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DEL.ICIO.USPressed to support Martin for Senate, Democratic lawmakers have one demand: ‘No more Mr. Nice Guy.’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Democratic candidacy of Jim Martin for the U.S. Senate is rapidly moving from a possibility to a virtual certainty.
But there is a certain tug-and-pull with Washington that must be settled before Martin takes the final step.
Martin has been up to D.C. to chat with Chuck Schumer, senator from New York, and Harry Reid of Nevada, the senate majority leader. They’re the two top recruiters for the chamber’s 2008 Democratic field.
There have been negotiations over what how much funding the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee would be willing to provide Martin, should he make it out of a Democratic primary that already features five candidates.
The SDCC is now applying pressure to Democratic leaders in the state Legislature, demanding that they be at Martin’s side when he announces.
In the House, that includes Calvin Smyre of Columbus and Dubose Porter of Dublin. In the Senate, Robert Brown of Macon, Tim Golden of Valdosta, and Kasim Reed in Atlanta are among those being approached.
These legislators have an interest in seeing a strong U.S. Senate candidate come out of the July primary. Momentum at the top of a Democratic ticket is likely to boost candidates for the House and Senate in November — particularly if Barack Obama is the Democratic presidential nominee.
A meeting was held at the state Capitol this morning, to discuss the issue. And this is where things get sticky.
Martin’s candidacy would be a direct challenge to that of DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones, who is African-American. Martin is white. And the entire state has just seen black voters strip the bark off U.S. Rep. John Lewis for his initial decision to back Hillary Clinton over Obama.
That puts some African-American legislators at the Capitol in a difficult position. State Rep. Stan Watson (D-Decatur), for instance, is running to succeed Jones as DeKalb CEO.
At Wednesday’s meeting, some black legislators said they would be willing to step out on a limb — but only if Martin promises to run a hard-hitting, aggressive campaign. In the primary and, if things go well, in the general election.
In 2006, when he thought his Republican opponent in the race for lieutenant governor would be Ralph Reed, Martin conceived a nice-guy, above-the-fray strategy that won him 42 percent of the November vote.
And Martin is, by all accounts, a nice fellow.
That’s not what Democrats in the Capitol are looking for this time around.
Martin battled polio as a child and yet still chose to serve in Vietnam. That’s a story line that many Dems would like to see used to hammer Chambliss, who didn’t serve in Vietnam — and won his seat in 2002 by defeating Max Cleland, who lost three limbs in that war.
A particular TV ad comes up over and over again in conversations.
At least in the state Capitol, Democrats are looking for a candidate who’s willing to get down and dirty.
Comments
By RJ
March 12, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
This is good news indeed. However, Martin is doomed if he embraces a “get back strategy” to unseat Chambliss. That’s an in-house strategy that today’s average voter could care less about. Porter, Smyre and the others need to open their eyes and recognize that there are too many other good selling reasons to unseat Chambliss. Among the noteable is that Georgia has not benefitted much from his blind loyalty to Bush. The most noteable is that one is that for certain he won’t be able to deliver under a Democratically controlled Congress and a Democrat in the White House.
The politics of division and negativism have not faired too well this election season. Voters are looking for solutions to their wallet woes, not which candidate can out do or undercut the other the most. Chambliss is at risk even with 10 million in the Bank.
Vernon Jones is no Obama. Jim Martin, like Dale Caldwell, will be a much easier sell in the African-American for a host of reasons.
By Somethin' Smells . . .
March 12, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
Let me get this straight… Liberal Atlanta democratic insider and long time bureaucrat Jim Martin is about to get in the Senate race. What more can the Atlanta “insiders” do to steal defeat from the jaws of victory? Does anyone remember Martin was forced to resign as DHR commissioner after the inexplicable death of two babies in state care? I guess this means outside reform candidates like Dale Cardwell and Josh Lanier can’t get any traction with the “insider pac money” crowd. It’s a shame. Polls show a cardboard cut-out democrat would get 38% of the vote against Saxby Shameless. That’s exactly what cardboard cut-out Martin will get in his losing race against the most beatable Republican in Georgia. What a shame.
By George Clements
March 12, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Dale Cardwell is a “reform” candidate? “Reform” of what?
At least a Democrat with some gravitas and credentials is putting his name forward.
All of us who want to replace Draft Dodger Chambliss should hope that Jim does enter the race.
By Operation Shuck@Jive
March 12, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
Weapons of mass distraction, feed the war machine with poor whites and brothers, bring democracy to the middle east by shoving a puppet regime down their throats, constitutional amendment to send a message of hate, not this time, no thank-you, I love my country more then u b.s., goodbye gw go clear the brush in your fake plastic cowboy boots you pretend leader.
By BadOleBoys
March 12, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
You better be careful going after the likes of Sax. He may not have done any time in Nam but he knows what “take no prisoners” means. Why he might just hop in a FU-2 Rapture and come after you.
By NocountryforoldlIbs
March 12, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
Democrat with “gravitas.” HAHAHAHAHAHA
By Will Jones
March 13, 2008 3:46 AM | Link to this
Obama is the “wheel-horse” this election cycle. Cardwell has demonstrated some propensity to buck the corruption festering in our society, and has endorsed, correctly and early, the one righteously singing, in the key of true, the Song of America.
The DHR claim above “smells” like a canard…the memory of it doesn’t ring right. Provide the cite to prove or just stay anonymous.
All I recall of Martin is the Atlanta School Board time with nothing much good to tell of it. Vision was surely lacking then and he’s long been a grown man.
Serving during Vietnam does, of course, place him far above the cabal of scum pervert draft-dodgers now running us into the ground for the Bushes, Rockefellers, Rome, Saudis, and the Chinese, but I don’t recall Martin trying to get justice for our dead of that false war or for John or Martin, either…nor does a Google of “Jim-Martin Obama” bring up the endorsement required to unite the People, streamline our American recovery, and improve his political prospects.
Obama must be made Elect and the People must rule. Let the smart money which has served the problem wise up and follow the People.
Cardwell is the man for the Senate from Georgia. Chambliss must go down.
By skewedpos
March 13, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
Jim Martin is too respectable to go dirty. He would not be comfortable doing it, and it would show.
As for Chicken-hawk Chambliss, he’d have to learn to fly that Raptor somewhere. He certainly didn’t learn in the service. At least W got some training during his time in the Guard.
By the way, is Cardwell still up on that pole?
By jules
March 13, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
This is possibly the stupidest advice I ever heard. Jim Martin is a nice man, that’s not to say he’s not tough either.
Those mailers generated by Hechts mailhouse were disgusting~AND more importantly they didn’t work!
This advise could only come from a group of dimbulbs who haven’t been in a serious primary or general fight in years! Puhlezze
The reason people voted for Mr. Martin was his inherent decency, his “authenticity” his courage and strength, not cause he played in the gutter like any number of folks in 2006 who ran as “D”.
Have they forgotten that Mr. Martin got more votes than Mark Taylor, possibly because of the lingering ick of the Cox fight?
Oh, and when was the last time Schumer was in GA? Does he know squat about Lutherville and which barber shop to go to? No.
I hope Mr. Martin listens politely and forgets it in the car on the way home.
By Churchill
March 13, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
OK all you Obamites, Hillary is going to try to steal the nomination. What are you going to do when she does.
By VJ for President
March 13, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Martin was crushed by Casey Cagle in an open race in 2006. Vernon is not going anywhere and is going to win this primary!
By Craig
March 13, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Yeah, Mr. Rubber Stamp Saxby is worthwhile. What leadership has he taken? He does whatever everyone else does or tells him to do. Even during the immigration debate he had to see from others what he was supposed to do. First he supported comprehensive immigration reform. Then he didn’t. Then he did. Then only if it had securing the borders first. He’s the little lost puppy on the side of the road going up to everyone trying to see what to do. Someone, anyone please get this guy out of office.
By Bitter EX democrackkk
March 13, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
WHY would a smart man like Jim Martin meet with CROOKS like Reid and Shumer and risk having any chance at winning?
STRIVE to be SMARTER than a democrackkk*
*spelled with 3 Ks to honor the democrat heritage as the ORIGINAL ‘party’ of SLAVERY, as they continue to ENSLAVE us ALL!
By Lingo Police
March 13, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
So, now that that crazy radio guy used the term “strip the bark” when introducing McCain, we’re going to have to hear every political pundit use it? I guess we can add it to “thrown under the bus”, etc. Where’s the originality?
By Somethin' Smells . . .
March 13, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
For Will Jones; The cite for the DHR reference is found in the Political Insider archives for 09/18/03. In short “Not that we want to knock our own headlines, but in a way, Tuesday’s firing of Jim Martin, the head of the $2.6 million state Department of Human Resources, accomplished nothing.” There’s more detail there.
Thanks for asking.
By Minister Bi-Polar
March 13, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
How ‘bout Herschel he can be a redneck conservative pork-spender or a yellow-bellied liberal peacenik all rolled in one what fun something for everyone to love and hate at the same time feel free to play with the many personality dualities possible obviously Senator Larry Craig did…
By JimMartinYes
March 13, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
I’ve been hoping someone good would jump in this race! This is awesome news. Go Jim, Go!
By CharlieCompanyOver
March 13, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Here is the most sad thing of all - Georgia ranks with Mississippi and South Carolina in schools, political beliefs, and how we vote - among other things. People of Georgia - wake up! If we are going to be in the minority, lets do it with states getting it right. There is nothing to be proud of that Georgia is still voting Red, or that no decent candidate will step out and run. It all comes down to money. Money should not decide our elected officials. I support England in this one: a six week race, everyone runs with the same amount of money, and all candidates including incumbents take the message to the people, debate the issues, and level the playing field for true, honest to God democracy. Shameless surely will not debate, because we would then see his voting record and the bills he introduced. I for one do not want to be an out layer with South Carolina. Put me with the states leading in education who has their road systems working - who does not praise God and ask for forgiveness each time they screw up. Let’s take the lead and get out of the rear for once! Actually go to the internet and see how this guy has voted before you cast your vote.
By Little One
March 13, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
A few points… Jim Martin cannot withstand the abuse Tom Perdue will deliver. Two, neither can Vernon Jones. Three, the Dems had better find a better candidate if they are going to capitalize on Obama’s turnout.
By amosley
March 13, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
As a proud resident of georgia and dekalb county I am very proud of the work done by CEO Vernon Jones and his Administration. I avidly support him on his quest to US Senate. I challange any blogger on this page to name a canidate who has more knowledge and political expierence in this race then Mr. CEO Jones.
By Res Ipsa
March 13, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
amosley @ 6:00 PM
“I challange any blogger on this page to name a canidate who has more knowledge and political expierence in this race then Mr. CEO Jones.”
That pretty well speaks for itself, don’t you think?
By NoCountryforOldLibs
March 13, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
Jones is a sexual pervert. The Democratic Party can do far better.
By Somethin' Smells . . .
March 13, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this
For “Res Ipsa”. The word is than, not “then”. Please use correct English. There are really excellent online courses one might take to sound more intellegent. Maybe CEO can help you.
By Somethin' Smells . . .
March 13, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
Hey George Clements. Both Josh Lanier and Dale Cardwell are not taking PAC money. That is the most reform the state of Georgia has seen in quite some time. Go back to your coffee shop and pontificate there. Any questions?
I didn’t think so.
By Churchill
March 13, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
Res Ipsa is a product of government schools, no doubt.
By WavyGravyNTastin'Love
March 14, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this
Churchill your a product of beefaroni
By amosley
March 14, 2008 1:11 AM | Link to this
Last time I checked Mr. Nocountry the CEO has never been prosecuted for anything only falsly accused and later vendicated of those false acusations.
By amosley
March 14, 2008 1:15 AM | Link to this
Last time I checked Mr. Nocountry the CEO has never been prosecuted for anything only falsly accused and later vendicated of those false acusations.
By Will Jones
March 14, 2008 4:47 AM | Link to this
Vernon Jones is how old and never been married? Those paying attention when his sex scandal went down can judge for themselves how it was. The woman was at his house and the physical facts of their contact never disputed. She said, he said, but the support of him by corrupt police work was obvious…lending credence to her story…and leaving him engaging in what kind of conduct, and never married to a woman at how old?
By amosley
March 14, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
To: So Will Jones A single man is not allowed to be with a single woman?
By Will Jones
March 14, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
Georgia and America need a return to the Path of Righteousness. Truth and Justice are its Guideposts. Those living lies and hiding illness are not equipped to lead us, as so clearly proven by traitor perverts Bush, Cheney and the Anti-Christ faction they serve.
It is doom that known deviant sex-perverts/rapists/closet-homosexuals-faking-heterosexuality should act in leadership roles in our society beset by a faction long used to employing pervert liar frauds like LBJ, Nixon, Bush, Clinton, Spitzer, et al.
Vernon Jones is an incomplete, unwell man yet suffering from dysfunctions present in his upbringing. Any who dispute this incontrovertible fact merely make comment on their own shortcomings.