The New Southern Strategy

An Insider Advantage poll has just been released showing that Obama and McCain are tied in Georgia.

McCain: 44%
Obama: 43%
Barr: 6%
Undecided: 7%

That puts Georgia (15 Electoral Votes) within reach for November, and breaks the "Solid South" foundation of most Republican strategies.

A couple of interesting bits from the analysis of the polling data.

McCain is predictably receiving the majority of older voters.

"In this survey, as in almost every survey we have seen or conducted, there is a ‘great divide’ among age groups. Among those 45 years of age and older, McCain is the clear leader. Among voters who are 44 years of age or younger, Obama leads."

But he is having to fight with Barr for this block of voters.

"As to the Bob Barr effect, Barr’s numbers dropped slightly overall from our poll of Georgia in March. However, he remains at a 6% level, healthy for a Libertarian. And among senior voters he receives nearly 10% of the vote.

To turn Georgia blue we have to organize on two fronts.

1. Voter Registration: there are thousands more people who have never voted in Georgia and are of voting age.  Registration in Georgia can be done all the way up to 30 days before the election.  There is a second step which needs to be done for some people to get poor and elderly voters picture IDs so that they are not turned away.  A two step process which gets people registered and gets them picture IDs will swell the ranks of Obama voters in November.

2. Get Out the Vote: We need to keep up with these people that we register, remind them when they need to vote and where to go, arrange for rides when they are need, and keep them involved in the process all the way to November and beyond.