In State politics Georgia has a democratic Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney General. The State House and Senate are also controlled by the Democrats by a heavy majority. Being the 10th largest state in the Union and holding 13 electoral votes, Georgia is a good catch for any Presidential candidate. (Almanac of American Politics 453).
The issues for Georgia include agriculture, education, sportsman rights, and social security. (Max for Senate). Who ever wants to win in Georgia has to be able to represent the Metro Area of Georgia, which represents over half the voting population, along with the rest of the state that relies on industry and agriculture. The issues for the coastal part of Savannah are quite different then the paper mill factories in Macon and Albany. With a population of over eight million people, there are a lot of issues at hand. Looking at this population about 34.9% of the voting population are minorities (Census 2000). The largest minority group is African Americans with 28.7% of Georgia's population (Census 2000). Hispanics represent the next largest group holding about 5% of the votes in Georgia (Census 2000). The other major groups are Asian Americans and mixed backgrounds. With such a high percentage of minorities in a voting population no candidate could win over the state of Georgia without addressing minority rights. During a time of such economic hardship in last count Georgia's unemployment ranking was around 4.5% but no doubt that it has risen since the recent layoffs of major Georgia companies. (MCNAUGHTON). .
Georgia tends to lean toward the democratic choice in most elections, so Cleland is favored but not in know way is safe. The issues will determine the outcome of the election. On the federal level with the balance in the Senate hanging on one vote, the nation is tuned in on this election along with other tight races. The current issues pressing on Americans tend to create the issues on political campaigns, along with the notorious stances on things like abortion and minority rights.
