Chambliss’s Win in Georgia Shows Obama’s Diminishing Coattails

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If you don't live in Georgia, you really don't understand the politics here. Chambliss was very lucky he was elected at all. If there had been another candidate with (R) by their name, Chambliss would not have been in this election.
Chambliss won because Jim Martin is an idiot. Martin is the poster child of what is wrong with DeKalb and Fulton counties, which are failed counties run by Democrats.
Also, an earlier poster mentioned that blacks didn't turn out like they did for Obama because Martin isn't black. He's absolutely right.
I'm a Republican and I believe other Republicans shouldn't put too much into Chambliss getting elected. This was more of a vote against Martin than it was in support of Chambliss.

moonsbreath of GA 9:55AM December 04, 2008

Pearls before swine. Barone has a record of being accurate, I suppose because he is aware that good sense requires us to see reality as it is, not how we prefer to see it. A lesson yet to be learned by his detractors.

Gary Ogletree of OK 9:52AM December 04, 2008

It looks like buyer's remorse is setting in. The Obamamania is wearing off and people don't like what they're seeing. Oh sure, the media is fawning all over him for now and the race-baiters are pushing him like he's the best thing since sliced bread naming schools and holidays for him. But then cold harsh reality sets in and it's becoming a farce.

Al of DC 9:34AM December 04, 2008

it's georgia, for god's sake. only a right wing idealogue like Barone could try to mount an intellectual argument about the significance of the georgia vote.

davie of CT 9:32AM December 04, 2008

This article is very flawed. First and foremorst Georgia is a RED state, the only part of Georgia that has a democratic lean is Atlanta and some outer suburbs of Atlanta. McCain won GA by a margin of 5pts, the ONLY reason there was even a runoff was because of the high voter turnout for Obama and a 3rd party candidate otherwise Chambliss would have acquired 50% of the vote easily.
This is one instance where all these statistical figures don't trump basic common sense, im from ATL and most voters had election fatigue especially black & hispanic voters. Obama didn't launch some big campaign down here, he basically did a few robo calls and 1 ad actually he is being criticized by some for not atleast making an appearance for Jim Martin so Mr. Barone trying to insinuate that Obama somehow campaigned heavily for Martin is disingenuous. Everyone in GA knew going into the runoff that Chambliss was going to win so maybe thats why voter turnout was so suppressed and the victory by Chambliss so large.
Mr. Barone instead of trying to discredit and throw out figures to back up such a poor argument first use basic common sense

Jamar of GA 9:00AM December 04, 2008

You are spot on Mr. Barone.

Clay of PA 8:56AM December 04, 2008

Mr. Barone: Actually, if Martin had been black, blacks would have turned out. But he's not.
Blacks turned out in Atlanta and most of the rest of the nation to vote for a black man. Period. Most have no clue how government works other than what they can get from it. They voted for color, something that, if a white did it, he'd be accused of being racist.

clyde of GA 8:21AM December 04, 2008

Are we talking about a blue state turning red? No, we are talking about a red state remaining red. I highly doubt Obama is losing his coat tails. It hasn't even been a month, and the GOP is already claiming that things are turning around for them. Seems like the GOP are looking for excuses not to change a thing. They can do that at their own peril.
It was entirely predictable that the GOP would use this race to claim that they are still relevant and that the country is still conservative.
Palin of course is going to appeal to the Deep South. It's the GOP's firewall against complete irrelevancy.

Mia of 2:57AM December 04, 2008

I'm getting more than a little sick of all the northern liberals calling Georgia a "backwards" state, a "reactionary" state, and even less pleasant adjectives (inbred, uneducated, etc.) simply because we didn't vote for your guy.
With attitudes like yours, I've decided we've made our last vacation trip to NYC, Chicago, or any of the other places where I've lived in the past and where we have enjoyed vacationing now. Not gonna give intolerant, narrow-minded people like you any more of our money, and suggest you stay away from here as well.
Thanks, Mr. Barone, for more details on this election.

Alana of GA 2:13AM December 04, 2008

the main difference between liberals and conservatives is that conservatives believe in the power of one.
The power of one person empowered by a drive to succeed and guided by the principles and strength of god. The liberals spend much of their time complaining but not doing. Standing in a position in false superiority over those who believe in the american dream and are not afraid to work for it. The liberal left says you cant, how by giving and giving and expecting little.
The conservatives believe that work will get you the ideal of america that which made it great.Have you ever read the milloinare next door. Most wealth people never inherited money they worked for it sacrificed and saved their money. They deserve it and all americans deserve the right to this possibility.
I have been homeless lost everything but through god i have built a succesfull business. I was on welfare and have built something from nothing, but if i listened to the left i would have just given up and still be in the horrible welfare hotel i with the help of god worked myself out of.I lived the way of the world and it braught me seperation from my wife and child but through god and hard work i have been given all back and much more than i have ever had. This is what conservatives can do empowered by god.
If liberals actually understood morality hard work and family, as it has been from the beginning of time then they would be able to share in the prosperity of those who are willing to work.
All your liberal retorick will never be able to dispute the facts, liberalism and pluralism is the dacay of this society. It doesnt work. Most liberal programs create addicted populace, tied to the programs created to help. They do not create independant self suffient people .They create weak angry people lacking in self esteem.
Liberalim and pluralism is creating more and more devource. Teen pregnancy at an all time high, violence rampant and all helped by the wonderfully succesfull social programs. Get off your unicorn and go out and work save your money and youll have that which the liberal left says your too weak to obtain.
With this you may realize that you can do it, youll look to your family which youll cherish and work together to succede. Not look to the government which doesnt care about you but just tells you what you want to hear.

Douglas pavone of NY 12:59AM December 04, 2008