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Georgia race more important than you may think

Georgia race more important than you may think

It was very possible that the Senate race between NFL star Herschel Walker and incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock would have control of the Senate in the balance.  But the Republican belated losses in Arizona and Nevada ended that possibility.  Democrats would control the Senate.

The only issue to be resolved is whether Democrats would have a clear one-seat advantage — or it would be another two years of an evenly divided Senate – with Vice President Harris breaking any tie votes.

While Democrats would technically have control, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would still have problems getting all 50 of his senators to vote on important legislation.  Moderate – and more independent – senators such as West Virginia’s Joe Manchin and Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema– could side with Republicans in defeating the more radical left-wing measures – as they did in the past.

(As an aside, I find it interesting that the two so-called “independent senators” – Angus King from Maine and self-proclaimed socialist Bernie Sanders from Vermont – vote lockstep with the Democrats, exhibiting no independence at all.)

There could still be Democrat senators who break ranks with their leadership, but it would take more than one senator to block the Biden spending agenda. That is a significant difference.  That means a win by Walker is still an incredibly significant outcome for Republican efforts to block the more egregious legislation.  

There is another important benefit for Republicans in an evenly divided Senate.  With a clear majority, Schumer can appoint a majority on all the Senate committees and subcommittees.  In an evenly divided Senate, those committees must have equal representation.

Unfortunately, without a full appreciation of the difference between an evenly split Senate and a one seat majority, it is likely that Republican enthusiasm in the upcoming December run-off election will decline.   Polls seem to suggest that is the case.

The failure of the GOP to gain control of the Senate likely improved Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s chances of retaining his leadership role – which he was likely to retain under any circumstances.  But without the possibility of being the Majority Leader, a challenge to McConnell makes no sense at all.

It is possible that the GOP will do better in 2024, when the numbers are much more favorable.  There will be 33 seats up for election, with 23 being held by Democrats, including those two independent guys.

The Georgia seat would be an important win for the GOP, but the odds are trending against them.

So, there ‘tis.

About The Author

Larry Horist

So, there ‘tis… The opinions, perspectives and analyses of businessman, conservative writer and political strategist Larry Horist. Larry has an extensive background in economics and public policy. For more than 40 years, he ran his own Chicago based consulting firm. His clients included such conservative icons as Steve Forbes and Milton Friedman. He has served as a consultant to the Nixon White House and travelled the country as a spokesman for President Reagan’s economic reforms. Larry professional emphasis has been on civil rights and education. He was consultant to both the Chicago and the Detroit boards of education, the Educational Choice Foundation, the Chicago Teachers Academy and the Chicago Academy for the Performing Arts. Larry has testified as an expert witness before numerous legislative bodies, including the U. S. Congress, and has lectured at colleges and universities, including Harvard, Northwestern and DePaul. He served as Executive Director of the City Club of Chicago, where he led a successful two-year campaign to save the historic Chicago Theatre from the wrecking ball. Larry has been a guest on hundreds of public affairs talk shows, and hosted his own program, “Chicago In Sight,” on WIND radio. An award-winning debater, his insightful and sometimes controversial commentaries have appeared on the editorial pages of newspapers across the nation. He is praised by audiences for his style, substance and sense of humor. Larry retired from his consulting business to devote his time to writing. His books include a humorous look at collecting, “The Acrapulators’ Guide”, and a more serious history of the Democratic Party’s role in de facto institutional racism, “Who Put Blacks in That PLACE? -- The Long Sad History of the Democratic Party’s Oppression of Black Americans ... to This Day”. Larry currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

23 Comments

  1. Rick

    Look at that evil piece of crap Schumer laughing under his breath knowing that the fix is already in.

    • Tom

      Schumer does not need a fix. Republicans are doing a very poor job at funding Walker and buying him air time, and, they are doing a poor job at getting their message out. I doubt seriously that many in GA know what Larry just covered in this post. So Schumer does not need a fix when he has very poorly performing Republicans to do the job for him.

  2. Mike F

    Larry, Perhaps in this case it would be wise to look at the candidates rather than just who has an R next to their name? Do you really want a blithering idiot representing your party in the senate? Oh sorry, I forgot, you already voted for one of those for President-my bad…

  3. Tom

    Larry, I agree again! As I said to Rick (above), Schumer does not need a fix. Republicans are doing a very poor job at funding Walker and buying him air time, and, they are doing a poor job at getting their message out. I doubt seriously that many in GA know what Larry just covered in this post. So Schumer does not need a fix when he has very poorly performing Republicans to do the job for him.

    You have a good point about McConnell. I do sort of wonder if McConnell is laying back on the funding because Walker is a Trump guy, and McConnell knows that if Walker loses, then Mitch gets to keep his Minority Leader job in the Senate which might better position him in 2024? Do you think McConnell is sabotaging Walker’s bid by simply not funding it nor stumping for him?

    • Mike F

      Or could it just be he doesn’t want another idiot in Congress with an R next to their name-there are. Quite enough of those already…

  4. Frank stetson

    We need the Walker win as incontrovertible proof of Trump the loser.

    • Tom

      Frank, you silver tongued Dem, you make an offer! I like Trump being a loser but would rather DeSantis do that job. So I will go with a Walker win and 50/50 – ahhhh nice being able to stay on the fence!!!

  5. AC

    A Walker win would be to great a price to pay for something Trump proves everyday for free.
    Senator Walker, those two words put together is like putting water and oil together. The two just don’t mix. Those attempting the mix should know better, but that would be Trump. His picks amount to a house of cards made from all jokers.
    Republicans want a win for Walker for the numbers. But why make it Walker? When any other Georgian could do better every day of the week.
    Republicans have enough on their fork until 2024. The do not have a squad to defensively cover Walker running his game in the Senate.
    The 6th of December can’t come soon enough for my email. Who’s sending Walker good money?

    • Clifford mckinney

      On this day in history in 1955 Rosa parks refused to get off of her ass and give the seat to a white man. You go girl. Sometimes being upity pays off. That opened the door for two black guys to be seriously considered for the senate

      • Bibfy

        Nah, there ain’t no racists in Trumpland. Upidty? 1955 is right you backwards troglodyte.

        Rosa Parks kicked your cracker ass with one simple moment.

        • Clifford mckinney

          I’m praising what she did you moron.

  6. Bibfy

    Calling a black person upity is always endearing.

    If you are not racist; you’re more ignorant than a racist.

    • Sam

      Stfu

      • Larry kuhn

        Racism ain’t real. It’s just a term that democrats throw around to put guilt on people and to justify their lies and commie bullshit

        • Bibfy

          I can see your point.

          Because you are a racist.

          You have to rationalize.

          Starting with “racism ain’t real.”

          • Larry kuhn

            How do you know I’m a racist? I offer new belts to young black guys to keep their pants from sagging. Also helps them run from the police. I also gave a black neighbor a watermelon for his birthday. Now how much more can I do?

  7. Bibfy

    I think you have done plenty.

    Just another deplorable racist spewing on an anonymous website.

    • Larry kuhn

      Bibfy don’t you know what they say about people who can’t take a joke? It’s your party that teaches people of color that they are too stupid to vote, have photo ID , and need the government to wipe their asses for them. Maybe you’re black and are being careful to not wander off the democrat’s plantation. The term “uncle Tom” is used a lot against blacks who finally see the racism in the democrat party.

  8. Bibfy

    Can you say double down?

    Keep digging, racist. Overt racist.

    • Sam

      You just don’t see the truth. But it’s often said that stupid can’t be fixed

  9. Bibfy

    It’s ok sam, larry will be never be fixed. Best we can do is send him slithering back under his rock.

    • Sam

      I might find your mama under the rock

  10. Bibfy

    Are you really going there? Picking a fight on an anonymous website.

    You got nothing. Go kick your dog, fool.