Unresolved Senate Races: Republicans Play to WinPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Dec. 01‚ 2008The year’s last unresolved elections won’t just decide if President Barack Obama has 60 Democrats in the U.S. Senate to accomplish his agenda. It’s really about two of the most hated Republican incumbents: Senators Norm Coleman of Minnesota, and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia. In the final stretch, both are playing dirty to keep their seats. Georgia’s run-off election is tomorrow, and Chambliss has employed the same kind of swift-boat attacks against Democrat Jim Martin that he used against prior opponents. A low turnout could save Chambliss, but Obama field campaign veterans are pounding the pavement to help Martin. Minnesota voters won’t get a “second chance” to pick between Coleman and Democrat Al Franken, as the razor-thin outcome is in a lengthy recount process – unless the U.S. Senate eventually calls for a new election. Meanwhile, Coleman has attempted to de-legitimize the recount a la George Bush, first by questioning its need – and then by raising frivolous challenges. The Minnesota race may literally come down to a small handful of questionable ballots – such as the one cast for “Lizard People.” |