Desperate Republicans See Georgia Senate Runoff as a 'Firewall' Against Progress

Posted by Blue Texan, Firedoglake at 4:36 PM on November 13, 2008.

With races in Alaska and Minnesota not going well for them, the GOP is increasingly determined to hold on to Saxby Chambliss' seat.

U.S. Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, appeared with Chambliss at his Cobb County headquarters, a day before U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) comes to town to stump for the Moultrie lawmaker.

"Saxby and this race may well end up being the firewall against the 60-vote majority the Democrats are trying to achieve," Ensign told reporters on a conference call before a news conference by the two senators.

Ensign took a shot at Chambliss' opponent, Atlanta Democrat Jim Martin, when the Nevada lawmaker accused the incoming class of U.S. senators of being among the most liberal ever elected.

"Jim Martin would be another liberal voice to join that group in Washington, D.C.," Ensign said.

Just for the record, Jim Martin is a Vietnam veteran. Saxby Chambliss got 5 deferments during the Vietnam War because his knee had an owie. And just like during Vietnam, Saxby's having other people do the fighting for him in the runoff.

Martin on Wednesday praised McCain, but criticized Chambliss for bringing in Republican top guns to boost his chances.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will come to Georgia for Chambliss on Sunday.

"You can bring in all the political leaders of the past, like Saxby Chambliss is to shore up his position, but truthfully, it's the old politics. We're moving forward, and are taking our message to voters," Martin said.

Blue Texan is a regular contributing blogger for FireDogLake.