With friends like the Governor, who needs enemies -- Endorsements

[The Leah Sears and Hill] results bolster a widespread belief among political observers that endorsements don’t tend to have much influence on elections.

“Voters don’t pay much attention to them,’’ said Merle Black, a political science professor at Emory University. “Some voters even resent people coming in from outside and telling them how to vote.’’

Though voters apparently weren't swayed by Perdue's endorsements, politicians are likely to make note of the results, said Charles Bullock, a political science professor at the University of Georgia.

The governor's mixed record in the primaries could hurt his ability to steer his legislative priorities through the General Assembly, Bullock said.

"The message it sends is that a legislator need not worry that bucking the governor will hurt his chances for reelection," said Bullock. "[Perdue] will have to cajole, bargain and plead, but not threaten."

But Black expects any political damage to the governor to be short-lived and not affect his anticipated re-election bid in 2006.

As for coattails, Black said Perdue can't lose what he has never had.

"It's not clear from previous elections that he's had any coattails," said Black. "Generally, you have to run somewhere above the low 50s to have that effect."

When Perdue defeated incumbent Democrat Roy Barnes two years ago to win the governor's race, he captured only 51.4 percent of the vote.

8-16-04 GDP.