Southern States Seek To Leverage 2016 Clout

Manchester, Ga., could play a role in the 2016 election  
as Georgia has moved up its presidential primary date to
 March 1.

Though presidential politicians have long ignored Georgia, the towns and villages in this primarily rural state celebrate their historic connection with Washington power. White House Parkway cuts through this area. The sign in front of the police station in Warm Springs, population 413, touts a century-old tie to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and locals quickly point out that former President Jimmy Carter lives within an hour’s drive.

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And yet it’s been decades since this place was relevant in any presidential contest: Aside from Carter, the last candidate anyone remembers campaigning here was John F. Kennedy.

It’s the Manchester 1,200 miles to the north, in New Hampshire, that is supposed to matter during primary season. Not this one.

“The right to bear arms is huge around here,” said 
store owner Beth Hadley.

But in an attempt to flex more muscle in the Republican nominating contest, and potentially boost a candidate with solidly conservative credentials, a half-dozen of the reddest of Southern red states are aiming to band together and hold a Southern Super Tuesday on the earliest possible date. Under the emerging 2016 primary calendar, places like Manchester, Ga., could carry new sway — in some ways acting as an antidote to the famously independent voters up north.

“Most folks want to support their families. 
There’s self-respect that comes with having a
 job,” said Bob Patterson, a local Baptist pastor.

“When you look at where the heartland of the Republican Party is right now, it’s a lot of these Southern states,” said Joel McElhannon, a GOP consultant in Georgia.

The candidates “are going to have to speak to what the base of the party is wanting to hear . . . There’s not going to be much taste for someone interested in getting squishy and moderate.”

Georgia has been leading an effort to mobilize all Southern states to vote March 1. In what has been dubbed the SEC Primary, after the Southeastern college conference famed for football-crazed schools, Georgia is hoping it will be joined by Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

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