Who Will Advance to the GOP Runoff in Georgia?

Morning Line: “This is perhaps the biggest question of the night as the outcome could have far-reaching consequences for the battle this fall over which party will control the Senate next year. The Republican establishment would prefer to see one of three candidates ultimately emerge from the field of five contenders: businessman David Perdue, Rep. Jack Kingston or former Georgia secretary of state Karen Handel. The other two candidates running are Reps. Paul Broun and Phil Gingrey, who some Republicans see as weaker opponents against philanthropist Michelle Nunn, who is expected to easily defeat three lesser-known candidates on the Democratic side.”

“No candidate in the GOP primary is likely to clear 50 percent on Tuesday, so the top two finishers will advance to a runoff, which means they will spend the next two months debating who the true conservative is in the race and draining resources that could be useful come September and October, when voters really start to pay attention.”