Posted on 05/15/2014 7:00:47 AM PDT by Kaslin
The national media continue to tout Georgia's soon-to-be-open U.S. Senate seat as one of just a few "swing" states that could end up going Democrat in a year that otherwise seems to look great for the GOP nationally. And the current outlook for the May 20 Georgia contest might tell us a great deal not only about Georgia but about trends that are developing across the nation.
In a crowded field, three candidates have emerged, but none of the three fits the "right wing extremist" category that Democrats were hoping to see win the Republican nomination. The Democrats' candidate, Michelle Nunn, daughter of former Sen. Sam Nunn, is waiting with strong polling numbers, plenty of cash and a virtually guaranteed nomination against marginal Democratic opposition.
The good news for the Republicans is that their three individuals who are pressing to make an almost certain runoff in July are considered attractive candidates and, at the same time, are strong conservatives in a state where moderate-to-conservative views still dominate the political landscape.
Businessman David Perdue leads in the polls. He's running the "I'm not a career politician" message, and it has gone over well. Perdue has been highly successful in the private sector and has the active backing of his cousin, former Gov. Sonny Perdue. In Georgia, the backing from a popular former Republican governor, who is also a cousin, is valuable.
Congressman Jack Kingston, who has been a loyal Republican since his college days, has the backing of the state's business community and many longtime GOP activists. He is locked in a battle for second place in the polls with former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel. Handel came close to edging out Nathan Deal in a GOP runoff for governor in 2010. But Handel's campaign tactics against Deal rubbed some, including Deal, the wrong way. Nathan Deal is now, of course, Governor Deal.
Fortunately for Handel, Deal can hardly play kingmaker this year, given that his approval ratings are anemic and he faces a tough reelection battle against state Sen. Jason Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter. But the damage and ill will created in her race against Deal has left Handel cut off from big money. And that's where this story gets interesting.
Based on all estimates, turnout for the May 20 primary will be extremely tepid. Georgia's fire-breathing, flag-waving, tea-party-enamored Republican electorate of 2010 has all but disappeared. That means that television commercials designed to air to the masses won't have as big of an impact as they did just four years ago. That's helpful to Handel because she is airing her TV spots primarily through social media.
Some rather clumsy early ads by Kingston, combined with Handel's dogged use of alternatives in communication -- such as automated phone calls and Facebook -- have kept the two in a tight battle for the right to take on Perdue in a July showdown.
But the lackadaisical attitude of voters toward this primary should give Republicans around the nation pause for concern. Is it possible, with President Obama's approval ratings slowly creeping up a bit, that the GOP could be bitten by the same "turnout bug" that left Mitt Romney in Obama's dust in 2012? Republicans must ask why a state such as Georgia is polling with as many or more voters identifying themselves as Democrats or "independent voters" as they do as Republicans.
Much of the national media is convinced that Michelle Nunn, who is currently running ahead of each of the potential GOP nominees in the polls, is set to take Georgia's Senate seat and provide a possible barrier to a Republican Senate takeover. But the bad news for her boosters is that Nunn has yet to face the brutal attacks that will attempt to link her to President Obama and other prominent liberal Democrats. And even if Nunn outperforms her Republican opponent in November, she must win a majority of the vote -- with a Libertarian in the race -- in order to avoid runoff with the Republican. She would stand little chance of winning that runoff.
That being said, Republicans need to examine Georgia's unenthused Republican electorate and determine if "the turnout bug" could bite them again this year, and what role social media could play in avoiding a 2012 repeat.
Why, oh why do We, the People have any compelling reasons to vote for any Doormat Republicans, or Obama Democrats who have promised to advance Obama’s Agenda to “Fundamentally transform the United States of America” by increasing the number of undocumented Democrat voters who are Illegal Alien Invaders from Mexico?
DUH!
We, the People know that it is time, - - - time for a change.
“The good news for the Republicans is that their three individuals who are pressing to make an almost certain runoff in July are considered attractive candidates and, at the same time, are strong conservatives in a state where moderate-to-conservative views still dominate the political landscape. “
Gee, attractive candidates who are strong conservatives.
Who would have thought to have people like that run ?
This is one of the funniest articles I have read recently. This author knows NOTHING about Georgia or its politics
This author has ZERO idea about Georgia or its politics.....Keep in mind he is really shilling for Michelle Nunn
“This is one of the funniest articles I have read recently. This author knows NOTHING about Georgia or its politics”
*******************************************************************
I think the author shows he doesn’t know much about ANYTHING.
I’m still laughing. Michelle Nunn a nobody until recently with the personality of naval lint has a better chance of getting killed in a drone strike than being elected to that senate seat.
As much as I wish Paul Broun would win and I’m voting for him in the primary its prolly going to be a runoff between Handel and Perdue.
Nathan Deal major disappointment that he is will still cruise to reelection in Nov.
Those who play in Politics,
Are in Politics just for the fun.
Be they named Boehner, Obama,
Clinton or - - even Nunn!
April 11, 2014: Sean Hannity endorses Jack Kingston: http://www.peachpundit.com/2014/04/11/jack-kingston-picks-up-endorsement-from-sean-hannity/
A lofty H3LL NO to Jack Kingston!
A lofty HELL YES!!!
The Boortz endorsement = THE kiss of death for me.
When I say "Kick every one of 'em out!" he's the only exception I would make.
I feel the same about kicking them all out, with few exceptions.
I personally don’t know anything about Kingston and don’t have anything against him. I hate the way it is, but we all have to start the candidate elimination process somewhere. Hannity’s endorsement doesn’t hurt him with me, but the Boortz endorsement definitely does. It’s similar to an Ann Coulter endorsement. Also, I don’t entirely trust Peach Pundit. Admittedly, sometimes I have to come back to the candidate I had previously eliminated and give a second look, so it’s not a cut-and-dry decision.
My first choice right now would be Broun, because he’s my congressman and I like his ideas — and the fact that he supports Ted Cruz, Mike Lee.
Boortz says Nunn would make mincemeat out of Broun. He may be right about that, because she would use his numerous marriages against him. But basically, no one really knows him except his constituents, and that also hurts him. So Broun is also eliminated as far as I’m concerned.
I believe Nunn has been chosen by the dems because #1 she’s a woman and #2 she’s Sam’s girl. So it will be hard to campaign against her. They’ll play to some who, no matter the party, like Sam Nunn. And to others they’ll be successful with portraying her opposition as “the bad old man is being mean to the little lady.”
Career politician Kingston ? Nope.
Candidates Who Have Taken the Pledge
Karen Handel, GA
Posted on May 15, 2014 by admin
Posted in Candidates, Congress, Senate Candidate
Candidate Questionnaire: Will you promise to protect American workers?
DA King (local amnesty opponent) supports Handel for Senate.
I think Broun, Gingrey and even Kingston (a Mike Enzi who doesnt rock the boat) may be okay on amnesty. Perdue is going to be the worst.
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2011-02-15-budgetteaparty15_ST_N.htm
Two Tea Party favorites, Reps. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and Steve King, of Iowa were approached about joining the Appropriations Committee, but passed, Kingston said.
King said he turned it down because the 50-member committee was looking only for token Tea Party participation and wasn’t interested in bringing in a coalition carrying the Tea Party message.
“To go on the Appropriations Committee and to sit there alone and fight a lonely battle, I didn’t think that would be the most effective use of my time in this Congress,” King sai
Maybe Boortz is a clock that's not working and this is one of his twice-a-days.
As for Coulter, I still like her, but her push for Christie reduced my confidence in her endorsements to zilch.
Look carefully at Kingston.
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