Georgia: McCain 44% Obama 43% Barr 6%

A new Insider Advantage poll shows Georgia to be essentially tied with John McCain having a statistically insignificant 1% lead over Barack Obama. Libertarian candidate Bob Barr is polling at 6%.

It’s nearly impossible to imagine a scenario where McCain loses Georgia and still wins the election. And it has to be very concerning to the McCain campaign for a state that they were planning on being an easy red state is now looking competitive.

Consider the recent Presidential elections in Georgia to understand how surprising these new polling numbers are:

2004: Bush 58%, Kerry 41%
2000: Bush 55%, Gore 43%

Georgia even voted for Bob Dole in Clinton’s lopsided win in 1996.

The last time Georgia has voted for a Democrat was for Bill Clinton in 1992 when Ross Perot won a significant portion of the vote (13%.) Georgia native Bob Barr may play the Ross Perot role this year and help Barack Obama win the state.