GA Sen: Martin says "America is back"

[MarkWarner08]

What an emotionally compelling ad. After opening with a reference to Obama's eloquent election night speech, the ad highlights Martin's service in Vietnam (contrast that wiith Chambliss's lack of service to America) and his efforts to cut taxes, and then closes with a picture of him talking to an African-American man.

The tagline is brilliant and concise: America is back. Martin is sending a message to Georgians that if they want representation in all-Democratic Washington, they should back him. Depending on how generous Chuck Schumer is (and he's the main reason Martin has a second chance at Saxby) it just may work...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UQZJHfKk-k

[bgwah]

I'm not convinced connecting yourself to Obama is a winning strategy in Georgia.

[Lunar]

I'm not convinced connecting yourself to Obama is a winning strategy in Georgia.

Yes it is.  Martin is doing the right strategy.

Special elections have significantly reduced turnout.  The blacker Martin is right now the better off he'll fair.

[Lief 🗽]

I'm not convinced connecting yourself to Obama is a winning strategy in Georgia.

He only lost the state by 5 points...

Anyway, in a run-off election, you basically just need to get the base out in higher numbers than the other guy.

[MarkWarner08]

I'm not convinced connecting yourself to Obama is a winning strategy in Georgia.

He only lost the state by 5 points...

Anyway, in a run-off election, you basically just need to get the base out in higher numbers than the other guy.

Yep and ditto what Lunar said.  AA turnout is critical to Martin's chances. If AA voters are close to 35% of the electorate, he'll win. If they don't show up...

[Lunar]

Might I add that Martin is NOT hoping for a Franken victory right now?

If the Dems somehow won AK and MN, then this election would be about whether the Democrats should have a blank check in Washington.

[Lunar]

Freedom Watch is now airing this ad in Atlanta:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RhzlOnPYh4&eurl

[© tweed]

any chance Obama goes down there and campaigns for him?


and btw when is this election?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Will Blacks have such an incentive to turnout now though, hmm... (don't get me wrong, I'd like Chambliss to lose, but...)

[ChrisFromNJ]

Will Blacks have such an incentive to turnout now though, hmm... (don't get me wrong, I'd like Chambliss to lose, but...)

This is why the Martin complimenting Obama strategy is smart.

Martin connects himself with Obama = blacks come out in droves to vote for Martin.

[© tweed]

and btw when is this election?

December 2

[Lunar]

any chance Obama goes down there and campaigns for him?

Guaranteed.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Will Blacks have such an incentive to turnout now though, hmm... (don't get me wrong, I'd like Chambliss to lose, but...)

This is why the Martin complimenting Obama strategy is smart.

Martin connects himself with Obama = blacks come out in droves to vote for Martin.

Might he not need a little more than connecting himself to Obama and Obama coming down to campaign for him [qm]

[TheresNoMoney]

From what I know, I really like Jim Martin (especially compared to other southern politicians). I would love to have him in the Senate, but I honestly don't see any way he wins this special election.  The black vote he needs is not going to come out to vote without Barack Obama on the ballot.

Chambliss will win the special election comfortably.

[© tweed]

also, am I the only guy who originally read this as 'America is black?'

[Torie]

When I saw the title, I thought it read "America is black," which kind of grabbed my attention.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Might I add that Martin is NOT hoping for a Franken victory right now?

If the Dems somehow won AK and MN, then this election would be about whether the Democrats should have a blank check in Washington.

IIRC, the Minnesota recount is scheduled to finish on or before December 3, the day after the Georgia special election, so it could be that it would still be in the air.  That said, I can't see Martin winning the special election.  I'm dreading what it will do to the TV stations in Augusta tho.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Yeah, if Saxby was hard to take out in the general, it'll be even harder in the special.  Black voters just won't come out without a strong reason, and tying yourself to Barack Obama just isn't going to be enough.

[Lunar]

Chambliss will be favored, but run-off elections are funky

[Keystone Phil]

Terrible turnout + Dems already having at least 57 Senate seats = Easy win for Saxby

[Nutmeg]

Turnout will be an issue, obviously, particularly without the draw of Obama on the ballot.

General election:
Votes cast for president: 3,887,992
Votes cast for U.S. Senate: 3,720,538

Already a number of people bothered to wait hours to vote only to leave after voting for president.  It's my hunch that those were Obama voters who weren't interested in continuing with their ballot rather than Republicans who weren't interested in helping Saxby.

[Lunar]

Martin has a shot here.

Probably not a big one, but who will turn out for this is a big question mark.   You're going to see more than one Obama rallies down in the state - Obama has the free time.

[Adlai Stevenson]

I really wish Martin would defeat Chambliss in the run-off.  This is the race I most want to win, and despite what everyone has said, I think if Martin is able to rally blacks and talk about tax cuts for the middle class - he can win. 

[Brittain33]

You're going to see more than one Obama rallies down in the state - Obama has the free time.

Yes, but will he take the risk of holding rallies, having his candidate lose, and then the press declaring it a loss for him and his momentum?

[Meeker]

I'll be very surprised if Obama comes down and campaigns at this point, especially now that McCain is going to make an appearance.