VOTE TODAY - Reports indicate turnout is light, and your vote matters!
Early reports indicate that turnout is extremely light today, making every vote that much more important.
Please remember to vote, and tell your friends and family to vote.
The polls close at 7:00 p.m. Please click here to find your polling place.
I also wanted to remind you to join Jim and Joan Martin after the polls close tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Park Tavern, 500 Tenth Street, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309 for our election night celebration.
Together we will bring change to Georgia.
25 Days, 25 Ways - Day 2: Georgia Veterans kicked to the curb
Day 2: Today is the last day for 81 residents of the Georgia War Veterans Home domiciliary in Milledgeville to leave their homes - forced out because of budget cuts "in this cramped economy." The residents are war veterans with medical problems, but while Saxby Chambliss voted for a $700 billion blank check to bail out Wall Street, he's voted against increasing veterans' health care at least 23 times. As Jim Martin crisscrosses the state discussing the need to give our men and women in uniform the respect they deserve, Saxby has turned his back on our nation's veterans time and time again.
If he thinks it's OK to give billions to Wall Street while showing Georgia veterans the door, it's time for Saxby to pack his bags.
With Saxby Economics, nothing changes.
Georgia Veterans With Medical Problems Forced to Leave Their Homes. "This has created a seriously troubling situation in Milledgeville, where 81 Georgia wartime veterans ... live at the Georgia War Veterans Home, most of them over age 60 and all with health problems. They have been told they will have to be gone by Nov. 30. These veterans must vacate the premises even though the $2.7 million cut in the agency's $25.7 million budget has yet to be approved, according to Sen. John Douglas, a Republican from Social Circle who chairs the Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee." According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution all residents have now found homes but some like Michael Seamands will dip into his disability pension to pay $119 of the $370 monthly rent on his new apartment. [The Macon Telegraph, 9/7/2008, Atlanta Journal Constitution, 11/30/08]
Since Joining The Senate In 2003, Chambliss Has Voted Against Increased Funding For Veterans' Health Care Programs At Least 23 Times. [Vote 161, 6/26/08; Vote 114, 3/23/07 ; Vote 172, 5/17/07; Vote 222, 8/2/06; Vote 67, 3/16/06; Vote 63, 3/16/06; Vote 41, 3/14/06; Vote 15, 2/13/06; Vote 7, 2/2/06; Vote 343, 11/17/05; Vote 251, 10/5/05; Vote 114, 4/28/05; Vote 89, 4/12/05; Vote 90, 4/12/05; Vote 55, 3/16/05; Vote 145, 6/23/04; Vote 48, 3/11/04; Vote 40, 3/10/04; Vote 34, 3/9/04; Vote 379, 10/14/03; Vote 83, 3/25/03; Vote 81, 3/25/03; Vote 74, 3/21/03]
Chambliss on Fox News Sunday: Still Denies Tough Economic Times For Families, Veterans
Chambliss tried to block new G.I. bill, voted 23 times against health care for veterans
25 Days, 25 Ways - Day 3: Veterans and Saxby Economics
Day 3: We all know that Georgia's unemployment is at a record high, but for veterans the situation is even worse - the unemployment rate for recently discharged vets is three times higher than the national average. But Saxby Chambliss voted to stop the new GI Bill that would provide veterans the tools they need to get ahead when they return from war. Yes to bailing out Wall Street, but no to educating our troops?
As our sons and daughters return from crises abroad, they're facing an economic crisis here at home - but all Saxby seems to care about are his special interest friends.
With Saxby Economics, nothing changes.
Unemployment Rate for Recently Discharged Veterans Three Times Higher Than National Average. "Recently discharged veterans, though, fared worst of all. A 2007 survey for the Veterans Affairs Department of 1,941 combat veterans who left the military mostly in 2005 showed nearly 18 percent were unemployed as of last year. The average national jobless rate in October was 6.5 percent." [New York Times, 11/18/08]
America's Newest Veterans "Being Hit Especially Hard" By Economic Crisis. "While few Americans are sheltered from the jolt of the recent economic crisis, the nation's newest veterans, particularly the wounded, are being hit especially hard. The triple-whammy of injury, unemployment and waiting for disability claims to be processed has forced many veterans into foreclosure, or sent them teetering on its edge, according to veterans' organizations." [New York Times, 11/18/08]
Chambliss Voted Against the New GI Bill for Veterans of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2008, Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted against the new GI Bill for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. (The Post-9/11 GI Bill: Fair Education Benefits for Veterans second vote.) The emergency supplemental funding bill included an expansion of benefits to veterans, service members and some veterans' families wishing to pursue an education. The new "transferability" provision offers current service members who agree to remain in the military for ten years the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill benefit to their spouse or children. The expanded education benefit offers new veterans and their families much needed opportunities to get ahead. [http://www.iava.org; Senate Vote 161, 6/26/08; http://www.veteranreportcard.org/reportcard.pdf]
25 Days, 25 Ways - Day 4: Saxby's (virtual) reality
Day 4: In this day and age, even our grandmas have taken to online shopping. But this week online sales posted their first-ever decline. Another sign of the slumping economy, yet Saxby Chambliss opposes an economic stimulus plan aimed at helping the middle class that could get consumer spending going again. This should be the biggest shopping season, but a market-research firm predicts that "online retail sales will be flat for the holidays."
Billions for Wall Street but nothing for Georgia?
When it comes to connecting to middle class Georgians, Saxby's still on a dial-up connection.
With Saxby Economics, nothing changes.
Online Sales Post First-Ever Decline, Flat Holiday Sales Expected. According to numbers released by market-research firm ComScore, "Online shoppers spent 4 percent less during the first three weeks of November than they did during the same period last year, and it looks like online retail sales will be flat for the holidays." [Associated Press, 11/25/2008] A ComScore spokesperson called the decline in growth "unprecedented" and attributed the sales slowdown to factors that included the unpredictable stock market and weak job market. [Wall Street Journal, 11/26/2008]
Chambliss: No to Working With Obama on Stimulus, Wait for Bailout to Work? "Martin said he would support a $300 billion economic stimulus plan proposed by national Democrats. Chambliss said he would oppose it until the current $700 billion rescue plan is given a chance to work." [Atlanta Journal Constitution, 11/2/2008]
NEW AD: Chambliss Has Failed Georgia Veterans
Jim Martin served in Vietnam, will give Georgia veterans the respect they deserve
ATLANTA – Jim Martin’s campaign released a new ad focused on the importance of taking care of our nation’s veterans. While Saxby Chambliss has voted against increasing veterans’ healthcare and voted to stop the new G.I. Bill, Jim Martin knows the importance of serving our nation’s veterans because of his time serving our country. Chambliss, a member of the Armed Services Committees, missed an important hearing on military strategy the week before troops were sent to war in Iraq while he was vacationing on the special interest dime in Boca Raton, Florida and raising money from these same special interests.
25 Days, 25 Ways - Day 5: Saxby's turkeys
Day 5: Thanksgiving is a day when we open our doors to family and friends and share our thoughts, prayers, and food. But the only door opened in Saxby Chambliss's office is the revolving door for his staffers turned lobbyists, and lobbyists turned staffers. At least 12 former Chambliss staff members were, or currently are, lobbyists. On top of that, Chambliss has taken over $345,000 from lobbying firms, clients and companies employing his former staffers in just his one Senate term. As unemployment reaches record highs, it's nice to know someone has a reliable job...
Lobbyists may have Saxby to be thankful for during their Thanksgiving feast, but all middle class Georgians get from Saxby's table is a wishbone and some scraps.
With Saxby Economics, nothing changes.
At Least 12 Former Chambliss Staff Are Lobbyists. According to Senate public records and the Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act Database, at least 12 former Chambliss staff members were, or are currently, lobbyists. The staff members include, Robert D. Leebern, Robert Underwood, Christopher Cox, Richard Goddard, Martha Scott Poindexter (nee Fisackerly), Michael Venet, Alexander Shively, Matthew Echols, Brad Gruehn, Julie Fields, J. Krister Holladay, and Jason Ouimet. [Senate Public Records, Senate Lobbying Disclosure Database]
Lobbying Firms, Clients and Companies Employing Former Chambliss Staffers Have Given Chambliss Over $345,000 Since He Entered the Senate. Since he has been in the Senate, lobbying firms, their clients who former Chambliss staff members lobbied for and companies that employ former Chambliss staffers as lobbyists have given Chambliss $345,799 through their employees and PACs. [Center for Responsive Politics; Senate Lobby Disclosure Database]
25 Days, 25 Ways - Day 6: Saxby's shopping special
Day 6: This morning the Commerce Department reported that U.S. consumer spending dropped in October by 1% - the steepest decline since the post September 11 contraction. But Saxby Chambliss opposes an economic stimulus plan aimed at helping the middle class that could get consumer spending going again. With the busiest time for retail shopping approaching, Saxby's refusal to help the middle class could have disastrous results.
Saxby gives billions to Wall Street but says no to helping middle class Georgians this holiday season.
Now we know who the real Grinch is.
With Saxby Economics, nothing changes.
Commerce Department: U.S. Consumer Spending Dropped By 1 Percent Last Month. "Spending by U.S. consumers dropped in October by the most since the 2001 contraction, signaling the economy is sinking into a deeper recession. The 1 percent decline in purchases followed a 0.3 percent drop in September, the Commerce Department said today in Washington. A separate report from Commerce showed business investment also tumbled last month." [Bloomberg News, 11/26/2008]
"Biggest Consumer Spending Slum in Three Decades" Likely to Continue, Threaten Holiday Sales. Reporting on the third quarter report from the Commerce Department, Bloomberg News wrote "The biggest consumer spending slump in three decades is likely to persist as home prices fall and job losses mount, threatening the holiday sales outlook at retailers from Zale Corp. to Best Buy Co. Faltering demand has caused the Federal Reserve, Treasury and President-elect Barack Obama to ratchet up plans to ease the credit crisis." [Bloomberg News, 11/26/2008]
Online Sales Post First-Ever Decline, Flat Holiday Sales Expected. According to numbers released by market-research firm ComScore, "Online shoppers spent 4 percent less during the first three weeks of November than they did during the same period last year, and it looks like online retail sales will be flat for the holidays." [Associated Press, 11/25/2008] A ComScore spokesperson called the decline in growth "unprecedented" and attributed the sales slowdown to factors that included the unpredictable stock market and weak job market. [Wall Street Journal, 11/26/2008]
Chambliss: No to Working With Obama on Stimulus, Wait for Bailout to Work? "Martin said he would support a $300 billion economic stimulus plan proposed by national Democrats. Chambliss said he would oppose it until the current $700 billion rescue plan is given a chance to work." [Atlanta Journal Constitution, 11/2/2008]
Thanksgiving Message from Max Cleland
The Martin family and everyone at the Martin for Senate campaign would like to wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Senator Max Cleland prepared a special Thanksgiving message that he asked us to share with you. Please take a moment to watch the video below and help the campaign out by clicking here.
International Brotherhood of Police Officers Endorse Martin for Senate
Cite Martin's record of keeping our children safe; Slam Chambliss' votes to cut COPS funding
25 Days, 25 Ways - Day 7: Southern hospitality for Rudy
Day 7: Today, Saxby Chambliss welcomes New Yorker Rudy Giuliani to Georgia. We're known for our Southern hospitality here, but Saxby's already shown his generosity to Rudy in Washington D.C. - and vice versa. Rudy Giuliani lobbies on behalf of Saxby Chambliss's biggest donor, oil speculator Southern Company, which benefits big time from Saxby's deregulatory zeal. Rudy lobbied for Southern Co., Southern Co. donated $125,000 to Saxby, Saxby voted to deregulate oil speculation, and Southern Co. and Rudy made big profits.
And middle class Georgians? We got record oil prices and summer staycations.
Deregulation for donors, tight budgets for the middle class.
With Saxby Economics, nothing changes.
Southern Co. Is Saxby Chambliss' Largest Donor Ever, Donating $125,000 Over His Career. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, energy firm Southern Co.'s PAC, its employees, and their immediate family members have donated at least $125,000 to Saxby Chambliss over the course of his political career--making Southern Co. his "top donor." The totals include subsidiaries and affiliates, according to the website. [Center for Responsive Politics, opensecrets.org, accessed 11/24/08]
Giuliani's Firm Has Lobbied For Southern Co. On Energy. According to lobby disclosure reports, Giuliani's firm, Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP, has lobbied on behalf of Southern Co. from 2004 through 2008. The reports show that Bracewell & Giuliani lobbied on a variety of energy and environmental issues. [Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP, Lobbying Disclosure Forms, 2004-2008, Senate Office of Public Records]
Chambliss Co-Sponsored Bill Deregulating Energy Markets. Chambliss voted to pass The Commodities Futures Modernization Act, of which he was one of three original cosponsors, which included the Enron loophole and specifically exempted over-the-counter (OTC) electronic exchanges from any oversight or regulation by the CFTC or any other regulators. Chambliss: Y. [2000 House Vote #540 on HR 4541, 10/19/00; 2000 House Vote #603 on HR 4577, 12/15/00; Washington Post, 8/20/08]
Chambliss Denied Oil Speculation Was Cause Of Doubling Gas Prices. Despite the sudden doubling of energy prices between September and July, the CFTC and Chambliss claimed that there was no evidence that speculation was responsible and insisted that supply and demand changes might account for the rising price. [Chambliss floor statement, 7/22/08; Chambliss press release, 6/17/08]
Report Concluded That Speculation In Oil Commodities Led To Gas Price Spikes. "Speculation by large investors -- and not supply and demand for oil -- were a primary reason for the surge in oil prices during the first half of the year and the more recent price declines, an independent study concluded Wednesday." [Associated Press, 9/10/08]
Oil Speculation Has Cost American Households $1,500 Since 2006. "The speculative bubble in petroleum markets has cost the average American household about $1,500 dollars in increased gasoline, natural gas and electricity expenditures in the two years since the Senate committee on investigations first called attention to the problem. The Senate knew about this problem two years ago." [Mark Cooper, Consumer Federation of America, (Senate Commerce Committee Testimony, "Energy Market Manipulation and Federal Enforcement Regimes,") 6/3/08]
Martin Campaign Calls On Chambliss To Donate Contributions Raised Week Before War
In lead up to war, Chambliss raised cash, vacationed on special interest dime in Boca Raton, Florida
25 Days, 25 Ways - Day 8: Citigroup and Saxby
Day 8: Late last night, the government announced the purchase of a $20 billion stake in faltering Citigroup and guaranteed $300 billion of high-risk Citibank assets. Saxby Chambliss not only voted for the $700 billion bailout, but Saxby took more than $52,000 in contributions from Citigroup - more than any other bank receiving bailout funds. The government rescue of Citigroup now "puts taxpayers on the hook for what could be hefty investment losses."
Citigroup fills Saxby's campaign coffers.
Saxby gives Citigroup billions in taxpayer money.
Middle class Georgians get nothing but risk.
With Saxby Economics, nothing changes.
Chambliss Has Taken More Than $52,000 From Citigroup - More Than Any Other Bank Receiving Bailout Funds. Saxby Chambliss and his political action committees, the Republican Majority Fund and the Common Sense Leadership PAC, have received $52,832 from the executives, employees, lobbyists, and political action committee of Citigroup. [Political Moneyline, Accessed: 11/22/2008; Center for Responsive Politics; Senate Lobbying Disclosure Database]
Citigroup Is Now The Largest Beneficiary Of Government Bailout As Feds Invest $20 Billion More And Guarantee $300 Billion Of High-Risk Assets. "The company that once stood as the U.S.'s largest financial institution in terms of market capitalization is now its largest beneficiary of the government's bailout largesse. Citigroup is getting an additional $40 billion in capital and, after absorbing $29 billion in losses on a $306 billion portfolio of toxic waste, will be able to offload those losses to various branches of the federal government." The $20 billion of new capital brings the total that the U.S. Government has invested in Citigroup to $45 billion. [Wall Street Journal, "MarketBeat," 11/24/08]
Citigroup Bailout Similar To $150 Billion AIG "Rescue," Government Likely To Face Large Losses. The government rescue of Citigroup "puts taxpayers on the hook for what could be hefty investment losses. The government entered into a similar $80 billion arrangement for American International Group in September--since expanded into a $150 billion package. The government is taking a $40 billion equity stake in AIG, and is spending $30 billion to buy securities underlying AIG's credit default swaps and another $22 billion to buy residential mortgage securities. AIG is also getting a $60 billion credit line from the government." [Forbes, 11/24/08]
Fact Check: Jim Martin, The Only Candidate For Middle Class Georgians
More vicious attacks from the politician who perfected the smear campaign
Veteran and Military Families Endorse Jim Martin for U.S. Senate, Slam Chambliss for Florida Junket
Praise Martin for service to country and dedication to troops, blast Chambliss for disastrous vets record
25 Days, 25 Ways - Day 9: Job creation or bust
Day 9: Yesterday, President-elect Obama announced that he is developing a stimulus plan to create or preserve 2.5 million jobs in the next two years. But despite record unemployment in Georgia, Saxby Chambliss opposes an economic stimulus plan aimed at helping the middle class. Saxby says we should wait for the $700 billion bailout plan to start working. But with a 7% unemployment rate - the highest in 16 years - can Georgians really afford to wait?
Jim Martin and Barack Obama say act now for middle class Georgians.
Saxby Chambliss says we can take a ticket and wait for Wall Street.
With Saxby Economics, nothing changes.
Georgia Unemployment at 16-Year High. "The Georgia Department of Labor announced...that the unemployment rate in October rose to it's highest level in 16 years. Not since April of 1992 has the state witnessed an unemployment figure of 7 percent - a rate that accounts for just over 340,000 Georgians who are currently unemployed and looking for work. In what is the largest yearly decline in jobs ever recorded in the state, the GDOL says the number of payroll jobs decreased more than 61,000 from October 2007 to October 2008. Jobs taking the hardest hit continue to be in the construction, manufacturing, private employment, and retail sectors." [WALB, 11/20/08]
Obama Sets Expansive Goal for Jobs. "President-elect Barack Obama is developing a plan to create or preserve 2.5 million jobs over the next two years by spending billions of dollars to rebuild roads and bridges, modernize public schools, and construct wind farms and other alternative sources of energy...Obama said the darkening economic outlook demands that Washington act 'swiftly and boldly' to diminish the risk that the nation 'could lose millions of jobs next year.'" [Washington Post, 11/23/08]
Chambliss: No to Working With Obama on Stimulus, Wait for Bailout to Work? "Martin said he would support a $300 billion economic stimulus plan proposed by national Democrats. Chambliss said he would oppose it until the current $700 billion rescue plan is given a chance to work." [Atlanta Journal Constitution, 11/2/2008]
NEW AD: Jim Martin Responds To Chambliss' False, Personal Attacks
Martin has come face-to-face with violent crime, spent career protecting children
ATLANTA – In a new ad released today, Jim Martin responds to Saxby Chambliss’ false, personal attacks on Martin’s record protecting children. The truth is that Jim Martin has always fought to protect children and families, because he knows what it’s like to have a child come face-to-face with violent crime.
President-elect Obama: "One More Time"
Help us reach as many Georgians as possible with this ad -
please contribute today!
Chambliss Misses Vote To Help Georgians Looking for Work As Unemployment Hits 16-Year High
Chambliss too busy playing politics to stand up for Georgia
Meet Al Gore
Don't delay, get your tickets now.
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Special guest: Al Gore
For more information please call Kelly Hunter at 404.347.9766. Press inquiries should be directed to Kate Hansen at press@martinforsenate.com.
Bill Clinton Rally for Jim Martin
RSVP now for the Get Out The Vote Rally with Jim Martin and President Bill Clinton on Wednesday, November 19th at The Quad at Clark Atlanta University, James P. Brawley Drive and Fair Street, Atlanta GA. Doors open at 4:00PM.
Tickets are not required. This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited and is available on a first-come first-serve basis.
NEW AD: Chambliss In His Own Words On The Economy
ATLANTA – Jim Martin’s campaign released a new ad focused on the economy and Martin’s plans to work with President-elect Barack Obama to create jobs and cut taxes for middle class Georgians. With record job losses, falling home values, and retail sales dropping, it's clear that Georgia's economy is in trouble, but Saxby Chambliss says, “We may not be in a recession. I don't know what that term means.”
At least five Georgia factories have announced closures in the past month, over 96,000 Georgians have lost their jobs in the past year, and the Joint Economic Committee estimates that Georgia home prices will fall 1.2% between 2007 and 2009.
“Saxby Chambliss is out of touch with the needs of middle class Georgians,” said Jim Martin, candidate for U.S. Senate. “We can’t count on Saxby Chambliss to fix our economy if he can’t even recognize the problems Georgia families are facing. I am the only candidate in this race who will work with President-elect Barack Obama to fix our economy and get Georgia back on track.”
Georgia needs a leader who will work with President-elect Barack Obama to change the direction of Georgia’s economy and Saxby Chambliss is not that leader. Chambliss pledges to kill Obama’s plan to help the middle class, which he outlined in yesterday’s Democratic Radio Address. Jim Martin wants to cut taxes for the middle class and help move Georgia’s economy in a new direction.
View the ad:
Bill Clinton To Rally For Martin
Former President will tout Martin's ability to work with President-Elect Obama to Fix the Economy, Change the Direction of the Country
Congressman John Barrow Joins Jim Martin At "America is Back" Rally
Today, United States Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) joined Jim Martin at his "America is Back" rally in Savannah and offered his strong support for Martin as a leader who will bring real change to middle class Georgians.
Martin Launches America Is Back Bus Tour Saturday
Martin Will Work with President-Elect Obama to Fix the Economy, Change the Direction of the Country
Jim Martin, candidate for U.S. Senate will launch his "America is Back" Tour with stops across Southeast Georgia this weekend. Martin is the only candidate who will work with President-elect Barack Obama to fix the economy and change the direction of the country.
As he has done this whole campaign, Martin will listen to Georgia voters discuss the challenges they face. Jim Martin's campaign is focused on the loss of jobs, declining wages, and rising cost of health care that is hurting so many Georgia families. He is the only candidate who will reach across the aisle and work with America's new president to get the economy moving again.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008
Savannah, GA
Martin greets Post Office workers between shifts
7 AM
Downtown Post Office
2 N Fahm St
Savannah, GA
Martin greets voters at Clary's Café
8:30 AM
Clary's Café
404 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA
Congressman John Barrow joins Martin at "America is Back" Rally
10 AM
Chatham County Dems HQ
109 West Victory Dr.
Savannah, GA
Martin Blasts Chambliss For Bailout Comments
Saxby said we can "Trust" financial sector with taxpayers' billions
McCain v. Chambliss on Ads Smearing Max Cleland
McCain called Chambliss' Ad Smearing Cleland "Worse Than Disgraceful." "I'd never seen anything like that ad. Putting pictures of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden next to the picture of a man who left three limbs on the battlefield -- it's worse than disgraceful. It's reprehensible." [CNN, 2003]
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As Recently As This Week, Chambliss Defended Ad. Chambliss told the Politico, "If Cleland had won, you'd never have heard a thing about it. That ad is so mild compared to the ads I've seen in campaign after campaign since 2002. Plus, the ad was truthful. They lost, they're always going to be bitter about it." [Politico, 11/13/08]
McCain v. Chambliss on Campaign Finance Reform
McCain Authored Bipartisan Landmark Campaign Finance Legislation. In 2002, the McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act passed the Senate by a vote of 60 to 40. The bill would make all contributions to national political parties subject to "hard money" contribution limits, and subject contributions to State and local parties to "hard money" limits if the money is spent on activities that affect Federal elections. The bill would also regulate issue ads by placing restrictions on ads coordinated with a candidate. He then voted for passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act. [Vote 53, 3/20/02]
v.
Chambliss Opposed MCCAIN-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform. In 2002, Chambliss voted against Shays-Meehan campaign finance reform bill, the House version of McCain-Feingold. Chambliss' vote would have allowed millions in unregulated contributions to continue funding federal campaigns. The bill banned "soft money" contributions to national political parties and restricted issue advertising by advocacy groups that target specific candidates just before an election. The bill passed 240-189. [HR 2356, Vote 34, 2/14/02; Washington Post, 2/14/02; Washington Post, 2/15/02; Gannett News Service, 2/15/02]
McCain v. Chambliss on Oil Speculation
In June, McCain Said "Speculation On The Oil Futures Market" Is A "Problem," And That "Wall Street" Was "Gaming The System." During a speech on energy, McCain said, "There is the further problem of speculation on the oil futures market, which in many cases has nothing to do with the actual sale, purchase, or delivery of oil. When crude oil became a futures-traded commodity in the 1980's, the idea was to afford a measure of protection against the historic volatility of oil pricing. It takes several weeks to ship oil from the Arabian Peninsula to the offshore port of Louisiana. And for the buyers, it helps to know that the price will not suddenly fall while the oil is in transit. A futures contract assures importers that they can sell the oil at a profit. That's the theory, anyway. But we all know that some people on Wall Street are not above gaming the system." [Speech, johnmccain.com, 6/17/08]
v.
In July, Chambliss Said It Was Premature To Limit Oil Speculation and Warned Against "A Knee-Jerk Reaction to the Issue of Speculation in the Markets." On July 22, Chambliss claimed more information was needed to determine if speculation was a problem, and said, "At the right time, let's have a bill on the floor" to deal with energy prices. Oil futures prices were above $145 per barrel the week before. [Chambliss floor statement, 7/22/08; Energy Information Administration, accessed 10/16/08]
McCain v. Chambliss on Earmarks
McCain Rallied Against Earmarks as a Centerpiece of his Campaign. John McCain made rallying against earmarks a centerpiece of his campaign, saying, "As for earmark spending, I have never asked for a single earmark in my entire career." On his website, he writes, "Pork barrel spending is an insult to taxpayers, a waste of public resources, and an abdication of our leaders' responsibility to be good and honorable stewards of the public treasury, for the benefit of all Americans, not just a few...John McCain has been a tireless warrior against wasteful spending, and one of the few leaders who has the guts to challenge abusive Congressional earmarks and the pork barrel politics that grip Washington. John McCain understands that, fundamentally, wasteful spending is an issue of ethics." [Los Angeles Times, 7/12/2008; JohnMcCain.com]
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Chambliss Refused To Join Five Of Georgia's Republican Members of Congress In Swearing Off Earmarks. "Georgia is heading for a diet of less federal pork, now that five of the state's seven Republican House representatives have sworn off 'earmarking' federal dollars for their home districts." After a one-year moratorium on earmarks was defeated, Chambliss "put in spending requests that far exceed those from last year, when Chambliss sponsored $167 million...in earmarks." [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7/25/08]
McCain v. Chambliss on Moving America Forward
McCain: "I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our goodwill and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited...Tomorrow, we must work together to get our country moving again." [John McCain Election Night Speech, 11/2/2008]
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Chambliss: "We can't let that happen. Our country will never be the same." [Saxby Chambliss e-mail to supporters, 11/7/2008]
ICYMI: Cleland ad causes trouble for Chambliss
By: Andy Barr, Politico
November 12, 2008 05:51 PM EST
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15561.html
In Case You Missed It:
With Sen. John McCain returning to the campaign trail on Thursday on stump for Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss in his runoff race in Georgia, Democrats are reminding voters and donors of a controversial ad aired by Chambliss in the heated final weeks of the 2002 campaign that shows pictures of Democratic Sen. Max Cleland, a triple-amputee from wounds suffered during his service in Vietnam, just after shots of Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.
The ad -- which has a voice-over warning that, "As Americans face terrorists and extremist dictators, Max Cleland runs television ads saying he has the courage to lead," then lists votes where the Democrat opposed President Bush before concluding that "the record proves Max Cleland is just misleading" -- helped propel Chambliss to an unexpected victory.
"I'd never seen anything like that ad," McCain said at the time of the spot, which was widely condemned by Democrats. Putting pictures of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden next to the picture of a man who left three limbs on the battlefield is "worse than disgraceful," said McCain. "It's reprehensible."
More False Nasty Political Attacks From Saxby Chambliss
Fact Check: Jim Martin Cut Taxes in Georgia while Saxby Chambliss Opposed Tax Cuts for Middle Class
Jim Martin Statement on Veterans Day
ATLANTA - U.S. Senate candidate Jim Martin released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day:
"Every year as we mark Veterans Day I feel simultaneously grateful and humbled. Like all Americans, I am grateful to the millions who have served our country and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. And like all veterans, I'm humbled by the outpouring of support from my fellow countrymen.
"I'm not a war hero, I just served my country like so many Americans. When I shipped off to Vietnam, Joan was left alone to take care of our two month old daughter Morgan. The kind of sacrifice that Joan made in caring for Morgan alone is the kind that many Georgia families are experiencing right now.
Lobbyists for Saxby; Georgians for Change
K Street Fundraisers Launch Drive for Chambliss
ATLANTA - According to the National Journal, leading Washington lobbyists have recently launched a fundraising drive for Saxby Chambliss's struggling re-election campaign. Throughout his career, Chambliss has taken over $5.6 million from special interests- and as recently as last week, Chambliss said, "Do I Have Fundraisers and Invite Lobbyists? Sure I Do. And I Raise Money."
"Special interests know they have a reliable ally in Saxby Chambliss and don't want to lose their champion," Martin spokesperson Kate Hansen said. "While Saxby looks to his special interest buddies to bail him out, Jim Martin continues to campaign on a message of change and making our economy work for middle class Georgians again."
Martin Releases First Ad of Runoff: "America is Back"
Martin "Will Work with Barack Obama to Get Our Economy Moving Again"
Jim Martin Statement On U.S. Senate Runoff
U.S. Senate Candidate Jim Martin held a press conference today to discuss the upcoming December 2 runoff election with incumbent Saxby Chambliss. What follows are his remarks, as prepared for delivery:
We are in a runoff. And the runoff race begins right now.
Yesterday was an historic day in American history. Barack Obama was elected President of the United States.
I was struck by what he said last night.
He said, "For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education. There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair."
Those words of Barack Obama's are why this runoff campaign is so important.
Those remarks will guide me over the next four weeks. We're going to win on December second, because this race is going to be about helping President-elect Barack Obama get our economy back on track and making the economy work for the middle class again.
America has elected Barack Obama President, and I say now is the time for all of us to help him succeed. Let's take some time off from partisan politics - we face the biggest challenges of the past 60 years now - let's work together to solve them.
I think that starts with helping Barack Obama succeed, not undercutting him for partisan advantage or to protect special interests. And that's the difference in this runoff election. I will do everything I can to help Barack Obama change Washington and get the economy moving again.
That starts with standing up for the middle class taxpayers who are bearing the brunt of the economic crisis and telling them the truth about what is happening. Saxby Chambliss has not. He has voted for the special interests against Georgia taxpayers and will not admit his own error in creating this financial crisis that we face.
I will fight to end the abuses in the bailout. Saxby has not even admitted that they exist and will not end them. I will tell you the truth. He has not.
I don't think any company receiving federal bailout money should be allowed to pay one penny in dividends, bonuses, salary increases for executives, stock buy-backs ... nothing, until the taxpayers are fully repaid. And I'm going to push for that legislation starting on my first day in the Senate.
I'm going to help Barack Obama cut taxes for the middle class, too.
I'm going to help Barack Obama get rid of tax breaks for companies sending our jobs overseas, and instead use that money to help create jobs right here in Georgia and all across America. Saxby disagrees; he says what's good for multinational companies is good for our economy. But then again, Saxby has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from those very companies offshoring and outsourcing.
As a Vietnam Veteran, I know what it is like to serve in a war, to leave your family behind, to sacrifice for our country. Saxby does not. And I'm going to help Barack Obama bring a responsible end to the war in Iraq so that we can bring our valiant service men and women home to their families and out of harm's way and so that we can stop spending 10 billion a month in a country that enjoys an 80 billion dollar surplus from selling us oil at record prices. We need that money here at home.
So, this isn't going to be a difficult race for anybody to figure out. I'm going to do everything I can to help Barack Obama get off to a fast start, and Saxby Chambliss has promised to do everything he can to stop Barack Obama from succeeding.
I certainly don't agree with Barack Obama on everything. I'm going to be an independent voice for Georgia. But we need to get back to the tradition of ending the campaign on Election Day and going to work together to do what's right for our country.
And so now it is on to the December 2 runoff election.
DEBATE FACT CHECK 2: Chambliss Falsely Claims That Bailout Money Is Not Being Used For Dividends
Saxby Again Makes False Claim Despite Multiple Press Accounts Of The Bill He Voted For
In the only statewide televised debate of the election, Sen. Saxby Chambliss tonight repeated his demonstrably false assertion that the $700 billion taxpayer bailout of Wall Street that he supported is not being used to pay dividends to shareholders. During the debate today Chambliss said of the bailout money to banks, "They are not using it for dividends." Recent reports by the Associated Press and the Washington Post have both exposed plans for banks to use taxpayer money for dividends and proven that there is nothing in the law to prevent this type of action from occurring.
DEBATE FACT CHECK 1: Chambliss Falsely Claims That Bailout "Absolutely" Prevents Golden Parachutes
Saxby Again Makes False Claim Despite Multiple Press Accounts Of The Bill He Voted For
In the only statewide televised debate of the election, Sen. Saxby Chambliss tonight repeated his demonstrably false assertion that the $700 billion taxpayer bailout of Wall Street that he supported is not being used to provide enormous compensation packages to the executives of firms that would be bankrupt without government intervention. During the debate tonight Chambliss said, "There is absolutely no way any of these banks can use this money to increase the compensation by giving golden parachutes."
SAXBY ON THE SIDELINES
Letters Show That While "Gang of 22" Fought Record Gas Prices, Chambliss Backed Speculators
The Martin for Senate campaign today released documents that show just how out of touch Sen. Saxby Chambliss is with the middle class. With gas prices soaring, and energy prices doubling, Chambliss could have joined 22 senators in asking for transparency and oversight to bring down gas prices. Instead, he sat on the sidelines and backed the Wall Street speculators and Bush Administration policies that sank the economy into crisis.
View the letters HERE and HERE.
"Middle Class Georgians sent Saxby Chambliss to Washington to watch out for their interests, not side with speculators and when gas hits $4 a gallon," said Martin for Senate spokesperson Kate Hansen. "When Chambliss called speculation driving gas prices 'normal' and said it was premature to act when gas hit record highs, what was he waiting for?"
MORE PROOF THAT CHAMBLISS DECEIVED MIDDLE CLASS TAXPAYERS ABOUT BAILOUT MONEY
Today's News Reveals Another Deception from Chambliss About His Wall Street Bailout Vote
Saxby Economics At Work: Exxon-Mobil Posts Record $14.83 Billion Profit This Quarter
Shell Not Far Behind As Chambliss's Tax Cuts For Oil Companies Help Them Reach Record Profits
Chambliss's Last Resort
Wall Street, Special Interests Fund Chambliss's Out-of-State Resort Getaways
Download the entire memo on Chambliss's Slush Fund: RMFMemo.pdf
New Endorsement Boosts Martin Campaign
Rome News-Tribune, Which Supported Republicans Bush, Perdue & Isakson, Now Supports Jim Martin for Senate
Chambliss Bailout Now The "Hottest Lobbying Game In Town"
Bailout Could Extend to Foreign Banks - What Else Isn't He Telling Us?
Martin Endorsed by Rome News-Tribune
Newspaper From Area Hit Hard by Job Losses Says Martin Will Bring Change & Chambliss is "More Part of the Problem Than the Solution"
CHAMBLISS CAN'T TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BAILOUT
Chambliss Again Spins Tall Tales About $700 Billion Bank Bailout
Saxby's "Throw the Taxpayer Under the Bus" Tour of Georgia
Saxby's Vote to Bailout Wall Street Throws Georgia Taxpayers Under the Bus...Then He Jumps On Board
This week, Saxby Chambliss began an 80+ stop "bus tour" around Georgia. Across the state he will encounter Georgians who are adamantly opposed to his vote for a $700 billion Wall Street bailout that threw the families of Georgia "under the bus."
In fact, the most vehement opposition came from some of the people who may be sitting right next to Chambliss on the bus or waiting for him when he arrives in their town. Chambliss told Georgia that the bailout package he supported protected their interests, increased oversight, eliminated abuses, and ended "golden parachutes." But his colleagues were singing a far different tune.
In what might be the most awkward bus tour in history, here's what Saxby's "friends" are saying about his decision to bailout Wall Street and drive right over the people of Georgia:
Bailing Out Saxby
Today's FEC
Reports Show Another $15,500 From
Financial
Sector To Wall Street's Favorite Georgia Senator
Saxby Chambliss might be trying to mislead Georgians about the $700 billion federal bailout of the financial sector, but the financial sector sure is clear whose side Chambliss is on. So far, they contributed $ 972,732 to reelect him.
Today, reports released by the Federal Election Commission show that Saxby received another $15,500 from the financial sector over the last three days alone. At this rate, Saxby will have received nearly $1 million by Election Day!
Saxby's Stories: What He'll Tell You About The Bailout
Once Upon A Time...
Chambliss Is Wrong On Savannah Port
Saxby Chambliss Is Wrong on Martin's Position on Savannah Port
"Just more politics as usual from Saxby Chambliss," said Martin for Senate spokesperson Kate Hansen. "Jim Martin has a proven record of creating Georgia jobs and a plan to turn around the Bush economy that includes Savannah Harbor. Senator Chambliss would be better off spending his millions in special interest campaign contributions explaining why his economic policies have cost Georgia 88,000 jobs this year alone."
Jim Martin's Statement on Savannah Port
"We need to do whatever we can to keep our ports competitive and Georgia's economy strong. Now that the EIS studies are almost complete and indicate there is no problem with deepening the harbor, I have no objections. The future of Savannah's harbor needs to be as a tremendous generator of jobs and prosperity and I will make that a top priority in the United States Senate."
Saxby Attacks, and We Respond With a New Ad - Within 24 Hours
Well, we knew it was coming.
Sooner or later, Saxby Chambliss was going to return to his tried and true tactics and launch a shameless attack against me. He did this to Max Cleland six years ago. And now, he has done the same to me.
If you have not seen Chambliss's ad, click here to see it.
Chambliss's latest attack is nothing more than a crass attempt to score political points over a tragedy. I've spent my whole life fighting for kids, and everyone who knows me (including Saxby Chambliss) knows that. This kind of politics at a time of crisis is insulting. And this is a crisis for anyone worried about their savings, their job, or our children.
We have a 24-hour rule in this campaign - within 24 hours of an attack, we respond and hit back. So, on Wednesday, I dropped everything on my calendar and went in front of the camera. But unlike Chambliss, you won't see any misleading attacks from me - our ads are hard-hitting and factual.
Unfortunately, this is just the beginning. We know from his 2002 smear campaign against a decorated war hero that Chambliss will do or say anything to buoy his "suddenly teetering" campaign, as The Washington Post described it. And we know that the National Republican Senatorial Committee is about to unleash its special interest-funded war chest on me, too. In order to fight back, I need your help, and I need it today.
After you check out our new ad below, please help to keep it on the air by contributing today - $250, $100, $50, or whatever you can give, will help us fight Chambliss's misleading attacks!
Fight the Smears: Jim's Leadership of the Department of Human Resources
Saxby Chambliss returned to his tried and true tactics - the politics of division and personal destruction - in order to change the subject from who will best represent Georgia's middle class families in this time of economic uncertainty and who is most capable of strengthening the American economy. Chambliss's attacks on Jim, which are being waged on television and through the press and which take several of Jim's votes out of context, are nothing but the tired old political tactics of every Chambliss campaign.
In the first of what is sure to be a series - here are the facts:
Jim's Leadership of the Department of Human Resources
- Jim believes that every child's life is precious and that it is wrong for Chambliss to attempt to score political points over the death of children.
- As Commissioner of Human Resources, Jim took immediate action to hold the persons responsible for the deaths accountable, including firing the individuals who were at fault. He ordered all caseworkers to check on every child in the state's custody within a 48-hour period. Jim continued his efforts to implement policies aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in order to improve care for all children.
- Jim served as Commissioner under both Democratic Governor Roy Barnes and Republican Governor Sonny Perdue. Perdue asked Jim and all other political appointees to tender their resignations upon his inauguration, but Perdue chose not to accept Jim's resignation for almost a year.
- When Jim left DHR, Perdue praised Jim's service to the Department, saying that "[Jim] could not have been a more gracious, more cooperative commissioner....He's managed a tough department in tough economic times. His service has been a service of sacrifice." [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/18/03]
- Perdue spokesman Dan McLagan said at the time, "The governor knows that Mr. Martin has a heart for children." [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/2/03]
- In 2006, Jeffrey Bramlett, the attorney for the children's advocacy group that sued the state regarding care for foster children, praised Jim's leadership at DHR: "The record shows that, as DHR Commissioner, Jim Martin fought heroically to protect these children and improve their life chances in a larger political context where Georgia's elected leaders over an extended period of time simply lacked the political will necessary to devote the resources required to do an adequate job of caring for these children." [Letter of Jeffrey O. Bramlett, 7/13/06]
- As Commissioner, Jim's job was to look out for the well-being of every one of the 17,000 children under the department's care, many of whom were at risk, sick, or in trouble.
Martin Responds: "I've Spent My Whole Life Fighting for Kids, Which Is a Lot Different from What Saxby Has Done."
A Good Investment for the Future
This has been a difficult few weeks for our economy and for our country. More tough times lie ahead. We are all paying a heavy price for eight years of George Bush and Saxby Chambliss economics.
Our campaign has not pulled any punches. It is critical that voters realize just what Chambliss has - and has not - been doing in Washington as a co-author with the Bush Administration of the current mess.
Please click on the image below to watch our new television ad, which is being broadcast across the state. In the ad, we make the clear and concise case for why it is time for Chambliss to leave the United States Senate:
What a Debate!
I must say, there is nothing quite like the atmosphere of a debate at the Georgia National Fair in Perry. Jim's match-up with Saxby Chambliss last night, the first of the general election, was part debate and part old-fashioned political rally. Thanks to the scores of people who came from near and far to support him, Jim was energized before he even got on stage!
He went into the debate with a simple plan - to aggressively take on Chambliss for his unquestioning support of George Bush's economic policies and to make Chambliss own his failure. Reading the papers this morning across the state, it appears he was successful in doing so.
In an article entitled "Martin Comes Alive in Rowdy Debate," Dick Pettys, the dean of the state's political press corps, wrote:
"Somebody lit a fire under Democrat Jim Martin" who "seemed to find his fighting stance.
"His partisans [that's you!] in the audience obviously energized him, but so, too, did a pair of polls (one done on his behalf) that showed the race tightening.
"The normally low-key Martin was aggressive throughout the debate, striking the podium once when attacking Chambliss for his bailout vote and flinging off Chambliss's charge that critics like Martin and [Libertarian Allen] Buckley were sticking their heads in the sand.
"The people who've been sticking their heads in the sand have been Saxby Chambliss and George Bush," said Martin.
And to top it all off, yet another poll was released yesterday, from Strategic Vision, a Republican outfit, confirming that we are in a statistical dead heat (Martin 44% / Chambliss 47%, within the poll's margin of error). Not to mention yesterday's news that Congressional Quarterly, the authoritative source on congressional politics, has upgraded our race from "Republican Favored" to CQ's more competitive, "Leans Republican" category, signifying our "improved chances" of winning. Quoting prominent UGA political scientist Charles S. Bullock, III, CQ cites our television ads as contributing to our "recent bump in the polls."
Needless to say, yesterday was a great day. None of this would have been possible without each of you. For that, Jim, Joan, and the rest of the campaign team are extremely grateful.
From 3 to 2 to 1: New Independent Poll Shows Us Within 1 Point of Chambliss!
Today brings the third in a series of new polls that pegs our race at a dead heat! Last week, we told you about a new Mellman Group poll that had us within 3 points of Saxby Chambliss - and then a new SurveyUSA poll that had us down by only 2.
And now, this morning, a new Research 2000 poll shows that we are trailing Chambliss by only 1 point, 45% to 44%!
There can be no doubt that we have the momentum on our side. Over the weekend, while I was meeting with folks in LaGrange, Columbus, and Fayetteville, the papers were full of doom-and-gloom stories for Saxby Chambliss, calling him "beatable in conservative Georgia." The Washington Post described Chambliss as "suddenly teetering." Another outlet lauded us for running a "smart, aggressive operation" in going after Chambliss.
And I am proud to say that we have done just that. The bottom line is this - we adopted an aggressive strategy to go up on television early and to make this race about the failed "George Bush-Saxby Chambliss Economics" that has given us so much hardship. If there was any doubt about the failure of the policies that Chambliss has supported on the economy, the last few weeks have brought that failure into sharp relief.
But as aggressive as we may be, we don't have the huge war chest that Saxby Chambliss has. We knew going in that we would have to rely on you - our supporters - to fund our campaign as we went along. And today, we need your financial support more than ever if we are going to sustain our hard-earned momentum.
It's time to make Saxby Chambliss own his failure. Together, we can.
Best wishes,
Jim
One-Point Race In Georgia Says New Independent Poll
Third Poll In A Week Shows Jump Ball for Martin, Chambliss
The Secret's Out: Saxby's in Trouble
What a week! First comes our internal poll that shows Saxby Chambliss clinging to the support of less than 40% of Georgia voters and Jim only three points behind (click here to read more). And then comes an independent poll a day later saying it's a two-point race (click here to read more).
"What the heck is going on down there?" my friends across the country started asking me. "You're in Georgia," they said. "Those numbers can't be real, can they?" You bet they're real, and I'll give you two reasons why. The first is Saxby Economics. People are sick and tired of a Senator whose years of support for George Bush's failed economic policies have culminated in a $700 billion bailout for Wall Street while middle-class Georgians continue to struggle.
But the second reason - and this is the secret that is just now sneaking up on Chambliss - is that Barack Obama has changed the math. Seriously. Counting votes is the most fundamental part of politics, and today, in Georgia, what was once addition is now multiplication:
Hundreds of thousands of new voters
X
Unprecedented motivation and excitement
=
Saxby Chambliss in big, BIG trouble.
And he might never have known it if it weren't for early voting, but after one week, the numbers are clear, and they must have Chambliss terrified. You may not have seen this report below from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution yesterday . . . but I bet Saxby Chambliss did.
New Non-Partisan Poll Shows Our Race Dead Even!
On Monday, I wrote about a new poll commissioned by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which showed that our race is almost dead even:
Chambliss 37% / Martin 34%.
Yesterday, a new non-partisan poll confirmed that this race is indeed that close - according to SurveyUSA, we are now trailing by just 2 points:
Chambliss 46% / Martin 44%.
Latest Poll Shows We're Gaining Ground on Saxby - It's a 3-Point Race!
Recent events on Wall Street and in Washington have dramatically changed the dynamics of our race, and our television ads appear to be resonating with voters. It should come as no surprise that voters are eager to fire the folks that got us into this mess in the first place. And according to the latest polling in our race, released just a few hours ago, at the top of the "pink slip" list for Georgia voters is Saxby Chambliss, the President's cheerleader-in-chief.
Confirming what we're hearing all across the state, today's poll numbers show us gaining ground on Chambliss in the final weeks of the election.
**The new poll has us within 3 points of Chambliss (34% to 37%) and, equally important, shows that Chambliss has now fallen below 40%.** As an incumbent, he is extremely vulnerable - this is a race we can win!
But make no mistake, we still have a tough fight ahead of us. Chambliss has yet to unleash the full force of his special interest-funded campaign. He still has several million dollars available to saturate the airwaves in the last few weeks of the campaign - using shameless attacks against me just like he did against my friend, Max Cleland. That's why we have to stay on offense through Election Day.
New Ad Begins Today! "It's Saxby Economics."
With your help, we continue to take it right to Saxby Chambliss.
We are going to keep up the momentum, keep Chambliss on the defensive, and keep reminding voters that Chambliss represents more of the same - the same Bush economic policies that have failed our country; the same blind-eye approach towards outrageous practices on Wall Street that has left taxpayers on the hook for more than $1 trillion and counting. It's time to remind voters that we can "wipe the slate clean," get our house in order, and move our country back in the right direction.
New Poll Shows Close Race! Sign Up for Our Grassroots Efforts!
If the presidential roller coaster wasn't enough to turn your stomach, it looks like our race will go down to the wire as well! The latest public poll in our race, which Rasmussen released late yesterday, shows us within single-digits of Saxby Chambliss (43% to 50%). This confirms, once again, what our internal polling has shown over the past month - that Chambliss is extremely vulnerable and that we can win.
The good news is that we have enjoyed two solid weeks of virtually uncontested advertising on television. The bad news is that Chambliss has a pretty clear track record when it comes to slash-and-burn campaign tactics, so we can expect an onslaught of attack ads as early as next week.
But we're not waiting for Chambliss to make the first move! You've probably noticed that we have started to turn up the pressure on him for his shoddy record in the U.S. Senate. On Tuesday, we held a press conference where I called Chambliss to task for encouraging the very practices that allowed Wall Street to become a "Wild West." And in the next few days, we will lay out the case against Chambliss, vote by vote, and make him own his failure - a failure that has culminated in government bailouts and the collapse of some of the country's largest financial institutions.