Georgia's Very Own Megathread!

[Frodo]

Children, step aside and let a man show you how to draw a map.



District 1: Obama 23.4%, McCain 75.%
District 2: Obama 50.1%, McCain 49.3%
District 3: Obama 49.6%, McCain 49.6%
District 4: Obama 49.6%, McCain 46.6%
District 5: Obama 49.8%, McCain 49.4%
District 6: Obama 50%, McCain 49.1%
District 7: Obama 60.2%, McCain 39%
District 8: Obama 49.7%, McCain 49.6%
District 9: Obama 49.8%, McCain 49.5%
District 10: Obama 49.9%, McCain 49.6%
District 11: Obama 49.7%, McCain 49.5%
District 12: Obama 50%, McCain 49.5%
District 13: Obama 49.8%%, McCain 49.6%
District 14: Obama 24.3%, McCain 75%

And what does the current map look like in comparison? 

[Frodo]

The GA GOP is also having an identity battle between the rural and suburban Republicans, and the ones who are socially based or economically based. Romney Republicans vs. Santorum Republicans basically and on some issues like immigration, they have sided with the suburban Republicans over the rural ones.

With the immigration bill, they ticked off a lot of otherwise socially and economically conservative farmers who relied on the cheap labor undocumented immigrants provided, in favor of the suburban Republicans who were hollering about "benefits" and stuff.

Do you think a lot of what you said here (rural vs. suburban split) can be applied next door to the Alabama GOP?  

[Frodo]

Some of the Georgia Democrats on this forum might want to consider not passing up this opportunity to rebuild their state party:

Georgia Democrats Look for New Leader

By Abby Livingston
Roll Call Staff
July 15, 2013, 4:07 p.m.

Georgia Democrats are hunting for a new state party chairman who can put behind them the financial and alleged personal legal problems that plagued their former leader, Michael Berlon.

In the past few weeks, a handful of Democrats announced their campaigns for the top job. But they all suffered recent electoral setbacks — a reflection of the party’s troubles statewide in Georgia. The contenders include:

• Former House Minority Leader DuBose Porter unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2010 and has strong ties to the Nunn family, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has solid support within the state committee, according to a Georgia Democratic insider.

• Former state Sen. Mary Squires unsuccessfully ran for insurance commissioner in 2010.

• Rockdale County Tax Commissioner R.J. Hadley is a grass-roots favorite and unsuccessfully ran for Senate in 2010.

• Former state Sen. Doug Stoner lost his seat recently after it was redrawn by the GOP-controlled legislature.

But the field is far from set and others could join the race, cautioned Georgia Democratic operatives. The election is scheduled for Aug. 31.

[Frodo]

THIS JUST IN FROM NEWNAN, GA - DUBOSE PORTER WINS DPG CHAIR ELECTION ON SECOND BALLOT

A lot of deals were made last-minute - Doug Stoner seemed like a shoe-in based on chatter throughout the state cmte members going into this.

Who is Dubose Porter?  And what do you think of him?  Do you think he can position the GA Democratic Party in the medium-long term to take over the state? 

[Frodo]

Another Republican is considering throwing his hat into the ring among others jostling on who is the most likely to unseat Rep. John Barrow.  Article is from late last week, but I don't recall seeing it posted anywhere.

Is there anyone in the race -so far- that Barrow needs to really worry about?  

[Frodo]

Another Republican is considering throwing his hat into the ring among others jostling on who is the most likely to unseat Rep. John Barrow.  Article is from late last week, but I don't recall seeing it posted anywhere.

Is there anyone in the race -so far- that Barrow needs to really worry about?  

Rick Allen would be his strongest opponent, but any of the candidates currently in or looking at the race would be better than the disaster that was Lee Anderson.

I'd agree, and Barrow needs to worry about any candidate that is not a complete nut-job and/or slacker. 2012 was 54/46 - some might say being on the ballot with Obama could have hurt him a bit, but he also had a good turnout from Richmond County to pad his numbers. Augusta blacks have pretty terrible mid-term turnout when compared to black turnout statewide, so it's worrisome. Barrow could lose 2-3 points if there's a significant shift in mid-term electorate, and another 2-3 points with a credible Republican challenger. Assuming Barrow doesn't do anything stupid (likely), his floor is probably 48%, but I don't see his ceiling being any higher than 51% without someone like Anderson. If the candidates are within one point of one another, then a recall is almost guaranteed and who knows how that turns out.

Judging by the results thus far, it's pretty clear-cut that Rick Allen will be his challenger this November.