Gore To Campaign With Jim Martin In Georgia Runoff

Former Vice President Al Gore will campaign on behalf of Democrat Senate challenger Jim Martin this weekend, officials close to the race confirm to the Huffington Post.

Gore is set to hit the stump for Martin on Sunday, adding a new element of political firepower to a Democratic campaign that is focusing its energy on turning out a massive early vote. Former President Bill Clinton has already stumped in the state and will be returning soon.

Incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss, who failed to win a majority of the vote in the initial election, already is receiving help from several GOP stars, including Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin and John McCain.

The question that remains is just how much President-elect Barack Obama will feel compelled to directly intervene in the race. The Illinois Democrat has dispatched staffers down to Georgia to help Martin's campaign retool for the runoff and raise funds. But there is no word at this time whether Obama will actually make a trip down south to campaign on Martin's behalf.

One official said that if Obama appears in person, it will likely be next Tuesday or Wednesday for the last days of early voting. Of course, if victory for Martin seems like a long shot, Obama may feel it is not worth investing the political capital in a losing cause.

Comments

[friscosf]

Sorry !!
Calling Willard Romney a 'star' is a bit of a reach !!

If Obama can cut an ad for black radio stations and get in run relentlessly....
That could REALLY help

Mention that he'll need Jim Martin to help pass his agenda
and keep running that ad !!

[Politisizer]

PE Obama will go down there for sure - whether it will be enough to put Martin over the top is another matter entirely.

[dolphindance25]

Obama commanded legions of volunteers during the Presidential race. If he decided to jump in, I believe he could make this race a close one. I don't know much about the history of run-off elections, but organizing and get out the vote efforts must be huge when people are less motivated to go to the polls, a senate run-off not being as captivating as a 2 year pres. election.

[kalidescopemind]

If Bill Clinton can't get it done, Obama won't help much. I don't want our president elect campaigning around the south. He has plenty to do as is.

[scully09]

Way to go, former VP Al Gore!!!!

[metalpipe]

I doubt political capital is what our president elect is concerned about. The fine (and predominantly bigoted) people of Georgia might not take kindly to any black guy endorsing a candidate. Staying low profile might be the best strategy.

[roshni]

On the contrary, I think Obama should energize the democrats to go out and vote in the runoffs. If we don't have the turnout, Chambliss wins. Obama is good at motivating the turnout.

[kjstjohn]

I think you are right and I am going to want to light myself on fire if that %$@# Chambliss wins. (Kidding.) But I would rather Obama stay safe--out of the deep South, Arkansas, and Idaho. Maybe out of Texas and Oklahoma, too.

[WowJones]

O needs to stay far away from Georgia, send surrogates and money.

[eleutheros]

If Martin can get the big turnout in DeKalb and Fulton counties, Martin stands a chance, Come on Urban Radio, GOTV !!!!

[roshni]

Send the volunteers with the candidates to campaign. Turnout is key.

[GeorgiamomforObama]

Yea early voting starts this week!! Get out and vote Georgia!!

[Rudderman]

Good for Gore. Chambliss is the bonehead who called Obama, "uppity"...twice. Talk about the Old South. His campaign tactics in the past have been nothing short of slander (in true Republican form). He deserves to crawl back beneath that rock on the plantation from which he emerged.

[LaKane]

Right! Heaven forbid "those colored people get out and educate themselves and live somewhat respectable lives! Well, I'll be!"

LOL

[kjstjohn]

I think that was Lynn Westmoreland, a Georgia GOP Congressman. An understandable mistake. Chambliss has done worse than that in his treatment of Max Cleland.

[GAPeach99]

Thank goodness! Al Gore, come on down! We need all the help we can get to grab that seat for Jim Martin!

[roshni]

How I wish Gore could be part of Obama's cabinet. He is is a class act.

[SpanishPeach]

Actually, Obama promised Gore would be part of his administration during the campaign. Head of EPA? Dare we hope?