A Time for Change

Yesterday, Governor Sarah Palin managed to drag herself away from the business of the state of Alaska long enough to campaign for Saxby Chabliss in the Georgia Senate runoff election, although CNN reported that she had not attended to state business since August. Chambliss is the draft dodging, divisive Senator who won that seat because he ran commercials claiming that a decorated war veteran would be soft on terrorism. Right.

Jim Martin, the democratic opponent, is behind, but if he can pull out a win it would mean a lot to the Democrats who do not want health care and other reforms  derailed by Republican filibusters.  According to CNN:

Turnout will be crucial to the outcome of this election, and both sides bet on political superstars in the race’s waning days to help bring out the base. “Generally they can help boost turnout, because of all the media attention,” said CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider. “Turnout in a runoff election is often very low compared to a presidential election, and each side needs to get as many of their voters to the polls as possible.”

It is thus a tall order for Martin to come from behind and pull out a victory.  Surely if Chambliss wins, as is expected, Sarah Palin will get credit.  Worse than that, the citizens of Georgia will have once again approved Chambliss’ tactics of assaulting the character of his opponent rather than the issues. 

Go, Jim go!