Palin plans Georgia runoff rallies for Sen. Chambliss

Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss enlisted Sarah Palin to rally conservatives while Democratic challenger Jim Martin pushed to activate black voters, as they grappled for advantage in a Tuesday runoff that will shape Democrats’ hold on power in Washington.

Palin, the Alaska governor who was John McCain’s vice-presidential running mate, was to arrive in Georgia for a private fundraiser Sunday night, followed by rallies across the state Monday. McCain carried the state with 52 percent of the vote on Nov. 4.

Neither Chambliss nor Martin crossed the 50 percent threshold in the general election. That race included a libertarian, Allen Buckley, who drew 3.4 percent. Almost one month after the vote, there has been no end to the mudslinging, with fresh attacks ads flooding the airwaves through Thanksgiving.

This week’s runoff is critical because Senate Democrats are just two votes shy of the 60 needed to block GOP filibusters. Georgia is one of two unresolved contests. The other is in Minnesota, where a recount is under way in the race between Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken