The Barr Factor in the Presidential Contest in Georgia
Georgia has gone for Republicans in 7 of the last 10 elections with the exceptions being Bill Clinton’s two terms and Jimmy Carter’s one term. A Rasmussen Reports poll conducted May 6 showed McCain with leading Barack Obama 53 percent to 39 percent and Hillary Clinton by 48 percent to 37 percent in the quest for the state’s 15 votes. An InsiderAdvantage poll conducted May 19 has factored in former Georgia Rep. Bob Barr who is seeking to become the candidate of the Libertarian party. (See Eric Pfeiffer’s piece on this week’s debate among the top three contenders and a video excerpts of that debate). The poll shows McCain at 45 percent, Obama at 35 percent, and Barr at 8 percent with 12 percent undecided. InsiderAdvantage’s Matt Towery believes that A Barr candidacy will make Georgia a centerpiece in the November race, given the fact that most other Southern states appear to be less competitive for Barack Obama.”