The call of the rebel

In the past two decades, Atlanta has become progressively more cosmopolitan, with lots of Northern transplants and foreigners. African-Americans make up 27 percent of the 6.5 million population. Overall, 43 percent of the state's electorate resides in the Atlanta metro area.

In Savannah, McCain volunteers say they see signs of real hope for their candidate. The senator carried the more moderate Virginia counties outside of Washington, which is similar demographically to Chatham County, an area that often considers itself independent from the rest of Georgia.

There's Savannah, the saying goes, and then there's the rest of Georgia. In addition, Savannah is often seen as an accurate barometer for the rest of the country. That's why for years Procter & Gamble launched many of its products here. The company found the reception its products got in Savannah paralleled what they would get in the country at large.

The local GOP establishment has been non-commital in this year's race. "It's no secret that the only Republican congressman, Jack Kingston, has not endorsed a candidate," says Louie Nordbye, the Chatham County coordinator for McCain's veteran support. "We all think he leans toward McCain."

Savannah lies near Charleston and Hilton Head, S.C., both of which McCain carried in the South Carolina primary. Bush supporters counter that veterans and a strong military presence in those areas helped McCain, and that Savannah won't follow the pattern. "No way will McCain win here," says Elvin McNeill, Bush coordinator for Chatham County. "But the McCain people, I have to say, are gaining some steam." Indeed. Take Nordbye, a Vietnam veteran. He leans liberal, more liberal than even Bradley, he says. He is pro-choice and opposes the Republican stance on gun control, but despite the fact that McCain calls himself a "proud Reagan conservative," Nordbye spends his days and nights rallying for the senator along the Georgia coast.

"He speaks to the American people," says Nordbye. "He is serious about why he is running, and that's what this country needs." And because Savannah-area residents seldom conform with the rest of the state, Nordbye predicts McCain will win Chatham County, even if he doesn't carry Georgia. But come November, if McCain isn't the party's nominee, Nordbye said he could easily swing to Gore. So may many of the McCain supporters in Chatham County. And if Chatham County is the voice of America, that could bode well for Gore.

Bush supporters believe that their candidate not only will carry Georgia on Tuesday but the rest of the South on the 14th. It may be too early to count McCain completely out in Dixie, however. After all, virtually every other prediction in this topsy-turvy election year has proved unreliable. And, according to the McCain folks, come Wednesday, throughout this region an army of volunteers will be waiting on Federal Express to receive those recycled McCain signs from Georgia to carry on their insurgent war against the Bush machine.

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