surprise me when anything significant hasn't been accomplished.Yeah!I am cynical.Just sit back & watch the Theatre folks.
November 19, 2008 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bubba Clinton will turn some white votes, esp male,,,, and Andy Young the Atlanta and black north GA votes,,,, anything to turn Saxby back to the cotton patch.
November 19, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Saxby is on the "advisory board" of THE ISRAEL PROJECT!!!!
-----------------------------
Focus Grouping War with Iran
Washington Dispatch: A recent Virginia focus group test-marketed language to get tougher on Iran. UPDATED.
By Laura Rozen @ "Mother Jones"
November 19, 2007
......After an earlier version of this story attributing the focus group to Freedom's Watch was posted, Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, the founder and president of the Israel Project, contacted Mother Jones and said that her group had commissioned the focus group and that it was designed by Public Opinion Strategies, a Republican polling firm. The Israel Project is a nonprofit group that supports Israel and conducts extensive polling on American public attitudes toward Israel and the Middle East. Its board of advisers includes 15 Democratic and Republican members of the House and the Senate, plus actor Ron Silver........
ARTICLE - http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2007/11/freedoms-watch-iran.html
November 19, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink