MARSHALL REPLIES

U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall of Macon was one of two Georgia congressmen who voted for the Wall Street rescue plan as it went down to defeat in the House.

Facing a tough re-election battle, he’s just released a 30-second TV ad defending his decision.

The Democrat received some cover when Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, both Republicans, supported the revised version of the measure that passed the Senate on Wednesday. Still, Marshall’s GOP opponent, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Rick Goddard, on Wednesday came out against the bailout.

“I don’t like this rescue plan any better than you do,” Marshall said in his ad. “But I’m not going to stand by and let this crisis undermine our economy and damage the financial future of everyone in America —- their jobs, their savings, their dreams.”

He added, “You elected me to do what’s best for America. Not what’s easy.”