Augusta - The whole gang of statewide Republican candidates traversed the state today, hitting a seven-stop statewide fly around ahead of tomorrow's Election Day.
There was no talk of Democrat Jason Carter's "Washington math," and only the briefest of attacks on Michelle Nunn as a "rubber stamp" for President Barack Obama. Instead, crowds at each airport were greeted with a sunnier addendum to the bruising negative ads dominating the airwaves.
Each stop began with a fast-paced oration from U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, who said the case to elect David Perdue as Georgia's junior senator rests on border security, strong defense, jobs and, of course, turning the chamber red.
"Most importantly of all, don't you want somebody who'll return the Senate to a competitive body that actually deals with legislation from the House, passes it and sends it to the president and dares him to veto it, so we can turn this country around?" said Isakson. "Not two years from now, but right now, starting today, with the election in Georgia tomorrow."
Perdue expressed confidence that there will not be a runoff. At a stop in Savannah, he said the turnout "epitomizes" why the party will win. In Macon, he told a few dozen supporters that the race was breaking his way.
"We've worked hard and I'm very optimistic we're going to close all these elections out, from the governor all the way down tomorrow, with your help," said Perdue.
Gov. Nathan Deal had much the similar message, but was quick to tack on the news of a jobs announcement he made in Atlanta an hour before the tour began. Absent from most of his appearances was a mention of Carter, his Democratic opponent.
"Let's keep the team together. We're winning," he said. "And we don't need to start letting people go when they're performing. And they're all performing."
At a stop in Thomasville, he urged the crowd not to forget the down-ballot candidates on the ticket. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and the group tagged along for the trip, but didn't get the chance to speak at the events.
"Don't forget about them. They need your support," said Deal. "Don't walk away after voting for the one or two candidates at the top."
Perdue also gave a shout to the (noticeably absent on the trail) senator he hopes to replace:
"I want to be a fighter in the Senate for you along with Senator Isakson. I want to be a replacement for Saxby Chambliss, who's done a fantastic job on the Senate Agriculture Committee. I've even asked to be on the Armed Services Committee if I get there. And I just want to tell the people of Georgia you're going to have two fighters in the Senate."
The biggest thing holding Perdue back from securing a Senate seat in the past couple months has been outsourcing. He faced another press question on the topic this morning, particularly as to why he gave a flat "no" when asked if he outsourced jobs when his companies did close plants as he increased jobs overseas.
"Sure, we closed down plants all the time," Perdue said in Macon. "I mean, but it was never in direct relationship to things going on offshore."
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