On the part of Democrats, they felt like if they were not going to get Republicans like Charlie Norwood and Saxby Chambliss in 1996, they weren't going to get them in 1998. Both Norwood and Chambliss have districts that Democrats find inviting because they have large black populations. Black voters support Democrats in far higher percentages than whites. It's always tough to beat an incumbent. Times are good, and the people are more content than they were four years ago and eight years ago.
Money also is a major factor in the races.
Pardue complained when he bowed out in April that congressional campaigns are now not about issues, but money. In this district and in Saxby Chambliss' district, money has made a difference. But it doesn't matter what the name is, an opponent is an opponent. We are working as hard this year as we did in 1996. By 2002, the number of Georgia congressional districts will likely grow from 11 to 13, thanks to the state's population boom during the 1990s.