November 21, 2008
Posted: 08:32 AM ET

From
Mitt Romney is set to campaign for fellow Republican Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss Friday.
Mitt Romney is set to campaign for fellow Republican Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss Friday.

(CNN) — Add Mitt Romney to the list of big name surrogates who are making campaign cameos in the last remaining senate election this year.

The former Massachusetts Governor and former Republican presidential candidate teams up today with Saxby Chambliss at campaign events in Atlanta and Savannah.

Chambliss is the freshman Republican Senator from Georgia who is fighting to keep his seat. He faces a runoff election Tuesday December 2nd against Jim Martin, a former state lawmaker in Georgia.

Chambliss won a plurality of the vote 17 days ago on Election Day, but Georgia state law calls for the winner to grab 50 percent plus one vote. Due to the inclusion of a third party candidate, Chambliss fell just shy of that threshold, forcing a runoff contest.

Romney is the latest former GOP presidential candidate to stump with Chambliss. Last week Sen. John McCain returned to the trail to campaign with Chambliss, just 9 days after losing the presidential election to Obama. On Sunday, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who ran for the Republican presidential nomination before dropping out in March and backing McCain, campaigned with Chambliss. Like Huckabee, Romney also ran for the GOP presidential nomination before ending his bid in February and backing McCain. Both men could make another stab at presidential politics in 2012.

Romney's doing more than just campaigning for Chambliss. A spokesman for Romney earlier this week announced that Romney is contributing $5,000, through his Free and Strong American PAC, to Chambliss to help with the runoff election. Romney's PAC donated $2,300 to Chambliss earlier this fall.

Martin is also getting some major league help. Wednesday former President Bill Clinton campaigned with Martin in Atlanta. And this weekend former Vice President Al Gore teams up with Martin.

Do these big name surrogates make a difference?

"Generally they can help boost turnout, because of all the media attention. Turnout in a runoff election is often very low compared to a presidential election and each side needs to get as many of their voters to the polls as possible," says CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider.

Democrats have so far picked up seven Senate seats in this year's election, with the Republican seats in Georgia and Minnesota still undecided. In Minnesota, freshman GOP Senator Norm Coleman topped his Democratic challenger, Al Franken, by just 215 votes, triggering an automatic recount which will extend into December.

If the Democrats take both remaining contests, they'll reach their pre-election goal of controlling 60 Senate seats, which would be a filibuster proof majority. A filibuster is a move by the minority party in the Senate that basically brings the chamber to a standstill by blocking votes on legislation.

Filed under: Mitt Romney


J. Dean   November 21st, 2008 1:31 pm ET

I HAVE NOT SEEN SUCH AN IDIOT. HOW DARE HE IS AROUND ?
BUSH, CHENEY, McCAIN (REMEMBER THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY ARE SOLID ?) ROMNEY, THOMPSON, MUST BE PUT IN A CONTAINER AND SHIP IT TO THE MOON.
LOOK AT OUR CURRENT MESS !
THIS IS THE LEGACY OF DISASTER GEORGE BUSH AND COMPANY.

Apples for sale   November 21st, 2008 1:29 pm ET

Romney will never amount to anything,hes a proven liar and flip flopper.Rush Limbaughs koolaid drinkers are calling him today asking for new sound bites to use on the blogs.Its so funny,I now see why they call him a comic,but most of the people calling him think he is serious and not looking out for his bottom line,witch is to stay very rich while they stay very stupid.

Darrell   November 21st, 2008 1:23 pm ET

Hey Frankie Lee…if you take the time to read Romney's comments on the Big 3 you'll see they are rather sound.

I applaud Romney for combating the notion of giving the Big 3 and all their unionized loafers a free check to keep living off the dole.

In America we believe in just desert – you get what you deserve based on ability, effort, and opportunity. Barack Obama is a good example. In Michigan you believe you can be mediocre and it's Big Government's job to save the Big 3.

The Big 3 dug their own graves; the unions manned the shovels.

You produce crappy products ineffeciently; that is why I own a Japanese car and a German car, both made in America! Go get a job with Toyota my friend.

Val from MA   November 21st, 2008 1:10 pm ET

Like it or not – MITT ROMNEY WILL BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN 2012. He will be elected in a landslide to fix Mr. Obama's mess that he will create.

Too bad for you liberals, and your buddy Soros.

Helen, GA   November 21st, 2008 12:43 pm ET

It is my pleasure to see Mitt Romney here. I had voted for him during the primary. He is a decent person. I hope he can help Saxby to get re-elected. We have our support for him. We do not need idiots like jim Martin who has no policy for our state. Just criticise Bush or Saxby. He has done nothing for our state.

karen-phoenix   November 21st, 2008 12:38 pm ET

NO Romney! NO more spoiled rich boys who can not relate to average America!!!

bill pike   November 21st, 2008 12:30 pm ET

isn't he the guy dodson put down because he is mormon–you know, all the mormons, cathlics, jews, blacks, or anyone who does not support the wrong wing republicans who sold out our country with an illegal war and greed. and he is now supporting a republican??? please call doctor??? dodson and friends and warn them.

Candy West Virginia   November 21st, 2008 12:30 pm ET

To me the perfect losing rethuglican ticket would be palin/mitt. Obama would be guarenteed a second term.

j   November 21st, 2008 12:21 pm ET

Why do so many rich, super-successful businessmen want to quit in their prime to go to Washington to " serve the people" for a politicians` salary ?????? Could it be more money and POWER ??????

Georgia Jeffries   November 21st, 2008 11:59 am ET

We don't want Mitt in Georgia anymore than we want Saxby! He'll probably win because the republicans are still so pissed off that McCain lost they'll come out in loads to vote for 6 years of Chambliss just to say ha,ha!! Doesn't matterm this is his last term!!

EARL THE PEARL   November 21st, 2008 11:46 am ET

PRETTY BOY MITT BETTER COOL IT FOR AWHILE AS HE COULD' NOT BEAT JOE THE PLUMBER IN THE PRIMARIES.

George   November 21st, 2008 11:39 am ET

I wish this plastic man would shut the heck up.

Alaskan Fame Junkie   November 21st, 2008 11:38 am ET

@ Romney2012…

"After 2 weeks of Obama…"?
You seem to have forgotten that Obama isn't even the president yet. And I hate to say this but your "stud" is never going to get anywhere. You did see how well he fared in the primaries…right?

I could see him on a box of Just For Men haircolor before I could ever see him in the White House.

kevin   November 21st, 2008 11:31 am ET

One slimeball speaking on behalf of a bigger slimeball. Great.

katiec   November 21st, 2008 11:28 am ET

It is not surprising the republicans are throwing their support to
Chambliss. He represents the same sleeze they produced
during all their campaigns. He represents the republicans
refusing to change and, for once, putting our country first.
He represents their quest of politics as usual.
We, Americans, are tired of their postering, pandering, finger
pointing and me first attitudes. We realize that they will never
acknowledge or admit they have almost destroyed our
country during these last eight years.
Hopefully, the voters of Georgia will realize what they
really stand for.

MICK from MESA   November 21st, 2008 11:17 am ET

Magic underwear – Nuff said about this repug America?

mitch   November 21st, 2008 11:15 am ET

filibuster or not, we're getting the same old same old,anyway.

Minnesotan   November 21st, 2008 11:12 am ET

Romney and his perfectly-coiffed hair scare me. I believe it's an illegal space alien that's secretly telling him to vote for the failed policies of the Republicans again and again and again.

thriveblogger   November 21st, 2008 10:58 am ET

Mitt the Git may never go away, he's Palin (definition of Palin: pretty but dumb and infectious to other dumb people). Thankfully, he will also never have the support needed to be pres.

jenny   November 21st, 2008 10:58 am ET

Another LOOSER going to Georgia to help in a loosing cause.Romney cannot even help himself. He is the BIGGEST REPUBLICAN HAS BEEN.

Doug R.   November 21st, 2008 10:57 am ET

Romney looks plastic and fake. The man spends 20 minutes a day just blow drying his hair. Maybe he thinks he's a stud. Yikes. I wouldn't vote for this idiot if someone paid me to. The comments he made about Detriot and the automobile industry were scary and unAmerican.

Dave   November 21st, 2008 10:56 am ET

Pee-Wee Herman has a better shot at becoming President in 2012 than this flip-flopping, self-righteous, arrogant twit. Then again, watching him get trounced would be a joy to watch.

thomas   November 21st, 2008 10:55 am ET

If Romney becomes President, maybe he'll redefine marriage so he can have 12 wifes if he chooses. Think of all the fun we could have with 12 First Ladies. And then maybe all of the gays cold marry as well. But that kind of thinking is too radical. Marriage should be banned altogether so everyone coold be equally frustrated. I was married once and it sucked. Nobody should have to go through that.

Bridget   November 21st, 2008 10:55 am ET

McCain said Rommney is the guy that will fire you!!!!!!!!!!!
McCain is right too because Rommney said NO to bail out the Auto Industry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rommney wants more jobless families!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BC   November 21st, 2008 10:55 am ET

Why do guys like Romney and Huckabee who could have a future as the leader of the GOP want to be seen supporting a total slime like Chambliss? He is the kind of crooked creep that have turned Americans away from the Republican party in huge numbers. This is going to come back to haunt these guys…

elsie   November 21st, 2008 10:54 am ET

I for one, will be voting for Martin (again) on Dec. 2. The Chambiss ads down here are awful. Chambliss is a racist and bigot and appears to be a crook. He was supeonaed recently to testify regarding the some dirty dealings in connection with that sugar factory explosion. He is fighting the supeona. What he did to Max Cleland is unforgivable.

DG   November 21st, 2008 10:51 am ET

What a flip flopper this guy is. When he needed Michigan voting for him in the primary he was promising to save their jobs. Two days ago he said to let the auto makers go down the tube. The next day he said we can't afford to lose all those jobs. This man is obviously as crazy as he is ugly. He speaks with a forked tongue.

Barbara in NC   November 21st, 2008 10:38 am ET

The core ideology of conservatism has been hijacked. The definition of true conservatism is that the sole focus is on ending the practice of abortion, prohibiting gay marriage and appointing conservative judges to the Supreme Court.

Above all else, social issues and judges are the most pressing issues facing this country, according to Republicans. Not the size of the federal government, not the economic crisis and certainly not the multiple wars we are carrying on in foreign countries; but preventing two people of the same gender from getting married. That is the most dire issue of our time?

former gop   November 21st, 2008 10:30 am ET

Romney, is a horrible, greedy, little, little man. Look at him. He even looks like he signed a pact with the devil. He has no conscience.

S. Boatman Warrensburg Mo.   November 21st, 2008 10:27 am ET

Mitt Could Solve The Energy Crisis By Wringing Out His Hair!

independent   November 21st, 2008 10:18 am ET

Mitt is a Whig, soon to be extinct

Angie   November 21st, 2008 10:14 am ET

NO MORE FAR RIGHT RELIGIOUS NUTS IN THE WHITEHOUSE ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CanIcallyouJoe   November 21st, 2008 10:13 am ET

Romney is a fascist zealot who wants:

- one national religion as law
- creationism taught in schools
- prayer in school mandatory

He is no different than the Taliban. Sectarian Government will not succeed in any way shape or form. Ask the Pope – he tried it for a while. Good job there, Mr. Pope – what was that exercise in freedom called again? Oh, right; The Inquisition. The Crusades. The Dark Ages.

And on a lighter side, have you noticed the word "money" is in his name?

happy thanksgiving   November 21st, 2008 10:11 am ET

georgia vote jim martin dec. 2, 2008

cmc   November 21st, 2008 10:01 am ET

all he wants to do is break the unions anywhere they exist, period. Listen to his BS, it isn't for the good of the country it is only good for the richy rich. I hope the American people don't fall for this crap again aka"Bush".

Proud American from New England   November 21st, 2008 9:58 am ET

Has been.

cmc   November 21st, 2008 9:57 am ET

All he wants to do is to convince the government to let the auto industry go down the tubes. This isn't about the industry itself, it is about breaking the unions. I will admit they make too much per year, but the ones crying the loudest is the richy rich, they don't give a rat's butt about the workers, it is all about the unions. BEWARE of this type of talk it is just the beginning. Who is next maybe drop the minimum wage etc. Yesterday this joker on Hardball, was proud he owned a "honda". Then is was that the big 3 built cars etc. that on one wanted to buy…..look when you drive how many have the "big" trucks, SUV'S etc. the public wanted them so they were built give me a break. If you drive one of these "big" cars and trucks you have no one to blame but yourself. I drive a marquis and it gets 19 in the city and 23.4 on the open highway, so …………….

Randy, San Francisco   November 21st, 2008 9:52 am ET

None of the potential GOP candidates in 2012 have any new ideas or programs. The same old conservative and culture war themes will continue the losing streak. They just don't get it…we need a practical government that works and not tied down to dogmatic economic, religious, or political beliefs.

Romney 2012   November 21st, 2008 9:42 am ET

Make it so, after 2 weeks of Obama, we need change, we need a new way of doing things. the time is now, the place is Washington, the name? The name is Romney. Mitt Romney !!

Phil in KC   November 21st, 2008 9:38 am ET

Wouldn't it be funny if, after all these high-powered campaigners and winning the most votes in the general election, Chambliss lost the run-off? That would be hilarious! And, if he did, what would that say about Romney's or McCain's pull in the deep south?

Minnesotan   November 21st, 2008 9:37 am ET

The only reason Romney gets any attention at all is because of his perpetually-perfect, yet oddly coiffed hair. His policies and ideas are all derivative of the failed policies of the GOP during the last eight years. Personally, I see him in 2012 getting revealed as an (illegal) alien-surrogate from the planet Toupee, running for office and still getting the votes from the deluded conservatives.

Obama/Biden 2012

Marie   November 21st, 2008 9:36 am ET

Mittens in the primaries stated he believed every word that is in the bible which of course would include a wife and slaves are man's property. WOW people would want this idiot as their President?

donny   November 21st, 2008 9:32 am ET

Rommney bashed Michigan and the big three. We can hardly wait to derail him in 2012

proud army and navy mom   November 21st, 2008 9:31 am ET

mitt looks like a plastic doll on perfect outside but a completely empty wasteland inside. go find a real job, Mitt, you are a has been.

Joe Regis   November 21st, 2008 9:28 am ET

I really can not see how any repubs can get elected for office based on their track records. This is the time to take the country back and elect Martin to the senate and send the repubs in the wilderness for some times to refurbish their policies.

Go Martin go!

Jeanette Scheffler   November 21st, 2008 9:28 am ET

Wonderful! " America is like the eagle. It needs two wings to fly! A left wing and a right wing." This is a quote from the Sarah Palin supporters.

All the big Republicans are outstanding people: Romney, Guiliane, Huckebee, Mc Cain and Palin !

God bless America and all Democrats and Republicans and all Independents, too.

Spencer/NY to VA   November 21st, 2008 9:24 am ET

Who is the bozo with the McCain sign up in the background of the picture? And why is Mitt campaigning 4 years out?

Simmy   November 21st, 2008 9:21 am ET

Romney is as nasty as Chambliss, the only difference is his 'Palin' smile. I hope that mean man loses big time.

GO BACK TO THE POLLS PEOPLE OF GEORGIA!!!!!

Larry   November 21st, 2008 9:20 am ET

We can all hope that Saxby WINS ! WE need him too!!

Spirit of America   November 21st, 2008 9:19 am ET

After his public call to let the American auto industry collapse, Romney's support will be the kiss of death to anyone seeking public office.

Dee   November 21st, 2008 9:17 am ET

Whatever. Mitt 2012, keep on dreaming

Chuck   November 21st, 2008 9:16 am ET

In your wildest dreams Mitt 2012

LyonsPhilly   November 21st, 2008 9:09 am ET

The republicans are so desperate.

TJ   November 21st, 2008 9:07 am ET

Look Mitt, let's be sensible about this thing: The people of this nation have come to their senses. They see the damage that a Republican government can do, and they no longer want any part of it. Republicans are scum overall, and really need to get out of office. Running around the country and all, no one with any sense is listening to you. So please, Mitt…give it a rest.

Barbara in NC   November 21st, 2008 9:06 am ET

Pretty little Girlie-Man just can't stay out of the limelight. Go HOME!!!

Cold Slap in The Face   November 21st, 2008 9:06 am ET

Romney can't possibly still be a POSITIVE for Republican candidates.

Don't people see him as the wanna be Republican yet?

Larry C. Houston, Texas   November 21st, 2008 9:00 am ET

Are you kidding me ? Romney hasn't got a snowball's chance….
I'm sure Michigan is going to remember him in 4 years…..
He has been quoted saying things like letting GM go bankrupt,
but he says it in a way that is smoothing to the people….

He still carries a grudge on his shoulder because American Motors went through what GM is going through now….His Family was very
involved with American Motors, to say the least….

Larry Coury
Houston Texas

Mitt 2012   November 21st, 2008 8:50 am ET

Mitt Romney is a stud, excuse my vernacular. This man will be ournext president. Mitt 2012!

Romney-Jindal 2012

Frank Lee   November 21st, 2008 8:47 am ET

Good old Mitt R-Money, back on the stump.

Nothing like a blue-blood wealthy New Englander in a $4,000 suit to connect with the overalls and grits crowd in the deep south.

PS – Better stay away from Michigan, you flip-flopper. You stiffed them this week, after promising them the moon and stars during the primaries.

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