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Georgia runoff called 2010 preview

By David R. Sands (Contact) | Tuesday, November 11, 2008

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It's being billed as the "first race of the 2010 election cycle," and the national Democratic and Republican parties are furiously pouring money and manpower into the rematch.

First-term Republican incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia is trying to hold off Democratic challenger Jim Martin in a runoff vote to be held Dec. 2, which will help determine whether the Democrats can build a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate and may provide an early clue to the clout and coattails of President-elect Barack Obama.

Mr. Martin, a former state senator, features a clip from Mr. Obama's election-night victory speech in his first ad since last Tuesday's cliffhanger vote. The former state legislator tells voters in the spot that if he is elected, he will "work with Barack Obama to get our economy moving again."

The runoff, mandated when neither candidate obtained more than 50 percent of the vote, is proving to be one of the first political gambles for Mr. Obama, with big risks and rewards should he take an active role in the race. Mr. Martin trailed in the first round of voting 49.8 percent to 46.8 percent, with Libertarian candidate Allen Buckley preventing either man from obtaining a majority.

"If Martin can capitalize on the enthusiasm for Obama - and if the Obama campaign agrees to continue operating its extensive Georgia operation for another four weeks - then last Tuesday's outcome may not matter," said state political analyst Walter C. Jones of the Augusta-based Morris News Service.

Mr. Chambliss told reporters in Georgia Monday that the contest represented "the first race of the 2010 election cycle." A Martin win would put Democrats tantalizingly close to a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate and complete dominance of the executive and legislative branches.

"Saxby Chambliss' re-election is critical if we want to have hope that the U.S. Senate can block the redistribution of wealth and the dismantling of our military that will be attempted by the next Congress," said Republican state Senate President pro tem Eric Johnson of Savannah.

After the Nov. 4 vote, Democrats hold a 57-40 majority in the incoming Senate, with three races - in Georgia, Alaska and Minnesota - still too close to call. With 60 seats, Democrats could defeat minority efforts to filibuster key bills without needing any Republican support.

Recounts are under way in the Alaska race between Republican Sen. Ted Stevens and Democratic challenger Mark Begich and in the Minnesota contest between Republican incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken, with the Republican holding a tiny lead in preliminary tallies.

Georgia is the only state where the Senate contest will be decided at the ballot box. Activists and analysts estimate the two parties could spend about $5 million in ads and organizing efforts by Dec. 2.