Will Obama Go To Georgia?

With John McCain set to hit the trail for Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss' runoff election campaign, the question on the minds of Democrats in the state is when or if Barack Obama will follow suit.

Jim Martin, the Democratic challenger in Georgia, was able to keep Chambliss under the 50 percent mark during the first round of voting. Since then, however, the GOP has redoubled its efforts, sending or promising to send party luminaries like Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin and McCain to campaign on Chambliss' behalf.

And while the Obama team already has a strong infrastructure in the state and is dispatching more volunteers, Democratic operatives in Georgia are concerned that the president-elect won't be coming himself.

"Why isn't Obama coming to Georgia?" one source asked. "He could possibly come right up until election day -- but McCain's actually here today."

Asked if the president-elect would make the trip, the Obama team did not immediately return a request for comment.

There are, clearly, areas where he could help and hurt himself by jumping into the Georgia runoff ring.

Alan Abramowitz, a political science professor at Emory University, notes that, with the presidential election over, Obama is now trying "to broaden his appeal and act presidential. So he is not in campaign mode anymore, whereas for McCain it doesn't matter." Moreover, if Obama were to show up and Martin lost, it could send a poor message.

"This is a group that has never been comfortable with hard-hitting politics," said a Democrat helping the Martin campaign, "and I would bet they don't want to risk political capital on seat #58."

On the flip side, Obama could earn even more veneration among Democrats if he were to help pull Martin across the finish line. In the process he would demonstrate a dedication to, or sense of, party.

Certainly, Abramowitz says, Obama could make a difference. Nearly four million people voted in Georgia on November 4. That number is expected to drop to approximately 1.5 million when the runoff occurs on December 2. The campaign best equipped at getting people to the polls, consequently, stands the best shot of winning.

"I still think it is possible that he may end up coming down," said Abramowitz. "And from a strategic standpoint it makes sense for him to come down, if he does, at the end. It would help stimulate and increase Democratic turnout."

As such, a few sources said they wouldn't be surprised if Obama ultimately came to Georgia -- just closer to the actual runoff date.

Comments

[Veneita]

He shouldn't go to Georgia. If Martin loses (and the state went for mccain after all, it damages his mandate before he enters office. Surrogates should go. Obama should cut some radio spots, especially for black radio but under no circumstances should he go.

[KayDGee]

At the risk of exposing myself as "angry" and "dangerous," I live in Georgia and worked very hard to get Barack Obama elected. After the paid Obama campaign folks moved out for the battleground states, the volunteers in my 75% Republican county (most were white ranging from under 18 to over 80) kept the campaign office open with private funding. Pennsylvania has one of the largest skinhead contingents; and the KKK is alive and very healthy in Illinois (it was born in Indiana). We would be thrilled to see President Elect Obama in this state. His presence would energize an embattled volunteer group and breathe life into the Tim Martin campaign. We deplore the tactics of Saxby Chambliss and want to do whater we can to introduce a Democrat from Georgia back into the Senate. We need encouragement - not disparagement - to get this done.

[jmundstuk]

Not a good idea.

[huzzah]

Jim. Jim Martin.

[AsISaid]

I think he should send some of his A team in, but stay out of it himself. He runs the risk of appearing to have lost an election that may not be winable in the final analysis. I think it's a tough call. He has to appear to be post-political at this point, and lord knows he's got a lot on his plate already. This may sound strange to say, but sometimes you can have too many members.

[ohmetoo]

I agree send one of the O team in, and get the rest of us phone banking and canvassing!

[Egalitare]

It's a runoff. Why WOULDN'T it be winnable?

"Might lose" is not a reason to give up. Martin is a great candidate who has no negative reflection on Obama, win or lose. If we buy the pundit talk that Obama should only play in this if he has a great chance of winning, then we are not CHANGE AGENTS!

I think Obama will go to Georgia, just closer to the actual runoff. In the meantime, we need to support Martin in this very winnable contest.

[donbrown]

This is a bad bet. PLEASE send Bill instead, There are so many people in Georgia who are dangerous, angry, and unstable.

[LINY516]

Yeah, dangerous, angry, unstable, and just plain stupid.
Down there, education doesn't matter, most of the state is just stuck on stupid.

[truthseeker12]

Not every one in Georgia is stuck on stupid. Although Obama lost the state, he lost by the smallest margin in the South. South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Tennessee all had a much larger win margin for McCain. Electing Martin is going to help Georgia continue to move away from its Red taint. We used to be Blue once upon a time.

[Mimi007]

I don't believe Our president Barack should go to GA. as much as I would love to see him. He should send Michelle, Biden and Hillary. back to back with Michelle closer to election day. Ga is too angry over this presidential election. It's too risky iin regards to his image. That's my humble take on this issue.

[elcojonu]

He's the President-elect, but he's also the head of the Party, and if he can help, he should go; even if Martin is unsuccesful.
His standing as the head of the party would be enhanced; it would show a willingness to fight for his agenda and his troops.
A good leader must defend and fight for his troops.

[DorkimusMaximus]

President-Elect Obama needs to be careful campaigning for Martin. As much as I think Obama should campaign for Martin to defeat Chambliss, if Martin is defeated, that empowers Chambliss as well as the republicans.

And the last thing the US needs is the ridiculously despicable Saxby Chambliss to have some kind of power platform.

[lagumbo]

I don't think president OBAMA should go to Georgia. Their are too many angry KKKs, skinheads, and other racist fools their. They would try anything to hurt him. I don't trust them. It maybe a set up to lure him their. I know how I must sound, but that's the way I feel. I had an uncle who was killed in Mississippi ,and he was only murdered to draw Martin Luther King their, so that is why I am so fearful for PRESIDENT OBAMA.

[woodnthrifty]

I don't know......We have a lot of crazy wingnuts here in Georgia. Saxby will probably win. People I know are drawing Social Security, using Medicare and voted for McCain. It is kinda dangerous here I would say.

[kinnycut]

Obama should go to Georgia for a big rally to help the Democratic candidate for Senate.

[Indie2008]

No! No! No! Obama is the President Elect. He has waged his campaign and needs to concentrate now on the transition. Surrogates (Clinton, Biden etc.) could go to Georgia on Behalf of Martin.The media would just love a mini-rematch of the election, and should Chambliss prevail, it would only give McCain, the right wing media, and worst of all Sarah Palin a chance to crow about it.

[FortuneTeller]

Alaska already looks as if Stevens is losing his grip, and Al Franken has an even chance of replacing that crybaby Coleman.
Now if GA goes to the dems they can let Joe the Whiner twist in the wind where he belongs.

[win2kpro]

Being a Georgian for Obama, personally I believe the staff Obama has sent in to Georgia should concentrate on getting the Democratic African American Congressmen in this State to stress the importance of this election to their constituency to GOTV for Jim Martin on December 2nd.

Getting out the African American and Latino vote in the urban areas such as Fulton, DeKalb, Bibb and Chatham Counties could go a long way in electing Jim Martin.

As to some Democratic "big guns" coming in to help Jim Martin, Bill Clinton and Wesley Clark would certainly be a big help with the white vote in the rural areas.

VOTE MARTIN DECEMBER 2nd!

[KeysDan]

If Mr. Obama can find time to lobby for Lieberman, why cann't he work for Martin? Besides, Chambliss is a particularly despicable senator, owing his win to a nasty campaign, impugning the injuries of Max Cleland, a Viet Nam triple amputee. At the very least, Mr. Obama could make some campaign commercials on Martin's behalf--a guy who would support President Obama if elected. Mr. Obama will need all the help he can get to do the things he wants to do.

[JulieDole]

Good points all.

[Crozier]

MARTIN WILL HELP THE PRESIDENT
CHAMBLISS WILL OBSTRUCT THE PRESIDENT

WE NEED PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA TO OPENLY SUPPORT MARTIN .
WE NEED PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA TO OPENLY SUPPORT BEGICH.
WE NEED PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA TO OPENLY SUPPORT FRANKEN.

THERE IS TOO MUCH AT STAKE IN TERMS OF THE JUDICIARY AND LEGISLATION.

[POTUS2008]

I don't think Obama should go to Georgia, he has more imoprtant stuff to work on, and I didnt put him in the witehouse to go to Georgia i put him there to fix the country. its a waste anyway because the republican is going to win. if obama wants to do a voice over for a commercial or something that is fine, or in two years during mid terms to go to a dew states, that is fine, but right now the urgency is to do his job for all americans, fix the economy, give us health care, and jobs and unemployment insurance and help people losing their homes and etc etc.

[Crozier]

Mmmmmm.....Barack Obama is president-elect.....meaning that he is elected but not inaugurated.
He is a US senator, one of 100 such persons, until Sunday when he resigns.

A Senate with all the Democrats electable is paramount responsibility. It is YOUR man, George W. Bush who is out to lunch but still in power until some time after noon day on 20 January 2009.

Oh, you're a loyal Democrat and voted for Obama and you don't want another US senator but want that racist homophobic bigoted and despicable Saxby Chambliss to win another term after what he did to Max Cleland.....then this Vietnam veteran has NOTHING more to say to you.

[huzzah]

Histrionic much? Look, the point is that Obama has, as Shrub loved to talk about, "political capital" after this election. Do we want him to risk it in an attempt to get this seat? I'd love Chambliss to lose as much as anyone, but Obama has to look at the risk vs. reward. Another seat would be great, and sure, it may mean 60. It's an uphill fight, however, and a loss would be a kick in the teeth before he even takes office. Not to mention that some of the more moderate Republican Senators from a bluer state (both of Maine's, for example) may be willing to provide that 60th vote in some cases.

I say stay in D.C., send staff and volunteers, offer whatever aid you want, but absolutely do NOT campaign down here. Just send the GOTV specialists.

[chango369]

I understand your sentiment about fixing the country. Wouldn't you agree that having one more Democrat in the Senate can only benefit Obama's plans to fix the country?

Obama's appearance might tip the scales in Martin's favor and I think this would be worth one of his days as the president-elect.

[ckfan]

Obama on the ballot and his appearances in Georgia didn't turn the state. So, why would it work now? He shouldn't go. Period. Unless 60 is in 'da house.

[ckfan]

Unless, of course, GA represents the 60th seat. Then, he will be there in an instant. Can anyone say, filibuster?

[HerbTee]

Perhaps you should look at the big picture here...the chance of gaining another Democratic Senator. The more Democratic Senators we have the less rancor and conflict with the remaining ReTHUGs which can produce a more constructive, supportive and filibuster-free atmosphere for Obama to get things done.

[Mekarri]

I am a black woman living in Ga and I am so excited that Obama is our President. You would not believe how some of the white people here are so mad that he won. But I don't care and I still talk abou how lucky we are to have him as our President. I would love to see him. I do understand that he is now the President Elect and that he has more important things to deal with. I just want Chambliss out!!!!!!! I am talking to anyone who will listen and asking them to go back to vote on Dec 2 for Martin. What ever decision Obama makes is fine by me. I trust his judgement.