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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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 ANALYSIS 
2

A Movement, or a Moment?

Georgia race tests whether Obama can pull one out for Dems, even in absentia

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(Newser) – Today’s runoff election in Georgia between incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss and challenger Jim Martin is a test of whether Barack Obama’s election heralds a new political movement, or just a moment, writes Sasha Issenberg in the Boston Globe. Democrat Martin is campaigning as an Obama ally, using the president-elect’s lines in his speeches. If he wins, chalk it up to the Obama magic.

"That kind of loyalty to a person rather than to an institution is not as transferable," said one Democratic official. "Yet this is a new kind of organization: It is highly electronic and it might work." While campaign stars have hit Georgia for both candidates, Obama has remained conspicuously absent, hoping not to have failure rub off on him if Martin loses. Martin was buoyed by a huge black vote in November, but now turnout looks to be down on both sides.

Democratic senate candidate Jim Martin, right, holds hands with wife Joan as they leave a polling place after voting in a runoff with Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.,Tuesday, Dec. 2, in Atlanta.
Democratic senate candidate Jim Martin, right, holds hands with wife Joan as they leave a polling place after voting in a runoff with Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.,Tuesday, Dec. 2, in Atlanta.   (AP Photo/John Amis)
Jim Martin, right, gives a campaign speech as rap artist Ludacris, who's real name is Chris Bridges, listens during an election rally held on the capitol steps Monday, Dec. 1, in Atlanta. Martin is facing Saxby Chambliss in a runoff for a U.S. Senate seat tomorrow.
Jim Martin, right, gives a campaign speech as rap artist Ludacris, who's real name is Chris Bridges, listens during an election rally held on the capitol steps Monday, Dec. 1, in Atlanta. Martin is facing...   (AP Photo/John Amis)
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks to a crowd during a campaign stop for U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008 in Savannah, Ga. Chambliss and Democratic challenger Jim Martin are locked in a tight race in a Tuesday runoff that will shape Democrats' hold on power in...
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks to a crowd during a campaign stop for U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008 in Savannah, Ga. Chambliss and Democratic challenger Jim Martin are locked in...   (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate Jim Martin, right, thanks hip hop artists T.I., left, Jeezy, second from left, and Ludacris for their support during an election rally held on the capitol steps Monday, Dec. 1, in Atlanta. Martin is facing Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga, in a runoff for...
Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate Jim Martin, right, thanks hip hop artists T.I., left, Jeezy, second from left, and Ludacris for their support during an election rally held on the capitol steps...   (AP Photo/John Amis)
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Obama has made it clear he intends to govern in a bipartisan fashion . . . The public might interpret his going down to campaign in a very partisan run-off as forsaking his pledge to be bipartisan. - Donald Fowler, former DNC chairman

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petepenguin
Dec 2, 08 5:19 PM CST
More ignorant rantings by news media projecting what they think on the public.Obama's election was people tired of the direction the country was moving.Georgia is not moving anywhere forward.Read the papers there.They think,their elected officials think Obama is a nazi,communist,socialist,dictator seeking total control over the good old USA.Just ask them. Reply
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petepenguin
Dec 3, 08 5:58 AM CST
I am shocked (not!) Chambliss won. Reply
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