GA-Sen: Dems Push Marshall To Run

Congressman Jim Marshall (D-Georgia) is perhaps one of the most conservative Democrats in their majority. He voted against condemning the surge, against the Democrats' Iraq funding bill and continues to support, perhaps reluctantly, the President's Iraq policy.

Not surprisingly, his district is heavily Republican. Despite the Democratic-leaning year, Marshall only narrowly kept his seat, redrawn by the GOP controlled Georgia legislature, 51%-49%. Marshall, however, would really only need to carry his district (and all the Democratic areas of Georgia) to win a statewide race, thus, this makes him very desirable for Democrats to win back something statewide.

Georgia has been one of the few places the Republicans are still succeeding nowadays. It is possible it is one of the few states lost to the Democrats for now, but Marshall will give them a heck of a chance at beating Saxby Chambliss next year and that is why Democrats are looking to him as a possible opponent. Chambliss, as you remember, was the dude who beat triple amputee Vietnam Vet liberal Democrat Max Cleland in 2002 in a nasty race.

At worst, Marshall will force Republicans to pour time, energy and money into one of their safest states, making it more difficult, perhaps impossible, for them to retake their Senate majority.

Caveat: Marshall's heavily Republican House seat would likely be lost to the Democrats if he ran, but at some point, it'll become clear, it's probably not a big deal.