(CNN) – Nine days after losing the presidential election to Barack Obama, John McCain is back on the campaign trail.
The former GOP presidential nominee will stump for fellow Republican senator Saxby Chambliss today in Georgia.
The freshman senator most likely faces a run-off election December 2 against Democrat Jim Martin, a former state lawmaker.
At the start of the campaign, Chambliss was the heavy favorite in the race. But the contest tightened, and neither candidate won more than 50 percent of the vote on Election Day, thanks in part to a third-party candidate who won 3 percent of the vote. The race appears headed to a runoff between Chambliss and Martin.
The runoff is expected to become official later this week, after the state certifies the election results. Unofficial tallies show Chambliss with 49.8 percent of the vote, just short of the 50 percent plus one vote need to win. Martin has 46.8 percent of the vote.
McCain will join Chambliss at a campaign rally in suburban Atlanta this afternoon. McCain won Georgia's presidential vote 52 percent to 47 percent. President Bush carried the state by 17 points in his 2004 re-election victory.
Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is expected to campaign for Chambliss in Georgia this weekend, and an appearance by another former Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, is also possible.
Martin is hoping that President-elect Obama will come down to Georgia for an assist. While there's no guarantee that will happen, Obama is dispatching campaign aides to Georgia to help Martin in his runoff efforts.
A victory by the Democrats in Georgia could help determine if the party reaches its goal of reaching 60 Senate seats, which would give the Democrats a filibuster-proof majority in the chamber. A filibuster is a move that allows the minority party in the Senate to stall and even block votes on legislation. Sixty votes are needed to overcome a filibuster.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Saxby Chambliss: a disgusting person
Am so sick of Palin, Am in hopes she falls in the lake off the end of the road she built to nowhere
Another McCain flip-flop
The only reason he could be doing this is to get in front of the cameras again....the candidate is reprehensible. After 2 years off ot run for President, McCain needs to either retire or get back to work as a Senator, which is what he was elected to do.
NO John. I was disappointed in John during his campaign. I am thoroughly offended with his endorsement of Saxby Chandliss. This is a man he denounced for swift boating and calling a triple amputee Vietnam Vet a traitor. John, if you are truly a Maverick and a bipartisan then you should denounce him again or just don't campaign for him. You are tarnishing your name for a scum of a senator. Say it aint so John
I live in Georgia and I voted for Martin, it looks like I will have to go back and vote again. Chambliss and Westmoreland are too of the worst people to represent the citizens of Georgia.
BETTER CK OUT ACORN THE FIX IS IN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY
Jon said – "It's sad that right now third party candidates can only play the role of the spoiler, or just waste everyone's time and money. Now, the only two viable candidates will have to spend more time and resources, and all the voters will have to spend more time to vote again."
No what is sad is that third pary candidates don't get more media coverage, $ and more of the votes. Some of these candidates are better for the country than the Dems and Repubs.
Thank you Senator McCain. A loser reinforcing the campaign of another loser will look great on TV. Two old guys standing next to each other is going to be a great photo op for the Democrats.
Please bring Cindy with you. It was so great to see your treatment of your wife as a fixture BEHIND you at every rally. You hardly ever even acknowledged her existence. You are such a great Republican macho hero role model.
Guess MCCain and the Alaskan chick can't get enough publicity. They're beginning to make Paris Hilton seem shy and private.
The Republican party, old men with white hair!
Now thats something new?
John "my friend" Mccain and Sarah "here too, again, also" Palin please just go away. You've done enough Mavericking this year.
Yes, because when you want a recommendation, you want it from the LOSER of the presidential election.
McCain and Chambliss fit quite nicely together. They are both angry old has-beens who nobody in their right mind would vote for.
By the way:
"But the contest tightened, and neither candidate won more than 50 percent of the vote on Election Day, thanks in part to a third-party candidate who won 3 percent of the vote."
Oh, darn that system we have in place where you don't have to represent one of two parties...!! Don't they know that if you're not a democrat or a republican then the turr'ists have won!?!
Why waste the time and money with another election? Why not give it to the guy with the highest popular vote?
Isn't this the guy that McCain called out not so long ago? Why is he campaigning for him?
Where is Joe the Plumber? He had enough smarts to disappear. Why, oh why can't you Sarah?
Will John McCain be able to incorporate one of his Klan Rallies into the campaign for Chambliss?
Cue the 'Kill Him!-He's an Arab!" McCain Rally Cry when referring to any opponent of the GOP.
Jim Martin is white. How will that work?
1/20/13:
Your "short haired and manly looking" bigotry is showing, dear. You need therapy to get over your prejudice.
As for Ms. Palin, people don't like her because she's a lying, distorting, divisive, hate spewing, ignorant, self-serving person who doesn't have a clue what this country is like and thinks it's all like Wasilla, Alaska.
Right.
How can anyone take someone with a name like Saxsby serious? For that matter after McCains colossal defeat how can anyone take him serious? McFossil should ride off into the Arizona sunset. Frankly afdter the last eight years of republican rule I'm surprised any intelligent voter would vote for any republican candidate. Saxsby? Get real. I say toss the bum out and get some new blood in there-see if the democratic candidate can do better. The GOP is finished-at least for the next four years.
Please stop .... especially Palin. So annoying. Won't they ever go away?
I don't know why anyone is surprised: McCain simply SUSPENDED his campaign after election day.
I am loosing it or McCain is:
John, find out why Republicans would rather vote anyone but Chamblis. If Sax is elected, It will be FEAR SMEAR and Terror Alert at Hill for the next few centuries.
Chamblis is good for tribal chief, not Policy table.
Sam the Builder from Acworth.
It's is ego.... That is why he wanted to be President.
All this talk of Palin being the next GOP candidate for president in 4 years makes me determined to do everything I can to help make sure IT DOESN'T HAPPEN.
Go away Palin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As for McCain however, I think it would be kind and even cute if he become a spokesperson for infomercials and such. The John McCain grill, anyone?
I could learn to love McCain, but Palin makes me want to run to the toilet!
It's better than sitting at home watching TV. That's why he is campaigning.