Gainesville — Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Zell Miller said Wednesday that incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss is the “last man standing” to prevent a “far-left agenda” from sailing though the U.S. Senate.

Miller spoke to about 200 people at a luncheon rally for Chambliss, who faces Atlanta Democrat Jim Martin on Dec. 2 in a hotly contested runoff that could tilt the balance of power in the upper chamber of the U.S. Congress.

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Jim Tharpe / jtharpe@ajc.com

Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Zell Miller talks to the crowd in Gainesville while campaigning for Saxby Chambliss.

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A former Georgia governor, Miller urged attendees to back Chambliss to prevent a rubber stamp congress for the Democratic agenda, which Miller said will move the country to the left.

“(U.S. Sen.) Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has got Jim Martin warming up in the bullpen to come in and help move it along,” Miller said.

Democrats now have 58 seats in the Senate and are pushing for a 60-vote, filibuster-proof super majority. Only Senate races in Georgia an Minnesota remain to be decided.

In Atlanta, Martin dismissed Miller’s endorsement at a Wednesday afternoon press conference where the Democratic candidate was endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Police Officers.

“Gov. Miller has lost his rudder,” Martin said. “No one knows where he stands.”

Martin also slammed Chambliss for an attack ad where Marin is accused of being soft on crime. Martin’s daughter was kidnapped years back when she was 8 years old. She escaped unharmed, but Martin said the incident reinforced his support of police and tough laws for criminals.

“For Saxby Chambliss to accuse me of being week on crime is not only wrong, but it is offensive to both me and my family,” Martin said.

The Chambliss-Martin showdown has focused national attention on the state, bringing in a long list of political bigshots for both candidates. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin comes to town Monday, the day before the runoff.

But both campaigns are also employing state politicians in an effort to turn out the vote in an election that will probably see low turnout. That makes the runoff unpredictable and both sides are trying to urge voters back to the polls.

“We need North Georgia to turn out in a very, very big way,” Chambliss told the crowd.

It was the second public appearance for Chambliss by Miller, who in the 2002 U.S. Senate race backed Chambliss’s opponent, former Democratic U.S. Sen. Max Cleland.

Miller criticized President-elect Barack Obama for what he called “this income redistribution, spread the wealth kind of thing.”

Under Obama’s plan, Miller said: “You rob Peter to pay Paul hoping Paul is going to vote for you.”