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Should PEBO Go Down to Georgia?
November 20, 2008 9:55 PM
One of the few complaints Democrats level about PEBO (President-elect Barack Obama) was that he did little to spread the wealth of his magnificence to help other Democrats in their election contests.
Some Democrats in the House and Senate say that the Obama campaign field staff did a great deal to help out House and Senate candidates. But in terms of personal appearances and TV and radio ads, there was very little, if anything, that Obama himself did personally.
It's not that Democrats don't understand it -- popularity is a valuable commodity, and one wants to spend it carefully so as to not cheapen it.
Obama had his own race to run and win, and at the end of the day who knew he would win so handily?
But Democrats complain, nonetheless.
Back when PEBO was a mere senator and presidential candidate, despite his strong popularity in states such as Maine (which he won by 17 percentage points) or Minnesota (which he won by 10 percentage points), he refused entreaties to cut TV ads for the Senate candidates.
Did Democrats ask Obama to cut a TV ad for, for instance, Minnesota Senate candidate Al Franken and he said no?
Democrats say yep.
He only cut one TV ad for any Democratic Senate candidate, in fact -- for Jeff Merkley in Oregon.
Explained Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, to the New York Observer's Jason Horowitz: “In Oregon, he did the only commercial he filmed because I called him and I said, ‘Look, [incumbent GOP Sen.] Gordon Smith has put you, Barack Obama, on TV three or four times trying to convey the impression that you are really for him. The only antidote would be a commercial.’ The campaign was reluctant to do commercials for all the obvious reasons. But he stepped up to the plate and did this.”
What did PEBO's reluctance mean, ultimately? Perhaps nothing. Perhaps something.
"There were candidates from both the House and Senate who wanted Obama to do more for them," a knowledgeable Democrat says. And there was some frustration.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, was re-elected. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., MAY have been reelected (a recount will determine that).
Democrats from both those races would have loved Obama to have dropped in and sprinkled some of his magic popularity powder on them.
On the other hand, says our smart and fair Democratic source, "Senate and House candidates never think the guy at the top of the ticket is doing enough," and there was widespread understanding that the better Obama did -- with or without TV ads and personal appearances on behalf of the down-ticket candidates -- the better Democrats would do overall.
Democratic Senate candidates and many states were more popular than Obama, so they didn't need his help: Senator-elect Kay Hagan, D-N.C., for instance. The Udalls in New Mexico and Colorado. Senator-elect Mark Warner, D-Va.
Senator-elect Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., whose husband once incorrectly contemplated how PEBO's youthful drug use might be an impediment to the presidency, won by 15 points; Obama won New Hampshire by 9 points.
And while Obama won in Maine by 17 points, the Democratic Senate candidate there lost to Collins by 22 points. So every last drop of Obama's mojo wouldn't have made the difference there.
This Democrat says Merkley wouldn't have won without Obama's TV ad, that his field staffers in North Carolina helped Hagan and were it not for the Obama staffers in Georgia, Jim Martin would not currently be in that Dec. 2 Senate run-off race against Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.
Which brings us to that run-off race. There are 100 Obama field staffers on the ground working for Martin, and ABC News' Teddy Davis reports that Obama has cut a radio ad for Martin.
"The elections aren't over," Obama says in the ad. (Listen to it HERE.) "I want to urge you to turn out one more time and help elect Jim Martin to the United States Senate."
But, unlike Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who sucked it up and went down to Georgia to campaign for Chambliss, Obama is not planning right now on making a personal appearance or cutting a TV spot for Martin.
"You can see what the calculation is going through their heads right now," the Democrat says of Team Obama. "It's not a high-reward proposition for him to go to Georgia right now."
If Martin wins, Obama will get the credit, the Democrat says, since Martin and Chambliss are very much running the race as a referendum on Obama. But if Martin loses, no one will blame Obama since, hey, it's Georgia.
On the other hand, says the Democrat, "if Obama goes and campaigns there, he does own the success or failure of Jim Martin."
And with two wars, a financial meltdown, and a Cabinet to confirm, that is something PEBO will not do. Especially since Martin probably will not win. Pick your battles.
- jpt
November 20, 2008 in Obama, Barack | Permalink | Share | User Comments (38)
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Absolutely not! But maybe he could run an ad for the Senator.
Posted by: Anita Goerlich | Nov 21, 2008 1:01:35 AM
Republicans leaders by the bus load are coming to Georgia to support Saxby. If Obama can't or will not come, please send Hillary et al. Remember what Saxby did to Cleland during the last election. He's trying to do it to Martin as well. He is a Bush "yes" man and needs to be replaced.
Posted by: Ron | Nov 21, 2008 12:15:39 AM
He should not go there. A public statement on the airways there should do. America needs to keep him in safe harbor so that sanity can be restored to our government. His focus needs to be on that.
Posted by: MBell_TX | Nov 21, 2008 12:15:36 AM
WE HAVE MORE TO DO:
Democrat Jim Martin is in a runoff against Bush Republican Saxby Chambliss for the Senate seat from Georgia. Bush's Saxby Chambliss voted against spending a few measly dollars to provide health care coverage for Georgia, and Americas needy children. But he supported wasting hundreds of billions of your dollars, and the life BLOOD of Americas finest on an unnecessary war in Iraq.
At a time when 47 million of you have no health insurance coverage, and over 100 million of you with insurance are just one major illness away from complete financial destruction. Bush and Saxby Chambliss voted to make the heart break of bankruptcy relief even harder for all of you to use.
You see, Bush and Saxby Chambliss, and his family don't have to worry about their health care coverage. They have the finest health care coverage your tax money can buy for them. Courtesy of you. The American Tax payer. In fact, no one but the super rich can afford the health care coverage you the tax payer provide for Saxby Chambliss, and his family for FREE! with your tax dollars.
He supposedly works for you. But he doesn't think you and your family should have access to the type of taxpayer supported FREE health care that you provide for him, and his loved ones for FREE!. Doesn't that just make you BURRING MAD!
Vote for JIM MARTIN for US senator from Georgia. Vote for JIM Martin who will be on your side. Vote for JIM MARTIN who will work with President Obama and a majority congress for you. Vote for JIM MARTIN most of all for your-self, your family's, friends, and loved ones. Vote for JIM MARTIN for a better America, and a better World.
Don't let Saxby Chambliss make a chump out of you by tricking you into voting against your own best interest. Saxby chambliss is NOT! on your side. He's not one of you. He is on George Bush's side. And we all know what a catastrophe the Bush Chambliss administration has been the past 8 years.
Contact all your family and friends and do every thing you can to see to it that JIM MARTIN and GEORGIANS! take that senate seat back for Georgia, and America. No matter where you live in America. This is important to you. President Obama will need all the help, and power you can give him to try and fix this catastrophic mess that the Corrupt Bush Chambliss administration has created.
As I said before you will have to vote in overwhelming numbers to overcome the Bush Chambliss "Let Them Eat Cake" vote fraud machine. Vote early if you can. Then help everyone you can get to the polls and vote for JIM MARTIN. You and your loved ones don't have to be Saxby Chambliss's victims anymore.
I know you will get it done. Just like you did for President Obama.
God bless all of you
jacksmith - WORKING CLASS... :-)
Posted by: jacksmith | Nov 20, 2008 11:48:36 PM
PEBO, PEBO, oh my, that is so MTV, Is it really necessary to call the President Elect ...PEBO.
Took me a few to figure out who PEBO was.
Clever is not always acceptable, in High School maybe but considering the mess we are in, this is unacceptable to me at least.
Posted by: i am so I can! | Nov 20, 2008 11:42:00 PM
I_agree and Eric, easy now. No need to go all out for someone who hasn't even met u (i'm talking about the PEBO). As for Obama owing anybody anything, i mean anything, a double dose of OH_PLEASE. and as it happens, a democratic senate pick in the south is as good as no pick. those democrats coming out of the south want reelection so bad that they will be giving him a headache with their voting record even if they were elected now. the only upside is that this is a senate race and the senator can relax about his reelection at least for Obama's first term.
Posted by: Question | Nov 20, 2008 11:25:01 PM
Don't just think all Martin supporters are from Atlanta. We are still a red state, but leaning toward a bluer shade of red.
Posted by: Brad | Nov 20, 2008 11:13:59 PM
Obama does not owe any Democrat a thing. I voted for Obama but I did not vote for Jim Martin. If Jim Martin has not received enough popularity own his own by now, he never will. Jim Martin was not even for Obama. So if he loses it is because all Georgians are sick of him and FYI Obama lost by a lot in Georgia so do you think Jim Martin is going to win? As far as Hillary goes she only came to his side hoping he will help her with her debts and give her a job in the White House. Being from Arkansas, I have had enough of Bill and Hillary. I do not care much for Saxby, but I hope he wins.
Posted by: HappyGeorgian | Nov 20, 2008 10:57:24 PM
Johnny said Devil just come on back if you ever want to try again.....
He lost GA once,so come on back. And despite the rabid left,my state is still RED!
Posted by: gapeach | Nov 20, 2008 10:57:14 PM
Eric, I'm with you. PEBO? That sounds very disrespectful for a president of a country. I don't ever recall any other president being called with such familarity and disrespect. All these nicknames cropping up. What will they call him next? It's as if he's not to be taken seriously, but as a joke or something.
Posted by: I_agree | Nov 20, 2008 10:52:02 PM
The PEBO went down to Georgia, and he was looking for some souls to steal. He was in a bind, he was way behind, and he was lookin' to make a deal. Obama and his leftist illuminati ideals are definitely not wanted in Georgia anywhere outside the city limits of Atlanta.
Posted by: Jeff | Nov 20, 2008 10:50:48 PM
Obama can't be everywhere for everyone, for goodness sake! Let the man run the country you all have elected him to. Y'all act as if he's got to somehow prove himself worthy on every level! Is this because he's black? And blacks must still prove themselves in this "progressive" society? The only reason Cheney and Bush visited Ga was because they promised those diehard southerners they'd help them regain their southern pride heritage. Really now! You have southern whites still angry over losing the civil war! Angry when they found out the slaves didnt' like being slaves after all! They really thought slavery was their GOD GIVEN RIGHT as the "CHOSEN PEOPLE" of God! Seriously! Well into the 20Th Century most southerners were still being taught the south had won!! Can you imagine how they swooned and fainted when they found out otherwise. Not only are many still angry over the loss of the civil war. They're angry because HOW DARE A BLACK BECOME PRESIDENT?!!
Obama will have to put his foot down NOW! Otherwise, he will be expected to attend every six year old's school play, every junior or senior high football event. Every cornbread festival and hog calling event! All the while the economy and world will be deteriorating while he has to attend a chili eating contest! Sheesh! people!!
Posted by: oh_Please! | Nov 20, 2008 10:47:31 PM
Um... this PEBO thing isn't nearly as cute or clever as you think it is. Seriously.
Posted by: Eric | Nov 20, 2008 10:40:06 PM
He really does NOT need to come down here. I'll let y'all in on a secret, we are a CONSERVATIVE state. Saxby will win and I can promise you Obama will have NO effect outside of Atlanta.
Posted by: dawglover | Nov 20, 2008 10:28:22 PM
Obama needs to focus on a running start in the White House.
Posted by: dan | Nov 20, 2008 10:24:07 PM
gjkotw-You're right, but I don't think that Obama will do it. He has shown that he doesn't really care for his fellow democrats with what he did with Hillary's debts. Historically, the candidates that win help pay the debts of the candidates that lost. Obama didn't, and I don't think that he is going to turn around and help other Democrats. There is the possibility, though, that he just has a special dislike for Hillary.
Posted by: Patriot | Nov 20, 2008 10:24:03 PM
I say NOPE ...
Posted by: Blogger | Nov 20, 2008 10:21:02 PM
Yes he should. He should at least appear selfless. Even Bill Clinton is doing it. PEBO has long coat tails that could be useful.
Posted by: gjkotw01 | Nov 20, 2008 10:18:40 PM
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