Fair tax grows as an issue in runoff

Georgia supporters of the fair tax turned out en masse Sunday to cheer the idea of a national sales tax, which has become a thorny issue in the state’s high-profile Dec. 2 U.S. Senate runoff.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who won Georgia’s GOP presidential primary in February, joined about 2,000 people Sunday afternoon at the Gwinnett Civic Center in what became not just a fair-tax rally, but a major campaign stop for Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Moultrie.

Chambliss backs the fair tax, which would abolish the Internal Revenue Service and replace the federal income tax and most other federal taxes. Democratic challenger Jim Martin of Atlanta opposes it.

“This race is our best chance to keep the fires burning for the fair tax,” Huckabee told the crowd. “And we are not going to squander this opportunity.”

Huckabee urged the crowd to take friends and relatives to the polls. Turnout will be key in the Dec. 2 race, which occurs just after the Thanksgiving holiday.

“If they’re voting for Saxby, get them to the polls,” Huckabee said. “If they’re not, let the air out of their tires.”

Huckabee was yet another big-name politico who has traveled to Georgia for the bitter runoff. Former GOP presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) campaigned for Chambliss last week in Cobb County. And former President Bill Clinton will stump for Martin on Wednesday in Atlanta.

Chambliss’ camp has invited Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and Martin’s camp has invited President-elect Barack Obama to come to Georgia. Neither had confirmed as of Sunday.

Martin spokesman Matt Canter said that while Chambliss talks about the fair tax, Martin is concentrating on middle-class tax breaks. Martin’s campaign released a new television ad Sunday about Martin’s efforts.

“Jim Martin is campaigning on a middle-class tax cut,” Canter said. “He is pledging to work with Barack Obama to deliver middle-class tax relief.”

The fair tax is popular among many conservatives, who argue it would let individuals —- not the government —- determine their tax rate. They contend it would revive the flailing economy and keep jobs from fleeing offshore.

Opponents argue the tax is unworkable. They contend that if it were implemented, it would have to be much higher than the 23 percent rate advocated by supporters.

“You’re the one who ought to decide how much you pay in taxes, and the fair tax will do that,” Chambliss said.

The tax became an issue in the race after national Democrats ran television ads attacking Chambliss for his support of the fair tax. The ads alluded to the 23 percent federal sales tax, but did not mention that the fair tax would abolish the income tax —- an omission that infuriated fair tax supporters.

“They spent million of dollars lying about this tax,” U.S. Rep. John Linder (R-Duluth) told the crowds. Linder said Chambliss should be elected to the Senate to “stand against an avalanche of leftism.”

The Georgia race was thrust into the national spotlight after Democratic gains Nov. 4 put them within three seats of having a 60-vote, filibuster-proof majority in the upper chamber. The Democrats now have 57 seats, with only races in Minnesota, Alaska and Georgia undecided.

Fair tax advocate and WSB-radio talk show host Neal Boortz said he canceled a weekend trip to Florida to attend the rally. Boortz and Linder have penned two best-selling books on the fair tax.

“This is a nonpartisan gathering and all of that, but use wisely your power of choice,” Boortz said. “If you sit on your buns Dec. 2, you’ve let the other side take your power of choice away from you.”