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.

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]

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]

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]

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.

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]

Read more in our 25 Days series by clicking on this link.

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]

Read more in our 25 Days series by clicking on this link.

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.

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]

Read more in our 25 Days series by clicking on this link.

ATLANTA – In a new ad released today, Jim Martin responds to Saxby Chambliss’ false, vicious attacks on Martin’s record.  The truth is that Jim Martin voted to return $100 million of surplus taxes to taxpayers and voted for the largest middle class tax cut in Georgia’s history. While Jim Martin will go to Washington to fight for the middle class, Saxby Chambliss has spent his time there fighting for CEOs and lobbyists.