Will national Republicans try to shape Georgia’s Senate race?
As possible candidates to replace Saxby Chambliss in the U.S. Senate continue to sidle up to the proverbial ring with their proverbial hats aimed at it, take a few minutes to read this story from the New York Times about how national GOP figures are trying to get more involved in recruiting and promoting candidates in Senate races across the country. Here’s the gist of it:
The biggest donors in the Republican Party are financing a new group to recruit seasoned candidates and protect Senate incumbents from challenges by far-right conservatives and Tea Party enthusiasts who Republican leaders worry could complicate the party’s efforts to win control of the Senate. …
The Conservative Victory Project, which is backed by Karl Rove and his allies who built American Crossroads into the largest Republican super PAC of the 2012 election cycle, will start by intensely vetting prospective contenders for Congressional races to try to weed out candidates who are seen as too flawed to win general elections.
The project is being waged with last year’s Senate contests in mind, particularly the one in Missouri, where Representative Todd Akin’s comment that “legitimate rape” rarely causes pregnancy rippled through races across the country. In Indiana, the Republican candidate, Richard E. Mourdock, lost a race after he said that when a woman became pregnant during a rape it was “something God intended.”
The story has sparked reactions on the right ranging from sharp criticism to unimpressed indifference. Some have pointed out that more establishment-type candidates didn’t win winnable Senate races last year in states such as Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Virginia and Wisconsin. And of course, Rove’s role in George W. Bush’s presidency comes with unfavorable associations of its own: e.g., the creation of Medicare Part D and higher spending more generally.
The piece mentions no possible candidates in Georgia by name, but it does quote Georgia GOP chair Sue Everhart at the end:
Sue Everhart, the head of the Georgia Republican Party, said she did not object to outside intervention. But because open Senate seats do not come along very often, she said,”we have six congressmen who want the job,” which could create a messy and divisive primary regardless of the efforts to control the race.
“The primary has to sort itself out in Georgia,” Ms. Everhart said. “That’s what primaries are for. But we cannot afford to take our eye off the ball. This is going to be a very important election, and it’s paramount that Georgia keeps its Senate seat in Republican hands.”
You can bet the Georgia name on the tip of every tongue at American Crossroads is that of the only semi-official candidate in the race, Congressman Paul Broun of Athens. Broun famously called evolution and the Big Bang theory “lies straight from the pit of hell” and suggested Barack Obama has more allegiance to the Soviet constitution than the American one. These are exactly the kinds of statements the folks at American Crossroads — and, as far as I can tell, nearly everyone in the state GOP hierarchy — would not like to have attached to the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate next year.
The question in my mind is how much of a backlash outside intervention — directed at Broun or anyone else — would spark among Georgia’s grass-roots GOP activists. I’d say that’s also probably the question on the minds of Georgia Democrats, who probably need a nasty, divisive Republican primary starting this year and lasting next July, and even to an August runoff, to have a strong chance at winning statewide in 2014. (It will get easier for them in 2016, 2018 and certainly by 2020.)
Rather than helping avoid such a fight, outside intervention could virtually guarantee one. My take today is that Georgia’s Republican hierarchy is sufficiently committed to fielding a nominee who’s not dangerously inflammatory that Rove’s group would be wise to take a pass. If it decides otherwise, the next 18 months in Georgia politics could be even more interesting than we thought.
– By Kyle Wingfield
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
222 comments Add your comment
Georgia , The "New Mississippi"
February 4th, 2013
7:09 pm
Georgia is a Red (neck) State. This is how GOP Johnny Rebs behave. ….You know you already know this !
Michael H. Smith
February 4th, 2013
7:14 pm
One of those informed people, unlike you indigo, has put forth documentation that undeniable proves your foolishness and ignorance of the facts.
MarkV
February 4th, 2013
7:15 pm
Here comes Michael H. Smith, trying to outdo both Tiberius and CC in their ignorant efforts to deny the undeniable. At least Tiberius admitted that we were a representative democracy; MHS denies even that.
No wonder. This is the same MHS, who called me a Marxist who advocated Social Democracy.
Totally ignorant of the fact that social democracy is, by definition, a rejection of Marxism. His recent charge was,
“Ah, Christian MarkV is in tizzy again, cause his quest to push atheism upon us being shown what it is. “
Which is akin to writing
“Ah, Christian MarkV is in tizzy again, cause his quest to push atheism upon us being shown what it is. “
Totally hopeless. I have better thing to do – such as having dinner – than to answer such stupidities.
Michael H. Smith
February 4th, 2013
7:16 pm
Oh and indigo, the facts I’ve put forth prove you stupid beyond any doubt.
indigo
February 4th, 2013
7:17 pm
Tiberius – 6:42 “I am here to return the favor to you when you are just as imprecise”
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds”
Fits you to a tee
http://quotesnack.com/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-foolish-consistency-is-the-hobgoblin-of-little-minds-ralph-waldo-emerson/
indigo
February 4th, 2013
7:18 pm
Michael H. Smith
You would not know “facts” if they came up and bit you on the ass.
Michael H. Smith
February 4th, 2013
7:20 pm
I’ve put forth the facts. propagandize all you want with more of your useless drivel MarkV. You have nothing from the federalist papers or the Constitution to back up one useless statement you have made to support your claim of democracy. In fact evidence has been posted to show that your Representative Democracy is a socialist form of government.
Michael H. Smith
February 4th, 2013
7:23 pm
Oh MrakV, do show me where I ever called YOU a Christian.
Michael H. Smith
February 4th, 2013
7:25 pm
indigo
I both know them and have posted them so now you can keep lying or refuse to read or comprehend them.
md
February 4th, 2013
7:25 pm
Is “stupid” really necessary folks?
Sometimes, one’s choice of words reflects more on them than those they are directing them towards……and on occasion I’ve been guilty as well.
Michael H. Smith
February 4th, 2013
7:30 pm
You should realize how hopeless your propaganda has been MarkV and find a crowd that will accept anything you say simply because YOU said it.
I’ll take the words of the Madison and the Constitution that we are to have a Republican form of government, over your propaganda to promote your socialist “representative democracy”
Michael H. Smith
February 4th, 2013
7:40 pm
md if the facts prove you stupid for arguing when you know you were wrong, I suppose you can rightly blame me for pointing it out.
md
February 4th, 2013
7:57 pm
I think one makes a better argument when they present their case and let it stand on it’s merits without denigrating the argument with insults….correct?
Cherokee
February 4th, 2013
8:22 pm
“Broun will not win a primary battle in Georgia over Kingston, Price or Gingrey.”
I would bet some of my hard earned Obama recovery socialist money that he would, if Rove etal jump in with lots of money to try to influence the base against him. That will infuriate the whackadoodle tea party crowd, and they’ll turn out in droves to support Broun.
Cherokee
February 4th, 2013
8:31 pm
“Now, one of the tools is implying you’re a Marxist.”
indigo, that’s their stock in trade – if you disagree with them on something – anything – you must be a communist, or a marxist. Meanwhile they post loooooonng diatribes tyring to prove that a representative democracy isn’t a democracy.
(and of course all of them, I expect, rushed out to vote against letting gay people marry the person of their choice… so much for the tyranny of the majority)
mike
February 4th, 2013
9:06 pm
Can I guess yes?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 4th, 2013
9:27 pm
If Republicans want to win big on the national level, they have to come to understand that phony liberal concern is what it is. Phony liberal concern.
I’m not sure if Rove and his gang have reached that conclusion yet.
Why does your voter base continue to shrink, aisle reachers?
Just Saying..
February 4th, 2013
9:47 pm
““ECON 101 needed here…”
More like a dictionary on your end……”
Maybe remedial reading, then, “I play an md on Kyle’s blog”
Go back to the first reference, the reading for comprehension part.
Gov’ts print money as a Fundamental (if that helps you) function.
That be macro economics.
Kitchen table budgets by families, as a rule, don’t print currency.
That be micro economics.
Start there…
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 4th, 2013
9:57 pm
JDW: after the disaster of Duhbya it would have been tough to withstand another
————————
Yeah, 5% unemployment, $300 billion deficits, and that AAA credit rating were really killing us.
Just Saying..
February 4th, 2013
10:00 pm
So in year 8 of W’s reign, Hank Paulsen ran a scam, and stampeded George into an unneeded TARP?
tell the truth
February 4th, 2013
10:05 pm
Aesop’s Fables and other Lib Economic Theories You wouldn’t recognize real concern if it bit you in the butt- that would be because you repubs have no concern for anyone except your selfish selves.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 4th, 2013
10:09 pm
Libs show their “real concern” by voting for politicians who will steal their neighbors property and give it to them.
Scum.
Just Saying..
February 4th, 2013
10:14 pm
“Scum”
You know, Bar, that’s always been my starting description for Democrat politicians.
How Republicans managed to achieve a lower regard, by the general public, is one of life’s mysteries.
md
February 4th, 2013
10:15 pm
“Gov’ts print money as a Fundamental (if that helps you) function.”
Paper money is a vehicle, not a fundamental.
Much like oil or water is to paint…..just the vehicle.
The fundamental is the value of which is diminished when our misfits decide to print more paper.
tell the truth
February 4th, 2013
10:17 pm
How did Rove do in the just ended general election with the good old boys or girls that he bankrolled and supported? I think he went ohfer if I’m not wrong!!!
Just Saying..
February 4th, 2013
10:21 pm
“Paper money is a vehicle, not a fundamental.”
Of course. And the wealth of nations is the amount of gold they own…
md
February 4th, 2013
10:32 pm
“And the wealth of nations is the amount of gold they own…”
The wealth of nations is whatever one is willing to give money for…..everything is worth nothing until a buyer is found.
Back to that kitchen table fundamentals:
How much do we owe? – How much do we have? = Oh crap!
Fundamentals…..every dollar we spend that we do not have must be generated in some form or fashion and if it’s not we get the Oh crap. Whereas if we spend only what we have odds are the Oh crap never arrives…..fundamentals.
The gimmicks are at best “maybes”, and nothing more……
Just Saying..
February 4th, 2013
10:49 pm
md, by mixing oil & water, paint & gold, kitchen tables & national wealth, you’re fast approaching one of two outcomes:
Nobel prize for global trade revelation,
or
Blog embarrassment.
I’d hint the more likely one, but you’re keen on fundamentals.
My best thought: quit digging, read up, feel better.
md
February 4th, 2013
11:14 pm
The starting point with national wealth (any wealth for that matter) is to understand it’s all worthless until sold……..use gold as an example, you never sell it what do you have?
A gold rock…….
Try eating that when the situation gets tight.
MarkV
February 4th, 2013
11:23 pm
Tiberius, Michael H. Smith and CC,
What a display of ignorance, combined with arrogance. First Tiberius argues that the US is not a democracy, because it is a representative democracy. Then Michael H. Smith denies even that, and eventually submits the “brilliant” argument that social democracy “asserts that the only acceptable constitutional form of government is representative democracy under the rule of law.” Instead, he argues, what differentiates the US from that is that we are a republic, never mind that the communist and socialist countries have been republics. He then babbles nonsense about representative democracy not guaranteeing minority rights – never mind that all western countries have variations of the representative democracy as systems of government, and that the US republic has had rather serious problems with guaranteeing the minority right until rather recently. Another “brilliant” argument is citing the Article IV, which guarantees “every STATE in this union a republican form of government.” Not the federal government, which is a republic nevertheless, which is not in any conflict with representative democracy. And CC? He is not even capable of arguments, just of stupid insults.
MarkV
February 4th, 2013
11:25 pm
Michael H. Smith @7:23 pm
“Oh MrakV, do show me where I ever called YOU a Christian”
Oh MHS, do show where I wrote that you had called me a Christian. Reading comprehension failure?
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 5th, 2013
12:50 am
Just Saying: “…by the general public…”
——————————
The general public think American Idol and People magazine are important intellectual stimulation, and that Obozo is doing a good job. So much for what the general public thinks.
JDW
February 5th, 2013
7:49 am
@LBB…”Yeah, 5% unemployment, $300 billion deficits, and that AAA credit rating were really killing us.”
DId you sleep through 2007 and 2008 or are you just grappling with mental illness?
independent thinker
February 5th, 2013
7:53 am
Karl Rove = leader of the stupid party along with Rush Limbaugh, Broun sounds like a perfect nominee to replace Saxby. Maybe he will run some anti-disabled veteran ads like Saxby did. Karl and Limbaugh would be impressed.
JDW
February 5th, 2013
7:55 am
@md…”The wealth of nations is whatever one is willing to give money for”
Now you are almost in the realm of rational thought…check out the latest T-Bill rates…the world is lining up to give us money.
The point you miss with “kitchen table fundamentals” outside of the whole printing press selling bonds thing is lifespan. Those folks sitting around the kitchen table must plan for a time when thier earning power wanes and thier life winds down. The US Government does not have that issue. As time marches own the opportunity to generate more growth and more revenue simply increases making the debts of the past smaller in comparision. The government is not bounded by 30 year loans, if they choose to think in 100 year increments thats ok.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 5th, 2013
7:55 am
Not at all, JDW. Merely providing some perspective for comparison to the disaster that is the Obozo regime. Do I need to recount the negative fiscal, economic, and sociological results of four years of your failed messiah?
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 5th, 2013
7:57 am
independent thinker: Karl Rove = leader of the stupid party
——————-
Your “stupid party” ran smaller deficits, rang up less debt, employed more people, had fewer on welfare, and maintained a higher credit rating than the current party in power.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 5th, 2013
7:58 am
Debt as a percentage of GDP is rising under Obozo.
Good thing, or bad?
indigo
February 5th, 2013
8:41 am
MarkV
Tiberius, Michael and CC are the Moe, Larry and Curley of this site.
(not sure which is which)
JohnnyReb
February 5th, 2013
8:54 am
I haven’t the time to read three pages of posts, so if this is plowed ground I apologize.
I’m still waiting for a respected Conservative to define the term “hard right.” So far identifying positions as hard right has come from the Left or a RINO. If one buys-in to Legacy Media, and even some on FOX, anything not kin to the Left’s position is hard right.
I’m convinced more than ever that National stage politicians in place longer than two terms, and 99% of National media need to be purged – give Washington and the beltway an enigma.
It should also be noted that some, including myself, have stopped giving money to the Republican Party until they tell us what they intend to do that is different from the last election? Eliminating candidates that don’t necessarily agree with the establishment is not going to get my money.
JohnnyReb
February 5th, 2013
8:57 am
re, my 8:54 – that should have been enama, not enigma. Can we get spell check on blogs?
southpaw
February 5th, 2013
9:15 am
JohnnyReb
Spell check would probably give you “enema” instead of “enama.” But the notion that you can spend $20 billion on something one year, then $23 billion the next, and call it a spending cut because you didn’t spend the $25 billion you were thinking about, is a bit of an “enigma.” I’m not sure it makes since anywhere other than Washington.
md
February 5th, 2013
9:35 am
“Now you are almost in the realm of rational thought…check out the latest T-Bill rates…the world is lining up to give us money. ”
You left out the word “currently”………then take it from there.
” Those folks sitting around the kitchen table must plan for a time when their earning power wanes and their life winds down. The US Government does not have that issue. As time marches own the opportunity to generate more growth and more revenue simply increases making the debts of the past smaller in comparison.”
Wrong, ALL gov’ts have that issue. You seem to be thinking life is a one way street……it isn’t. As time marches on, there is also the very real possibility that everything goes into the tank vs having all unicorns and roses with your growth and revenue…….it’s a 50/50 proposition.
Ask Greece, Spain, Zimbabwe, the old USSR……all countries I’m sure thought just as you do.
Others are currently buying our debt because we still have the world’s reserve currency, but there is no guarantee we keep that in the future……then what?
China is on track to become the world’s largest economy and is working hard at getting their currency on the market as a reserve currency…….then what?
Don’t fool yourself into believing our status is always guaranteed to go up…..just a few short years ago many, many folks fooled themselves into believing houses (a commodity) would only rise in value……then reality brought them back to earth real quick.
Fundamentals…..spend what you have is always a safe play………
Dirty Dawg
February 5th, 2013
9:56 am
Sorry Charlie, but voters in the next election will want a candidate that ‘is’ smart, not that just ‘thinks’ they’re smart…and every single one of the Repub Congressmen have done and/or said things that not only were ‘not smart’ but were downright idiotic and will serve as embarrassing-enough moments to disqualify em. And if you’re wondering what that Kingston guy did, all you have to know that he was the first Congressman Stephen Colbert featured in his ‘Know Your Congressman’ – or whatever it was called – from a few years ago. The ‘bit’ that the NRC forbid their members to continue to subject themselves to after four or five did their interviews not realizing that they were just ’skinin their ignorance’…he’s (Kingston) the ‘poster boy’ for thinking you’re smart.
breckenridge
February 5th, 2013
10:04 am
I’m not a Rove fan but this PAC is absolutely necessary for the survival of the republican party. Divisive evangelicals completely lacking in common sense such as Paul Broun, James Inhofe, Mike Pence and Michelle Bachmann have absolutely no business serving in the United States Congress.
Reason, logic and science must trump belief in supernatural voodoo if the party is to thrive again.
Just Saying..
February 5th, 2013
10:13 am
“The general public think American Idol and People magazine are important intellectual stimulation, and that Obozo is doing a good job.”
So, some part of you Does live in the real world…
md
February 5th, 2013
10:16 am
“Reason, logic and science must trump belief in supernatural voodoo if the party is to thrive again.”
Logic dictates that in an infinite universe just about everything is a possibility……until one can prove there is no god, one should understand it is always a possibility…….
The word is “belief”, and it applies to all of us as we have no way of knowing at the moment……
Just Saying..
February 5th, 2013
10:22 am
“Your “stupid party” ran smaller deficits, rang up less debt, employed more people, had fewer on welfare, and maintained a higher credit rating than the current party in power.”
Uh, Barry….if your Party actually has all these attributes, why are you not the one in power?
breckenridge
February 5th, 2013
10:31 am
md – I’m not making an argument against the existence of God. What we simply cannot do is make policy based upon the belief that the Bible is word-for-word true, as evangelicals believe. Not only is it idiotic but it is also blatantly unconstitutional:
“It is impossible for humans to influence the climate because God is still up there. It is outrageous and arrogant to believe humans are capable of changing what He is doing to the weather.” James Inhofe.
“We must support Israel because the Bible says so.” Michelle Bachmann
This kind of garbage HAS to go if the GOP is to survive.
Dusty
February 5th, 2013
10:40 am
Well, I see we have a jolly morning of beautific bloggers here. Their comments are ruminatingly repetitious tending to be slightly spurious not to mention lightly lackadaisical. So with all that, we patiently wait for Kyle to give us the red meat over which to snarl. Grrrr
OH well, I’ll come back later to see if any one has lost a tooth, scored a point or committed hari-kari. Gonna be a lovely day!! Later……..I hear Kyle approaching…..