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Walker runs Washington outsider playbook in bid to unseat Georgia’s Warnock

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Walker runs Washington outsider playbook in bid to unseat Georgia’s Warnock


Folksy Republican Herschel Walker is leveraging many years of goodwill in Georgia to unseat Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) in a December runoff however is working into the identical obstacles that left him gasping for air in second place on Nov. 8.

Walker, a former skilled soccer participant, is beloved within the Peach State for main the College of Georgia to a nationwide championship in 1980. However he completed behind Warnock within the preliminary spherical of voting within the midterm elections as voters caught with a Democratic incumbent targeted on kitchen desk points and shunned the GOP challenger campaigning as a “warrior for God.”

Republican operatives in Georgia worry Walker is headed for a second, and ultimate, defeat Dec. 6. Chief amongst their considerations is voter turnout. Will Republicans present up after a disappointing November and with Democrats having already secured the Senate majority? In addition they fear Warnock is ready to smoke Walker in cash and manpower amid GOP finger-pointing over midterm election losses.

“It’s not wanting good for Herschel,” a Republican insider in Georgia mentioned. “Not having Senate management in play has made this race boring for voters. Most of my nonpolitical pals have fully moved on. Gained’t vote. Don’t care.”

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“Individuals don’t have as a lot of a purpose to carry their nostril this time,” a Georgia GOP strategist added. “If he can slender the spending disparity, he has a shot.”

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Walker vowed on the eve of the midterm elections he would defeat Warnock with greater than 50% of the vote, avoiding a runoff and serving to Republicans win the Senate majority. However these rosy predictions, like projections the GOP would win Senate management, fell brief. Even with lengthy coattails from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who defeated Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams 53.4% to 45.9%, Walker completed the runner-up, shedding to Walker 49.4% to 48.5%.

Doubts about Walker amongst swing voters and delicate Republicans, stemming from the candidate’s checkered previous, clearly hampered his Senate marketing campaign — regardless of his fame in Georgia for his soccer heroics. Walker’s affiliation with former President Donald Trump, who recruited him to problem Warnock, additionally solid a cloud over his Senate bid, as occurred in congressional and gubernatorial contests in different states.

Walker is doing his finest to show issues round, campaigning throughout Georgia and elevating cash prodigiously. The Walker marketing campaign didn’t reply to a request for remark. However in interviews, largely with pleasant conservative media figures, the 60-year-old first-time candidate is framing the runoff as a selection between Warnock, a political insider who does the bidding of President Joe Biden, and himself, a politician in contact with the vast majority of Georgia voters.

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“I’m getting out, to attempt to get the folks to get behind me, as a result of we’d like new management,” Walker mentioned in a Fox Information interview with Laura Ingraham. “He’s [with] Washington and representing nobody however Joe Biden. He went to Washington; he forgot concerning the Georgia folks. That’s the explanation I made a decision to run.”

Republicans in Washington are also serving to, though not essentially rowing in the identical path, because the Nationwide Republican Senatorial Committee, helmed by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), and the Senate Management Fund, aligned with Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell (R-KY), commerce blame for the GOP’s midterm election failures. The feud threatens to pull Walker down, though each organizations are investing vital assets within the race, as is the pro-Walker tremendous PAC “34N22.”

The Senate Management Fund confirmed it has allotted $16.2 million for the runoff, $14.2 million of which the group is plowing into promoting on tv, radio, and digital platforms. The remaining is being spent on voter turnout actions. The NRSC declined to reveal its runoff funding. However the committee has deployed key workers to Georgia and is coordinating with the Walker marketing campaign on communications, fundraising, opposition analysis, and voter turnout.

“Herschel’s drawing large crowds throughout the state of Georgia. There’s clearly quite a lot of power on the market to get Herschel throughout the end line,” mentioned Chris Hartline, the NRSC communications director, who’s in Georgia aiding the Walker marketing campaign.

Walker is charismatic and fascinating on the stump. Having by no means run for workplace earlier than, he can run towards Washington, typically a successful technique. Biden’s unpopularity and voter nervousness fueled by inflation, crime, and border safety are property in his bid to oust Warnock, who superior to the Senate by defeating appointed Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) in a Jan. 5, 2021, runoff. However Walker had the identical benefits on Nov. 8 and nonetheless got here up brief.

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As polls confirmed for a lot of the marketing campaign, independents, plus some Republicans who had been glad to assist Kemp, had doubts about Walker.

His previous psychological well being challenges, allegations about his remedy of girls, plus his battle to exude competence on primary points brought on issues for his marketing campaign. Accusations that he paid for ex-girlfriends to acquire abortions years in the past added to voters’ uncertainty about Walker. He denied the costs, however as a devoutly anti-abortion candidate, the allegations undercut his authenticity and credibility. Walker’s marketing campaign messaging additionally has missed the mark.

At each marketing campaign cease, he discusses inflation, crime, border safety — he mentions that Warnock has voted for the Biden agenda on the ground of the Senate 96% of the time. However the place Warnock, a Christian pastor by commerce, targeted primarily on how his votes on Capitol Hill addressed points voters care about most, Walker has campaigned as a tradition warrior, delivering speeches dominated by spiritual allegories and testaments to his Christian religion.

Democrats are arguing, greater than some other criticism provided of Walker, that he “merely isn’t up for the job he’s asking Georgians to present him.” That’s what Veronica Yoo, spokeswoman for Senate Majority PAC, the tremendous PAC aligned with Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-NY), mentioned in a press launch saying the group’s $13.5 million funding within the runoff.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

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However Republicans stay hopeful. Fourteen years in the past, after Republicans took a beating within the election that put Barack Obama within the White Home, then-Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) was pressured right into a runoff. Regardless of the GOP having misplaced eight Senate seats simply weeks earlier and voters selecting Obama, on the time a well-liked determine, as the subsequent president, Chambliss gained a December runoff.

“This race is about turnout,” a Republican strategist in Georgia mentioned. “Persuasion is over. Walker has a slight edge for 2 causes: Republicans are nonetheless indignant on the nationwide outcomes. Second, the vaunted Abrams turnout machine has crumbled from infighting and finger-pointing over her loss. Kemp’s machine reloaded below” the Senate Management Fund.





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SEC title game scenarios: Auburn upset sets up Georgia vs. Texas-Texas A&M winner in Atlanta

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SEC title game scenarios: Auburn upset sets up Georgia vs. Texas-Texas A&M winner in Atlanta


Rival programs Texas and Texas A&M will meet next Saturday for the first time in 13 years and will have an SEC championship game berth on the line when they do.

The winner between the No. 3 Longhorns and No. 15 Aggies will clinch a berth in the SEC title game and will play No. 10 Georgia. The SEC office confirmed Saturday night that following Week 13’s results, the Bulldogs have clinched a spot in the conference title game for the fourth consecutive season.

That’s the unexpected outcome of a stunning day of upsets in the SEC, which saw Ole Miss and Alabama eliminated by taking a third loss, No. 11 Tennessee eliminated because of tiebreakers and Georgia clinch a spot after the new tiebreaker rules were examined.

Here’s a look at the top four teams in the standings heading into Week 14:

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Team SEC record Final SEC opponent

6-1

at Texas A&M

6-2

n/a

5-2

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Texas

5-2

at Vanderbilt

Breaking down the SEC scenarios

• If Texas wins next week, then it has the best record and No. 1 seed. Georgia would then be the second seed whether or not Tennessee wins against Vanderbilt, as Georgia owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Volunteers.

• If Texas A&M wins, it creates either a three-way or four-way tie for first place, depending on whether Tennessee wins. None of the first tiebreakers would appear to apply, so it would go to schedule strength. Texas A&M has that edge right now, and according to the SEC office calculations that would still hold after next week. Here is what they are after this weekend’s games:

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Team Opponents’ cumulative conference record

28-30

26-32

26-35

23-36

But that would only clinch the first seed, and the tiebreaker process would go back to the beginning with the remaining three teams. In that case, Georgia would get the second seed, by virtue of having beaten Tennessee and Texas.

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If Texas A&M wins but Tennessee loses, then Georgia still gets the spot via its head-to-head win over the Longhorns.

The bottom line: It’s complicated.

Here are the six SEC tiebreakers, in order:

  • Head-to-head competition among the tied teams
  • Record versus all common conference opponents among the tied teams
  • Record against highest (best) placed common conference opponent in the conference standings, and proceeding through the conference standings among the tied teams
  • Cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents among the tied teams
  • Capped relative total scoring margin versus all conference opponents among the tied teams
  • Random draw of the tied teams

How Auburn upset the Aggies

Auburn receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith made a leaping catch in the middle of the end zone of a two-point conversion pass from quarterback Payton Thorne in the fourth overtime that proved to be the game winner. Texas A&M had a chance to match it, but Marcel Reed’s rollout pass to Amari Daniels was dropped. Auburn fans stormed the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium to celebrate the win, its first over a ranked team in the Hugh Freeze era.

The Tigers (5-6, 2-5) raced out to a 21-0 second quarter lead behind their passing game. Thorne connected on four pass plays of 15 or more yards in the first quarter alone, including a 63-yard touchdown pass to Cam Coleman and a 60-yard completion to Lambert-Smith.

Texas A&M charged back with three touchdowns on its next four drives to tie the game at 21 with 7:57 to go in the third quarter. Aggies receiver Noah Thomas (five catches, 124 yards) accounted for two of those on touchdown catches of 14 and 73 yards in the third quarter.

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Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter (130 rushing yards, three touchdowns) gave the Tigers a 28-21 lead, but Texas A&M responded with a Randy Bond field goal and an 8-yard Daniels touchdown run to take a 31-28 lead with 4:01 left in the fourth quarter.

The Tigers penetrated inside A&M’s 10 in the final minute but settled for a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation.

The teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime and field goals in the second overtime. By rule, teams must attempt alternating two-point conversion plays beginning in the third overtime. Both teams failed to convert theirs in the third overtime.

Looking ahead

Despite the loss, the Aggies still have a chance to make it to the SEC title game for the first time in school history. Texas A&M joined the SEC in 2012 but failed to win its division under Kevin Sumlin or Jimbo Fisher.

New coach Mike Elko has a chance to do something neither of his predecessors could, but it will require an upset of rival Texas. A loss will eliminate the Aggies from College Football Playoff contention since they’ll be ranked well outside the top 12.

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The Longhorns visit Kyle Field next week, the first time since 2011 the rivals will meet and the 119th edition of the rivalry. Texas leads the all-time series 76-37-5 and won the last meeting 27-25 on a Justin Tucker field goal as time expired.

Earlier in the day, Georgia wasn’t considering the SEC championship a strong possibility, much less clinching a spot before the day was over. More of the discussion had been about whether it would be better to miss the game, rest and prepare for the first round of the Playoff, rather than risk a loss and drop further in the rankings.

“We haven’t really discussed it,” guard Tate Ratledge said. “If it falls into place, we’re going to do our best to go up there and do our best to win it. But if it doesn’t it doesn’t. Right now we’re just focused on (Georgia) Tech.”

(Photo: Michael Chang / Getty Images)



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Georgia’s First National Park to be Named Ocmulgee Mounds National Park

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Georgia’s First National Park to be Named Ocmulgee Mounds National Park


National Parks, a vital influence on the American culture have been around since 1872. And while many states in the U.S. benefit from the beauty and attractiveness of the attributes that make a national park a national park, not every state has that honor. There are twenty states that have yet to gain a title, however, it is not due to the lack of personality. Georgia is one such state.

Macon, Georgia is home to a historical park that contains over 17,000 years of historical artifacts. Ocmulgee Mounds is a beautiful grassy piece of land where a variety of Native American cultures have resided for thousands of years. The historic park is known for its cultural history and houses the only spiral staircase mound known to be existing in North America, and has several different nature trails and hikes.

Although the state of Georgia has 11 sites designated by the National Park Service, over 60 parks, and 17 historic sites, an official National Park has been in the works for over 90 years. This week, however, the Peach State took one step closer to having its first national park and preserve. The Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve Establishment Act passed through the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.

Concerning the act, U.S. Rep and cosponsor on the bill, Austin Scott elaborates, “This is a bipartisan initiative that goes all the way back to 1934. The Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act would create a historic opportunity to protect important natural and cultural resources, protect hunting and fishing for generations to come, and bring economic opportunities to middle Georgia through the creation of Georgia’s first national park.”

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This initiative has been a long time coming and the state is looking forward to highlighting the hidden cultural and ecological gems they have to offer on a nother level.

“Experts estimate the Ocmulgee River corridor is home to 32 mammal species, 170 species of birds, 26 amphibian species, 31 fish species and 35 reptile species.” Environment Georgia, an e

The Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve Establishment Act also takes a step to guaruntee the preservation of the natural life that resides in Macon. “Experts estimate the Ocmulgee River corridor is home to 32 mammal species, 170 species of birds, 26 amphibian species, 31 fish species and 35 reptile species,” environmentalist group, Environment Georgia stated in a release.

As well as preserving the wildlife of Ocmulgee Mounds, this next step in ensuring Georgia’s first National Park will bolster the local economy and allow tourists from across the U.S. to delve into the rich history and culture that Georgia has to offer.



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Georgia football-UMass live updates, score, analysis and injury news for Week 13 game

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Georgia football-UMass live updates, score, analysis and injury news for Week 13 game


The No. 10 Georgia football team will take on the UMass Minutemen in a Week 13 college football game. Below you can find live updates, analysis, the latest injury news and the score.

Georgia is 8-2 on the season while UMass is 2-8. UMass parted ways with its head coach this week.

Georgia football-UMass live updates, score, analysis for Week 13 game

10 a.m. ET: Georgia football will honor its senior class on Saturday when the Bulldogs take on the UMass. The ceremony will take place prior to Saturday’s game, with festivities starting at 12:23 p.m. ET.

As for the injury front, look for Georgia to be without a few skill players in running back Trevor Etienne and wide receiver Dillon Bell. Etienne is dealing with a rib injury that forced him to miss last week’s game against Tennessee.

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Bell left the Tennessee game with an ankle injury. His injury is not expected to force him to miss significant time.

Look for two freshmen to step up in their place. At running back Nate Frazier will once again carry the load for Georgia. He has a rushing touchdown in each of the past three games.

At wide receiver, Nitro Tuggle will look to build off his game against Tennessee.

“Nitro’s responded well. He’s worked hard. He had a good practice today,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “I think he gained some confidence from that because he went against a really good defense and he did some nice things. But, I mean, he goes against a good defense every day in practice, and there’s times that he’s been frustrated. I mean, he would tell you openly that he wants to play. He wants to help. All freshmen want to play.”

With Georgia being a massive favorite, the Bulldogs will look to get some young players some reps this weekend. Georgia also has a quick turnaround, as it faces Georgia Tech on Friday.

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The Yellow Jackets played on Thursday, beating NC State 30-29.

Georgia football injury report against UMass

  • Earnest Greene — shoulder — questionable
  • Micah Morris — ankle — questionable
  • Dillon Bell — ankle — out
  • Roderick Robinson — toe — out
  • Branson Robinson — knee — out
  • Joseph Jonah-Ajonye — foot — out
  • Trevor Etienne — ribs — out

Georgia football-UMass game time for Week 13 game

The Georgia football-UMass game is set for a 12:45 p.m. ET kickoff

Georgia football-UMass TV channel for Week 13 game

The Georgia football-UMass game will air on the SEC Network. Dave Neal and Max Starks will be calling the game.

How to stream Georgia football-UMass game for Week 13

You can watch the Georgia football-Tennessee Tech game online via the WatchESPN app. Click here to watch the game.

Georgia football-UMass odds for Week 13 game

The Georgia football team is a 42.5-point favorite over UMass. The over/under is 55.5.



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