Brourn only won his house seat because of Liberal support

If Whitehead hadn't encouraged Bin Laden to nuke Athens, he'd be in congress for as long as he wanted.

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by: Marcus @ Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 16:17:45 PM CST

Broun

I thought I remember Broun being called a "Ron Paul" style Republican, yet he seems to be more in the mold of Lynn Westmoreland. What is the story with him? I thought he could be counted on to vote with us against various Republican spending projects.  

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by: IowaCityDem @ Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 16:44:01 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Ya

I remember that.  It seems that Broun figured after his initial election he'd need to shore up his wingnut credentials.  And man did he ever.

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by: ChadInFL @ Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 17:04:38 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I figured it would be

Isakson, but  thought it'd be Governor Perdue looking to stay powerful that did it. Broun doesn't have a chance.  

Call no man happy until he is dead-Aeschylus

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by: ArkDem the Ragin Cajin @ Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 17:06:58 PM CST

Same here

It was widely assumed Isakson would run for Governor in 2010, switching spots with Perdue.  It came as a surprise when Isakson announced he was running for re-election.

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by: ChadInFL @ Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 17:12:57 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Broun would have actually been

at the bottom of my list, behind several other ambitious statewide Republicans and also behind Phil Grengry and Lynn Westmoreland.  

Call no man happy until he is dead-Aeschylus

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by: ArkDem the Ragin Cajin @ Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 17:18:56 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Which Democrat will run here

just in case Broun actually wins the primary?  I can't imagine Broun doing well in the Atlanta area with his intemperate remarks.

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by: IHateBush @ Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 18:21:45 PM CST

We Need a Strong Challenger Regardless

I'm not convinced Isakson is unbeatable; I think he's far from it.  The last poll I saw, his favorable/unfavorable rating was pretty anemic.  Martin came close to beating Chambliss, admittedly he was probably boosted by the presidential race.  But, as much as I like Martin's positions, everyone here would've called him a third-tier candidate at the start of the 2008.  If we had a good candidate, this race is winnable.

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by: sicembears @ Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 18:28:11 PM CST

[ Parent ]

perfectly plausible but look for a stronger challenger

than Broun. With a fissure opeing between the GOP establishment and its conservative base, I would expect credible challengers to emerge in more than just Isakson's reelection race in GA.

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by: pinhickwv @ Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 19:25:37 PM CST

Heh, Called It!!!

During last weeks speculative thread, I picked Isakson, and said that the challenge was likeliest to come from Broun.

I hope my predictive powers are this on point when I get to Vegas this weekend!!

:)

It makes sense. Broun is something of an accidental congressman, having only been elected because dissatisfied righties created a bizarre coalition with lefties in order to shaft the establishment GOP candidate.

Ergo, he is not in any way, shape, or form invested in making the Georgia state GOP happy. Plus, he is something of a weird duck, and probably assumes that God has ordained him to be a Senator.

"You share your young with the wolves of the nation, there's nothing left til you pray for salvation."

--Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

"American X"

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by: Steve Singiser @ Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 21:29:28 PM CST

Draft Brourn!

Go for it. Sounds just right.  

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by: Populista @ Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 21:32:48 PM CST

As an embarrassed constituent of Broun's

I would consider his attempt to win statewide office laughable. I'd love the chance to knock off both he and Isakson (who is really just as conservative as Chambliss but doesn't get that rep for some reason), I just don't see it happening. I think most GA Republicans are smart enough to realize that Broun is truly a kooky, dangerous, radical idiot.

On a more personal note, as a UGA student during a time of budget tightening, I would love to see a no-earmarks jackass like Broun defeated any way possible and if this is how it's going to be done so be it. I'd love to see a Democrat take this seat (state representative Alan Powell (D-Hartwell) looks to be the best option)) but that might be too difficult a proposition at this time so run Broun run! Rock Johnny's boat! (Isakson's terrible joke not mine).

Check out Georgia's best progressive political blog

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by: fitchfan28 @ Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 23:52:42 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Does Rep. Barrow want to go statewide?

He's got the conservative profile necessary to win statewide, yet we would almost certainly hold his house seat (it even voted for Kerry, and of course favored Obama by a sizable amount).  We'd probably get a more progressive representative out of it as well.

If Isakson is weakened by a primary challenge it's almost inexcusable to give him a pass.  Jim Martin, a state representative, came within 3% of knocking off a US senator.  It can be done in Georgia.

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by: skaje @ Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 02:16:08 AM CST

Can Jim Martin run again?

Also, I'd like to take the moment to ask a question:

Who's more uppity, Lynn Westmoreland or Paul Broun?

Bill Posey is not half-alligator...and is outclassed by Davy Crockett anyway: http://www.washingtonmonthly.c...

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by: Glenn Magus Harvey @ Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 14:45:25 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Don't be so sure

That seat is only marginally democratic, but quite conservative.  Former Rep. Max Burns nearly beat Barrow in 2006, which was a very democratic year.  I suspect that if an AA gets the democratic nomination for an open seat, which is very likely considering most dem voters in that district are, he or she would have a very hard time winning against a top-tier republican like Burns in a neutral environment.

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by: ChadInFL @ Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 17:18:06 PM CST

[ Parent ]