Most in the political world have by now come to?realize that 2014 will be a highly contestable year for both Republican and Democratic U.S. Senate candidates. In Georgia, surprisingly enough, one of the most competitive races of all is nearing its primary election (tomorrow), and there is quite a bit of debate as to who the right?candidate is — on both sides. On the one hand there are the purists of the two parties, seeking a candidate who will be the round?peg to fit perfectly with their interests and values; on the other, there is the pragmatist voter, the blue-dog/Reaganite concerned simply with getting their party’s best shot?in the race (rather than a sacrificial lamb, of sorts), regardless of whether or not they may have?compromised particular policy positions in favor of appealing to moderates of the opposite group and independent voters. This is the dilemma voters in Georgia’s election face — vote for a watered-down candidate who has a greater chance of winning (Nunn (D)/Perdue (R)), or a true-form candidate who has a lesser chance of winning (Radulovacki (D)/Miles (D)/Kingston (R)/Gingrey (R), etc.). So where do our priorities lie?
As a Democrat, I tend to lean more towards the?purist?camp. I’ve spent my life volunteering and working for candidates who I believe represent my party with their?affiliation AND their actions. These include Governor Terry McAuliffe (D-VA), Attorney General Martha Coakley (D-MA), and President Barack Obama. However, I do realize the predicament this year offers us as Democrats — particularly the more progressive of us. We are projected, by many, to lose the U.S. Senate. At the very least, we are losing seats (not up for debate in the slightest). So if we have an opportunity to retain a seat by compromising on a few of our positions, is it worth it if we look at the big picture? Should we, for instance, vote for a Democratic candidate who supports both the Keystone XL expansion?and lowering the corporate tax rate?(Nunn)?
I, for one, am having trouble picturing a Perdue (R) vs. Nunn (D) race (the seemingly likely scenario). On the one hand, you have a corporatist conservative who is willing to compromise on dozens of issues and stances. On the other, you have a corporatist conservative who is willing to compromise on dozens of issues and stances. Choice beyond your preference of ‘D’ vs. ‘R’ is important.
Democrats and Republicans alike are fighting (mostly via Facebook) over who the best candidate is for the party. The choice for you Georgia voters out there is as follows: If you’re a Republican, first, why are you on this website? Second, your candidate choices are U.S. Representative Jack Kingston, David Perdue (cousin of former Gov. Sonny Perdue), U.S. Representative Phil Gingrey, U.S. Representative Paul Broun, and former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel?(there are other candidates but they are, to put it bluntly, irrelevant). If you’re a Democrat, your choice falls to one of four candidates: Michelle Nunn (daughter of former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA)), Dr. Branko Radulovacki (most people just call him Dr. Rad), former State Senator Steen Miles, and former U.S. Army Ranger Todd Robinson. I’ll go ahead and tell you that the candidate who stands out among the four Democrats is absolutely Dr. Rad, and not just because he’s the tallest. Rad has been labeled as a more progressive candidate from the start, and while he is not Bernie Sanders (I-VT) from what I’ve come to learn of him, he certainly is the Sanders of the four potential Democratic candidates. He’s not compromising on his views for PAC donations or votes, while it’s painfully obvious that nearly every other candidate is. I think that’s the most admirable trait of all for a politician — to know their integrity will not allow them to sway unfavorably.
Seeing how we have a Senate to retain and a Majority Leader in Reid (D-NV) who we would like to keep, it may be worth biting the bullet and voting for Nunn even if she isn’t the bluest shade in the crayon box. While victory (I use that term loosely) in this race alone will not prevent Republicans from gaining the majority and wreaking further havoc on President Obama’s second term ambitions, it could certainly help. And who knows, perhaps Nunn could actually make a decent Senator. Her father wasn’t half bad. Perhaps this is the start of a blue Georgia.
However, I will say this: If we vote for a candidate who does not represent our values, in favor of pragmatism and party preference, what does that say about us??Is it worth the time, effort, and money to elect a Democrat who may, in the end, side with conservatives on key issues? It’s something to consider, and I urge you to do so.
Let me know what you think.
Edited/Published by: SB
