Jim Martin, a distinguished Viet Nam veteran, is the Democrat running against fearmonger, Saxby Chambliss, in Georgia. You can read about him here and here. Here’s what’s been happening in Georgia:
September 7-9
Chambliss: 57%
Martin: 28%
October 5-7
Chambliss: 47%
Martin: 44%
In other words, this has gone from “Saxby Chambliss = Foregone Conclusion” to “Jim Martin = Real Probability” – in one month!! The Chambliss campaign just has to be gobsmacked at this chaange in fortunes. Consider using this ActBlue page to donate to Martin. His campaign Web site is here. He can win this.
jcricket
It would be sweet, sweet revenge to kick Chambliss’ ass to the curb. He was the one who ran the Osama ads against Max Cleland (the veteran who has only one limb).
Chambliss losing would be even better than Coleman losing to Franken.
JR
As a Georgian, I am excited. Still pissed off about Max Cleland.
Napoleon
But still not as sweet as Mitch M. going down to defeat. But I hope we hit the Trifecta and get all 3.
jcricket
Ooh, good point. Taking out the minority leader, the used car salesman and the sleaze flinging wingnut with one election would rock.
But c’mon, it’s awesome that Al "Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot and I used to wear a satellite dish on my head" Franken is beating Norm "zzzzzz" Coleman.
r€nato
we may well get that trifecta. In the current climate, being a Republican running for office is like being a leper looking for a date.
Dave
It would stick in my craw if Mr. Five Deferments was able to beat two war vets in a row. I hope Chambliss rots in Hell for what he did to Cleland, but I’ll settle for his ass getting booted out of the Senate.
Dennis - SGMM
Not so fast there. Via Oliver Willis: Hugh Hewitt has been shopping around his latest book How Sarah Palin Won the Election … and Saved America.
No publisher so far.
You can’t make this shit up.
Napoleon
It will drive the right nuts if he wins. Better yet, I can see Franken actually turning into a real respected member of the Senate. He really isn’t a joke candidate (a la Jesse Ventura). I think he is bright, is conversant with issues, is a good communicator, etc. It will drive them nuts if they turn on Meet the Press and there is Franken talking about the fifth anniversary of the passing of the Clinton/Kennedy Universal Health Care Bill of 2009, or some such.
r€nato
I think he should run with that. Really. I had a great time reading the various blogs skewering Liberal Fascism and I could use some of that entertainment as I watch my retirement account’s value dwindle to sawdust.
Not even Regnery? Must be The Vast Liberal Publishing Conspiracy™ at work yet again.
CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMVIII
The Black Wall of Death has hit the previous thread. Just letting you guys know.
jcricket
I expect Franken to do exactly as you said. He’ll be Barney Frank, only funnier.
Seriously – we need more actual liberals, with good senses of humor and humility.
I like Max Baucus just fine (thank you for my AMT credit refund), but he’s hardly some liberal champion, and when is he out there helping liberals get their message out?
I think we need more media-savvy liberals.
The Thinking Man's Mel Torme
ummm…ick???
JL
Although Barack pulled his staff out of GA, he did leave behind volunteers to help get out the vote. It’s just possible that the effort to get out the vote helps Martin.
Paul in KY
Would be a wonderful present to Georgia (and me) if Suckme Cummless could be sent packing. I’m going to send Mr. Martin a donation.
low-tech cyclist
I’ve given $100 each to Franken’s, Martin’s, and Lunsford’s campaigns. I want to see that trifecta!
The Grand Panjandrum
@JR: I’m not from Georgia but I’m still pissed.
I will follow your orders Comrade Cole.
BTW I got my absentee ballot. Anyone else Doin’ the Right Thing yet?
cleek
Ho. Le. Fuck.
more lunatics
SamFromUtah
@The Thinking Man’s Mel Torme: ummm…ick???
I’m tempted to snag a bottle of that, just because it may well be the 2008 equivalent of Billy Beer.
But not all that tempted.
Napoleon
Did he pull his staff or did he just quit running ads on tv and radio? I thought it was the former.
cleek
ok. while my other comment awaits moderation. check out this line of
The Grand Panjandrum
@JL:
One hopes that the wingnuts are so far gone over the edge they use your comment as proof that Obama is cheating on his wife.
Brian J
Not to mention that Obama’s within single digits in Georgia. I don’t know if this is statistical noise or something legitimate, but as I understand it, he still has a lot of campaign offices in Georgia. If September fund raising went as well as some think it did, perhaps it’s time to pour some money into the state. Hell, at the very least, can’t they cut down on what they are spending in Michigan and divide it between Georgia, Indiana, and North Carolina?
Brian J
So Hewitt’s writing a book about the election outcome based on events–such as, you know, the fucking election–that haven’t yet taken place. That, my friends, is a Mavericky Thing to Do.
GMC No Relation
I know Martin already has two votes posted in Cobb County, GA — Always good to see a democrat anywhere on the ballot here, and even better to think our votes might matter this year.
Fred
I’m here in Atlanta – just voted on Monday. It took at least an hour to get to the polling machine. A local news van was there w/ camera set up, and I heard poll workers saying "It’s never been like this before" and "all week long they’ve been coming in to get registered and the very next day they’re here to vote." It was an Obama crowd, near Decatur, an in-town suburb of Atlanta. About 90% were black, the rest were white. Huge lines.
The Obama folks just opened a new office in Decatur – the paint is still fresh. Registration closed on Monday, but the Obama campaign claimed 200K were registered in a recent AJC article. I canvass the ATL area about every other weekend, at the direction of local volunteers who solicit help via e-mail. They know more than I do. A few weeks ago folks were canvassing with the intent to build a bigger pop vote margin. Now it looks like the state may actually turn.
Michael Demmons
@JL: I think it would be a mistake for Obama to pull out of GA. He’s not done here. I honestly believe he can win. 40% of people who voted in advance polling are African Americans. Normally, this group doesn’t come out in as large numbers as they represent. This year, they are.
I hope Obama hasn’t given up on this state. I haven’t
The Dangerman
@cleek:
In 92, when Bubba won, the Right went apeshit, and Bill was only a philandering draftdodger (ok, they batted .500, but still).
In 08, once we elect a n****r terrorist, what the hell is going to happen?
I hope McCain has one amazing concession speech, because I really do fear there could be violence (not towards Obama, but towards his supporters).
Foxhunter
Obama hasn’t pulled out of the state entirely. He still has heavy ad rotation in key districts, but he has scaled back staffing at various county/district HQ’s. Key members of his staff were pulled and placed in areas like NC and FL. My mother and wife have phone banked at separate locations, and they still staff and phone weekly.
Obama hasn’t given up on Georgia, but I also don’t think he’s giving it 110%, either (on the ground, anyway).
I ‘early’ voted yesterday and my experience was similar to those that have posted today. It took me 1 1/2 hours in line to vote and there were 15 booths set up at the polling location. The AA GOTV effort has been tremendous, which is exactly why the republicans hate early/advanced voting.
Jim Martin has a real chance to win on Nov. 4th. My extended family farms in rural south Georgia, and they, along with many of their farming neighbors are voting for Martin, and in some cases Obama. Saxby lost a tremendous amount of respect when he helped tailor the farm bill towards corporate farming ops like ConAgra (of Peter Pan Peanut Butter fame) and left the small family farms nothing in the way of subsidies. The bailout bill vote was a nice account rounder.
Who knows what will happen, but the GOTV + farm bill/bailout + incumbency noose may push Martin over the top and help pull Obama to within narrow margins in a sort of reverse down-ticket manner.
Foxhunter
I’m with you Dangerman. The way recent McAssholio/Bible Spice rallies have morphed into rabid mouth-foaming orgies of hate, I worry what will happen Nov 5. Not to go all tin foil…just sayin’.
Dennis - SGMM
Hopefully there will be no actual violence. What we will see are many moments of unintentional comedy as the right flails about in assigning blame. Look for accusations against the media, George Soros, George Bush, George Hamilton, Boy George, the Illuminati, illegal immigrants, Timothy Leary…anyone other than their lame-ass candidates or their intellectually and morally bankrupt party.
mark
Yeah, After what they did smearing Max Cleland, having Saxby Chambliss lose couldn’t happen to a more deserving fella. Of course, I wish Cleland had been up for running again, but if Martin can pull this off, it’ll be almost as good.
ET
I really do hope Georgians give Saxby the boot. I just can’t forgive him for how he got his Senate seat – and I’m not from Georgia!
The Moar You Know
I’m sure it will be, but not the one you’d like – probably along the lines of "Dems stole the election (oh, the irony that we’re hearing that from the right this cycle) and the rope’s over there on the table. Go git him, boys, it’s Maverick time!"
Brian J
Simply brilliant.
Dennis Hastert on Fox News in April 2009: "I’m not saying George Bush and Boy George were in the men’s room getting frisky in some park being filmed by George Soros while some illegal immigrants were outside defecating on pictures of Jesus contributed to the downfall of Europe and the implementation of Sharia law. I’m simply saying we don’t know."
MR Bill
Saxby going down in flames would be sweet. His ‘winning’ ads against Max Cleland (whom I’ve talked with some) suggested that allowing civil service protection for the Department of Homeland Security was tantamount to supporting terrorism. He’s a scumbag, and +95% Bush voter..
And I’m in Fannin Co. GA (extreme north GA, right where GA TN and NC meet, Appalachian Trail begins or ends here, depending on which way you going..), which has been Republican since that ol’ War (the one Between the States).
Obama has a headquarters here, and only a few hardcore types have McCain or Chambless yard signs. I’m hopeful: the gas shortage has really made a lot of folks think the current Administration (and the Perdue governorship) are screwed up, and with the stock meltdown (and business down across the board) had given Martin an opening.
The Dangerman
@Dennis – SGMM:
Just to be clear; I’m not talking riots in the streets circa LA in 92. But I am a lefty in an area of CA that is red enough that putting up Obama banners is a fine way to become a "target". It’s been that way ever since liberal became an epithet; we’re all UnAmerican, doncha know. Darn tootin.
Dennis - SGMM
I hear you. I live about thirty miles East of Los Angeles in a nice little White bread town full of hard-core Republicans. You actually see McCain/Palin lawn signs and bumper stickers although far fewer than there were for Bush/Cheney ’04.
DrDave
@Dennis – SGMM:
From the linked article in the NY Observer:
I’m guessing that if McCain/Palin are blown out that she will head home, never to be seen campaigning in the lower 48 again. And if Troopergate works out badly for her, she will have bigger problems that will certainly preclude any future political aspirations on her part.
DrDave
@Dennis – SGMM:
I have a couple of conservative acquaintances who are already predicting massive voter fraud as the cause of McCain’s defeat. Because Obama couldn’t possibly win fair and square.
oh really
Don’t you mean "Real Possibility?" Being behind is still being behind and trailing can hardly be magically translated into "winning."
Obama doesn’t need Georgia, but he does need to win some other states that are still much too close for comfort. If the Bradley Effect is real this year, then Obama is going to have to have a significant lead in some state polls to make an actual win possible. We also have no idea what the dimensions of Republican electoral fraud will be.
It’s going to be really ugly if all the polling shows Obama leading in some states by four or five points immediately before election day and then he loses those states by two or three points. Every penny Obama spends in Georgia is a penny he might have spent elsewhere to greater effect.
JR
@MR Bill: Totally agree about the Perdue effect. The past few years around here have been EPIC FAIL with the Republicans in charge.
George Burdell
I am a McCain-loving Obama-fearing Bush-hating Clinton-adoring Bush41-supporting Reagan Democrat. Jim Martin was Georgia Tech’s representative in the State House. He came to visit our Political Science Department a couple days every year and flat out told the classes, that he would listen to a homeowner over 10 students because students did not vote. He would be more than happy to listen to our problems, but he wasn’t going to spend any political capital on us until we started voting. Straight talk from a politician before it was cool. I am a registered Republican who switch parties the day of the primary to vote for him. It
MR Bill
JR, a buddy who works for the Engineering Division of the GA DOT says the mass of the missing $456 Million was used for the Governor’s Initiative Program (Gip, which is Pig spelled backwards..) that pushed Sonny Perdue and the Republican leaderships’ road programs ahead of the work the Engineering Division said was necessary. Bottom line, Perdue’s property near Lake Sinclair and in South Georgia has excellent road access. Atlanta and N. Georgia, with the nation’s worst traffic and commutes, can go whistle for it.
This sort of thing has happened across the state’s government.
Byron
Senator Sleazy Shameless recently discovered that in some parts of Georgia when arrives to give a stump speech his welcome is similar to that given a bastard at a family reunion,
scott
I live in Atlanta and have a friend who is a big supporter and fund raiser for Saxby. I saw this friend past weekend, and he told me that he had talked to Saxby that week and that Saxby was very worried. I was surprised by this comment because I had seen the earlier polls in September showing a big lead. This friend says Saxby thinks the gasoline shortage in Georgia that last 3 weeks has been a huge factor with voters who have turned on elected officials and are adopting a "throw the bums out" anti-incumbent attitude. This was how my friend expressed it to me. Anyway, I realize this post is not real journalism and just some anonymous post on a blog, but I can tell you that I sat in long lines for gas in 90 degree heat day after day, and we Georgia motorists were all pissed and wondering what in the heck this country had become. I spent my evenings calling gas stations to see when fuel would arrive and checking gasoline message boards.
Q
This will be my first opportunity to vote, and I can’t wait to vote against Saxby. I will vote against him every opportunity I have until the day I die.
Re: Obama, I don’t think he so much abandoned GA altogether as focused on NC, since NC is more likely to flip first. Who knows… it almost has… maybe he’ll come back?
Paul
As a fellow Atlantan, I second Scott’s comment #45. When you talk about the political and economic climate, you absolutely cannot ignore the massive gas shortages across GA, SC, TN, and NC that were only worked out in the past week.
For much of the country, the sharp turn away from Republicans began with the financial collapse. I would posit that in Georgia, the sharp turn became a 180-degree about-face when our state leaders had no constructive response to the gas shortage (and our Governor went on a trip to Europe!).
Even if gas goes as low as $3, with only one month to go to the election, no one is going to forget the Gas Shortage of September 2008.
To #40: Obama is running a ground game in Georgia just like every other state. No one will complain if he doesn’t win the state if his voter registration drive helps pick off the Chambless seat and leads to a 60-seat Democratic U.S. Senate.
Billy
Gee, Mr. Burdell @ No. 42…
You’re a registered Republican who switched parties just to vote for Martin? It’s funny…I’ve lived here all of my 30 years and have yet to register with ANY party whatsoever…you know, since Georgia doesn’t really work that way…
Another Scott in ATL
Gas shortages here in Atlanta aren’t my reason for voting against Shameless. It’s the thought of this multi-deferment coward (he also claimed ‘bad knees’ as a reason for evading the draft and is now a big jogger) trashing a true, sacrificing war veteran. But then, that’s been part of the ‘ethic’ of the Repub chickenhawks for a long time now, hasn’t it? Oh, happy day to see some of these pieces of human detritus get their kharmic comeuppance!
samiam
Chambliss supports the fair tax ‘Nuff Said! Go McCain!
Gerald
Martin is a sleaze bag whose inept running of the Department of Human Resources let Georgia children die.
He and Al A**hole Franken were made for each other.
Bruce R
Guys and ladies,
Please get a grip. The Martin character and the DNC are out and out liars! Saxby Chambliss supports the FAIR TAX. This is much more than a 23 % national sales tax. Martin and the DNC are reprehensible for not telling the truth! This is totally out of context.
bngood40
The voters of Georgia hold the future of this nation and the economic well-being of the state of Georgia in their decisions . President-elect Obama will need a congress that supports his programs to correct the economic mess left by George W. Bush. Sixty Democrats are needed in the Senate to override a Republican filibuster. In economic times such as these we are reminded of President Franklin Roosevelt during the Great Depression and all of his programs to lift America out of economic despair. Even during those terrible times all of the Republicans in congress voted against every program that Roosevelt proposed but there were enough Democrats in congress to support his bills. Republicans bloc-voted against Roosevelts Lend-Lease Deal to Great Britian. If this bill had failed Hitler would have defeated England and then all of Europe would have been under German control. The decision is up to the voters. You have no one to blame or thank but yourselves when all is said and done. If Chambliss would attack Max Cleland, a wounded veteran, about his patriotism, then Saxby Chambliss will do everyting in his power to obstruct President Obama’s programs to revive this nation. If the Georgia voters choose their party affiliation rather than selecting the candidate that will support the resurrection of our nations economy then I guess America wasn’t worth saving after all.
ILuvAmeria
I suppose if Republicans would stop deceiving and disenfranchising voters, yes this includes African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, middle class, working poor, poor, gays, jews, then maybe they could win.