Run-off in Georgia off and running

Posted: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:06 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Democrats, Republicans, Ads

From NBC's Mark Murray
As a reminder that the political season isn't over just yet, the National Republican Senatorial Committee is airing a tough TV ad in Georgia against Senate challenger Jim Martin (D).

The ad's kicker tries to advance the argument that a Democratic victory in the December 2 run-off could give the Democrats a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. "With unchecked power hanging in the balance, Georgia can't afford another liberal like Jim Martin in Washington." (Politico's Ben Smith also smartly points out that the ad doesn't mention Obama at all.)

Meanwhile, in advance of McCain stumping tomorrow for incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R), Democrats have unveiled a new Web video noting that McCain denounced the controversial TV ad that Chambliss aired back in 2002 to help topple Democrat Max Cleland.

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Comments

It's hard for me to support Saxby Chambliss because I am a Democrat, and I didn't like what he did to Max Cleland on '02.'
McCain is right, that ad was reprehensible.
But...I am leary of giving Brarack Obama a blank check in terms of power in Washington; and, a fillibuster proof senate would be exactly that.
I remember when we Democrats didn't want the judicial fillibuster taken away from us. What's good for the goose, is...well you know the rest.
Georgia needs to THINK very hard before it hands that kind of power to Obama.

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:19 PM)

Here's to Shopping & Underwear & Republicans. Can you imagine?

I can’t remember in this long long campaign when I really sat back and had a good laugh. Last night I did watching Keith’s number 1 story about Republicans & missing underwear. It was absolutely hilarious.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:23 PM)

It's great to see all the whiny, cranky, pathetic McCain supporters in FR these days. Your incessant crying and moaning about the Obama victory - and his proposed policies - is music to my ears. Please keep it up because I find it immensely pleasing. And remember, Republicans are now kissing the feet of the Democrats. That's how it should be.

FULL MOON (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:27 PM)

Are there any moderate republicans out there, because the rest of the party STILL doesn't get it. McCain lost the election, in part because of this kind of campaigning - and they're still at it. McCain going to Ga. to support Chambliss, who ran the most disgusting campaign against Cleland,a TRUE AMERICAN HERO, shows that he is still willing to live in the gutter. On principle I hope Chambliss loses in a big way. Come on residents of GA. do the right thing.

Not to get of topic, but the Republican Governers meeting in Miami, which makes me sick that they are that close to me in FL., besides the meeting of the minds, get to have a spa day, wives/husbands included. Who's picking up the tab on that? The rest of us are lucky to afford groceries, electric, and the rest of the essentials. We should be OUTRAGED!!!

stephanie, ft. pierce, fl. (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:33 PM)

Hopefully everyone who came out to vote for Obama will come back out again to vote for Martin. We need to get that seat so we don't have to kiss up to Leiberman (or worse, Palin).

69 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:33 PM)

It seems that the only strategy the Republicans know is destroy and burn. My bet is that not all the Obama ground troops have found new jobs. Their GOTV is something to behold. Twenty days is a fair amount of time and I look to see Plouffe opening offices and doing some serious organization in Georgia. Ground troops beat TV ads any and every day!! Look at Indiana.

Ron Indiana (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:34 PM)

Saxby treats our solders like dirt. He deserves to be out. Jim Martin is an honorable war vet.

Flat-earther, Georgia (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:38 PM)

I think the Democrats should have 60 votes in the Senate. It will increase the rate of the United States decent into being a third world country.

S. Hubert, Ottawa Canada (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:41 PM)

What our good citizens of Georgia cannot afford is another GOP Governor spreading the wealth to only 5% of the very rich. "Shameful Chambliss" is a real "do it yourselfer" as long as someone else is picking up the tab. The "Shameful Economics" of Chambliss are as follows. He has no problem sending American jobs to other countries. He has no problem with taxing medical benefits. "Shameful Chambliss has no morality, and loves using "Darth Rove" political tactics. "Shameful Chambliss loves "special interest" groups. Just ask him America how he became Governor?Think about it very carefully my fellow Americans. Do you really want more of the same "shameful" politics of Chambliss?? The great state of Georgia can do better than "Shameful Chambliss!!"

Rock, Janesville, Wisconsin (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:42 PM)

J. Merle Stanley

the checks and balances on power are still in place regardless of the composition of the senate or the house of rep. ; it is called the SUPREME COURT for a reason.
if the change that we need to take place in this country is to happen as quickly as i believe that it needs to we should all hope for the least amount of political manuevering that would only seek to delay solutions that arrive at social justice.

LAY OFF THE ABSOLUTE POWER CANARD.

PAUL Independence, Va. (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:46 PM)

The dumb just keep getting dumber.The repubs are going to roll out there mouth movers to Georgia.Mitt the mormon,that ought to play well,Rudy the cross dresser,in Georgia?McCain has lost his bearings and isn't the number one son.So will Saraha be running out her 2012 neo=con speeches.At least she can can the racist remarks they are both white guys.The smear and fear gang on the loose,in Redneckville,

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:47 PM)

Are there any moderate republicans out there,

stephanie, ft. pierce, fl.

Sure. They are all over. McCain, Snowe, Collins, Lugar, Specter, Graham, Coleman, Hagle, Warner. Just to name a few.

Just where are the moderate Democrats? None in sight. Lieberman, but he's an Indie now. The rest of the Democrats, far left wingers.

Right Turn (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:49 PM)

The Republican Party will wander in the wilderness for years if all that they can come up with is "liberal" and "raise your taxes." You are going to need something more than that. May I suggest some actual ideas on how to make things better rather than just fear tactics that the Democrats will make things worse? Many people look at it as "how much worse can it get?"

If the Republicans have not figured out after Nov. 4 that the American people are no longer afraid of the "L" word and that most people understand that yes, we will need to raise taxes because we are spending just too much -- if they have not figured all that out yet then they are well and truly out of touch.

Liberal and Taxes -- as we say down here, that dog won't hunt no more.

Tim from Atlanta (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:52 PM)

J. Merle Stanley

the checks and balances on power are still in place regardless of the composition of the senate or the house of rep. ; it is called the SUPREME COURT for a reason.

PAUL Independence, Va.

=======

How naive. The SC would have nothing to do with most of Obama's, Pelosi's and Reid's agenda. Nationalize health care? Nothing in the consititution says they can't. National the banks? Ditto. Mothball the military? Go ahead, nothing to stop them. Stem cell research? Nothing to stop the Democrats on that. Fairness Doctrine - that may be a problem - 1st Amendment and all that. Grap the guns - that may be a problem - 2nd Amendment. Everything else though is wide open for the Democrats.

Overruled (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:54 PM)

Two things: Even if the Democrats get 60 in the Senate doesn't mean that it would be a filibuster proof majority. Democrats are less likely to follow the party line than Republicans.

The second thought is that McCain still means something to some people. Why else would the Democrats run the ad with McCain on it? I just guess this was a really nasty fight.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:54 PM)

For those who fear a Dem. fillibuster proof senate, you need not worry...those Dems who were just elected, are moderates living in states that are either red, or new blue, and so, will actually keep the party from moving too far to the left and therefore, will probably not sign onto any outlandish ultra-left wing agenda. AND!!!! The fact of the matter is that Obama will be governing from the center, so HE will actually be a calming voice on the Senate that may otherwise turn into a bunch of ultra left wing vultures who finally get to feed for the first time since 1993.

And one last thing...perhaps with a Dem. Majority in Congress and a Dem. president, we'll actually get things done, instead of more gridlock.

pat huntington ny (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:56 PM)

I think the Democrats should have 60 votes in the Senate. It will increase the rate of the United States decent into being a third world country.
S. Hubert, Ottawa Canada (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:41 PM)

---------
the 100% republican controll of congress for Bush's first 6 years in office almost accomplished that, thankfully the Dems. took Congress back in 2006 to stop the descent into a third world nation. Now, with Bush leaving, we will become a superpower again. In other words, you have the whole thing backwards.

pat huntington ny (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1:58 PM)

If you trust Martin to do the right thing then don't worry about the number of Dems in Congress. All becuase Martin is a Dem doesn't mean he will vote with the 100%. Chose the person that you think best represents you. As long as you do that everything will be fine.

John North Platte, NE (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 2:03 PM)

What our good citizens of Georgia cannot afford is another GOP Governor spreading the wealth to only 5% of the very rich.

Rock, Janesville, Wisconsin

---------

Don't you just love socialists? Their anger is so misplaced. We just got done trying to bail out the rich banks to the tune of 700 billion dollars, using the peoples money to fund it, and the socialists sit their and talk about "spreading the wealth". The wealth was spread all right, from the people to the banks. The socialists hero Barack Obama voted "Aye' for that bill too. Nice see the rich bankers remain rich. Now Obama is trying to keep the auto makers rich. There is a redistribution going on from the people to the rich corporations, and it's happening right under the socialists noses. Rather then protest it, the socialists are approving of it.

Redd Powers (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 2:04 PM)

the 100% republican controll of congress for Bush's first 6 years in office almost accomplished that, thankfully the Dems. took Congress back in 2006 to stop the descent into a third world nation. Now, with Bush leaving, we will become a superpower again. In other words, you have the whole thing backwards.

pat huntington ny

Agreed. Things have gone so well since 2006. Good thing that decent was stopped then. Nothing but roses since then.

Power Decent (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 2:06 PM)

The "Messengers of Misinformation" of the GOP/RNC will be coming out of their "holes" soon to support "Shameful Chambliss." In the basement of the White House in "Darth Rove's" red tiled room of fire. "Darth Rove" the "Master of Madness and Misinformation." Is plotting his next political tactics/strategies of, fear, hate, division, and economic lies. "Darth Rove" has already sent his "orders of evil" out to "Insane McCain," "Puppet Palin," and "Confederate Photenhauer." Their mission is to attack-distract, and "mislead for greed." They are a joke America!

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 2:07 PM)

The fact of the matter is that Obama will be governing from the center.

Except for the fact there's not one thing in his thin resume to indicate he's ever done anything close to the center.

The fact of the matter (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 2:25 PM)

It is hard for me to read a lot of these posts as I see a lot of hate coming from democrats on the republicans and any christian person (lately Mormons). Plus, the Mormans did not fight against a political issue but rather a religious issue that has been brought up into politics. I thought america was suppose to be tolerant of all? What happened?

Chris, Houston, Texas (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 2:32 PM)

The democratic response should be that the republicans want Chambliss so he can fillibuster the changes and policies we need and maintain the status quo. How funny the GOP is running on the argument that they are going to block the Senate from doing anything.

Wally Brady, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 2:34 PM)

You know, if we used preferential voting (aka instant runoff), we wouldn't have to suffer through this runoff campaign, which will probably now compete with Minnesota for being the sleaziest.

Patrick, Mass. (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 2:38 PM)

I love seeing the right-wingnuts here clinging to one last sliver of hope in GA. Personally, I don't put that much stock in the magic number "60". It's a good number to have, but I believe there are enough moderate Republicans left in congress who are willing to vote with Democrats to get things done. Still, dream your dreams right-wingers. If you win this one, you'll have one small bit of joy in the GOP destruction.

69 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 2:42 PM)

What we have here are some of those "low information voters" still spouting the party line from the campaign. Can't you think of a new label to pin on folks to your left besides "socialist"? ANd in case you weren't paying attention, it wasn't only the "wild-eyed liberals" who voted FOR the 700 billion bail-out.

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 2:52 PM)

Hey Saxby, Liz Dole's got some time on her hands, maybe she can crank out some ads for you. Give her a computer with Photoshop installed and some pictures of the Christopher Street Halloween Parade and let her go to town!

Pete Caloger Bushkill, PA 18324 (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 2:55 PM)

The voters of Georgia are hardly the patriots they claim...they elected a non serving chickenhawk over a real honest to gosh war hero...they raise'em dumb in Georgia

Rick, NC (Sent Wednesday, November 12, 2008 3:03 PM)

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