Herschel Walker's debate performance strong enough to stop ticket-splitters, says Atlanta paper

The morning after the Georgia Senate debate, the state capital’s only daily newspaper said that Herschel Walker’s strong performance likely convinced conservatives not to vote split-ticket with his Democratic opponent, incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock.

Greg Bluestein, a state politics reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, wrote that the football star entered the debate plagued by “damaging reports” about his personal history, including violent behavior toward women and an ex-girlfriend’s claim that he paid for her abortion 13 years ago.

“He was desperate to stem the tide of split-ticket Republican voters who back [Gov. Brian] Kemp’s reelection campaign but were wavering over whether to cast a ballot for Walker,” said Bluestein. “His answer, time and again, was to tie Warnock to President Joe Biden and his 38% approval rating.

“This race isn’t about me,” Walker said during the Friday debate. “It’s about what Raphael Warnock and Joe Biden have done to you and your family.”

Kemp is running comfortably ahead of Democrat Stacey Abrams – a five-point lead, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average – but Walker has consistently polled behind Warnock over doubts about his personal issues and lack of political experience.

Bluestein believes that the political novice’s unexpectedly strong debate performance may have convinced those sitting on the fence.

“While Friday’s debate performance didn’t erase Walker’s vulnerabilities, it may quiet some GOP fears that the party’s most reliable voters were on the verge of abandoning him,” he said. “

Walker came out punchy and aggressive, interjecting frequently as he tried to knock Warnock off message. Warnock was more cautious and deliberate, though he also gave Democrats reason to cheer.

The reporter said Walker benefited from low expectations and strong debate prep arranged by the political veterans in his campaign.

A Morning Consult poll from Friday indicated that Republicans led Democrats by a whopping 11-points on the generic congressional ballot question. 65% of Georgia voters they surveyed believed the country was on the wrong track.

It was reported later on Saturday that former President Barack Obama will be visiting Georgia on Oct. 28 to stump for Warnock, indicating how close the race is getting.