GA-Sen: Phil Gingrey (R) Optimistically Visits Senate: "Just Measuring The Drapes"

Here's a frightening image:

http://www.nationaljournal.com/...

Phil Gingrey paid a visit to the Senate on Thursday, checking out the chamber he hopes will be his new home starting next year.

"I'm just measuring the drapes," the representative from Georgia joked, when spotted outside the Senate chamber.

Though he may not have pulled out a measuring tape, Gingrey was clearly scoping out the lay of the land, getting a head-start on the preparations for a future career there.

Gingrey said he has met with several senators to "get to know folks a little bit better" ahead of his May 20 primary. Gingrey will face six other Republicans in the Senate primary, including two of his House colleagues. Because of the large number of candidates, many, including Gingrey, expect the race to go to a runoff on July 22 (Georgia requires a runoff if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote). - National Journal, 3/13/14

Gingrey was hanging out with Senator Deb Fischer (R. NE) who also won her crowded primary.  Of course latest polls show Paul Broun (R. GA) in the lead in the primary but a lot can happen between now and May.  But Democrats would prefer to have Michelle Nunn (D. GA) go up against either Broun or Gingrey:

http://www.peachpundit.com/...

As pundits have pointed out for the last year, a possible obstacle to the GOP hopes of taking the Senate is here in Georgia. The concern is that if Paul Broun or Phil Gingrey win the Republican nomination, past controversial statements or a future Akin moment could cause the loss of a winnable seat to Michelle Nunn.

Larry Sabato sees this as well, but throws in an interesting twist:

Georgia: Democrats probably can only win the open seat in Georgia if Republicans nominate a poor candidate here, like firebreathing Reps. Paul Broun (R, GA-10) or Phil Gingrey (R, GA-11), both of whom are capable of kicking away a race with cringe-worthy verbal missteps. Michelle Nunn (D) would undoubtedly prefer to face one of them, although Republicans are hopeful that neither candidate could survive an eventual runoff against an establishment candidate such as Rep. Jack Kingston (R, GA-1). A post-November runoff if no one gets over 50% here in the general election is possible. Imagine if Georgia and Louisiana went to overtime, with the Senate in the balance? Georgia’s runoff wouldn’t be until Jan. 6, 2015 — after the new Congress will be seated. Hmm…

Six years ago, Saxby Chambliss beat Jim Martin in a runoff held on December 2nd. The race was forced into a runoff because Libertarian candidate Jim Buckley received over 3% of the vote in November, leaving Chambliss just short of the 50% + 1 he needed to win outright. - Peach Pundit, 3/13/14

Of course Peach Pundit offers Nunn some advice after Tuesday's special election in Florida:

http://www.peachpundit.com/...

Sink portrayed herself as a moderate, promising to bring Republicans and Democrats together. Jolly, however, pushed his opponent to the left while moving himself to the right, winning by more than 3,400 votes using a tactic we’re going to see a lot more of: oppose ObamaCare and anyone who seems remotely for it.

Based on Florida 13′s outcome, Michelle Nunn could be playing right into Republicans’ hand. She’s having to support ObamaCare while equivocating that it needs some tweaking. And she’s portraying herself as a reach-across-the-aisle bridge builder, much like her father did in 24 years in the Senate.

But Sam Nunn served in Washington before the 24-hour news cycle was jammed with partisan commentary from both sides; before real-time blogging in the digital world; before people received the majority of their political news from Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart.

The fact of the matter is, we are moving far beyond the days when a politician can get elected by promising to work with the other side, or by failing to equivocate clearly to the left or right.

Make no mistake: whoever wins the GOP Senate primary will leave no doubt regarding their political leaning, or where they stand. And there is no doubt as to the tactics he or she will use.

Democrats in Georgia have already raised more money than in recent years using the names “Nunn” and “Carter.” They had best use it very strategically, and very, very wisely. - Peach Pundit, 3/13/14

We shall see.  In the mean time, if you want to get involved with Nunn's campaign, you can do so here:
http://www.michellenunn.com/