McCain To Hit Campaign Trail For Senate Races

Three Senate races are still undecided. The stakes are high -- if Democrats win all three, they would secure a filibuster-proof majority in the chamber. Republicans, aware of this possibility, are putting up a serious fight.

USA Today reports that John McCain is heading to Georgia on Thursday to campaign for Sen. Saxby Chambliss, who is in a runoff against Democrat Jim Martin. Sarah Palin may follow. Barack Obama has dispatched aides to the state.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has donated $5,000 to Sen. Norm Coleman help with his recount effort in the race against Democrat Al Franken.

Meanwhile, in Alaska, 30% of ballots have yet to be counted. The unusually low turnout in the state has raised questions -- "something smells fishy," one Alaska pollster told the Anchorage Daily News.

See our slideshow of the Senate races that are still not over more than a week after election day.

• • • • • • Alaska's GOP Senator Ted Stevens - a recently convicted felon - is deadlocked with his Democratic opponent, Mayor Mark Begich, more than a week after election day. AP reported Tuesday that about 30 percent of the votes are still being counted.

Read more about the races here.

Comments

[aliansari32]

This is probably a stupid question, but why do candidates need money for a recount. "Recount" implies that all the votes are in, right? There's no more influencing to be done, right? What are the "recount efforts?" Hiring lawyers to monitor the recounts?

[deathwish]

You answered your own question. Lawyers and monitors, just like election day.

You know the RNC and the state GOP have their people there . . . we need ours for defense of ballot challenges.

[notb observer]

Actually, deathwish's answer is only partly right. The real answer is that the money is primarily used to pay the state's recount staff. Lawyers are optional, and in many cases will work pro bono in support of their party's interest.

Depending on specific state laws, the vote has to be within a certain margin in order for the recount to be "automatic". In automatic recounts, public funds pay for the process. If a candidate or group wants to challenge the results outside the automatic margin, they must first have a legal basis. Then the recount can proceed at their expense.

[cavitywall]

Stevens and Palin appear kindred entities not from above.

[barrycourage]

Of course the electorate that chose Sarah Palin is the one that is split on re-electing a felon.

Seward's Folly, indeed.

[tcuoohjohn]

Coleman will be lucky if he only loses the election. It appears he may well get indicted by a federal grand jury for taking 75,000 bucks from a biz pal and not reporting it..

[DFL]

I HOPE COLEMAN GOES DOWN SO WE DONT HAVE TO SEE HIS SMIRK ANYMORE.

[thinkverybig]

It is my goal to get in touch with someone from the Obama campaign and share with them my desire to be a part of his inauguration by reciting a poem I wrote called “We Must Change,” and I kindly ask for your help in doing so.
Go to youtube and do a search for "thinkverybig" and watch all of those videos. The one called "We Must Change" would be fitting to recite at Obama's Inauguration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM58nqX1ehE

Here are the words! http://www.thinkverybig.com/We%20Must%20Change.htm

“Makes Me Wanna Cry” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD0iAQN7VPY

[KO4Pres]

Zzzzzzzzzz­zzzzzzzzzz­zzzzzzzzzz­zzzzz

[Twinkie]

It is my goal to get in touch with keira Knightly and share with her my desire to remove her panties with my teeth, and I kindly ask for your help in doing so.

[notb observer]

Are you asking for help in contacting her, or removing her panties ?
I can't help with the first, but I'll assist without reservations in any way I can in the second !
PS: I also have a vidcam if you think that would be helpful too ;)

[happyez]

Is it an order that we change, or is it come'çe'come'ça?

[Americatortures]

So McRedneck is going to campaign for that skunk ,Saxby Chambliss.­..the same guy whose campaign against triple-amputee Max Cleland McBush called despicable and un-American??? What an honorable gentleman Senator McRedneck is proving to be again...NO­T!!

[rr52]

And don't forget--Palin to follow.

[POTUS2008]

I hope Obama doesn't go to Georgia because he has more important work to do and i think it is a lock for the republican anyway.

[mykebee]

...the best thing Barack could do right now is hug his kids....he­'s going to be one busy MoFo come the end of January.

[AC-DC]

http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/politics/80-political/335-warnings-from-world-leaders-all-within-72-hours-.html

[Bitsko]

Jews For Jesus? I prefer my news straight, no chaser. Found at the bottom of the page:

"News from Jerusalem is operated by Bible believing Christians here in Jerusalem, Israel. Prophecy unfolding today from the heart of the conflict presented from the epicenter in a biblically correct (unbiased) report - News from Jerusalem is your connection to the land of Israel for days when information from a biblical perspective is essential to our survival "

[Bitsko]

Joooooooos for Jeebus. Nothing to see here, people (unless you like unintentional humor).

[backroads]

Its Suxby not Saxby.

[Cybersquirt]

is that why the big banner behind him says SAXBY?

[Bitsko]

i get it now.

[PepeLepew]

Hey, according to CNN, Begich has pulled ahead of Stevens...
... by 3 votes!

[BannedInBoston]

It's the trend that's in his favor. Dems will take Alaska, Minnesota. Republicans, Georgia. Shy by one Senator.

[kobomac]

One question. Why is Lieberman not on his way to Georgia?

[RobertaInCT]

Is that a trick question?.­..........­........:)

[daedelus]

Oh god. Here comes Mighty Mouse again.

[nomadrick]

LOL... Funny how he even looks like the cartoon character.

[plc]

its nice to see mccain going down to ga to stump for a slime like chambliss who obviously doesn't hold military sacrifice as being patriotic.
mccain must think that he is the only one who loves and sacrificed for america, even max clelands loss of multiple limbs doesn't make mccain honor him and his duty, i guess except for the hero mccain being a deferment king like cheney and chambliss is the standard to get mccain to support you in an election, class is an unknown word in con circles.

[JonW]

Yeah--Send it the "My Friends" to help and its a wrap for AL Franken!!