Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!
November 5, 2008 4:14 PM Subscribe
This thing ain't over yet! Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia has failed to reach 50% of the vote, thereby triggering an automatic runoff election on December 2nd, between him and Democratic challenger Jim Martin, who received 47% of the vote. This gives the Democrats a rare opportunity to concentrate all their efforts over the next month on a state in the heart of the South.
Can we expect President-elect Obama and Jim Martin to launch a concentrated campaign across the state of Georgia, hoping to do what they did in Indiana, and turn a traditionally Republican state blue again? Yes, I suspect, we can!
Good news. If anyone deserves to lose his seat, it's Chambliss.
posted by The Card Cheat at 4:20 PM on November 5, 2008
posted by The Card Cheat at 4:20 PM on November 5, 2008
Here's Chambliss' dirty ad, btw.
(As for me, I'm down for another $25...)
posted by markkraft at 4:28 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
(As for me, I'm down for another $25...)
posted by markkraft at 4:28 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
Fuck that guy. I hope the machine is still in full swing when it comes vote time and this remorseless, soulless piece of human detritus gets taken out to the curb where he fucking belongs.
posted by absalom at 4:34 PM on November 5, 2008
posted by absalom at 4:34 PM on November 5, 2008
Certainly it couldn't happen to a more deserving scumbag, but I'm skeptical that the low-propensity voters who turned out for the general and made this such a close race are going to show up for the runoff.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 4:44 PM on November 5, 2008
posted by Horace Rumpole at 4:44 PM on November 5, 2008
Don't forget the recount in the MN senate race. Coleman's margin of victory is 400 votes, and provisional ballots still need to be counted...
posted by delmoi at 4:44 PM on November 5, 2008
posted by delmoi at 4:44 PM on November 5, 2008
The last US Senate runoff was in 1992 between the incumbent Wyche Fowler (D) and Paul Coverdell (R). Clinton had just won, the momentum was with the Democrats for the first time in a decade and Fowler had the advantage of incumbency. He lost.
If Obama only got 47% of the vote yesterday, Martin can't do any better. The turnout will not be there for him.
In 1992 it was the Libertarian's votes that kept either Fowler or Coverdell from a 50% +1 vote count. If you look at the numbers from last night, Allen Buckley, the Libertarian candidate for Senate polled four times as many votes as did Bob Barr, who is even from Georgia. Those votes were from disaffected Republicans (believe it or not, there are a ton of Republicans is this state who don't think Chambliss is conservative enough) who will, if they vote at all, will probably slink back to Saxby.
I'd like to see Cleland get some sweet sweet vengeance, but I don't think it is likely to happen.
And I would like to point out that contrary to the link's title (though not that article's text) traditionally Georgia is a Democratic state. The Democrats ran Georgia longer than the PRI did Mexico or the Communists Russia. The current Republican governor is the first one that hasn't required the federal army to keep his office. Though certainly now it seems like Georgia will be a GOP bastion for the forseeable future.
posted by Dr. Grue at 5:05 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
If Obama only got 47% of the vote yesterday, Martin can't do any better. The turnout will not be there for him.
In 1992 it was the Libertarian's votes that kept either Fowler or Coverdell from a 50% +1 vote count. If you look at the numbers from last night, Allen Buckley, the Libertarian candidate for Senate polled four times as many votes as did Bob Barr, who is even from Georgia. Those votes were from disaffected Republicans (believe it or not, there are a ton of Republicans is this state who don't think Chambliss is conservative enough) who will, if they vote at all, will probably slink back to Saxby.
I'd like to see Cleland get some sweet sweet vengeance, but I don't think it is likely to happen.
And I would like to point out that contrary to the link's title (though not that article's text) traditionally Georgia is a Democratic state. The Democrats ran Georgia longer than the PRI did Mexico or the Communists Russia. The current Republican governor is the first one that hasn't required the federal army to keep his office. Though certainly now it seems like Georgia will be a GOP bastion for the forseeable future.
posted by Dr. Grue at 5:05 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
It's just nice to see that election junkies won't have to quit cold turkey, the tragic effects of which are documented here.
posted by wendell at 5:08 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by wendell at 5:08 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
For those of you who are in Georgia and especially the ATL area - my husband and I plan on working for the Martin runoff race. We should make an outing of it, any of us who can.
posted by Medieval Maven at 5:16 PM on November 5, 2008
posted by Medieval Maven at 5:16 PM on November 5, 2008
Please, let's not make MetaFilter an all-election blog. The Presidential election is over. This isn't really the best of the web and it's not so huge that everyone cares.
posted by GuyZero at 5:21 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by GuyZero at 5:21 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
You mean Saxby "Hussein" Chambliss? Doesn't he hate America? I know for a fact he spits on babies.
posted by DU at 5:22 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by DU at 5:22 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
I thought acts of saxby chambliss were illegal in Georgia.
posted by wendell at 5:26 PM on November 5, 2008 [5 favorites]
posted by wendell at 5:26 PM on November 5, 2008 [5 favorites]
Only with members of the same gender, wendell.
posted by An Infinity Of Monkeys at 5:35 PM on November 5, 2008
posted by An Infinity Of Monkeys at 5:35 PM on November 5, 2008
Which reminds me yet again that I AM NOW A BLUE STATER! WOOOOO!
posted by Michael Roberts at 5:45 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Michael Roberts at 5:45 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
"If Obama only got 47% of the vote yesterday, Martin can't do any better. The turnout will not be there for him."
I don't see that as inevitable at all. What matters most is how many people turn out on that given day... and the grassroots network for Obama is very strong.... certainly stronger than anything that Clinton had in Georgia back in '92. Indeed, the runoff in '92 only gave Fowler until Nov. 11th to campaign.
Obviously, turnout for the election probably won't be as high as for the presidential election... but the result could be every bit as convincing as Obama's win in the Georgia primary.
posted by markkraft at 6:07 PM on November 5, 2008
I don't see that as inevitable at all. What matters most is how many people turn out on that given day... and the grassroots network for Obama is very strong.... certainly stronger than anything that Clinton had in Georgia back in '92. Indeed, the runoff in '92 only gave Fowler until Nov. 11th to campaign.
Obviously, turnout for the election probably won't be as high as for the presidential election... but the result could be every bit as convincing as Obama's win in the Georgia primary.
posted by markkraft at 6:07 PM on November 5, 2008
It should also be remembered that Coverdell beat a somewhat unpopular incumbent Fowler after Fowler failed to get 50%. And if you're the incumbent, failing to achieve 50% tends to suggest to people that you're vulnerable.
Right now, lots of people must be thinking that Chambliss looks kinda weak... and lots of Georgians are thinking "Wow... the Democrats did really well in Georgia yesterday..." And that includes all those registered Democrats in Georgia who failed to vote yesterday.
Nothing makes your vote seem worth something more than a close race.
posted by markkraft at 6:13 PM on November 5, 2008
Right now, lots of people must be thinking that Chambliss looks kinda weak... and lots of Georgians are thinking "Wow... the Democrats did really well in Georgia yesterday..." And that includes all those registered Democrats in Georgia who failed to vote yesterday.
Nothing makes your vote seem worth something more than a close race.
posted by markkraft at 6:13 PM on November 5, 2008
If Obama only got 47% of the vote yesterday, Martin can't do any better. The turnout will not be there for him.
Haven't seen exit polls, but anecdotally I know several McCain voters who voted for Martin. Chambliss is not popular among many moderates/independents, many of whom voted for McCain in GA.
posted by wildcrdj at 7:18 PM on November 5, 2008
Haven't seen exit polls, but anecdotally I know several McCain voters who voted for Martin. Chambliss is not popular among many moderates/independents, many of whom voted for McCain in GA.
posted by wildcrdj at 7:18 PM on November 5, 2008
Yes, please please help nix Saxby Chambliss' political career! You can mention that Chambliss voted for the bailout if you need an argument to convince a Republican.
posted by jeffburdges at 7:39 PM on November 5, 2008
posted by jeffburdges at 7:39 PM on November 5, 2008
Please, let's not make MetaFilter an all-election blog. The Presidential election is over. This isn't really the best of the web and it's not so huge that everyone cares.
please let's not ignore what goes on in the south! this is important!
posted by eustatic at 9:43 PM on November 5, 2008
please let's not ignore what goes on in the south! this is important!
posted by eustatic at 9:43 PM on November 5, 2008
I thought acts of saxby chambliss were illegal in Georgia.
Dammit, I wish we had thought to name a narsty sex act after him, a la Satorum. I don't know if we can disseminate such a term into popular culture soon enough for it to effect the runoff.
Although I suppose it's worth a shot. Any ideas? I'm thinking something involving the scrotum.
posted by louche mustachio at 12:52 AM on November 6, 2008
Dammit, I wish we had thought to name a narsty sex act after him, a la Satorum. I don't know if we can disseminate such a term into popular culture soon enough for it to effect the runoff.
Although I suppose it's worth a shot. Any ideas? I'm thinking something involving the scrotum.
posted by louche mustachio at 12:52 AM on November 6, 2008
"Dammit, I wish we had thought to name a narsty sex act after him, a la Satorum. . . I'm thinking something involving the scrotum."
The obvious roots would be "sacks", chamber, which comes from Old French chambre, derived from the late Latin "camera", and, of course, bliss.
I'm thinking something like this... (text, but still, NSFW).
posted by markkraft at 3:36 AM on November 6, 2008
The obvious roots would be "sacks", chamber, which comes from Old French chambre, derived from the late Latin "camera", and, of course, bliss.
I'm thinking something like this... (text, but still, NSFW).
posted by markkraft at 3:36 AM on November 6, 2008
BTW, the "Saxby Chambliss" appears to have been popularized in the gay porn classic from '88, "A Night Alone With Al Parker". (text, NSFW)
posted by markkraft at 3:42 AM on November 6, 2008
posted by markkraft at 3:42 AM on November 6, 2008
I think its funny that he is campaigning for Georgia to be the site of the military's African Command Center.
Funny of course, meaning ironic and pathetic.
posted by sfts2 at 5:34 AM on November 6, 2008
Funny of course, meaning ironic and pathetic.
posted by sfts2 at 5:34 AM on November 6, 2008
Actually, while a run off seems likely, it's not official yet. They're still counting votes.
This gives the Democrats a rare opportunity to concentrate all their efforts over the next month on a state in the heart of the South.
Um, they're a little busy setting up a new government and there are several other close races.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:09 AM on November 6, 2008
This gives the Democrats a rare opportunity to concentrate all their efforts over the next month on a state in the heart of the South.
Um, they're a little busy setting up a new government and there are several other close races.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:09 AM on November 6, 2008
You can mention that Chambliss voted for the bailout if you need an argument to convince a Republican.
Not very convincing, given that we're within two Senatorial votes of being a one-party government. I would vote for the guy no matter how repulsive he may be (and the more I look into it, yeah, he's really repulsive), simply in order to preserve some semblance of balance.
Giving one party the ability to ram legislation through completely uncontested is far more dangerous than anything one asshole Senator is going to do by himself.
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:51 AM on November 6, 2008
Not very convincing, given that we're within two Senatorial votes of being a one-party government. I would vote for the guy no matter how repulsive he may be (and the more I look into it, yeah, he's really repulsive), simply in order to preserve some semblance of balance.
Giving one party the ability to ram legislation through completely uncontested is far more dangerous than anything one asshole Senator is going to do by himself.
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:51 AM on November 6, 2008
please let's not ignore what goes on in the south! this is important!
"the south"?
Like South American you mean? Or the south island of New Zealand? Or South Africa? Or perhaps South Korea? You want people to start posting about third-tier government elections in all those places? MeFi may be primarily by Americans by virtue of English-language demographics but last I checked it wasn't explicitly about Americans.
posted by GuyZero at 7:55 AM on November 6, 2008
"the south"?
Like South American you mean? Or the south island of New Zealand? Or South Africa? Or perhaps South Korea? You want people to start posting about third-tier government elections in all those places? MeFi may be primarily by Americans by virtue of English-language demographics but last I checked it wasn't explicitly about Americans.
posted by GuyZero at 7:55 AM on November 6, 2008
Well...as someone who just had to choose between Saxby and Martin, I chose the protest vote. The campaign was execrable on both sides, but Martin lost me with his carpet bomb ad push trying to make the "Fair Tax" proposals Saxby has supported out to be "a 23% tax increase on everything you buy". Every time I heard one (and if the TV was on, you got to hear it at least 10 times an hour), I thought "do you really think I'm stupid enough to buy that?". My intelligence thus insulted, I couldn't vote for him.
Not sure what I'm going to do now.
posted by kjs3 at 8:25 AM on November 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
Not sure what I'm going to do now.
posted by kjs3 at 8:25 AM on November 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
Dr. Grue pretty much nailed what I have seen here in GA. Outside of Atlanta this is a redder state than most people realize. I will get out and vote for Martin in hopes of getting rid of Chambliss, but am not optimistic. And I have another 4 weeks of political ads to look forward to--ugh!
posted by TedW at 8:32 AM on November 6, 2008
posted by TedW at 8:32 AM on November 6, 2008
When did MeFi become a fan site for the Democratic party?
Wait... don't answer that
posted by gyc at 10:03 AM on November 6, 2008
Wait... don't answer that
posted by gyc at 10:03 AM on November 6, 2008
When did MeFi become a fan site for the Democratic party?
We don't make posts on "the red" you know.
posted by GuyZero at 10:21 AM on November 6, 2008
We don't make posts on "the red" you know.
posted by GuyZero at 10:21 AM on November 6, 2008
Well...as someone who just had to choose between Saxby and Martin, I chose the protest vote. The campaign was execrable on both sides, but Martin lost me with his carpet bomb ad push trying to make the "Fair Tax" proposals Saxby has supported out to be "a 23% tax increase on everything you buy".
On the contrary, I was more disgusted with Saxby's "Jim Martin wanted to let sex offenders run amok!" Sensationalism of sex crimes is bad enough; when you're campaigning based on that, it's gone too far IMO.
posted by Ziggy Zaga at 10:26 AM on November 6, 2008
On the contrary, I was more disgusted with Saxby's "Jim Martin wanted to let sex offenders run amok!" Sensationalism of sex crimes is bad enough; when you're campaigning based on that, it's gone too far IMO.
posted by Ziggy Zaga at 10:26 AM on November 6, 2008
ZZ: Meh...that sorta sleaze is par for the course from Chambless (and I thought the "he let children suffer" stuff was more odious). Guess I've been desensitized. But that Martin ad just grated me the wrong way; kinda like "I need to appeal to really, really stupid people". I suppose I'll vote for Martin in the runoff, but I'll be grumbling.
posted by kjs3 at 11:20 AM on November 6, 2008
posted by kjs3 at 11:20 AM on November 6, 2008
So, how is this 23% claim from the Martin campaign in any ways untrue?
posted by markkraft at 5:47 PM on November 6, 2008
posted by markkraft at 5:47 PM on November 6, 2008
And here is the ad for that 23% claim.
Note that it's *NOT* from the Martin campaign, and therefore not fully under their control as far as wording.
In any event, though, a 23% flat sales tax is regressive, and would actually hurt Georgians -- and specifically, Georgia's poor -- more than other Americans... especially since it taxes groceries. It's also a really great way to discourage consumer spending in the midst of a recession.
Frankly, it's an idea that deserves to be mocked, if only because Chambliss knows for certain that it's strictly posturing, and that such a plan would never pass under current circumstances.
It's dogma for the dogmatic... another do-nothing wedge issue to rally his base.
posted by markkraft at 5:55 PM on November 6, 2008
Note that it's *NOT* from the Martin campaign, and therefore not fully under their control as far as wording.
In any event, though, a 23% flat sales tax is regressive, and would actually hurt Georgians -- and specifically, Georgia's poor -- more than other Americans... especially since it taxes groceries. It's also a really great way to discourage consumer spending in the midst of a recession.
Frankly, it's an idea that deserves to be mocked, if only because Chambliss knows for certain that it's strictly posturing, and that such a plan would never pass under current circumstances.
It's dogma for the dogmatic... another do-nothing wedge issue to rally his base.
posted by markkraft at 5:55 PM on November 6, 2008
A "fair tax" need not be regressive because they usually imagine including universal welfare.
I'm not however sure a national sales tax is a safe goal. Sure they imagine eliminating income tax, but the most likely compromise result is a balance between income tax & sales tax. So some years later both taxes can be increased, meaning you play more than before.
posted by jeffburdges at 6:50 AM on November 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
I'm not however sure a national sales tax is a safe goal. Sure they imagine eliminating income tax, but the most likely compromise result is a balance between income tax & sales tax. So some years later both taxes can be increased, meaning you play more than before.
posted by jeffburdges at 6:50 AM on November 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
So, how is this 23% claim from the Martin campaign in any ways untrue?
I never said it wasn't true, though it is a misrepresentation of what Saxby supports. I said the ad insulted my intelligence enough for me not to want to vote for Martin.
Note that it's *NOT* from the Martin campaign, and therefore not fully under their control as far as wording.
Sorry. I don't give him a pass on that. And the idea that this ad came out of nowhere with respect to the Martin camp is quaint.
It's dogma for the dogmatic... another do-nothing wedge issue to rally his base.
True.
posted by kjs3 at 2:11 PM on November 10, 2008
I never said it wasn't true, though it is a misrepresentation of what Saxby supports. I said the ad insulted my intelligence enough for me not to want to vote for Martin.
Note that it's *NOT* from the Martin campaign, and therefore not fully under their control as far as wording.
Sorry. I don't give him a pass on that. And the idea that this ad came out of nowhere with respect to the Martin camp is quaint.
It's dogma for the dogmatic... another do-nothing wedge issue to rally his base.
True.
posted by kjs3 at 2:11 PM on November 10, 2008
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