The Marietta Daily Journal – Republicans won in South Carolina but will they be able to Win in Georgia

By Matt Towery, CEO of our corporate overlord InsiderAdvantage.

Despite on onslaught of national press that seemed to be pushing Elizabeth Colbert Busch toward a victory in the South Carolina special congressional election, former Gov. Mark Sanford, baggage and all, prevailed with a resounding victory. And while I never judge personal lives, it is fair to say that voters in that district overlooked quite a lot in giving Sanford a pass on his past and into the U.S. House.

Many political pundits, at least when it looked like Colbert Busch was a potential winner, began to suggest that the outcome of her race against Sanford might be instructive as to another and bigger contest that will occur next year in neighboring Georgia. There, a U.S. Senate seat, open as a result of Sen. Saxby Chambliss’ decision not to seek re-election, will be hotly contested.

Most experts would presume that Georgia’s status as a “safe” Republican state would guarantee victory for a GOP nominee in a state where Democrats over the past decade have not fared so well. But recent polling suggests that Georgia, like many other GOP-leaning states, has shifted from being one in which most voters view themselves as both fiscally and socially conservative, to one where many have, as they do every so often, tired a bit of social issues.

This makes the Republican primary in Georgia next year a tricky one indeed. The players include Rep. Phil Gingrey of Marietta, Jack Kingston of coastal Georgia including Savannah, and Paul Broun of the university town of Athens. Waiting in the wings may be former Secretary of State Karen Handel.

via The Marietta Daily Journal – Republicans won in South Carolina but will they be able to Win in Georgia.