Free Republic

Well, it’s finally a race. On Tuesday, Kamala Harris selected progressive Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) as her running mate in what has become one of the most exciting presidential campaign sprints in modern history. The Harris-Walz campaign now has just 89 days to take its show on the road before voters head to the ballot box on Nov. 5. Harris’ choice also did the impossible, uniting progressive and conservative lawmakers in Washington. Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) hailed Walz as an “excellent decision” and a leader who “won’t back down under tight odds.” Meanwhile, Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) —...

ATLANTA - With just over a week to go before Election Day, the match-up between U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Savannah, and former Congressmen Max Burns remains extremely tight, according to poll results announced Friday. The latest survey in the 12th District congressional race shows Barrow with a slight edge over Burns - 42 percent to 39 percent - among voters who say they will cast ballots on Nov. 7. But considering that the margin of error is 6 percentage points, the poll indicates the two candidates are running neck and neck. A high number of respondents - 19 percent -...

Army reservist Joe King sits on a concrete bench in Savannah's Telfair Square wondering aloud whether he'll be called to duty in Iraq. He doesn't want to leave his wife and two children, but he approves of President Bush's approach to the war on terrorism. "When they start bringing the fight to us, we have to take it back to them," said King, 39. (ENLARGE) ABOUT THE 12TH • The 12th District begins east of Atlanta in Athens, winding its way southeast through parts of Oglethorpe and Greene, through Taliaferro, Warren, Glascock, Jefferson, Burke and parts of Richmond, and on...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Strategists for Rep. Richard Gephardt's presidential candidacy are basing fragile hopes for the Democratic nomination on Howard Dean's money-rich campaign running out of funds as he contests every primary election. Chances for anybody to catch Dean hinge on the Jan. 19 Iowa caucuses. Polls show Dean ahead there but Gephardt within hailing distance. If Dean loses in Iowa or at least wins narrowly, his big war chest may be depleted by the heavy primary schedule ahead. Gephardt will not seriously contest Dean in New Hampshire on Jan. 27, counting on Sen. John Kerry slowing him down there....

An increasing number of Democratic hopefuls say they intend to run against Republican freshman U.S. Rep. Max Burns who has only been in his congressional post for four months. Burns, R-Sylvania, is currently serving a two-year term in Congress representing the 12th District, which runs from Athens to Augusta to Savannah. Though qualifying for the 12th District race doesn't start until next April, with the general primary election July 20 and the general election Nov. 2, at least one candidate is getting started well ahead of the game. Athens-Clarke County Commissioner John Barrow, who stated his intention to run this...