GAINESVILLE, GA -- Rep. Paul Broun's Tea Party rally in Gainesville highlighted the hand-wringing of many conservatives voting next Tuesday in the GOP race for United States Senate. Broun is beloved by Tea Party activists. In a field of conservatives, Broun cheerfully aligns to the right of all of them.
"With me, what you see is what you get. I'm an original intent Constitutionalist. I believe in limited government," Broun said.
At midday Thursday, Broun's Athens headquarters was packed with volunteers trying to win converts and drive up voter turnout. The polls have shown Broun stalling behind the top tier of the crowded GOP Senate field – in spite of, or because of some colorful moments. In January, Broun began raffling assault rifles to campaign donors. Before that, the devout Christian gave his frank analysis of the theory of evolution as "lies straight from the pit of hell."
"The government is the problem. We're not voting on my religious beliefs in Washington," Broun said.
Meantime, Republican Karen Handel has benefited from the kind of polling traction Broun has lacked. Handel has embraced the conservative message but without the emphasis on guns and religion. It landed her the endorsement of Tea Party activist Julianne Thompson.
"I think we all live in the real world. And we have a general election that is coming up," Thompson said.
"I think what Republican voters look at is, they do want someone who is electable," Handel said. "And it's no secret Republicans (in other Senate races two years ago) have been burned by having individuals who have not been good solid general election candidates."
Broun counters that he is the most electable GOP hopeful. He says conservatives will turn out strongly in November if he's nominated. Reps. Jack Kingston and Phil Gingrey are also running, as is businessman David Perdue and two others.
Polls show that David Perdue has consistently led the GOP senate race. The question appears to be whether Handel, Broun, Jack Kingston or Phil Gingrey will face him.
