Election 2004 > Congressional Races > Georgia 12th

The Washington Post's pundits pick Max Burns' seat in Congress as one of the most tightly contested races this fall. This gerrymandered district stretches from Savannah through Augusta all the way to Athens, Georgia - any longer and it would run the entire length of the state! Burns is a Republican incumbant in a strongly Republican state - Georgians have made a habit out of turning southern Democrats out of office in favor of Republicans since the 1990's.

A first term congressmen, Burns boasts vintage GOP endorsements, from the NRA, the National Right to Life Committee, the National Defense PAC, and a variety of business groupings. He seems responsible on cultural issues: he voted to protect confidentiality of medical treatment for illegal aliens, to ban flag desecration, and to ban internet credit card gambling.

Burns district, says NPR, was created to be a Democratic seat: its voters are 60% democrats and 40% black. The challenger, John Barrow, emerged from a 4-way primary last month, and is seen as having a real shot at unseating Burns, though both are classic "white guys". His endorsers are as typically Democrat as Burns' are Republican, including a bevy of unions as well as the Sierra Club and League of Conservation Voters.

The race may be a microcosm of the national mood - on November 2nd, are Americans going to give the Republicans a few more years, or have they seen enough? Will social issues (good for Burns) or economic issues (good for Barrow) carry the day in rural and small-city Georgia? The issues are fairly clear in this race between a Real Republican and a Real Democrat. Neither party can lose this race with dignity: no incumbant can save face if ousted, and the Democrats can't blame the districting or circumstances if they fail to retake the "safely Democratic" seat. This one will be fought down to the wire, and both parties will continue to pour money in.