Eight Republicans And A Nunn Battle For Georgia’s Open Senate Seat : It’s All Politics : NPR

Two things about this story. First, I took class with Merle Black every year I was at Emory and every class he taught for which I was eligible. He affected the way I think about politics and campaigns more than almost anyone else.

Second, compare the quotes from our coverage of the race and you’ll see how consistent the messaging is in the race.

Merle Black, who teaches Southern politics at Emory University, says going into this Senate race, neither Democrats nor Republicans in Georgia have a majority.

“The issue for the Republicans is whether they can come out united behind a candidate who can put together the different factions of the Republican Party and also appeal to independents,” Black says. “And right now, that’s a big open question.”

The Most Conservative Person In The Room

In a high school auditorium deep in southern Georgia last weekend, state GOP chairman John Padgett kicked off the first debate among the Republicans vying for Chambliss’ Senate seat. A nearly all-white crowd of several hundred showed up for the debate, as did seven of the eight GOP contenders. Moderator Martha Zoller, a conservative radio talk show host, said this slew of Republican rivals have their work cut out for them.

“Whoever comes out of this primary is going to be bruised, bloodied and broke,” Zoller said.

The debate largely boiled down to those candidates trying to out-conservative one another.

“I am a proven conservative, with a track record of actually getting the job done,” said Karen Handel, a former Georgia secretary of state.

Not to be outdone was 11-term Rep. Jack Kingston.

“I’m a consistent conservative with an A-plus NRA rating,” Kingston said.

Rep. Paul Broun one-upped the others.

“I’m the only true conservative with a proven consistent record of that conservatism,” Broun said.

via Eight Republicans And A Nunn Battle For Georgia’s Open Senate Seat : It’s All Politics : NPR.