Will Obama Play In Georgia?
By Matt Towery
November 20, 2008
Page 2 of 2
The Obama organization has somehow claimed that they should stay out of the Georgia race for myriad reasons, including that the president-elect might "lose political capital" if Martin goes down following an Obama visit. They also point to a similar runoff situation in Georgia in 1992. That's when president-elect Bill Clinton came to the state on behalf of incumbent Sen. Wyche Fowler, only to then witness Fowler losing to the late Sen. Paul Coverdell in the runoff.
But what most don't realize is that the Clinton transition, unlike Obama's, was a disorganized mess. By the time Clinton came to Georgia, his approval ratings had dropped substantially (only to rise again after he became president).
Obama has no baggage. In fact, an InsiderAdvantage survey shows that Obama's approval rating has soared in the Peach State and is comfortably in the sixties-percentile level.
Jim Martin's only real hope is that Obama comes to Georgia and attends one of his massive rallies and sends every person there off to the polls to vote. That might mean a risky Election Day or pre-election visit by Obama.
The question is just how badly does the new president want a Democratic Senate that can pass whatever it wants, without the threat of Republican filibusters to stop vote.
No risk, no reward. My bet is that he doesn't take the risk and Chambliss keeps his seat.
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Matt Towery served as the chairman of former Speaker Newt Gingrich's political organization from 1992 until Gingrich left Congress. He is a former Georgia state representative, the author of several books and currently heads the polling and political information firm InsiderAdvantage.
COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.
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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA. >> Back -- Page 1 2
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