Several national political figures, including President-elect Clinton, are focusing their energies on the Senate runoff race Tuesday between Demo-cra-tic incumbent Wyche Fowler and Republican challenger Paul Coverdell.
Clinton is to campaign for Fowler Monday in Macon and Albany. Fowler already has received help from Vice President-elect Al Gore, former President Jimmy Carter, Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga., Democratic National Committee Chairman Ron Brown, actress Kim Basinger and Michael Stipe, lead singer of the rock band R.E.M.Coverdell's campaign included appearances by Senate GOP Leader Bob Dole, first lady Barbara Bush, Housing Secretary Jack Kemp, Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, Sen. Connie Mack, R-Fla. and actor Charlton Heston.
Fowler received 49 percent of the vote in the Nov. 3 general election. Coverdell, the Republican nominee, received 48 percent of the vote, while Libertarian candidate Jim Hudson got 3 percent. Both Hudson and the Georgia campaign force for independent presidential candidate Ross Perot then endorsed Coverdell.
Under Georgia law, a runoff is required if no candidate receives 50 percent of the vote. Secretary of State Max Cleland has predicted a 25 percent voter turnout on Tuesday. A low voter turnout has traditionally favored Republicans.
Coverdell's campaign ads have characterized Fowler as a "tax-and-spend liberal who votes with Ted Kennedy." Fowler's ads call Coverdell a "shady businessman" whose only interest is in benefitting the rich.