GOP convention comes to Columbus

Georgia's Republican Party convention meets this weekend in Columbus. Some 5,000 GOP faithful from across the state are expected to pack the Columbus Civic Center.

They'll pick half the state's delegates to the national convention, to be held this fall in St. Paul, Minnesota. And, convention-goers will choose two representatives to the Republican National committee.

Josh McKoon, who chairs the party's Muscogee County branch expects over 1,100 delegates to attend. And, he says, factional politics could provide some surprises:

"I think there will certainly be a move by those that support Ron Paul to get some of their supporters on the delegate list representing Georgia. I know that's happened on the local level at earlier stages of this process, so that potentially could be something that could cause a little bit of a stir."

But McKoon predicts a straightforward event, rallying behind presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Arizona Senator John McCain.

There is one stumbling block however.

McKoon says the elected delegates are pledged to former Arkansas governor and former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee:

"...and unless he releases them from that, when they go to the convention, they'll be bound to vote for Huckabee on the first two ballots. Huckabee will have the lion's share of delegates coming out of Georgia..."

This is the second time in four years the event has been held in Columbus, and is expected to boost the local economy.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the presidential elections.

Georgia breaks voting record

Georgia voters broke a record during yesterday's presidential primary. Secretary of State Karen Handel reports that 44% of active registered voters cast a ballot. That surpasses what is believed to be the previous high of 40 percent in 1988. With 94% of precincts reporting, just under 2-million votes had been tallied. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee won the Republican race in Georgia, while Sen. Barack Obama, of Illinois, received the nod from Democrats.

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.

King Day events and ceremonies across Georgia

Georgians are remembering the legacy of Martin Luther King-Jr. on this national holiday. Events across the state have been held throughout the weekend, and many are scheduled for today as well.

U.S. Representative John Lewis spoke at King events at Augusta State University on Saturday. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke at services at Ebenezer Baptist Church Sunday. Republican candidate Mike Huckabee is among several politicians and dignitaries attending services today in Atlanta.

Former president Bill Clinton is also in Atlanta this morning for King ceremonies. Following those events, he will travel to Macon for an afternoon campaign rally in support of his wife's presidential candidacy.

Candidates descend on Georgia this weekend

Two Democratic Presidential candidates have confirmed they’re coming to Georgia this weekend. Senator John Edwards will be in Atlanta on Saturday. Senator Barack Obama will be in Atlanta on Sunday speaking at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Senator Hillary Clinton’s campaign says she and former President Bill Clinton will be in Atlanta some time this weekend but have not released details. On Monday, Republican Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee is set to appear at Ebenezer Baptist Church to mark the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.