(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
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I'm so sick of everyone using race as soon as someone mentions blacks or any other race in this country. Blacks may have voted for obama because he's black, just as whites may have voted McCain because he's not black, obviously both have existed in this campaign, so let's stop pretending that this country is perfect...then maybe we can begin to open our eyes and see other things as well, like the illusion of democracy
I am SICK to death of the incorrect definition people are putting on the meaning of "fundamentally strong" – Do you people realize you are putting your own selves down by those comments? Just in case you need a lesson in English Language 101 –
Fundamental; A leading or primary principle, rule, law, or article, which serves as the base of a system. Of or relating to the foundation or base.
I, for one, (and yes I voted for Obama) – but am sick to death of people not understanding what McCain meant by saying "the fundamentals of the economy are strong." While I'm not a fan of McCain, I am sure that "we the people" stand strong and will survive this because "we the people" are the strong funadamentals he speaks of!
Ahhh, yes. We all knew McCain was in the barn with people like Chambliss. Perhaps that's ultimately why Obama rode to victory (with the fury!) and McPalin took a downward spiral to shame. Listen, if we continue to harbor these red fugitives in our government we're going to get the same biased legislation that has turned this country into a cesspool for special interests and villainous corporations.
Chambliss is also a foe to the environment. Let's forget about these Congressional dinosaurs and progress this nation. Only then will we see real change in the world.
Come on give Mclaime a break. He just forgot that he lost, you know how old he is.
I just wish McCain and Palin would go away...far, far away...especially Palin who has proved that one doesn't need any knowledge of our government to govern. Gee, I guess that doesn't speak well of our electorate.
Good to see the Republican "All-Stars" going to work for a fellow crook. Hopefully the people of Georgia are smart enough to see through Saxby's lies. Then again, we are talking about Georgia.
Hopefully, Obama can come down here and help Martin out. Saxby has to go. He has done enough damage already.
Well, there he is again...as the Arizona Republic said before the election, the state will have 2 senators working for the state again if McCain loses.....guess what? He's not working for the state, AGAIN! He's out stumping in another state instead of back in DC working on the economy.
He should disappear from the scene altogether after the "campaign" he ran. I used to have respect for the senator. Key words – used to. Since his "campaign" (I think a better word would be sham) I've lost all respect for him.
What are all you libs so afraid of Palin? I know why but I'd like to see if one of you has the intellectual honesty to admit it. I doubt it.
Palin = Political Light-Weight with a double digit IQ.
A Perfect GOP Candidate !! LOL!
Sure Sarah Palin has star power but all of that will be over in a few weeks then NO ONE will ever care about her again. She can start her 2012 campaign if she chooses....because she will NEVER WIN!!
McCain lost but only because Obama is black and blacks who have never bothered to vote in their lives showed up in droves. McCain is clearly the superior statesman. Obama hasn't done anything.
Gooddbye John: Hello Sarah, are you smoking crack AGAIN?
When the idiot republicans accused Obama of being a 'Celebrity' and having 'Star Power', it was a bad thing. Now that Nimrod Caribou Barbie is blitzing the media with her air-head, pea-brain interviews, star power is a good thing???
The flip flopping never stops, does it... At least the President-Elect Obama actually has a brain in his head and knows that Africa is the CONTINENT that is home to the COUNTRY of SOUTH AFRICA. Unlike your precious, ditzy Sarah. She belongs on ESPN as the token air head, NOT in politics.
Don't these people have other things to do!? McCain go home! Sarah Palin go home!
Maybe Sen John McCain is back on the campaign trail again because McCain, Gov Palin will run together again. May be this time Palin will run president and McCain will be her VP.\\\ Go President-Elect Obama/VP-elect Biden
Why oh why would John McCain support this loser? Yes he is a Republican but is that really all it takes? Or does McCain actually support this man's beliefs?
Palin and McCain need to go away for a while and give America a break.
He is campaigning because he knows that Pelosi and Reid will run all over Obama and their power can only be checked in the Senate.
HE HAS NOTHING ELSE TO DO.
"My very dear friends; have you heard that Jim Martin is friends with terrorist?"
McCain, have you lost your mind?
You want to support someone who threw Vietnam Vets under the proverbial bus in a campaign ad years ago?
A man who you called "despicable"?
McFlip-flop, waving his flag of false patriotism whichever way the political winds blow.
Is McCain calling Martin a socalist? I would think McCain would be more of a detrement than a help to Chambliss.
I am going to have to stop watching cnn... can't take Sarah Palin any more. She's on right now running her mouth and still saying nothing.
From now on I am watching only TV Land. Aunt Bea for President!
CNN–Please no more interviews or news bites from Palin. If you continue, I will switch the channel-forever. Anyone else?
Remember the disgraceful way that Saxby Chambliss slandered Max Cleland and donate to Jim Martin's campaign. Cleland is a war hero & disabled Vietnam veteran, Chambliss never served but ran ads questioning Cleland's patriotism and morphing his face into Saddam and Osama's, using Rovian tactics and riding W's coattails all the way into office. Let's turn GA blue!!!!