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DEL.ICIO.USFrom Chambliss to Tuesday’s winner: An engraved invitation to the brawl
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sometime Tuesday, before the polls close, both Jim Martin and Vernon Jones will receive a hand-delivered envelope from U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss.
Each envelope will contain an invitation for the Democrat who survives the night’s balloting to meet Chambliss in a series of debates.
The double-barreled approach is meant to telegraph Chambliss’ indifference about the outcome of the primary run-off.
“We don’t care who the nominee is. We’re as serious as a heart attack about that,” said Tom Perdue, Chambliss’ chief strategist.
That’s because, in a very real sense, Chambliss’ true opponent — the greatest threat to the Republican’s bid for re-election — was chosen months ago.
Chambliss is running against the surge of new voters that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is expected to drive to ballot boxes in November.
This is why, even though the winner of Tuesday’s Democratic contest will emerge broke, nearly so, or in debt, the Republican with $4 million in the bank tells supporters at every opportunity that his race will be a close one that requires nonstop aggression.
Last week, the Chambliss campaign quietly reserved $5.2 million in TV time.
Recognizing the paramount role of swing voters, Chambliss has assembled a list of 80 or so current or former Democratic officials ready to endorse him. In his suit pocket is a letter of support from Zell Miller.
Neither Jones nor Martin has exploited the Internet as Obama has.
But Chambliss has been careful to guard against a flanking movement in cyberspace. He regularly posts speeches and appearances on his own YouTube channel.
Chambliss’ web site serves as a model for other GOP candidates, and has generated more than $100,000 in contributions, Perdue said.
Most importantly, Chambliss and the Republican party intend to match Obama in the hunt for fresh voters — which Democrats claim as their key to victory.
Perdue said the Chambliss campaign and the state GOP have built lists of Georgia residents who are likely to lean Republican, but haven’t yet registered to vote.
“It’ll be the most comprehensive voter registration effort that Republicans have ever attempted,” Perdue said.
Few details of the operation were available. But remember that in 2004, Ralph Reed did something similar in Florida on behalf of George W. Bush’s re-election, scouring church directories and gun club membership lists.
Throughout this summer, the well-funded Obama campaign has declared Georgia in play. In the first six months of this year, the Obama campaign dropped $1.6 million in TV and radio advertising here. Five Obama offices opened Saturday in Atlanta, Smyrna, Jonesboro, Athens, and Valdosta.
At minimum, the point has been to force Republican John McCain to devote time and resources to a state he should be able to take for granted.
Chambliss, in essence, is about to present himself as a firewall. If Obama wants to grab Georgia’s 15 electoral votes from McCain, he’ll have to go through a Republican senator to do it.
The gauntlet hits the ground Wednesday. No matter which Democrat wins Tuesday, it’s likely to stir up more than a little dust.
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Comments
By Sam1234
August 3, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
McCain farts, “Allah” when he rips a*. He’s a closet diaper w*******. Obama is a alien, I;ve had several hate0sites confirm this. Long live Jesus my mechanic and Lord savior, 4 shizzel my nizzel.
By GaMinutemen
August 3, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
Georgia Voters,
Pls remember that Saxby Chambliss was the architect of the illegal alien mess we are in today.
He was the Chairman of the Congressional Judicial subcommittee for Immigration, Citizenship and Border Security and in that capacity he controlled what legislation came before his subcommittee. No one congressman did more to promote the flood of illegal into America than he.
By Chambliss Fiscally Irresponsible
August 3, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Chambliss should be worried because people who are concerned about our children and grandchildren’s future will be voting for another candidate. He is no Isakson or Nunn. He is a back bench, deficit loving, worst example of both parties (big spending and big borrowing).
By Believer
August 3, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
The Republican party has been supportive of illegal aliens because they would work for low wages and no benefits. Now that the economy has turned south, these same Republicans are telling us that they are against illegal aliens. If you vote for any of these Republicans, you will continue to get screwed. Say no to Chambliss and McCain and let’s turn this country back over to we the people.
By RJ
August 4, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this
Tom Perdue is a master strategist whose time has passed. His stuck in time approach is evident in his own words “Chambliss’ true opponent — the greatest threat to the Republican’s bid for re-election — was chosen months ago.”
Outcome of this election will turn on Chambliss performance. No scortch earth strategy THE HAS BEEN Tom Perdue can devise will overcome Chambliss own doing, not even a die hard racist strategy Perdue is noted for executing. This is an election Chambliss will not be able to buy with the 4 million war chest he acquired from special interests and fat cats.
The Republican brand in general, and Chambliss in particular, are in bigger trouble in Georgia than Tom Perdue’s statements espouse. I can’t wait for the history making events to unfold.
Be not affraid and be villigent Democrat winner, this is your time in Georgia.
By KevinA
August 4, 2008 3:50 AM | Link to this
I am very encouraged by the gang of ten and the legislation that was worked out by true compromise. Both Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chamblis showed true guts and the willingness to get an energy bill passed. As a Georgia resident I was proud that two representatives from my state took part. While I am an Obama supporter, I am not, nor have ever been opposed to drilling for oil. I just simply don’t think that the amount of barrels produced will make much of a difference on the global market. By agreeing to comprise, renewable’s will finally get a true chance to grow and make a difference. While not wanting to get ahead of the process I think ANWAR could be used in the same way. If the profits from oil fuel the bridge to a cleaner energy future, the US citizen can live with that. Off shore drilling exploration as an inventory is a great idea. Cherry picking proven oil reserves to fund clean renewable’s seems smart. I encourage congress to get even more agressive with conservation, solar, wind, geothermal etc. If it takes oil leases to get us there, so be it.
By Ga Values
August 4, 2008 6:10 AM | Link to this
The “Gang of 10” have agreed to tax the oil companies & divert the taxes to alternative energy. That may be a good thing but Saxby as usual desearts the the Conservatives & sides with Pelosi, Reid & Teddy Kennedy. With Saxby it’s always SPECIAL INTEREST 1st Georgia last.. Term Limits Here, Term Limits Now, better government will follow.
By Copyleft
August 4, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
It’s true that Chambliss isn’t worried about which Democrat he’ll be facing in the debates…
because his true opponent is himself and his own record. And that’s what’ll defeat him.
By GeorgiaValues
August 4, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Saxby Chambliss is ready to face whoever emerges from tomorrow’s contest.
Georgia Democrats cannot be very happy with their choices tomorrow…evidenced by their poor fundraising success and lack of grassroots organization. Martin relies on fabricated endorsements and a few week TV commericals while Jones relies on his South Georgia Billboards. Neither represents a General Election winning campaign strategy.
A resounding win in November for Saxby should ensure that any potentially credible candidates sit out 2010 v. Johnny Isakson.
Georgia has two of the best United States Senators and we need to keep it that way.
By Ich bin ein Beginner
August 4, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
“his true opponent is himself and his own record. And that’s what’ll defeat him.”
That makes as much sense as NOT drilling for oil to lower oil prices.
Must be the public schools…
By Ga Values
August 4, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
Somebody has stole my name,, I am definately not for that borrow & spend LIBERAL SAXBY SPECIAL INTEREST CHAMBLISS…Churchill is in school so it has to be GT REPUBLICAN.
By gafarmer
August 4, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
GeorgiaValues@9:42 is correct. Chambliss and Isakson both see the big picture and vote that way as well as campaign that way. Ain’t none better.
By Ga Values
August 4, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
gafarmer… this is who SAXBY works for..SPECIAL INTEREST
“Chambliss also said he has not been influenced by any lobbyists for the Sugar Land, Texas-based company or by his son, Bo. The younger Chambliss is an in-house Washington lobbyist for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, which also is represented by an outside firm that lobbies for Imperial Sugar.”
By AJCManagement
August 4, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
Tom Ga Hunter is posting as Ga Values again. Thought everyone should know…….
AJCManagement