Senate candidates into stretch run toward runoff

Saying "it’s time for him to go" in referring to Republican incumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss, former vice president Al Gore dropped into Georgia to stump for Democratic senate challenger Jim Martin. Gore spoke to about 600 people at an Atlanta art gallery Sunday night, telling the crowd "change is coming to Georgia." The Gore visit for Martin follows that of Mitt Romney for Chambliss on Friday, as the parade of high-profile names into Georgia continues. The former Massachusetts Governor in his visit told Chambliss-faithful that a victory by Martin could be a first step toward a European brand of socialism.

Tomorrow, its former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani arriving in Atlanta for Chambliss. The runoff election to decide the U.S. Senate race, as well as races for seats on the Public Service Commission and Court of Appeals, is ahead a week from tomorrow.

Romney ties Martin, Democrats to socialism

Senate candidate Jim Martin with former President Bill Clinton at Clark Atlanta University on Thursday; former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney with Republican incumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss at a rally in Atlanta on Friday. (Photos: John Bazemore /AP)

Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney lent his support to Sen. Saxby Chambliss on Friday, warning that a victory by the Democratic challenger in next month’s hotly contested runoff could be the first step toward a European brand of socialism.

Romney is the latest in a parade of GOP bigwigs who have flocked to the state in the weeks before the Dec. 2 runoff between Chambliss and Democrat Jim Martin. Romney’s criticism is not unlike the line of attack Sen. John McCain used unsuccessfully against Democrat Barack Obama in the campaign for president.

Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, told a crowd of about 200 cheering supporters that the general election showed that people wanted change in Washington. But the Georgia runoff, he said, could alter the very nature of the country.

"This election is about whether we want to change America. And I want to keep America America," he said to applause.

"I think in this race you have two different men who have two different views. One would take America down the course of becoming like Europe, big taxes and big government," said Romney. Chambliss, he said, "fundamentally believes in keeping America strong and safe and free."

In a brief news conference after the speech, Romney added: "I want to make sure we don’t take a left turn toward Europe."

Martin, a former state legislator, dismissed the ideological labels and stressed his record of bipartisan cooperation.

"I was one of the most effective members of the state House. I worked across party lines, and I’m going to continue to do that in Washington," he said after appearing at a campaign office in Decatur. "I’ve been a person who has always worked to try to solve the problems people face."

The Georgia race, one of two unresolved Senate races, has taken on national significance. The other is in Minnesota, where a re-count will help determine whether Republican Sen. Norm Coleman or Democrat Al Franken is the winner.

Victories in both races would give Democrats the 60 seats needed to fend off Republican filibusters.

The stakes are high, and both parties have rolled out their political heavyweights. McCain and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee both stumped for Chambliss last week, and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is scheduled to appear next week.

Former President Bill Clinton led a rally for Martin on Thursday and Clinton’s vice president, Al Gore, is set to appear Sunday. About 100 Obama field operatives have been helping boost turnout, and the president-elect recently recorded a radio ad supporting Martin’s campaign.

The national focus has helped the candidates fill their campaign coffers.

Chambliss raised about $1.9 million between Oct. 16 and Nov. 12, and has $1.4 million cash on hand remaining. Martin raised $2.4 million over the same time period, and has more than $600,000 left in the campaign bank.

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(AP)

Obama, Huckabee win Georgia primary

Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee were the big winners in yesterday’s presidential primary in Georgia.

With 99% of precincts reporting, Obama won 66% of the votes from state Democrats; Hillary Clinton earned 31%.

On the Republican side, it was a much closer race with Huckabee earning 34% of the vote, followed by John McCain with 32% and Mitt Romney with 30%.

Mike Huckabee in Macon

Flanked by actor Chuck Norris, presidential hopeful and Former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee spent Sunday afternoon in Macon for a rally that was decidedly Southern in nature.

The crowd of just over a thousand held signs reading, "I Like Mike" and "Us Against Them." They were there to show their support for Mike Huckabee who is running well in Georgia.

The candidate asked for people to vote for him on Super Tuesday saying that as a fellow Southerner he understands them.

"I know how to cook grits. I know how to fry catfish. I don't eat fried chicken with the skin off, with a knife and fork. A few things like that. But, I think most of us who grew up in the Deep South are only a generation away from poverty. We understand how hard we've had to work in the South to pull ourselves up by our own boot straps."

A Rasmussen survey, released on Sunday, shows John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Mike Huckabee within three points of each other in Georgia.

Fred Thompson visits Kennesaw

Republican Presidential hopeful Fred Thompson was in Georgia today. At an appearance in Kennesaw, Thompson cast himself as the true conservative in the Republican race for president. He accused his GOP rivals Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney of being soft on illegal immigration.

Romney official seeks Georgia ballot

Today Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney announced his intention to participate in Georgia’s Presidential Primary election. Romney presented a letter today to State GOP Chairman Sue Everhart. It asks her to put Romney’s name on the Republican party list for the February 5th election.

Gingrich would run on $30M

Newt Gingrich says he still might run for president if supporters will pledge $30 million dollars by November. The Georgia native says he would need that much money to compete with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who leads in Republican fundraising. Gingrich would not say when he would decide, but noted that November 13th, when Ronald Reagan announced his candidacy in 1979, is a "propitious" date.

Romney, Edwards stumping in Georgia

Candidates Mitt Romney and John Edwards will make their cases at events in Atlanta and Americus on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In Atlanta, Republican candidate and former Massachusetts governor Romney is to reportedly hold a private meeting with supporters Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, Romney plans to attend a private fundraiser luncheon at the Grand Hyatt shortly before noon.

An aide told GPB News that Romney will talk about “a stronger military, stronger families and a stronger economy.”

Democratic contender and former South Carolina senator Edwards will attend a noon rally at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus.

GSW alumnus, former President Jimmy Carter will reportedly introduce Edwards. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter and Edward's wife, Elizabeth, are also expected to attend the event.

A statement from the school said Edwards plans to talk about the "American Dream."