Palin implores Ga. Republicans to back Chambliss

ASSociated Press ^ | 12/01/2008 | SHANNON McCAFFREY

[curth]

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin urged Georgia voters to back Sen. Saxby Chambliss in Tuesday's runoff in an election eve appeal that underscored her popularity within the Republican Party and the GOP's efforts to stave off erosion of its shrinking Senate numbers.

"Losing an election doesn't mean we have lost our way," the former vice presidential candidate told a cheering crowd of 2,500 on Monday in the central Georgia town of Perry. "If we are to lead again, we have lots of hard work ahead of us. Let it begin here tomorrow in Georgia."

Palin's campaign appearances for Chambliss — four total — were her first since she and Republican presidential nominee John McCain stumbled on Nov. 4. Georgia Republicans clearly were looking ahead, with supporters waiting in the cold for more than an hour to attend the rallies. Vendors in Augusta sold bright pink "Palin 2012" T-shirts and "Palin for President: You Go Girl" buttons. Chants of "Sa-rah!" greeted Palin.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Dont worry Sarah,we all plan to vote for that sonovabuck tuesday.Wheres my barf bucket?

[fkabuckeyesrule]

That must be doozy of a plane flight from Alaska to Georgia. Palin 2012.

[Diogenesis]

[prayerfullywaiting]

keep her in the public eye....the more people see of her, the more they will remember her and the better her chances in the next election.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Just a few hundred over 5000 up here in the NW Atlanta area at 4:00 PM. Too bad they couldn't have waited a bit till more people (workers!) could have gotten off of work and through traffic.

Gwinnette Cty Civic Center was configured for 6500, so it wasn't quite standing room only; but then when you consider that one rally in Marietta on Saturday for Jim Martin (the democrat) got all of 70 people, 5100-some odd is pretty good.

[St. Louis Conservative]

I’m not in Georgia, but I’d vote for Saxby if only to shove it to Obama & Schumer. He’s solid on 75% of the issues at least.

I will say that I cringed when I heard Sarah praise Saxby’s “independent spirit”, and compared it to McCain’s.

[Al B.]

I think the crowds were great considering the weather, the fact that it's a runoff race, and the electorate is weary of politics.

Turnout will decide this one. It's either a very narrow Martin win (not likely) or a comfortable or better win for Chambliss. I'm rooting for a blowout to help Sarah's standing against the RINO's but not counting on it.

[joesbucks]

Didn’t he vote for the bailout? Weren’t we supposed to vote those bums out? Or was that just a bunch of chest thumping talk?

[napscoordinator]

We were but I think it may be too dangerous to vote him out this time. If we had 54 Senate seats on the Republican side you can bet I would be BEGGING the Republicans to stay home tomorrow, but unfortunately if this goes Democrats and then Franklin somehow wins the election they will have 60 seats...we need 41 seats to filibuster...that is the ONLY reason I can see why people would vote for this (at best) RINO.

[littlehouse36]

[joesbucks]

So it's talk and not walk. Rationalization.

Frankly, I agree with your tactic, but then again, I'm a moderate. I thought principaled conservatives did the conviction thing regardless of the outcome. It was we moderates who strategized.

[napscoordinator]

Sometimes we disappoint ourselves even but for the greater good we have too. I know that might be lame but that is seriously all I have right now.

[nevergore]

Unfortunately I will vote for him tomorrow with my wife.....

[nevergore]

Big picture time......

If Saxby was one of 35 Republican senators then who cares if there is one less......

But right now one less matters and Saxby appears to be the beneficiary for that....lucky guy.....

[exit82]

You know, there is something about the words “Palin” and begging” together that is surprisingly exciting.........