Are Georgia Voters Sending Obama A Message?
By Daniel Halper on August 7, 2008 at 4:40 PM in Barack Obama, Coattails, Georgia
Originally published in Commentary magazine on August 6, 2008. Reprinted here with the express permission of the editor.
_______________________________
Politicians grabbing Barack Obama’s coattails should take note: In the Georgia democratic Senatorial primary runoff held yesterday, Jim Martin defeated Vernon Jones by a 60% to 40%. Martin will now face the Republican senior Senator from Georgia, Saxby Chambliss, in November’s election. This doesn’t seem to bode well for Obama’s presidential quest. Jones’s campaign hoped to emulate Obama’s impressive primary victory in Georgia (he defeated Senator Hillary Clinton in Georgia, 66.4% to 31.1%), but now he’s failed to even make it to November’s ballot.
In fact, Jones distributed campaign paraphernalia consisting of a picture of himself and Obama, with the words “Yes We Can!” prominently scrawled underneath the photographs. Also, Jones sent a mass email meant to smear his opponent Martin:
My campaign has uncovered evidence that my opponent, Jim Martin, did not want Senator Barack Obama to be President of the United States and that Jim Martin voted against Barack Obama in the February 2008 Presidential Primary election in Georgia. [Emphasis not my own.]
He also used this line of attack in a debate, “You say you support Barack Obama, but you voted against him.” In the first round of the primary election, Jones’s strategy of cozying up to the presumptive democratic presidential candidate paid off. Although he wasn’t able to win the race outright, he came out with the most votes (over 40%) and looked poised for victory
What explains Jones’s sudden decline? Again, it’s difficult to tell, but it makes sense to look at the most recent developments in the campaign of Jones’s political inspiration. It might have been Obama’s grand tour, or it could have been Obama’s (former) opposition to drilling off-shore, or maybe it was Obama’s adoption of whatever-policy-is-popular strategy, or it might have been any one of his many policy changes. These are, after all, issues important to Georgians.
With Obama’s humongous primary victory in Georgia, and with former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr in the presidential race (likely to take many more votes from McCain than Obama), the Obama campaign likes its chances in the Peach state. But I imagine Obama will take a hard look at this race to see what went wrong. Politics has changed even since the primary. A different Obama than the one that faced Clinton has emerged, and his campaign will now have to readjust its strategy.
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Read more great articles at Commentary magazine.
YaY for Georgia, my neighbor state.
Hahaha wondered why Schumer was out today new the Senate had to be in trouble….
*Readjust* means flip-flop and back again, in Obama-land.
I believe people are seriously paying attention to this unqualified candidate - and they are judging those who support him, too. Case in point: the GA Senatorial primary. It’s about time.
Georgia will never go for Obama. I don’t think people understand that there are Georgians outside of Atlanta.
Just like there are New Yorkers outside of NYC.
Funny thing is, Hillary managed to capture the rural NY state vote. IMHO Obama will not capture the rural/small city Georgia vote.
I live in rural upstate NY. The only time this area is on tv, is for Syracuse Games or on the Weather Channel when we get over 100′ of Lake Effect Snow.
I do not think Obama will win the county I live in.. Too rural, and this area is Clinton Country in NY.
I live in the big bad Big Apple. And I’d never vote for Obama.
Nobama!
Hillary ‘08 & ‘12!
I’m with you. I live in NYC and I wouldn’t vote for Bambi if he were the only candidate on the ballot. NOBAMA!!!
HILLARY ‘08
HILLARY ‘12
I live in NC and I will vote for Obama. Go Obama!
In Georgia, I can’t see anyone else
winning besides Obama!
I live in Schenectady NY upstate and this is Hillary country. Obambi will never win Schenectady County!!!
Please God let there be a miracle at the convention……. if not………It’s John McCain for me!!!!!!
i’m in greene county. same thing here.
nobama.
Georgia is really conservative. I can’t see Obama winning Georgia. I live in NC and doubt he’ll even win here.
I from NC and I am sure they will not
vote for Obama either, that’s why the poor in NC(black & white) are lined up
the free clinics and food stamp office
Their jobs grew wings and flew overseas!
Hillary captured the rural Georgia vote, too. Obama is wasting his money here. A lot of bitter, clingy, sick to damned death of being called racist Democrats will either vote for McCain or sit this one out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d667NAI9HIM
Huh?
Where’s that teleprompter when you need it . . .
Obama needs one of those boxes like Bush wore under his jacket in the debates in 2004 so someone can tell him the right answers.
Guess he doesnt like little 7 year olds.
PGCSNY
Guess he IS a seven year old.
Now that you mention it my 7 year nephew has more maturity than Obama..
what a freaken idiot!!
I cannot stand listening to this guy Obama-flips-a-lot
Obama spent his formative years in Indonesia, Muslim and male dominated. Whatever you see as a child is NORMAL TO YOU, your world is small and you’re a product of the adults that surround you. That is why people sense that Obama is NOT ONE OF US, because he isn’t, that’s why he thinks we have 57 States, he missed that lesson in class, in indonesia.
Obama also doesn’t have the loyalty and pride for the United States that comes from being born and raised here, plus his other preached anti-American drivel to her little Barry on a daily basis. It is beyond belief that so many people can’t see that an Obama presidency would destroy the United States.
What it ONCE was? Like once upon a time when a slave counted as 3/5 of a human being? Or … once upon a time when water fountains were labelled by color? Or … once upon a time when vigilantes rode around at night wearing sheets? This man is so desperate to paint the U.S. as in desperate need of HIM, the Messiah, right now, that he’ll say any stupid inconsistent, ridiculous thing to try to make it so. Lord, help us!
I would like to suggest one thing to you people, it’s ok to hate Obama and if McCain does win, I know Obama will take one of those rich wall st jobs, where will you work.
Tell me again why this man is considered a “good speaker”?
He’s a good declaimer of prepared text, not sure whether it’s his own or by others. With a teleprompter–actually he’s not so great just reading a speech from paper on a lecturn.
But he is terrible speaking on his feet extemporaneously–even about topics which are part of his reasons for running (well, ostensible reasons).
He’s going to drive me crazy–when did we as a nation develop this penchant for presidents unable to speak clearly and somewhat smoothly? I understand a kid or even college student hemming, uhhing, using long pauses to gather thoughts, but a 47 year old US senator? Dem canidate for the presidency??? Clinton was outstanding; even Reagan was very good. The Bushes? Terrible. I don’t really recall Ford, but Carter spoke well and coherently, without driving me up a wall with pauses, etc.
Nixon? Couldn’t listen to his content.
JFK? Be still my heart. Which still breaks.
Ike? Heard stories that he was pretty bad at public speaking, but have no memory of it.
Help! Stop the world, I want to get off!
You sound so intelligent!
Georgia voter here! I’m proud to say I cast my vote for the winning candidate.
P.S. Jones couldn’t even carry his own county (Dekalb).
Is it true that Jones was perceived as a Bush supporter? Is it true that he voted for Bush?
There was some mention of his connection with Bush in the local paper. However, Jones, who is African American, really tied to tie himself to Obama in many of the articles I read.
Obama’s kinda guy. Goes whichever way the wind’s blowing.
Hey Donna,
Stop the hate! LOL
PA
I’ll do better I promise:-)
Stop the hate!
I don’t really hate him like, say, I hated Bush. I am just sick of him. Sick of hearing his hype, sick of listening to his mouth, sick of looking at him preen and prance. Sick of his complete bullshit.
I do hate him more than Bush because of Michelle. Plus you always felt like if Bush got too out of hand Laura and Barbara would box his ears.
Seems like you’re jealous!
It seems TN is thinking like Ga as well. Tn has had enough particularly with the Nikki Tinker story, and it’s a lulu. Again in your face racism, and I do hold Nikki Tinker responsible for her actions, but what kind of example has Obama set? The example Obama has set forth and followed with for nearly a year, has done nothing but open a up a vein, for a feeding frenzy from the anything for a vote crowd. This is what is starting to define the Demcratic Party. Appealing to anyone?
It’s a well written article:
politico.com/news/stories/0808/12378.html
[...] kind of a DUH realization, but it’s true) Posted by hillbuzz under Uncategorized Via NoQuarterUSA.net Politicians grabbing Barack Obama’s coattails should take note: In the Georgia democratic [...]
Read the article from Commentary again. Jones got 40% in the first primary and 40% in the second primary. Yet, the author refers to that as a “sudden decline”.
Camden:
There were obvious other candidates i Jones had he majority with 40%.
In the second round he should have picked up more votes and he didn’t.. The other surpassed him hence he went from having a majority of votes in teh first round to having the least on the second:
THAT is the decline. Not the percentage number.
Now, now. Let’s not confuse them with numbers and facts and stuff.
Facts don’t sit well with Obama supporters. Like the fact Obama voted for FISA. I watched them twist themselves into knots trying to blame Obama’s vote on Hillary.
They want another Bush. They want someone who should have the power of the Presidency. Yet someone who is responsible for nothing and it’s all of the ‘Obama Haters’ (Bush haters) fault.
Obama & Democrats: The Party Of Inclusion May Have A Gay Problem
http://politicallydrunk.blogspot.com/2008/08/obama-democrats-party-of-inclusion-may.html
Obama lost us a long time ago. This isn’t the first time that he or his minions have launched attacks on the gay community.
My gay neighbors tell me that there are two reasons for this:
Donnie McClurkin.
Kirbyjon (Pastor to Bush) Caldwell.
Now, now…look at it this way.
He wouldn’t be here if his team was winning.
He’s here to make trouble, because he’s afraid.
Look at these trolls like robins in spring…a sign that something momentous is happening.
That sound you are hearing? That’s the Obama campaign, crashing and burning.
These little trolls are simply running from the forest, singed, screaming, and taking out their fear and anger on us.
As Martha says, “It’s a good thing.”
Winners don’t need to insult and denigrate people. These trolls do, though–which makes them “real winners,” if ya know what I mean.
But I imagine Obama will take a hard look at this race to see what went wrong. Politics has changed even since the primary. A different Obama than the one that faced Clinton has emerged, and his campaign will now have to readjust its strategy.
Thankfully Obambi doesn’t look at the real world of facts which is why he will go down in flames in November - that is IF he holds on to his delegates.
The article states: “My campaign has uncovered evidence that my opponent, Jim Martin, did not want Senator Barack Obama to be President of the United States and that Jim Martin voted against Barack Obama in the February 2008 Presidential Primary election in Georgia.”
How the hell can anyone KNOW how any one else voted? So much for secret ballots! And what if he did not support Obama? That too is no one’s business in a free democratic society. Who someone supports or doesn’t is a matter of conscience, not a matter for political opportinism or dernigration or political campaigning. Is this what Obama promotes. I think so. All the more reason to defeat him in Denver or in November.
Reading this has made me very angry!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was wondering that too. It’s pretty arrogant to presume you know how someone voted and go around telling other people about it, as though it’s a fact.
You are right on all points.
I don’t think the ObamaPalooza tour hurt him in GA per say.
But, I might add that once we PUMAs get involved… BO can kiss GA good bye. What strategy will PUMAs use to sink his chances in GA? hmmm…
McCain, McKinney and Nader come to mind.
I would like to get one really honest
answer to all this Obama hatred here. one good answer, please!
Did this guy wave documented evidence that his opponent committed the crime of (gasp) supporting someone other than Barack Obama in the Democratic primary as he made this “charge?”
Really, what the hell are we coming to here?
Wish his campaign could uncover the truth about HoBO’s citizenship.
PA
Georgia has always been a confederate state. I mean did it really surprise anyone that the white voters voted against an Afrian American candidate?
It’s freedumb himself, the glutton for punishment troll back for another roud of verbal abuse.
The Democratic Party is majority AA in Georgia. Most whites switched to the Republican Party after the Dixiecrats dissolved.
You are to funny Freedom Fighter!
CONGRATULATIONS GEORGIANS! According to Freedom Fighter, we have now joined the ranks of those racists in Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Nevada, New Mexico, California, Florida, etc.
Go to the GA elections board FF and look at the results. He didn’t even carry some of the counties that have mostly AA voters.
Where are all those new voters, Freedom Fighter?
Of the 40,000 registered African American voters in one large county, approx. 5,000 votes (total for both candidates) were cast in the Democratic run off election.
But I’m sure it’s a race thing and I wouldn’t understand.
I’m feelin’
so!
groovey, (now),
Now that
PEOPLE are finally
getting together.
Reach out in the Darkness, reach out…
Puma
courage
power
one
2008 Philly PA
Yes, and the Confederate Obama supporters in this state have trashed John Lewis. John Lewis is genuine Civil Rights fighter.
Obama has also kicked Max Cleland to the curb. His support is no longer wanted or needed.
So let me get this straight.
Obama and his supporters are anti-John Lewis. They’re also anti-Max Cleland.
Yet they’re for black folk and veterans.
Right. Okie dokie.
Are you saying Obama is not black?? You must be colorblind.
You all on this site sound like nuts. Why don’t you put on KKK outfits and parade around down yonder and let the
whole world see how ignorant you all still are. What are you afraid of? Call out the newspapers, TV cameras and spew all of this hatred to the world. I know I would if I felt this way? Don’t get on TV and say “oh we just don’t think he’s right for the job” Say what you mean and say it loud. Don’t hid behind the internet, we want to see your faces. Gottcha!
FreedomFighter you need to read up-before you come in here spewing. Your leader calls.
Why is it that Oblowme’s racist supporters always play the race card?
Nobody is forcing these BLT racists to stay in the USA.
If it’s so unfair here;
why don’t they leave and live in an all black African country?
Why do they stay and endure all of their perceived oppression?
It’s Ludacris!
I am black, educated, own my own business, if the government would finance the trip, I am quite sure you would be the first n the boat, trailer boat that is!
We don’t have to play a card, we blacks know we’re right. Don’t you play the racist card.
Like someone stated earlier, most Democrats in Georgia are, as you spelled, “Afrian American.”
Yet Vernon Jones STILL lost.
So catch a clue, idiot.
No more than it surprises me that Black voters will vote against the white guy.
You are too stupid for words. Do you realize that we have 2 AA’s elected statewide? AA’s can win in GA but they have to be the like Attorney General Michael Thurmond. They can’t be the Obama/sharpton race baiting type of African American. They actually have to have accomplishments not pretend they do.
Freedom fighter, go make yourself useful and work in a food bank or homeless shelter or something.
Of course! That has to be it. Couldn’t possibly be that people voted for the better candidate, or the candidate with the best chance to beat Saxby Chambliss in the fall. But since you want to insinuate racism, how about we talk about your regional bias and ignorant assumptions?
Yes, this has really suprised me. I did
not know the South was looking to rise again!
Did you read the comments to the Commentary article before you posted this?
Hey Freedom Fighter … ever hear of John Lewis? Always been a Confederate state my ass. You need to stop with all of this racist crap, it really shows your ignorance.
Don’t confuse him with facts Jim.
Ok, I admit I may have jumped the gun on this one. But I erred on the side of fighting against racism. I apologize.
We’re still friends!
It’s good to be passionate this election. It has fired up a number of people of all walks of life.
It’s why democracy is worth fighting for.
Peace:-)
Could be shunning the military hospital in Germany and dissing the troups means a lot in GA.
ABC News just showed that great video of Clinton talking to her supporters telling them she wanted her delegates heard.
Ya’ll to to ABC news and send those guys some love.
Hillary and her supporters were the lead story on NBC tonight, they talked about the webchat that Hillary had today with the people
I’m sure NBC mentioned Barack Obama in the coverage as much as possible.
Don’t fall for the hype. They need viewers.
Well the msm can’t have me. Just like B0. I want these insufferable bastards to go down for putting forth this asshole of a candidate.
Thank God for baseball, the 0lympics, the Favre story and sports in general. Thank God for summer, swimming and great weather. By the time it gets cold, 0bama will be history.
I hate what the msm did to this country’s electoral process.
I forgot. Thank God for the Internet, sites like No Quarter, the BBC, foreign press and that I was smart enough to learn how to read a foreign language.
Anyone hear Campbell Brown, talk to her panel tonite,about Bill Clinton’s interview with ABC…Campbell said,that Bill Clinton confirmed that Obama was qualified under the constitution… I couldn’t believe her words…I didn’t interpet,Clinton’s message that way… I thought he said, Anyone can run,as long as they are qualified under the constitution….Nothing like putting words in his mouth…. Who is she trying to protect…
Go Clinton
Civil Rights legend Rep. John Lewis of Atlanta was hounded into switching from Hillary to Obama by the Obamarots. If the supers get to decide and the votes were secret, which way would you vote if one side threatened you? Obama has paid off a lot of supers. If your district went for Hillary, I’m sure you got more money.
As the You Tube video says: Money Changes Everything: Are the
Super Delegates for Sale?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLPoV4diMjk
I will NEVER forget the look on Lewis’ face when he was forced to switch. He is the poster boy for Chicago Thug victims.
John Lewis wasn’t the only Georgia politician who was threatened. Sanford Bishop (AA) is my state rep and he’s an Obama supporter but his wife headed up the HRC campaign in Columbus. She was attacked by an Obama supporter and had to run to her car trying to get away from him - he was throwing bricks at her and calling her a traitor.
Could this be a predictor of problems for “in your face” Obama supporting candidates? Kerry is challenged for the first time in a primary. There may be other examples that the public is sick of the hyper partisanship in the Democratic party of candidates towards other Democrats that they are not even running against. It seems to be developing into a gang mentality or something. This is the way Republicans act.
I have a sister in Georgia,The whole town is just talking of how Hillary was cheated and how they love her so.They said that it really ticks them off that Obama will use anyone or anything.They can not stand Obama.I was told that if Hillary isn’t put in as nomninee and on the ballot.As all knows of Obama they will not vote in the democratic party.
The sight of him makes them sick.They see a user and David Axerol they said he is nothing more then a liar.As Mccain they like McCain as well.They will go McCIAN if it’s not Hillary.Many like McCain and are McCain supporters ans many are Hillary supporters.But Hillary4McCain .
The sickeness of the democratic party is so thick of their wrong doing and Obama’s lies on Hillary as his false email attack claiming that he has did so much and showed on an email what he did.But,what he showned was what Hillary did.Obama is so flip one minute and flop the next.He has nothing.He only does want to be in the white house as he said in Rev J Wright’s church…Rememember I did this.
Well we as well will never forget this election and how Hillary was treated by the media and her own democrats.I will never forget the lies-the cheating and the taken,take,take, and the me,me, me, me.The fake media pictures.the concerns Obama camp planed and the media did as well.5 concerns were for the people.The media Obama and his camp set it up this way.Portland Oregon as well.
Obama will never get my vote.
Perhaps our Georgians got a load of the other Georgians…
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/08/07/show-me-who-your-friends-are-or-it-takes-one-to-knowone
PA
LOL Patti!
We Georgians have seen enough slick southern preachers to spot a fraud when we see one.
He’s typical of the all flash and no substance– all talk and NO ACTION!
Words, just words! Yep, that’s usually all they have– words! WE NEED ACTION!
I think Hillary was fairly treated by the MSM. Read so you will be informed.
http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Summer08/RoguesGallery.html
I think you people down there are sick.You do not want hillary to win, you want a white face, any white face.
No question about it. Many democratic candidates tied to Obama is going down. DNC pressure and Obama maybe able to contribute to their campaigns to assure their delegate votes but the PEOPLE are going to make their voices heard if OBAMA is nominated at the convention and should he win, he is going to be awfully lonely as President with an all Republican Congress. Hilarious! Moral: Don’t steal our votes and select your own candidate, nominate who the People voted for all 18 million of them.
DON’T THINK FOR ONE MINUTE THAT THE SCARE TACTIC OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICES IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE WE HAVE TO FALL IN LINE AS DEMOCRATS TO SUPPORT OBAMA, CAN’T HAPPEN IF CONGRESS IS ALL REPUBLICAN. LOOK WHO WAS APPOINTED WITH A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS? GEEZ GOVERNOR VILSEK MUST THINK WE ARE STUPID.
F. Fighter–
Yes it would surprise me, since this is not the 19th century. To say that Georgia is a “confederate” state says a lot more about the writer than about most white people in the state. I don’t want Obama and I won’t vote for him, but it has NOTHING to do with the color of his skin. I think it’s a shame that the Democrats didn’t try to find someone”of color” that was more representative of what most black people I know are, and not some preening egomaniac like Obama. And by the way, I am southern going back three centuries, so don’t tell me that “most” southerns are racist. It’s an insult as far as I’m concerned.
i’m glad that a pro-achievement democrat won that race.
Obama has outright contempt for Hillary supporters (those people):
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080807/D92DJU8G0.html
———————————————————
Obama was asked whether allowing Clinton’s name to be placed in nomination might lead to a catharsis for the party, an emotional coming together that relieves pent-up stress.
“I don’t think we’re looking for catharsis. I think what we’re looking for is energy and excitement,” he said
—————————————————-
As to those avid Clinton supporters who still haven’t warmed up to him and may even resent him, Obama said, “We’re not talking to those people, we’re talking directly to the Clinton campaign people and staff.”
—————————————————-