The focus of the Gwinnett Buzz is, obviously, Gwinnett County. I have managed to keep national and state politics fairly limited on the blog. As such, you may be asking why is the Buzz making an endorsement in the U.S. Senate race especially when the candidate you are endorsing is not from Gwinnett?
Very simple. This is a vital race for not just Georgia but the United States as a whole.
As one of the most populous counties in Georgia, how Gwinnett votes in the senatorial race will have a significant impact on who will stand alongside Sen. Johnny Isakson as U.S. Senator from Georgia in the next Congress. To explain the importance of this race and how Gwinnett can help Saxby fight to protect our county, our state and our country, I ask my readers to briefly indulge me a brief excursion into national politics.
First and foremost, Saxby has a strong conservative record during his tenure these last six years in the United States Senate. He is the kind of strong, conservative Republican that has been too rare in the Congress in recent years. He is a reflection of the core, traditional values that are characteristic of Georgia and its residents. Saxby has done an admirable as our U.S. Senator and deserves reelection on that basis alone. However, a second term is now at risk due to the potentially long coattails of Sen. Barack Obama.
Barack Obama is, unfortunately, a virtual lock for the Presidency at this point. Despite having one of the most liberal records, despite openly espousing socialistic “spread the wealth” views, despite a questionable association with a radical domestic terrorist, Barack Obama is on the cusp of being the next President of the United States. What exacerbates this threat is the who cohorts who will lead the U.S. Congress: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. As the Marietta Daily Journal wrote in their endorsement of Sen. Chambliss, this left-wing trio, if left unchecked, could lead to an “onslaught of liberal legislation unseen from Washington since the days of Lyndon Johnson’s ‘Great Society.’” To protect America from the long-term damage from unfettered liberalism, the Republicans must hold enough seats in the Senate to raise a filibuster against radical legislation that Obama, Pelosi, and Reid would attempt to foist upon this country. Maintaining a seat that few probably considered “up for grabs” when the election started is absolutely crucial if we are to have any hope of placing some sort of check on the Democrats’ ultra-liberal legislative agenda. This is where Gwinnett comes in.
Gwinnett County has traditionally been a base of strength for Georgia’s conservative candidates. Though Gwinnett’s demographic shifts suggest that there may be changes in this pattern, Gwinnett is likely one of the areas that has to come in strong for Saxby if he is to defeat opponent Jim Martin. Thus, turnout in Gwinnett is very important if we are to send Saxby back to Washington. In fact, this may well be the most important race in which you vote in this election.
In addition to simply voting for Saxby, Gwinnett residents can help our senator by voting early. Why? The State Board of Elections is saying that waits of up to six hours on election day are possible. Lines this long could possibly discourage even the most ardent voters. However, by taking advantage of early voting, you help reduce the lines at Gwinnett polling places on election day and possibly reduce the number of voters, voters who are likely Chambliss supporters, who may be deterred by the long lines and wind up not voting.
This is a crucial election, my friends. If you are like me, you may feel discouraged at what we are likely to wake up to on November 5. However, ensuring that Saxby is reelected to the United States Senate may be on the most instrumental things you can do to serve your country this election and help create a barrier to Obama, Pelosi and Reid. Saxby has earned a second term, American desperately needs him in this dark hour. I encourage you to support Saxby Chambliss for Senate and, if possible, to cast your ballot before election day.