Home > Political Insider > Archives > 2008 > March > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDemocrat Jim Martin announces for U.S. Senate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Democrat Jim Martin just announced that he’s joined the U.S. Senate race to unseat Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss.
“Today, on the fifth anniversary of the Iraq War, it’s clear that the current administration is on the wrong track. We need a Senator in Washington who answers to Georgians and not to George Bush and Dick Cheney 92 percent of the time,” Martin said in a press release e-mailed at noon.
“Senator Chambliss’s uncritical advocacy of the Iraq war has been matched only by his disregard for the soldiers fighting it and their families. I believe we should respect our troops by using them more effectively and taking better care of them when they come home,” Martin said.
The Atlanta attorney and former legislator joins five other Democrats already in the race: Former TV journalist Dale Cardwell; DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones; ecologist Rand Knight; Statesboro businessman Josh Lanier; and Rockdale County teacher Maggie Martinez.
Martin claims endorsements from numerous political, civic, and business leaders across Georgia, including: former First Lady Rosalynn Carter; former Gov. Roy Barnes; Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin; House Minority Leader DuBose Porter; State Rep. Bob Holmes; and Steve Leeds, a close associate of former U.S. senator Max Cleland — whom Chambliss defeated in 2002.
Martin’s web site is here.
Chambliss, who reported $4.4 million on hand to defend his seat late last year, is to hold a 3:30 p.m. rally at the state Capitol today with Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Services »
Comments
By JDP
March 19, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Jim Martin is already too far behind to make this race interesting. But oh well, now he’s lost his current job, sounds good to me.
By Somethin' Smells . . .
March 19, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
Hmm …
With those endorsements, it sounds like he is running for a popularity contest among the business as usual crowd.
I believe the most important endorsements come from the voting booth.
Let’s see what the people think.
By Lily Toad
March 19, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
Finally, a candidate who has a good record and is able to bring in Dem. votes. I’m for Jim Martin 100%.
By RJ
March 19, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Martin’s entry just made the Democratic primary more interesting because of his appeal to diverse groups. There is absolutely no doubt that Chambliss is at risk. This year the voters will not be bought with labels,slick ads, and hollow promises…they are awake and very much tuned in. The 2008 election year gets more interesting with each passing day.
By tim
March 19, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Just another CAREER politician. TERM limits are needed!
By Chuck
March 19, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
As a disabled veteran of Desert Storm I have personal experience with Chambliss’ lack of interest in helping veterans outside of campaign stops and photo ops.
By Lily Toad
March 19, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Chuck, Jim Martin is much in favor of disability rights and accessibility issues.
By doris betz
March 19, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
I’m thrilled. Jim Martin has all the experience, in the best sense of the word, to represent us in the U.S. Senate. One of the big reasons why I have so much respect for Jim is because he has maintained his independence over all his years in politics and has served only the common good. He’s 24 karat gold, a rare quality in politics. And because of this, he has proven effective time and time again. Go Jim!
By doris betz
March 19, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
I’m thrilled. Jim Martin has all the experience, in the best sense of the word, to represent us in the U.S. Senate. One of the big reasons why I have so much respect for Jim is because he has maintained his independence over all his years in politics and has served only the common good. He’s 24 karat gold, a rare quality in politics. And because of this, he has proven to be effective time and time again. Go Jim!
By CHurchill
March 19, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
Lost cause.
By Wackolibhack
March 19, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
It is Bush’s fault that Jim Martin will get spanked in November. It is Bush’s fault that Saxby will keep his seat. I Hate Bush!!!!
By Jim Fan
March 19, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Bush is a criminal. Anyone who supports a criminal is a criminal. Chambliss continues to support Bush. Therefore, Chambliss is a criminal.
By lovelyliz
March 19, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
I’d tread carefully. Look at how Chambliss treated Max Cleland and it worked!!!!!!!!!!!!
By tom ga hunter
March 19, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Hope he runs lots of ads with Saxby’s big smile while Teddy Kennedy is announcing the Mccain-Kennedy-Bush destroy america act. Man Saxby can grin when he’s around his friends.
By Wackolibhack
March 19, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
It is Bush’s fault that he and Saxby are criminals. I hate Bush.
By Dunwoody Dick - a real conservative
March 19, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Chambliss can be beat if any opponent makes it clear that they would never vote YES on the next McCain/Kennedy legalization proposal for illegal aliens.
He wouldn’t get a dime from the open borders business lobby that is lining Chambliss’pockets, but he would get a lot of GOP votes. Mine included.
Chambliss is an embaressment to Georgia and anyone who understands immigration…and he is a teller of tale tales on his own imigration record.
Whatever happens, as a conservative, like a large number of others who will not forget Saxby standing with Kennedy against us…I will never vote for him - or that phony Isakson. The only thing Obama has right is that it is time for change.
I HOPE CHAMBLISS LOOSES
Take your 30 silver pieces and go back to south Ga Senor Saxby!
By Warbler
March 19, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
It is racist to talk about our open borders! Stop mentioning that Saxby is in cahoots with Kennedy to do another amnesty! It is racist!
By Richard Parrill
March 20, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Saxby Chambliss will be an easier race for Jim Martin to run because Saxby’s such a hardliner where Casey Cagle was more of a moderate. Jim Martin is like the Fred Thompson of the Democratic party, and I hope he meets a better fate.
By Vernon has no shot
March 20, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
It’s over for Vern:
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/dekalb/stories/2008/03/20/dekaudit_0321.html
By Bitter EX democrackkk
March 21, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this
TOAST, Vernon…
He’s just honoring his NC democrackkk heritage where democrackkks have completely CORRUPTED our once great state! Vernon is a NC product.
The NC Legislature ESCORTED OUT Rep. Thomas Wright, CORRUPT democrackkk-New Hanover yesterday for the first time in 128 years! NC now has about 14 convicted democrackkk ‘leaders’ serving prison terms INCLUDING the former Speaker of the House, Jim Black of Charlotte. He’s in the slammer at age 71.
HOW did democrackkks EVER get to be SOooo CORRUPT?
By tolerford
March 31, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
An Atlanta native having known Jim Martin during our teens in high school, convinced that character is evident by that age, having not followed Jim since but when he again makes news, I can emphatically assure all curious that no flaw exists in his integrity and no personal gain is possible motive. This is one man who means what he says. For me personally, having received many patronizing paragraphs from Chambliss explaining why I’m wrong in my objections, disgusted by his treatment of Cleland and nauseated by his presumption, Jim is not just his polar opposite, but standing shoulder-to-shoulder is comparable to an Escalade and an Edsel.
By Donald A. Patterson
June 19, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
Mr. Jim Martin what are your views on immigration, health care, the seven year that may be a 100 year war. What have you been doing the past four years for me to vote for you? Thank You, Patterson
By PPM
July 10, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Jim Martin is the former chair of the Georgia House Judiciary that WOULD NOT HAVE A HEARING ON OUR JOINT CUSTODY BILL THAT HAD ALREADY PASSED THE SENATE 50 TO 4. I can not vote for someone that is against children having both parents equally involved.
By Bill
July 10, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
WOULD NOT VOTE for Jim Martin. He does not have a clue as to what the people want and is just following his Democratic party. He can bash Bush all he wants to, but his comments of more goverment and bad economics shows just how out of touch he is with reality.
By Bill Bill Bill
July 10, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
“WOULD NOT VOTE for Jim Martin. He does not have a clue as to what the people want and is just following his Democratic party. He can bash Bush all he wants to, but his comments of more goverment and bad economics shows just how out of touch he is with reality.”
Bill are you living in alternative universe or have you been in a coma for 6 years? The whole country hates people like Bush and Saxby and it looks people in Georgia are coming around. Obviously, you’re the one who’s out of touch.
By Edward
July 10, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
Jim is a loser. We need to elect independent thinkers and problem solvers as leaders at this important time in our nations history. Jim is neither. He would just be another of the do nothings already in Washington.
By Roger D Smart
July 13, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
If you are elected Senator of Georgia, “Would you help the military veterans/retirees ABOLISH the USFSPA, (Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act)? Many veterans are awaiting your response through me, and all our votes depend on your response. Thanks Roger Smart, PO1, USN, Retired/Loganville, Ga 1974-1994
By Francisco
July 15, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
WOULD NOT VOTE for Jim Martin !!!! He ignore the most valuable assets of our Country, “OUR-CHILDREN” and Voted against equal rights for Father and Joint Custody. I would make sure, he would NOT GET ANY VOTE in the Hispanic Community and any other Community. A person, who ignores our children and their rights, cannot run, make, or give any opinion in our legal system. He is a disgrace, to our Society and to the future of our children. Probably he never care for his children, or has no moral over them.
By cheryl tibbitts
July 18, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
By Roger D Smart
August 3, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
I don’t care if you are a democrat or a republican, this illegal law that Congress SHOVED down our throats is absurd and its ILLEGAL. I am referring to the USFSPA act. I have learned not to trust any politician, because they say anything just to get into office. I have written approximately 40 letters and emails to Senators Isakson and Chambliss and they continue to ignore this request and wrong doing of a stupid and ridiculous law. I am ashamed of our politicians and Georgia politicians as well. WHY SHOULD I CONTINUE TO PAY MY FORMER SPOUSE WHEN SHE IS REMARRIED?
By walter edwards
August 5, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
senator martin, I am an african american 100 percent service conn. viet nam veteran. miami dade fla. has the best benefits for veterans. but the (1) that really helps the most is real estate taxes. after you win today, make the freedom fighters a high priorty, so that veterans with a 100% serv. conn. can live the true freedom we fought for, life style. DON’T TAKE FREEDOM FOR GRANTED! you have my vote.
By Barry
November 12, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
Mr. Martin you are exactly what is wrong with this nation and this country’s politics! Your commercials say NOTHING! Before the last election results all you could say is you were against “the failed Bush Policies” and now you’re “with Barrack Obama”. Your suppose to support Georgians interests. Did you check to see what Presidential Candidate Georgians supported? A hint, it was not Barrack Obama. You’re not campaigning to go to Washington to support Barrack Obama or the Democrats. Your suppose to be campaigning to go to Washington to represent Georgians and not you or your parties goals! You go on and on about “middle class tax cuts”? Mr. Martin, care to define what the middle class is in your parties mind? Based on what I’ve seen your definition of middle class is much lower than what normal Americans see as middle class. Stop telling Georgians you’re going to reduce taxes because you and your party support higher income, corporate and capital gains taxes. Your party supports ceasing Americans 401k funds. You’re not telling the truth! And I’m simply a hard working American that is tired of seeing TV ads that are totally bogus!