Isakson, Chambliss endorse McCain; ‘Disappointment’ reigns at Christian Alliance meetingSaturday, February 2, 2008, 03:09 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Political Insider

D.A. King, an illegal immigration activist and Romney supporter, walked out on Gramm when the former Texas senator defended McCain’s record on immigration.
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Tension over the Republican race for president bubbled into the open on Saturday, as Georgia’s two U.S. senators endorsed John McCain — to the outrage and disappointment of many of the activists who form the party’s base.

Talk about the move by Saxby Chambliss, who is up for re-election this year, and Johnny Isakson filled the hallways at the annual winter meeting of the Georgia Christian Alliance, a gathering of religious conservatives that attracts many Republican activists.

Both senators are to appear at a 5:30 p.m. McCain rally at the Cobb Galleria.

Isakson attended the GCA meeting this morning.

“The war in Iraq — the war on terror — is to me the most important issue we face,” Isakson said afterwards, explaining why he had cast his personal vote for McCain the day before.

Isakson also mentioned McCain’s opposition to the growth of the federal budget, and uncontrolled spending through “earmarks.”

“He was strong on that before it was cool.”

Said Chambliss, in a telephone interview:

“We’re a strong military state and we need a strong commander in chief,” the senior senator said. “At the end of the day, we’ve got to rally around the fellow that can win.”

Former U.S. senator Phil Gramm of Texas, the national co-chairman of the McCain campaign, appeared before the religious group to argue that McCain’s emergence as the Republican party’s nominee on Tuesday was inevitable.

“I hope we can close ranks,” he said.

D.A. King, an illegal immigration activist and Romney supporter, walked out on Gramm when the former Texas senator defended McCain’s record on immigration.

Pat Tippett, a South Georgia activist who supports Mike Huckabee, had the harshest criticism for Isakson and Chambliss. She said they “have undermined the conservative principles of our party by embracing Senator McCain.”

Said Sadie Fields, chairman of the Georgia Christian Alliance:

“We honor both our senators and hold them in high esteem, but this is disappointing.”

Fields predicted that the impact would be felt at the grassroots level. “It just takes the winds out of their sails.”

Four Georgia congressmen who support Romney held a conference call on Saturday, in which they dismissed the endorsement of McCain by Isakson and Chambliss as an example of Senate “clubiness.”

“The Senate’s a universe of 100 people. They almost seem to be removed from their constituents. I don’t know if they sprinkle them with some sort of dust or whatever,” said U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland of Coweta County.