Karen Handel vs. Saxby Chambliss? It’s possible
Friends of former secretary of state Karen Handel tell us that Rob Simms, once her chief of staff – now a D.C. media consultant, wasn’t blowing smoke when he said Handel was considering a 2014 challenge to U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss.
She is.
Simms dropped Handel’s name last week in a Weekly Standard roundup of potential primary rivals to Chambliss – a well-timed piece, given the senator’s decision to renew his fight with Grover Norquist as the Thanksgiving recess began. Other possibilities included U.S. Reps. Tom Price, R-Roswell; Paul Broun, R-Athens; and Tom Graves, R-Ranger. (U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey sent word to Chambliss and state GOP Chairman Sue Everhart weeks ago that he’s not considering it.)
Over at PeachPundit.com, Charlie Harper has a few thoughts on Chambliss’ situation – as does Jason Pye. But let’s do some realistic handicapping here as well.
We haven’t talked to him, but we’re told that Graves is less than interested in mounting a challenge to Chambliss – for many reasons, but including the fact that a special election, a special election runoff, a primary, then a primary runoff can chew up a man’s finances. Graves hasn’t yet recovered from 2010.
Broun would be an intriguing possibility – if Republicans hadn’t just seen control of the U.S. Senate slip away once more because of ill-phrased, hard-right rhetoric. This is an area in which Broun has specialized – ideas spawned from the pit of hell and such. A Broun candidacy would certainly spur hibernating Georgia Democrats into action, on the off-chance that the Athens congressman might actually take Chambliss down and give them an earlier-than-expected foothold on relevance in a general election.
Handel, of course, has a statewide election under her belt – and came within a percentage point of beating Nathan Deal in the 2010 Republican runoff for governor. (She has a book to sell, too, but let us ignore that point.)
Price has never run statewide, but given that the largest portion of Georgia voters can be reached through the metro Atlanta media market, that’s less of a roadblock than it once was. The Roswell congressman also has $1.6 million in the bank – a sizable head start on any other would-be challenger to Chambliss.
What’s being ignored is the fact that Handel and Price have a close political and geographic connection. Price was the only Republican member of Congress from Georgia to endorse Handel’s gubernatorial ambitions. (Both are thus unloved by the current governor.)
One will not run if the other does. So the more that you hear one of these two north Fulton figures talk about a U.S. Senate run, the less likely it is that the other is truly considering the contest.
Handel’s dropped name doesn’t mean that Price has given up the idea. But it does mean that, after studying the odds, he might say no. And certain people are preparing.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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Another test for Republicans | News from around the world
November 26th, 2012
6:07 pm
[...] took aim at Capito. And that’s not all. There’s also been a wave of speculation about a primary challenge to Georgia’s Sen. Saxby Chambliss, with former Georgia secretary of state Karen Handel talking about making the run (via Political [...]
political arsonist
November 26th, 2012
6:07 pm
We can safely assume that Broun’s rhetoric is not disqualifying in the eyes of either the Republican establishment or, more importantly, Republican primary voters
Drew – Only in GA do voters dwell who would elect such a buffoon and ass clown as paul broun. As our high school graduation rates climbs and more educated folks move to this state, broun and all his racist old white man homophobe buddies will be relegated to minority status forever. Don’t assume anything,,,,,,oh well you can assume, too late already.
Another test for Republicans – Washington Post (blog)
November 26th, 2012
6:09 pm
[...] took aim at Capito. And that’s not all. There’s also been a wave of speculation about a primary challenge to Georgia’s Sen. Saxby Chambliss, with former Georgia secretary of state Karen Handel talking about making the run (via Political [...]
janet
November 26th, 2012
6:13 pm
Didn’t Sarah Palin support Karen Handel? Scary , scary, scary. Both mean women with anti woman agendas cloaked in religious righteousness. And no formal education from either of them Great role models for women in the 21st century. And this just in Georgia High School graduates 67% – and we wonder why?
Conservative groups criticize Shelley Moore Capito as she announces Senate campaign
November 26th, 2012
6:26 pm
[...] Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) could face a primary challenge from former Georgia secretary of state and gubernatorial candidate Karen Handel in 2014. Handel [...]
Rabbit
November 26th, 2012
6:42 pm
Peering into the crystal ball: 2014 senate race, general election. In a stunning upset, with demographic voting patterns never seen in Georgia, Kasim Reed slips by tea party favorite Handel after the Supreme Court rules that the motion for reconsideration challenging the certification of a large county’s election results is without merit.
yuzeyurbrane
November 26th, 2012
6:56 pm
Jim, the main problem with your analysis is that it is logical. We have to remember that a good number (maybe a majority) of the GOP Primary voters dwell in an alternative universe. Also, you are not taking into account the humongous egos of most of those named. In that regard, I don’t think Tom Price would back off for a nano-second from contesting Handel if he believes he can win. The key word for most of these guys and their voters is “believes”.
bulldawg
November 26th, 2012
7:00 pm
Remember when all the republican talk shows said, “anybody but Hillary”?
WillinRoswell
November 26th, 2012
7:57 pm
I commented in this column nearly two years that Handel would like to run for this US Senate seat, even if she had won the Governor’s race. This is the main reason she did not contest the 2010 Republican gubernatorial runoff outcome. Doing so would hurt her 2014 Senate campaign. She is a native of the Washington DC area and wants to get back to the national scene. Smart as she is, she is not qualified to hold this or any federal office from Georgia. I realize this is a rather strong statement, but it is true. The fact is, she does not know this state and it’s people and needs. Karen Handel’s number one priority is Karen Handel with an eye to the next higher political office. Just look at her political record. Sorry, folks. We can do a lot better than Karen Handel.
BobRobert
November 26th, 2012
7:59 pm
Oh pleeeze!!! I am a die hard Republican, but Karen Handel. Can’t the Republican party come up with some fresh candidates with good ideas and leadership skills? Must it always be the same old hacks. And the leaders of the Republican party need to wake and realize that the primary issue facing this nation is not abortion but that commie in the white house. Keep it up and we will lose the House in 2 years and you can flush this great nation goodbye. And can we find an honest man (or woman) to run against Deal and send his corrupt arse packing!
Corey
November 26th, 2012
8:24 pm
All these 1% s on here posting comments castigating Saxby because he hinted that maybe just maybe returning the tax rates on those at the top to the Clinton level maybe good for the nation? I didn’t think you super wealthy had that much time on your hands to post comments on blogs. You mean you rich guys and gals here also rely on Rush Limbaugh for facts and indepth analyses? Is that it? I guess I had you rich posting here blasting Mr. Saxby all wrong by giving them way too much credit to think for yourselves.
Rick James
November 26th, 2012
8:25 pm
Please go away Karen Handel..
Proud Republican
November 26th, 2012
8:31 pm
I would like to see Jack Kingston, but if not him , then Saxby is a solid conservative. I disgreed with his support of the bailouts, but at least he can see the longer term problem and is not afraid to speak up about the real problem. He does alot to support the military and farmers in our state, so you idiots who say he doesnt support Georgia, think before you speak
ideas
November 26th, 2012
9:07 pm
Sam Olens is the best candidate. Handel is really a closet democrat.
ideas
November 26th, 2012
9:10 pm
Did someone say Jason Carter. What a laugh. He would get less votes than his grandfathers re-election campaign. Maybe less than 0.
oh PLEASE
November 26th, 2012
9:22 pm
PLEASE run Karen! it will make the seat another throw-away to the Democrats!
Question Man
November 26th, 2012
9:36 pm
Handel? Broun? Price? Will it be that easy for Chambliss?
honested
November 26th, 2012
9:39 pm
After the children in the republican party rip each other to shreds with the ‘I am more conserrrrrrvative’ nonsense, the Good People of Georgia can send the next Democratic Senator to Washington!
honested
November 26th, 2012
9:42 pm
This is great so far.
At least 5 of the dimmest bulbs in Congress and one woman who just can’t accept NO for an answer are ready to lose massively in their ego quest.
We might actually end up with an intelligent Congressional Delegation not under the thumb of the insurance industry!
4williec
November 26th, 2012
9:54 pm
Oh my goodness, Karen Handel being pummelled in the comments section of a liberal rag newspaper; imagine that. She would have been a better governor than Deal, and might well be a viable candidate for the Senate.
Just Saying
November 26th, 2012
10:07 pm
She is a joke and if the Republican party endorses her, then they too will be defeated. The silent majority will creep up and bite..
POLITICAL WIRE’S HEADLINES – 11/27 « Accomack County Democrats
November 26th, 2012
10:20 pm
[...] of former Georgia secretary of state Karen Handel (R) tell the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she’s mulling a 2014 Republican primary challenge to Sen. Saxby Chambliss [...]
Kris
November 26th, 2012
10:21 pm
And the Repuke whack/nut jobs keep slithering out of the woodwork.
Handel sounds like a shady deal.
Help
November 26th, 2012
10:26 pm
We need someone to go to Washington who is totally out of the loop, never been in politics, and some brand new blood. Is this possible? I know one guy who could give it one helluva shot. This guy is one who would have changed the Civil War had Sherman faced him….Now if we could get him to run.
gresham brown
November 26th, 2012
10:27 pm
Good Lord! Another woman seeking office.
tjatl
November 27th, 2012
12:41 am
NOW is the time for Sam Nunn to come back and run for Senate. A fine statesman who can get this state out of silliness and on the path to relevance.
partlycloudy
November 27th, 2012
6:44 am
Well now I’ll be voting for, and contributing to, Saxby for the first time ever. That creepy Handel, and I’m a woman’s libber from way back, is a total idiot. And she doesn’t believe in birth control for women.
I never could figure out how she was elected secretary of state. But she really outted herself when working for the Komen foundation.
So will hell freeze over? Saxby Chambliss and the senator from SC are going to compromise. I’m old enough to remember when Everett Dirksen and another politicians worked together in congress to help the country. I think most of the republican racists have conceded, after the last election, that women and blacks and some white men will not go back to the 50’s. So now the white politicians will maybe try to work together for the good of the country. What a novel idea! Duh!
Bossman
November 27th, 2012
6:55 am
I will vote for Handel, its time for a change. Done with the establishment. Saxby thinks taxes need to go but somehow no spending cuts will never happen. The GOP needs changing.
Ronin
November 27th, 2012
7:23 am
How about neither.
Chambliss simply wants to play politician, Handel is the same.
Let’s find someone with NO political experience and see if they can represent the state without being corrupted by the political machine that is Congress.
nofreecheese
November 27th, 2012
7:46 am
Karen was too looney for even a state office position; if she gets nominated it will only be to provide the Democrats this Senate seat.
I would like for the voters to show Saxby the door to be replaced by a socially tolerant hardcore fiscal conservative w/ virtue and backbone; Karen certainly doesn’t fit that description.
Edmund Ruffin
November 27th, 2012
7:47 am
None of the above ring my Conservative bell except Graves and Broun. I’ll vote for either one.
CJ
November 27th, 2012
7:57 am
The person who should run against liberal Chambliss should be Georgia Congressman Tom Price. He would win easily.
ramblingbuzz
November 27th, 2012
8:24 am
Just what this state needs, a moderate Republican replaced by a right wing whacko, Broun, or a uber ambitious Handel………..not. And if some people think Chambliss is liberal, they must be to the right of Attila the Hun. At least Chambliss makes sense part part of the time. Broun never has.
Tom
November 27th, 2012
8:25 am
If Karen has any serious ideas about giving birth to a senatorial run, she needs to abort it immediately.
Rich
November 27th, 2012
9:29 am
Should we raise taxes to support an obscenely obese federal government or should we put it on a diet? Which do you think the politicians would choose? How about those that consume federal wealth? What about the hard-working producers that pay for all of it? You know who you are. Legal doesn’t mean right. A big thumbs up to Grover and a very big thumbs down to Saxby. There is a word for all of this. That word is STEALING. Do we have no shame?
How Senate Republicans could get tripped up again in 2014 (and how they are trying not to)
November 27th, 2012
12:17 pm
[...] conservative hostility toward Capito comes as speculation that Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) could face a primary continues to swirl and soon after Club President Chris Chocola identified Sen. Lindsey Graham [...]