Georgia Set To Hold Senate Runoff Tuesday

December 1, 2008 9:07 a.m. EST

Atlanta, GA (AHN) - Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Democrat Jim Martin are making their final push ahead of a runoff on Tuesday for a crucial seat that will put Senate Democrats one race away from getting a 60-vote majority that will block Republican filibusters.

Chambliss, a first-term lawmaker, will have Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin campaigning for him on Monday in four rallies. They begin with morning rallies at the James Brown Arena in Augusta and at the Savannah Civic Center. Events at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry and at the Gwinnett Arena in Atlanta follow in the afternoon.

The Republican senator expressed confidence on Sunday that he would be victorious come Tuesday night. In an interview with 'Fox and Friends,' Chambilss said, "I got more votes than Obama. I beat my Democratic opponent significantly on November the 4th, and if voters turn out again in the same ratios and in the same numbers, then, obviously, we'll win again."

"It is about turnout. And I hand the Obama team credit. They did a great job on November 4th. We've also got a great ground game. We turned out on November 4th. And we have been working hard on the phones as well as on the ground, folks going door to door... I think Republicans are going to turn out, independents are going to turn out and support us as well as conservative Democrats will support us," he added.

Obama lost Georgia to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) 47 percent to 52 percent, on election day, making former President Bill Clinton the last Democrat to win the state.

When asked what he think the effect of a 60-vote Democratic majority would have in the Senate, Chambliss warned that the nation would see "an awful lot of liberal, activist judges" and continued wasteful spending.

"You're going to see a universal health care plan that will take away the right of people to choose their physician that they want to go receive treatment from. You're going to see an economic stimulus like you won't believe, and it's going to all be put on the back of taxpayers. The ones in place now needs the opportunity to work. You're going to see the automobile industry receive a huge blank check just to fill in their cash flow needs," he added.

The Senate races in Georgia and Minnesota are the two remaining contests that have yet to have any winners. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidate Al Franken are currently in a dispute over absentee and missing ballots as Minnesota recounts votes. Democratic wins in both states will give Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid a filibuster-proof 60 votes in the chamber.

Martin responded to Chambliss' Fox interview on Sunday, saying his "tired and defeated looking" opponent again "defended out of touch comments on the economic crisis." The Democrat was referring to a comment in July by Martin saying, "We may not be in a recession. I don't know what that term means."

Martin, a former state representative, will "greet voters on their way to work" Monday morning in Atlanta, then hold a get-out-the-vote rally with veterans and local leaders in Augusta and Macon. He hosts a Rally for Change" with rapper Ludacris early evening at the Georgia State Capitol. He previously had Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore on the trail for him.

Chambliss only led with 49.8 percent, or 1,867,090 votes, while Martin trailed with 46.8 percent, or 1,757,419 votes when election results were certified a week after election day. A runoff is required under state law when no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote.