Come Saturday, Georgia Republican Paul Broun will once again face off against the cadre of aspiring Hill climbers eyeing the seat being vacated by retiring GOP Sen. Saxby Chambliss.  

Except this time, he plans to feast before leaping into the rhetorical lion’s den.  

The Broun for Senate campaign is still putting the finishing touches on a planned pre-debate tailgate, dangling complimentary fried chicken, potato salad, coleslaw and sweet tea for those willing to huddle with the candidate ahead of the Georgia GOP Debate scheduled to take place Saturday from 4-6 p.m. at Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga.  

A campaign aide told HOH the tailgate concept was a first for Team Broun, but noted that the boss had distributed hot chocolate — “It was cold outside!” the aide shared — to those who waited patiently in line to watch local pols mix it up Feb 1. at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Ga. At press time, Team Broun had not yet settled on a supplier for the picnic staples and was still ironing out the logistics of where, exactly, to set up the inaugural meet and eat. One thing, however, is certain: challengers are invited to dig in.  

“Everyone is welcome – it is up to the other candidates if they want to stop by,” a Broun aide suggested.  

Whether fellow contenders Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., and Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., swing by for some nosh remains to be seen.  

But confidence is low that former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel will feel like hanging before the big show.  

“We have three congressmen up here that want a promotion to the Senate,” Handel said. “Do any of them deserve a promotion? No,” she warned debate watchers during the last go-around.