Look for the party label? Good luck with that

During the taping of the Atlanta Press Club debate of Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate, to be aired statewide on Georgia Public Broadcasting at 7 p.m. this evening, rivals criticized Michelle Nunn for allegedly ducking their party’s brand.

From the Associated Press:

"I think it's self-evident that since I am on the stage here that I am a Democrat," Nunn said, listing her support for increasing the minimum wage, immigration reform and pay equality. "I am absolutely in pursuit of the Democratic nomination and at the same time I want to represent all of Georgia."

It’s true that Nunn’s TV ads don’t mention that she’s running as a Democrat:

But it’s rather a bum rap, given that you’d also be hard-pressed to see party ID touted by Republicans. Karen Handel skips that detail:

Jack Kingston doesn’t mention his GOP roots:

Nor does Phil Gingrey:

Even in the governor’s race, Nathan Deal is running as an incumbent, but not necessarily a Republican:

In fact, we found only two statewide candidates who adorn themselves with the GOP label in their TV ads. David Perdue quietly notes that he is a “conservative Republican” in each of his, including this one:

While Paul Broun is a little more aggressive in his approach:

The point is that, given that Georgia has an open primary, personality is often considered a more powerful lure than party identification. And keep in mind that a large slice of Georgia’s electorate calls itself independent – in essence, advertising itself as willing to be wooed by both Republicans and Democrats.