Obama’s expectations in Georgia

From Ben Smith at Politico.com, here’s Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign manager David Plouffe speaking to reporters yesterday in Washington, D.C.

“Barr will get some votes in Georgia. If Barr were to get two percent in most states, our belief is he’ll get four percent here, most of it coming out of McCain’s hide.”

The last time a Democratic candidate for President won Georgia was 1992, when Clinton squeeked by Papa Bush with the help of countrified billionaire populist Ross Perot, who received 13.4 percent of Georgia’s popular vote.

If Obama were to win Georgia this November, he’ll need more than just a strong Barr campaign nibbling into McCain’s total. He’ll also need a record turnout of enthusiastic Democrats.

February’s presidential primary vote in Georgia hints at that possibility. In a competitive field, Obama nabbed 704,247 primary votes — more than doubling Kerry’s 2004 primary vote count.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)