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DEL.ICIO.USChambliss on Carter: ‘He’s undermining Bush policy’; And Martin on Chambliss: ‘I went to ‘Nam. He didn’t’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saxby Chambliss and Jim Martin were clearly the stars of the first day of qualifying for the July primary ballot.
Both played to different sides of the state Capitol. Chambliss, 64, the only Republican in the race, signed his paperwork in the state Senate. Martin, 62, the top fund-raiser of five Democratic candidates, filed his forms in the House.
Chambliss followed with a formal press conference. He called himself a “true champion for our wounded warriors,” noting funding that he had been able to slip into the latest defense bill. Georgia’s senior senator also noted his role, as a former chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
“Hopefully, we’ll plug the last few remaining holes in the next farm bill that’s going to set policy for the next five year,” Chambliss said. “Obviously, I’m in the room when there’s the smallest number of people making decisions about that policy.”
Chambliss had an interesting comment on the economy. Like most Republicans, he refused to use the word ‘recession.’ But he said the economic stimulus package was important in more ways than one.
“We had a problem, we addressed it, and we did it in a bipartisan way. And we did it quickly. I’m in hopes that that’s going to give the American people some confidence about what is going on in Washington, and hopefully make them feel better about themselves,” the senator said.
Chambliss also accused former President Jimmy Carter of undermining the Bush administration by meeting in Syria 10 days ago with leaders of Hamas, which controls the Gaza strip.
“We don’t negotiate with terrorists, we don’t deal with terrorists. I think it was unfortunate for him to do that,” he said. Is Carter undermining Bush?
“Oh, I think he clearly is,” Chambliss said. “I think him exhibiting any sort of appearance of friendship as a former president certainly seeks to undermine the current policy of this administration.”
Asked if he was vulnerable for supporting Bush too much over the last six years, Chambliss said he disagreed with the president on immigration, on funding the war in Iraq, and on points in the current farm bill. He said he would welcome the president’s help in the campaign. But curiously, Chambliss said the greatest legacy of Bush, a war president, would be his appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“At the end of the day, my race is going to be a very close political race. We’re prepared for that. I know that Democrats in this state are energized. There are an awful lot of them that want to see me out of office,” Chambliss said.
Martin’s interchange with the press was less formal. The Atlanta attorney, a former state lawmaker and 2006 candidate for lieutenant governor, noted that Chambliss had voted with the Bush administration 92 percent of the time during his term.
When told that, an hour earlier, Chambliss had felt confident that he’d win in a military-minded state, Martin had this: “I served in Vietnam, he didn’t. I’m proud of the military history of the state.”
“I’m not a war hero. I served my country,” Martin said. “That’s a fact that people have to take into consideration.” The Demorat said his service gives him a better understanding of how the war in Iraq, and repeated tours of duty for men and women in the military, had placed strains on families.
It was clear Martin will attempt to tie Chambliss to Bush’s strategy in Iraq. “The point is the terrorist threat to the country is real, and we’re not being very smart about the threat,” he said.
Martin indicated that he would participate in debates with his fellow Democratic candidates. “None have been planned, but I’m sure there’ll be debates,” Martin said.
Martin acknowledged the overt support he’s been getting from national Democrats who think him the best candidate to tackle Chambliss. “If we can make the race competitive, there’s a lot of national interest,” he said.
Martin also said nice things about DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones, a rival for the nomination. “We’ve been friends for a long time,” he said. But not a word about Dale Cardwell.
The Democrat seemed most enthused about presidential candidate Barack Obama and his potential impact on the state. “The more people that vote, the better off I am,” he said.
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Comments
By GeorgiaValues
April 28, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
Saxby is the right man, with the right values and track record, to serve Georgia in the U.S. Senate!
Martin is an out of touch liberal recruit of Harry Reid. Has is simply too liberal, even for the Democratic primary.
Saxby in ‘08!
By Mableton Mom
April 28, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
Martin can’t beat Vernon in the primary. Vernon is out working, out advertising, and just plain out campaigning Mr. Martin.
I can’t wait to attend his big bash tomorrow night!
Go VERNON, you’re my man.
By Will Jones
April 28, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
Chambliss says Bush’s “greatest legacy” was the exclusive appointments of Roman Catholics to the Supreme Court? The same bloc of RC’s appointed Hitler’s banker’s homosexual draft-dodging grandson to commit 9-11…and Chambliss is fine…or claims ignorance…with it.
Georgia deserves better…Cardwell is better.
By JDP
April 28, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
Martin is the least believable candidate out there. Saxby has repeatedly stood up for our veterans and Georgians in uniform. Martin has only failed repeatedly in government. Theres a clear difference here.
By GodHatesTrash
April 28, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
Saxby is definitely the right kkklown for illiterate, stumpbroke, whiny lazy hatefilled inbred Georgians.
He’s a chickenhawk POS. Filthy redneck trash.
By gttim
April 28, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
Saxby is the man who evaded serving in Vietnam because of a bum knee, which at his more advanced age does not bother him enough to keep him from jogging. Of course men who have served in Vietnam, like Martin and Cleland are the un-American and un-patriotic ones! My God people, if you cannot figure out a way to avoid serving in the military during a war, are you really the type of men we want serving the country in elected office? Men like Bush, Cheney and Chambliss, who managed to keep their butts out of Vietnam, are the real patriots!
By Larry the Lover
April 28, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
I think they all blow
By Hugh Downs
April 28, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Carter would love for the right to go after him for treason. He is a egomaniac and would bask in the spotlight
By hotlanta
April 28, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
There isn’t even a need to post anymore: Any person who believes Saxby to be “patriotic” terrifies me. Seriously. You are the right wing nut jobs who go after the democrats for being “unpatriotic” when we are the ones who actually served our country. Saxby makes me sick. He is a terrible, terrible human being who worships a god that I am positive despises him as much as we do. His day will come and when it does I hope Senator Cleland sits by and laughs.
By JDP
April 28, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
I guess the vast majority of Georgia terrifies you though.
Lucky for you, you live in the Atlanta bubble.
Re-read your entry and try to convince me that you aren’t the one who needs some serious help.
By Jeff
April 28, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
Any word on the Libertarian candidate in this race?
For me, it will either be a Libertarian candidate or a write in. I refuse to vote for anyone with either a D or an R beside their name - particularly if said D or R comes with an I.
And that goes for every race on the ballot, from President to Dog Catcher.
By hotlanta
April 28, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
You know what? Georgia voters don’t terrify me, but a man like Saxby does. I guess deep down I don’t blame the voters because they were manipulated by this man time and again.
Great post by the way JDP! You’re so eloquent with your words…..really hit me where it hurts buddy.
By Detroit Rock City
April 28, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
Lookin’ for milf’s in all the wrong places
By Marge Simpson
April 28, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Libertarian candidate? Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-he-he-he-he-ooohhh-hahahahehehe ha ha
By tom ga hunter
April 28, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
Saxby is a BIG GOVERNMENT, BIG SPENDING, PRO IMMIGRATION LIBERAL who call him self a Republican.. He’s just a Delay RHINO. Vernon would be less bad. No winners here just bad choices but if we turn Saxby out, Johnny will get the idea.
By tom ga hunter
April 28, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
By the way Saxby’s contribution to the ag bill was to take care of his patrons while screwing the small farmer & taxpayer.. I was in Viet Nasm for 13months & 6 days there were people there who could bairly walk much less run. Saxby is a Draft Dodger & a coward.
By tom ga hunter
April 28, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
By the way Saxby’s contribution to the ag bill was to take care of his patrons while screwing the small farmer & taxpayer.. I was in Viet Nam for 13 months & 6 days there were people there who could barely walk much less run. Saxby is a Draft Dodger & a coward.
By TW
April 28, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
Only this state, and maybe Mississippi, would vote against their best interests by voting Saxby Chambliss into office. Morons. Please vote him in again. Rather entertaining watching you fools screw yourselves.
Georgia ought to change its slogan to - A SNAKE OIL SALESMAN’S WET DREAM
Please, pretty please, vote him in again…it’s like living in a Jerry Springer episode…HAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!
By Conrad Dobler
April 28, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
Dodging the draft only carries weight if your a Democrat, everybody knows that.
By Charles
April 28, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
Serving in the military doesn’t make you any more “in tune” with what those serving want or need. The majority of those serving in our all volunteer military support what we are doing in the Middle East. Most on the Left don’t. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this one out.
By Non-Vietnam Server Person
April 28, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Glad I tuned in tonight. I learned that one can’t have an opinion on anything unless he served in Vietnam (or Vietnasm).
What if two people who both served in Vietnam had differing opinions? If someone served for 13 months and 7 days, does that render your opinion invalid?
You guys need to take a note from John Kerry’s notebook. The folks I know who really served in Vietnam don’t wear it on their sleeves. And they don’t think that they are the only ones who are qualified to express an opinion on….everything.
Though I don’t like Chambliss, to say that Vernon Jones would be “less bad” is foolhardy.
I’m going to bed as I can “bairly” (bearly? growwwl) keep my eyes open. Oh, I hear that Chambliss is an excellent speller.
By Rarl Kove
April 28, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
Vernon Jones is a sexual pervert. He is corrupt and unqualified for the job he has now. He is , in short, the perfect Democrat candidate.
By American worker
April 28, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
Saxby deserves to loose after helping McCain ( who deserves to loose too) with the last amnesty bill.
No matter what party, this American vet will vote for ANYONE who will promise to work to secure our borders AND never vote for any kind of legalization for illegal aliens.
In other words…I am staying home.
By Rush Limbug
April 28, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Operation chaos is going to double secret stage echobravoretardo all lemmings pop your pain pills, put on your pins, and applaud my brilliance.
By Will Jones
April 28, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Has Martin outed the traitors who sent us to Vietnam? A conventional “Democrat,” does he find it “odd” the Catholic vote sustains Hillary’s candidacy? He seems a bit slow. America needs to play “catch up” against the Roman Fifth Column and Georgia should lead.
Righteous America was built by the Citizen-Soldier, placing his life at sacrifice, under The Oath, proving his mettle as a man, gift of strength and blood, and love of Our Nation.
Dulce et Decorem est Pro Patria Mori
Led by corruption now, none can be faulted for skipping military service shedding innocent blood for traitors’ lies…if their effort is to arrest the treason now upon us.
Those who were wise enough to recognize LBJ’s and Nixon’s evil in assassinating John Kennedy and tricking us with the Gulf of Tonkin Hoax are wise enough to be made elect for public service now. Prove it. So too are those who served honorably and have found wisdom recognizing that Bush/Cheney is the same Fifth Column’s committing 9-11 that killed JFK and sent us to Vietnam.
Rev. Wright, as any person of Conscience knows, is a true Man of G-d. Obama is the focus, and must be made elect. Cardwell supports Obama. Georgia should support Cardwell and reject the conventional, dull who have failed to provide the inspiration, enthusiasm and leadership we need for the dire task at hand.
Annuit Coeptis
www.theamericanfundament.blogspot.com
By 20/20 Vision
April 29, 2008 3:57 AM | Link to this
It a state is stupid enough to celebrate Confederate Memorial Day I’m not surprised it’s stupid enough to have Saxby Chambliss as a Senator. He’s a knee jerk, racist, reactionary fearmongerer that belongs in the trash pile with his more cosmopolitan brethren Bush and Cheney. Go Jim Go!
By 20/20 Vision
April 29, 2008 3:58 AM | Link to this
It a state is stupid enough to celebrate Confederate Memorial Day I’m not surprised it’s stupid enough to have Saxby Chambliss as a Senator. He’s a knee jerk, racist, reactionary fearmongerer that belongs in the trash pile with his more cosmopolitan brethren Bush and Cheney. Go Jim Go!
By 20/20 Vision
April 29, 2008 3:58 AM | Link to this
It a state is stupid enough to celebrate Confederate Memorial Day I’m not surprised it’s stupid enough to have Saxby Chambliss as a Senator. He’s a knee jerk, racist, reactionary fearmongerer that belongs in the trash pile with his more cosmopolitan brethren Bush and Cheney. Go Jim Go!
By GodHatesTrash
April 29, 2008 5:29 AM | Link to this
All you filthy inbred draft-dodging chickenhawk GOPers need to get your fat yellow arses to Bagdad. Die for the POS president you elected.
Now.
Trash.
By tom ga hunter
April 29, 2008 6:04 AM | Link to this
Non-Vietnam Server Person
Sorry about my spelling as a native georgian I have the disadvantage of an education from the public school system, UGA & GSU. In 18 years they could not teach me to spell. You must have the good northern education.
I am a Republican who is upset with the current state of our party & the place to start fixing it is to fire Saxby. I celebrate Confederate memorial day & deer hunt but Saxby is worse than Vernon Jones & needs to go. Saxby is simply a tool of special interest to the detriment of the United States.
By Jeff
April 29, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Tom ga hunter:
A Democan is no better than the Republicrat Saxby.
If you REALLY want change, vote Libertarian!
By flip wilson
April 29, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
“Hopefully, we’ll plug the last few remaining holes in the next farm bill that’s going to set policy for the next five year,” Chambliss said. “Obviously, I’m in the room when there’s the smallest number of people making decisions about that policy.” … And you’re doing a heckuva job, Saxby! pay no attention to those grocery prices …
By Antineocon
April 29, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
Hey, Wiil Jones! Why all the Catholic bashing? Are you another one of those tolerant protestants like, John Hagee?
Yeah, let’s see who all the draft dodging, some-other-sucker-can-serve “Chicken Hawks” are? Rush “the Pill Popper” Limbaugh, Sean “Vanity,” Saxby Chambliss, Ann Coulter, and the biggest, phony draft dodging coward of them all, Dick Cheney. When asked why he didn’t serve in the miltary during the Vietnam War, his response was, “I had more important things to do.” I’m sure that the 58,000 heroes whose names adorn the Vietnam Memorial had more important things to do than to sacrifice their lives so cowards like those noted could stay back in the comfort of their homes and make careers out of accusing others of not being patriotic. A pox on them and their homes!!!!!
By Churchill
April 29, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
Yeah, well, you libs are imploding. It should have been a cake walk, but the racism, sexism, and the Rev Wright, himself, have dashed your chances for victory in Nov. Go check out Recreate68.org (Run by a bunch of liberal wackos). I think that the Democrat party’s chickens are coming home to roost!! Peace
By tom ga hunter
April 29, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Obviously Saxby hasn’t talked to our president: President Bush then pinned the problem of rising food prices largely on Congress, saying it was considering a “massive, bloated” farm bill that would fail to eliminate subsidy payments to “multimillionaire” farmers. With the nation’s farm economy thriving, the president argued, it is time for Congress to reduce lavish farm subsidies that translate to higher taxes for average Americans.
Hope “W” shows some will power for once & vetoes this waste.
By Wackolibhack
April 29, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
It is Bush’s fault that the Democratic chickens are roosting on Obama’s head. I hate Bush.
By tom ga hunter
April 29, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Wackolibhack
Guess you will be voting for Saxby since he is undermining Bush on the Ag. Bill. Guess it will really make you mad if “W” vetoes this gross waste of taxpayer money. You Democrats sure are strange.
By Wackolibhack
April 29, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
It is Bush’s fault that Democrats are strange. I hate Bush!!!
By No Bozos
April 30, 2008 6:01 AM | Link to this
Keep voting the Chickenhawk platform.
Let’s keep getting out children blowed up good in Iraq.
Let’s continue to subsidize big oil while allowing the airlines to crash/burn/consolidate and eventually fleece the public when we’re down to 3 major airlines.
Let’s let big pharma overcharge US customers and legislate that you can’t buy drugs in Canada where prices are competitive.
Let’s tariff imported ethanol to prop up corn (and by extension all food) prices. Its a great idea importing crude from middle eastern whack jobs than ethanol from Brazil.
I’m WAY better off now than I was 8 years ago. Saxby for czar!
By wackolibhack
April 30, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this
I hate bush. He won’t let queers marry. I’m a queer, I hate bush.
By tom ga hunter
April 30, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
Saxby’s sell out to special interest:
The result: a bipartisan pork — and rice and cotton and corn — festival that will cost $300 billion over the next five years. Under the measure, farmers would continue to get nearly $5 billion a year in crop subsidies, even if prices are soaring. As for President Bush’s proposals to cap subsidies at $250,000 and provide them only to those earning less than $200,000? Dead on arrival.
Thanks to Democratic Sens. Kent Conrad (N.D.), and Max Baucus (Mont.), farmers in their drought-stricken states would benefit from a new, $3.8 billion program called permanent disaster relief — this on top of subsidized crop insurance. Just wondering, but if the disaster is permanent, maybe that area is not a good place to farm?
Thanks to Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the racehorse industry would get quicker depreciation and lower capital gains taxes for horses, a purse worth $489 million. Thanks to Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, the timber industry would get a $435 million tax break.
By Copyleft
April 30, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Carter is “undermining Bush policy”? We should certainly hope so!
SOMEBODY has to stop this insanity, and it looks like the Democrats we sent to Congress don’t have enough backbone to stand up to the America-Destruction Machine calling itself the GOP these days.
Go, Carter, go!