Poll Position: Who is GOP’s best choice for U.S. Senate?
There’s been a lot of speculation for some time now about who in the Georgia GOP might challenge U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss in a primary when he’s up for re-election in 2014. That speculation owes to a couple of issues on which he’s strayed from the main Republican Party line, most recently and notably with his openness to revenue increases via his work with the Gang of Six in the Senate.
Who is the GOP's best choice for U.S. Senate?
- The incumbent, Saxby Chambliss (217 Votes)
- Someone else (92 Votes)
- Tom Price (42 Votes)
- Paul Broun (25 Votes)
- Tom Graves (13 Votes)
Total Voters: 389
Loading ...The buzz grew last week after Congressman Tom Price lost his bid for a higher position in the House GOP leadership ranks (to Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington). Adding to the intrigue surrounding Price is the fact Speaker John Boehner, a friend of Chambliss’s, backed McMorris Rodgers.
In an article posted last night, Roll Call suggests another possible challenger to Chambliss is Congressman Paul Broun of Athens. Another tea-party favorite, Rep. Tom Graves, is also sometimes mentioned.
The thinking among Georgia politicos is that if one person jumps into the primary, others will follow. But who would be the best choice? Or is the best choice the man who already holds the office?
That’s this week’s Poll Position question (I realize it’s not Friday, but I will not be in the office this Friday). The question is not who will run, but who would be the best choice for the job, keeping in mind that we’re only talking about Republicans this time and will deal with potential Democratic statewide candidates another day. Answer in the nearby poll and in the comments thread below.
(Note: While voting continues apace, all comments will be going through moderation now through my return to the office on Monday. Have a happy Thanksgiving!)
– By Kyle Wingfield
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195 comments Add your comment
Cherokee
November 20th, 2012
2:14 pm
“The question on the table is how bad do the Republicans want the White House?”
Good question. I don’t think they really care, else they’d stop trying to drive away potential voters by calling them ‘parasites’. I think it’s evident from some posts here that they’d rather hurl third grade insults than to actually try to appeal to the electorate with their ideas.
Sad…
Kyle Wingfield
November 20th, 2012
2:17 pm
Sorry to disappoint, Henne and stands, but I’ll stick to writing about politics.
JamVet
November 20th, 2012
2:19 pm
Paul “Evolution and Big Bang theory are lies straight from pit of hell” Broun?
YIPPEE!
That is exactly what we need!
Another far right wing, science-averse ignoramus in the United States Senate!
The fact that he is NOT a complete embarrassment to you Georgia Republicans pretty much says it all.
Long Live the GOP’s Dark Ages!
Thomas Heyward Jr
November 20th, 2012
2:49 pm
Who is GOP’s best choice for U.S. Senate?
.
as if the decision is left up to Real Georgians.
.
lol
.
The best a decent person can do is make the choice, and the chosen crook…………………….irrelevant.
BehindEnemyLines
November 20th, 2012
2:57 pm
I love Broun as my Rep. but concede that he isn’t the easiest candidate to run statewide. I don’t trust Price. But either of them would be exponentially better than Sell-Out Sax. My cat’s litter box contains stuff I’d rather see than his appeasment-minded butt back in office. Best bet at the moment seems to be this mythical “someone else”.
Don Abernethy
November 20th, 2012
2:57 pm
I have voted Republican for 50 years but not any more after their dismal showing November 6th. Hopefully we will have a new party by 2016.
Jeffrey
November 20th, 2012
3:03 pm
Max cleland Statesman. Veteran.
TRUTH
November 20th, 2012
3:15 pm
Saxby and the rest of the ol’ boys network of the GOP are marching into oblivion and with it ANY opportunity for truly moderate and bi-partisanshi….huh?…what’s that…??!!! Oh, there are some NEW GOP’ers…with the SAME OL’ BALONEY…
Let the circular firing squad engage!
MiltonMan
November 20th, 2012
3:20 pm
Doesn’t matter who the GOP candidate will be. There is not a dem candidate worth a crap to give any of them a run for their money. Who will the dems nominate??? Vernon Jones, Jim Martin, Roy Barnes, Mike Thurmond, etc., etc.??? All losers.
GaBlue
November 20th, 2012
3:23 pm
Doug Stoner.
CC
November 20th, 2012
3:24 pm
Have the Republicans Learned Nothing@12:05 pm:
“START WORKING WITH THE OTHER SIDE TO ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING.”
Democrats have shown no willingness to work with Republicans on the national level. It is “their way or the highway”. Need YOU be reminded when Pelosi ruled the House, Reid ruled the Senate and Barack sat on the throne?
“But feel free. “Permanent Republican Minority” has a nice ring to it.”
I wouldn’t bet the farm on it.
CC
November 20th, 2012
3:24 pm
Finn McCool@12:12 pm”
“Which one of them is NOT pro-rape?”
You’re really obsessed with the ‘rape’ thing, aren’t you? Been a victim?
CC
November 20th, 2012
3:25 pm
political arsonist@1:18 pm:
“all liers, crooks, hate mongers, NRA-phobes, bible thumping imbecils. Jason Carter would be the right man.”
Here’s your sign.
NEXT?
CC
November 20th, 2012
3:26 pm
JDW@1:34 pm:
“Only parasite I see around here is you LBB…you get your energy from trying to suck any shred of decency from every post.”
LBB would have a difficult time finding “decency” in your posts, now wouldn’t he?
carlosgvv
November 20th, 2012
3:26 pm
Kyle, this is just way too easy.
NONE OF THE ABOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tom
November 20th, 2012
3:31 pm
Paul Broun is a perfect candidate to represent Georgia conservatives: a moronic wackaloon who clings to the ludicrous fairy-tales he was taught as a 4-year-old in Sunday School at Hooterville Baptist Church.
CC
November 20th, 2012
3:31 pm
Kyle:
I want to see who the candidates will be, listen to and read their stances and plans, and hear debates among them before making a final determination.
Just Saying..
November 20th, 2012
3:46 pm
Run Johnny Reb.
He seems at least as bright as Broun…
HDB
November 20th, 2012
3:54 pm
What I would hope from ANY Republican candidate is one that does the following:
1) Campaign in the INNER CITIES to ask for my vote
2) Address the issues that are important to me
3) Quit ignoring me as a constituent
So far, none of the characters in the GOP fit this bill……..
Gee
November 20th, 2012
3:57 pm
“Please, please let it be Broun!”
signed- a Democrat
Old timer
November 20th, 2012
4:11 pm
I wish Marco Rubio lived in Ga. I just believe there is a wonderful person out there who would serve our state well and conservative, who will just shut about abortion…those laws will never change…ever.
Tom
November 20th, 2012
4:14 pm
Marco Rubio is not a scientist, man. He’s just as willing to pander to the whackjobs as all of his Republican confreres.
Michael H. Smith
November 20th, 2012
4:18 pm
Good thing the democrats haven’t figured out why they’ve lost their 100 years of control over Georgia.
After reading the comments from the regular socialist democrats homesteading on Kyle’s blog, maybe in another 100 years they’ll figure it out.
CC
November 20th, 2012
4:28 pm
I will omit the names of the persons involved in the following story:
Many years ago, a newly-elected junior Democrat Senator asked the senior Senator from Georgia a question. He asked. “Senator _______, I’m getting an awful lot of mail, and frankly some of it appears to be from ‘nuts’. Should I answer all these letters?”
The senior Senator replied, “A third of the people in Georgia will vote for me because my name is ________, and a third of them will vote against me because my name is _________. That leaves one third of the vote out there that you must get to win, and some of those in that third are ‘nuts’. You answer every damn one of those letters, son, ‘cause you got to get the ‘nut’ vote!”
That explains what happened in the last presidential election: Romney failed to get the ‘nut’ vote!
Tap Out
November 20th, 2012
4:30 pm
Georgia is becoming a punch line…..and it seems many Georgians are proud of this fact.
JamVet
November 20th, 2012
4:30 pm
Good thing the Republicans haven’t figured out why they’ve gotten crushed three times on the national stage since 2006.
And here is to hoping that they never do…
Cobbian
November 20th, 2012
4:33 pm
Here is a surprise. Not all Republicans in this state are Tea Partiers. Some of us actually think that working with the Dems means things can get done. And they will still be done well, even if what is done involves compromise. For example, raise the tax rates on the top earners. Just do it. The GOP does not have the support of the country for continuing to refuse to take action that would help reduce the deficit. We cannot do it by budget cuts along. Just raise the tax rate, for heavens sake!!
Tom
November 20th, 2012
4:34 pm
JamVet: But…but…2010! Uh…57 states! Uh…teleprompter!
Banderson
November 20th, 2012
4:34 pm
Run Paul Broun. Cue the Deliverance music.
Interesting
November 20th, 2012
5:13 pm
Karen Handel
Keen Observer
November 20th, 2012
6:09 pm
Saxby has been an articulate voice for Georgia, for agriculture, and he shown a solid presence on intel issues. He has been at least open to co-operative efforts. That won’t get him much love back home. I think he’ll read the polls and – he is not a young man – opt for an early out. He will have served a solid two terms. The GOP will hold the seat.
Hillbilly D
November 20th, 2012
6:13 pm
CC @ 4:28
That sounds like Herman to me. He understood constituent services. You had a problem with those SS checks or Vet benefits, you called Herman’s office, it got taken care of. He knew which side his bread was buttered on. He was doing good ’til he bought that overcoat.
mike
November 20th, 2012
6:18 pm
Well, why not? Let’s not skimp on the crazy. I think Paul Broun perfectly represents the majority of nut case, backwoods bumpkin redneck rubes of Georgia. Of course, he’s the logical choice. Bring it!
Mr. Dithers
November 20th, 2012
6:23 pm
Can’t we please keep Paul Broun under wraps? Isn’t he embarrassing enough in the House? It is amazing to me that the GOP feels the need to parade these lunatics around. One poster even said he was proud to have Broun as his rep in Congress. What an indictment of the public education system in Georgia. Surely there are some intelligent Republicans out there somewhere in this state. Why are you hiding them? It is okay to be smart. Really, it is.
CC
November 20th, 2012
6:36 pm
Hillbilly D@6:13 pm:
You’re very perceptive, Hillbilly. It was indeed Senator Talmadge advising a young newly-elected Sam Nunn. You are indeed a student of politics, and of human nature judging by other of your posts that I have read.
Shine
November 20th, 2012
6:42 pm
Unlike in the past, I will likely be voting for a democrat, doesnt matter who. Boot some kooks, vote democrat!!
Hillbilly D
November 20th, 2012
6:52 pm
CC
My great-grandpa was a friend of Old Man Gene.
Dave
November 20th, 2012
6:52 pm
I voted for someone else. I’m an independent but mostly liberal voter. I wonder how many people that voted the same aren’t Republicans. It is nice to see that the votes skew against the crazy wing of the GOP.
JDW
November 20th, 2012
7:01 pm
@cc…”That explains what happened in the last presidential election: Romney failed to get the ‘nut’ vote!”
Need to check those exit polls cc…Romney carried the nuts in the high 80’s. It was his dominant demographic.
CC
November 20th, 2012
7:02 pm
Hillbilly:
“My great-grandpa was a friend of Old Man Gene”
AKA “The Wild Man From Sugar Creek”! If you haven’t read the book by that title, I recommend it highly.
Ole skool
November 20th, 2012
7:03 pm
Yep, if it wasn’t for their racists tendencies maybe the Talmedge’s could have done more GA than their supporters actually think they did.
Ole skool
November 20th, 2012
7:08 pm
Romney just wasn’t a good candidate. Plain and simple.
Look at the economy. It should have been a Romney landslide, but he was weak.
Two weeks later many of his supporters are still making excuses.
Some Republicans and even right wing pundits are saying what I am posting but many still want to do the same exact thing that as cost them the popular vote 5 of the last 6 elections.
Do what you must.
arnold
November 20th, 2012
7:14 pm
They are all losers. The GOP needs some representative with logical brains. I would like to see someone who can present a sensible alternative to the Democrats. So far, there are nothing but extremist wing nuts in the Republican Party.
arnold
November 20th, 2012
7:16 pm
Many of the GOP are still in denial. They haven’t even reached the anger stage. They have a long way to go before they can start to come up with workable alternatives to the Democrats.
Ole skool
November 20th, 2012
7:25 pm
Newsmax
The National Inquire for conservatives is reporting that the Romney campaign is blaming Governor Christie for the spanking they took.
Losers with only excuses to give.
Romney must have really been deluded that he would win. His polling must have been close to Gallup and Rasmussen…… WRONG.
Waaaaaaaa, wAaaaaaaaa
Michael
November 20th, 2012
7:27 pm
I will go with Johnny Reb as well. We cant dumb down any further.
Ole skool
November 20th, 2012
7:36 pm
Michael
Guess that means you will be working to help nominate better candidates than Flip Romney…
He could not beat Obama…
What a joke he was
CC
November 20th, 2012
7:40 pm
I have read with interest the various posts by ‘concerned’ persons regarding the perceived necessary changes of the Republican Party in order to be competitive. I submit that most posts were from people who have never voted for a Republican and never intend on doing so. To the very few who have seriously posted regarding this, I would ask a question: Are Republicans to become more akin to Democrats in order to attract votes? If so, why even have two parties with differing philosophies?
I am not a Republican. I am a conservative who must vote Republican because there is no other mode of transport to get me where I wish to go.
To those of you posting endlessly as to what the Republican Party SHOULD do as only a means of gloating over your victory, I say “Congratulations, and get over it. You, as well as the rest of us, shall surely reap what you have so foolishly sewn.”
I, for one, still hold my conservative principles closely, and will not change them for the sake of a single vote. Being correct in one’s thinking may not win elections, but you are still right when the election is over. The greater issue is that you have prostituted neither your principles nor your soul. I leave that to the Democrats/liberals/progressives. After all, they have a wealth of experience in that area, and have become expert at it.
Ole skool
November 20th, 2012
7:45 pm
Cc
dont be a hypocrite…. You are reaping the Bush years. Your selective memory is as weak as your posts
@@
November 20th, 2012
7:47 pm
Why does it always have to be a retread?