Saxby Chambliss, Jim Martin, and Obama’s Minion Horde

by Erick on November 13, 2008

You’d think Obama might not want a filibuster proof Senate, so they still have an effective foil to blame in the GOP. But it’s looking more and more like Saxby’s could be the sixtieth seat and Obama is sending his minion horde to Georgia:

“Obama’s former campaign workers are now assisting Martin in his 25 offices across the state, Martin said. Those ground troops, he said, are more important than big-name politicians for getting voters back to the polls. Some prominent Democrats have volunteered to come down for his campaign, Martin said, without offering specifics.”

If you don’t think staff makes a difference just remember the discrepancy in Florida between Obama and McCain’s staffers and look at the results.

With uncertainty in Alaska and Democrats doing their best to steal the election in Minnesota, Georgia looms large as a firewall against a filibuster proof Democrat controlled Senate. This is going to be fun.

More on the migration of Obama’s minions can be read here.

{ 18 comments }

Buzz Brockway November 13, 2008 at 2:46 pm

TPMElectionCentral thinks the GOP is outworking the Dems.

The DSCC doesn’t have an ad up yet, and it should be noted that GOP notables like John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani are all going into the state to campaign for Chambliss. Martin has publicly invited Barack Obama to come in — which would help mobilize the Dem base — but so far the president-elect has focused on his own transition instead of a single down-ballot contest.

It’s easy to understand why the Dems wouldn’t want to be seen as staking too much in the race — this is a state that went 52%-47% for John McCain last week, so a heavy investment could be seen as too high-risk in terms of the public relations problems that a potential defeat would create.

Bucky Plyler November 13, 2008 at 2:59 pm

Ditto Buz. Obama will probably send Biden in.

Bucky Plyler November 13, 2008 at 3:01 pm

Ditto Buz. They can’t be attached t a loss.

Icarus November 13, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Got to disagree a bit, Buzz.

I think they’re afraid an Obama visit might stoke the Republican base a bit. If they run an organized, 3 week GOTV campaign, below the radar, they may have a better chance of keeping the race at a lower turnout with more dems voting.

I still think it’s Saxby’s race to lose, but he should take nothing for granted.

Buzz Brockway November 13, 2008 at 3:09 pm

I think TPM was judging events by what the Obama people were doing. They are certainly focused on getting ready for Jan. 20. The Democrats though are certainly focused on Georgia as evidenced by the influx of former Obama staff to our fair State.

You’re right Icarus, Chambliss should take nothing for granted.

atlantaman November 13, 2008 at 3:24 pm

Nothing like a bunch of out-of-state ground troops, otherwise known as union thugs, to bring out the voters in Georgia versus big name politicians. I think “ground troops” are more effective when they are actually from Georgia. But it’s a nice attempt at spin on the lack of Obama.

Hopefully they’ll send Biden and Sharpton in to get the GOP out to the polls.

Hank Reardan November 13, 2008 at 4:37 pm

Might be the first time in years that I voted for a democrat (really against a Republican) but as a Libertarian i see no reason to vote for Saxby

atlantaman November 13, 2008 at 4:50 pm

What’s the reason to vote for Martin – easier for Obama to get legislation passed?

Bucky Plyler November 13, 2008 at 4:59 pm

Hank, if you want to be sure that Obama legitation has no possible opposition- then just stay home.

IndyInjun November 13, 2008 at 5:59 pm

Saxby who be a shoo-in if he were actually a conservative or a Republican.

If the market falls or some other financial meltdown happens, that will take him out no matter how hard the GOP tries to save the Poster Boy of the ROTTEN AS HELL Republican party.

Doug Deal November 13, 2008 at 6:20 pm

Stevens has lost his lead in the Alaskan senate race. As the 90,000 absentee ballots are being counted, his opponent has taken an 800 vote lead, if i remember correctly. That makes the Senate 58-40 with 2 undecided, inlcuding Norm Coleman, with his 200 vote lead in Minnesota. By the end of the recount, it could likely be the Saxby race for 60.

Ronald Daniels November 13, 2008 at 6:49 pm

I’ll vote for Martin when he proves without a shadow of a doubt that he is not some illegitimate son of Eugene Talmadge.

North Ga Indy November 13, 2008 at 6:55 pm

Doug, I still think that Stevens will defeat his opponent Mark Begich 50.01%-49.69%.

Vic November 13, 2008 at 10:11 pm

Saxby is going to be too busy borrowing from China and giving away bailout money to campaign.

Icarus November 13, 2008 at 10:24 pm

Right now Vic, we need China, and China needs us.

They’ve invested heavily in commodities and contruction to build a manufacturing empire that relies almost exclusively on exports. We’ve built an economy that relies almost exclusively on foreign debt.

They are transitioning to domestic comsumption with a growing middle class, but need time for that transition.

We need to stabilize our national balance sheet, but will be borrowing trillions in the short term to fix the problems that are now catching up to us.

We need China, and China needs us.

shrike071 November 14, 2008 at 11:54 am

“Steal the election in Minnesota”, Erik?

You’re such a lamb… blindly following the path chosen by your shepherds – Malkin, Limbaugh and Hannity. I am really going to enjoy watching you and yours be marginalized in the future.

Old Vet November 14, 2008 at 4:07 pm

This is why the parliamentary system seems superior to our own. It looks like we have only two senators in the country to vote for, Senator Republican and Senator Democrat. Only one can win!! How much different would it be if the nutso groups now controlling each party, and hence American politics, were minority parties, making possible secular political parties for the bulk of us, progressives (like me) and moderate conservatives (like my wife)! As an added bunus we would not have to endure two year campaigns. :>)

Eff The Dems November 14, 2008 at 5:43 pm

Do we have to give-up our fine dentistry industry to become like the Brits?

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