2014 Senate Race

Over the next couple of days, Blog for Democracy will be assembling a group of Democratic political insiders, consultants and activists to analyze and rate any potential Democratic candidates for the newly open Senate seat in 2014 as well as providing pros and cons of these potential candidates.

If you want to make sure your favorite potential candidate is included, make sure to put their names in the comments.

If you’re one of these potential candidates and wish to send a statement regarding the race, you may e-mail blog4democracy@gmail.com and your statement will be published.

So far, potential candidates to be included are:

Jason Carter, Cathy Cox, Kasim Reed, Michelle Nunn, Mark Taylor, Jim Marshall, Shirley Franklin, John Barrow, Steve Oppenheimer, DuBose Porter, Stacey Abrams, Scott Holcomb, and Mike Thurmond.


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17 responses to “2014 Senate Race”

  1. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    I think several of these folks are probably doing a *gigglesnort* over the very idea that they would give up the lives they’ve rebuilt for themselves and enter into this fray… well everyone but Thurmond… he’s running for something, just not sure what yet.

    Rep. Oliver might be willing to put her name on the ballot, she’s done it before.

  2. Erik Avatar
    Erik

    Steve Oppenheimer gave money to at least 1 (maybe more) Republican Congressional candidate in 2012 that had Democratic opposition.

    Not my idea of a good Democrat.

  3. Tim Avatar
    Tim

    So in handicapping all of this:

    for the Ds I think Jason Carter, Stephanie Benfield, John Barrow & Jim Marshall would be our best bets for several reasons.
    1. They all campaign like pros
    2. They are generally likeable to the public (TO THE PUBLIC)
    3. They can all fundraise well
    The drawback is I don’t think any of them will run and in Benfield and Carter’s case I don’t think they should run as the timing is awful.

    Second Tier for the Ds:
    Steve Oppenheimer – has run statewide before, should probably run if no major D is in the race, don’t know his federal positions though.

    The ultimate re-treads:
    Mike Thurmond, Thurbert Baker, Cathy Cox – all has-been runs and honestly have been too out of the general public spotlight to be serious contenders.

    The rest I would put in the shouldn’t run or won’t run category.

    The same case can be made for the Rs:
    Jack Kingston & Tom Price would succeed in all 3 categories but their primary might be more than they can handle…or Handel?
    The others – Gingrey, Broun, Westmoreland would do well in the primary but I don’t think are as likeable come the general election.

    The others – Olens or Cagle would toss the race up as they go into the same strengths as Kingston & Price. But I don’t see them leaving their spots.

    The advantage for the Dems is that Saxby has given even a re-tread candidate lots of time to build a statewide structure. but they’d have to get moving soon.

  4. Tim Avatar
    Tim

    To be fair, neither Deal in 2010 or Price in 2014 will need downstate GOPers in any massive way to win the numbers game to carry the state.

  5. ire Avatar
    ire

    By saying “people” the implication is that it is a general comment.

  6. Trevor Southerland Avatar

    Sounds to me like Ed is endorsing the potential candidacy of Roy Barnes.

    In other news, are we suppose to believe politicians now when they say they aren’t running for something? 🙂

  7. JMPrince Avatar
    JMPrince

    I was going to suggest this earlier with Steve’s JB thought, which is Dada :

    The answer’s in there someplace:
    http://waynewhiteart.com/index.php?/project/word-paintings/

    JMP

  8. Steve Golden Avatar
    Steve Golden

    Yeah, Ed, these are all just people that were being rumored or might consider the race. None of us are endorsing them.

  9. griftdrift Avatar

    People said the same thing about Deal.

  10. Tim Cairl Avatar
    Tim Cairl

    I don’t think mentioning someone as a possibility is in the same universe as “championing the cause of”…back away from the computer and breathe dude.

  11. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    Ed, I didn’t mean to imply he couldn’t legally run, but from a practical standpoint he can’t run for GA Senate from his hill office, I’m pretty sure no one in Lutherville will have heard of him.

  12. Ed Avatar
    Ed

    Federal law allows people to run for two seats.

    Herman said he is out, considering how little Jim Martin wanted to run in 2008 why the **** would you even consider him again?

    Also, people who complain about the DPG using re-runs but have no problem championing the cause of Jim Martin? Really?

  13. Steve Avatar
    Steve

    Jim Martin and Herman Cain come to mind, We know Cain can raise huge sums of money and is going to have the airwaves to rule for the next year. He would freeze the field early and that would suck if we are looking to Broun, Price and even a Jack Kingston to vacate the House races for the bigger prize.

    I am also not sure about the running for two offices at once. Legally I am not sure… but politically very treacherous ground.. They would almost definitely see a primary Challenge for the House seat. A Double Primary… potentially a double runoff; keeping funding separate and then running for two General election races. Yikes.

  14. Ed Avatar
    Ed

    Stacey told me on Friday she is not running, Mark is done with politics.

  15. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    My unpaid and unsolicited advice for Cong. Price, he’s going to have to retire from Congress to run statewide.

    He hasn’t had a serious race since 2004, and even that could be argued as not that strenuous. Lammutt and Clay spent their time attacking each other, Price won in the runoff.

    Problem for Price is, no way does he appeal to downstate Republicans without showing up. He can’t try to run this campaign from DC. even with his million and a half plus-that will go quickly. Dudes going to need to get his butt in a car and start making the courtesy calls and meetings.

  16. Tim Avatar
    Tim

    While I totally plan in participating in the further exercise of guessing and weighing, would it also be feasible to add in the myriad of congressional seats that are likely to open up for this race? Assuming that Tom Price and Paul Broun jump into the Senate race and also assuming that they may not run tandem for their House seats?

    Downside is that they may run for both which is allowed under federal law. But just sayin if they don’t.

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