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Monday, April 28, 2008
Chambliss 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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Because chickens are just as attractive on car tags as gators
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just got word that fans of the University of South Carolina have become the latest out-of-state alumni group approved by the state Department of Motor Vehicles for prestige car tags.
Give that today is Confederate Memorial Day, and state offices are closed, there’s little chance of getting confirmation.
But the source was Michael Wilkie, police chief for the city of Acworth, who has been point man for the Gamecock tag effort. So consider the information pretty firm.
The Atlanta Gamecock Club is planning for a May 13 kickoff to sell the necessary 1,000 plates, starring Steve Spurrier, the coach that Bulldogs most love to hate.
H.B. 1165, a bill backed by state Rep. Barry Fleming and Senate President pro tem Eric Johnson, threatened to curtail out-of-state alumni tags.
The measure provoked a storm of criticism from alumni groups, particularly graduates of the University of Florida, and died a quiet death in the Legislature this spring.
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Broun: ‘That G-7 fund-raiser wasn’t an endorsement’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Earlier this month, Georgia’s Republican House members held a fund-raiser for U.S. Rep. Paul Broun of Athens, to help him pay down the debt from his 2007 campaign.
Two days later, Broun’s campaign trumpeted the fund-raiser as evidence that the congressmen were lining up behind his campaign. In the days since, at least a couple congressmen — Nathan Deal and John Linder — have taken issue with that characterization.
On Monday, after he qualified for his re-election, Broun said things might have gotten overstated.
“We never claimed it as an endorsement. They did this fund-raiser, and you can characterize it however you want to do it. It was not an official endorsement of my candidacy,” Broun said.
“I have a great working relationship with all the members of the Georgia delegation, both in the Senate as well as in the House. I look forward to serving with them, and they look forward to serving with me, too.”
Broun’s Republican rival, state Rep. Barry Fleming of Harlem, showed up shortly afterwards to make official his primary challenge to Broun.
Two Democratic members of Congress were also put on notice that they have primary challenges.
State Sen. Regina Thomas of Savannah will challenge incumbent John Barrow. And Donzella James of Atlanta will take another crack at incumbent David Scott.
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Cardwell’s video about Martin and the U.S. Senate race
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Only a few minutes ago, Jim Martin became the first Democrat in the U.S. Senate race to officially put his name on the July primary ballot.
More details on that in a few minutes. But first, let me draw your attention to this video that Dale Cardwell, the former TV journalist and one of Martin’s Democratic rivals, has posted on YouTube.
Obviously, Cardwell is trying to triangulate his way into a run-off.
He doesn’t have much money — $17,892 in cash on hand, compared with $333,131 for Martin and $256,031 for DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones.
In the video, Cardwell refers to a meeting that he and Martin had last fall.
“Jim’s spokesman recently acknowledged that, yes, Jim did look Dale in the eye and say that he would not be running. Well, Jim’s changed his mind now, and that is his right,” Cardwell says.
Back then, Cardwell says he asked Martin for an endorsement and a check. Martin refused, saying he didn’t want to get involved.
Says Cardwell in the video:
“He said he didn’t want to work against his old friend, Vernon Jones. He said he and Vernon were in the Legislature together, and that they had known each other a long time. And he said, ‘Dale, I’m must going to stay neutral.’”
Continues Cardwell:
“Folks, if you can’t find the courage or the integrity to stand up for a good, honest Democrat against Vernon Jones — a man who will proudly tell you he voted for George Bush twice — then where’s Jim going to get the backbone to take on Saxby Chambliss?
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Notes from qualifying: Military medals and a PSC race
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Qualifying started this morning. No surprises yet.
Click here for an up-to-date look at the list on Secretary of State Karen Handel’s web site.
The most interesting roll-outs of the day were four Democratic congressional candidates. All ex-military and all — here party chairman Jane Kidd crosses her fingers — unopposed in the primary.
Bill Gillespie of Chatham County, a retired lieutenant colonel, showed up in a business suit with a chestful of medals. He’s running against Republican incumbent Jack Kingston of Savannah.
On Gillespie’s chest: Airbone wings out of Fort Benning. A combat action badge. A Legion of Merit. A Bronze Star from combat in Iraq. A meritorious service medal. And an Iraqi campaign medal.
Bobby Saxon un-retired after 9/11, then did three tours in Afghanistan and 12 months in in Iraq. He’ll take on Paul Broun (a former Marine) — or whatever Republican emerges from the 10th District race. Saxon sported a lapel pin that marked him, too, as a recipient of the Bronze Star.
Bill Jones, a former Air Force pilot, signed up for the 6th District race against U.S. Rep. Tom Price. And Doug Heckman, a former Green Beret, put up his money to run against U.S. Rep. John Linder.
All are white, all pledged to run to the center. Heckman was the only one to call out his opponent by name, noting that Linder had voted against the fiscal stimulus package — the checks start going to taxpayers today — and an extension of the Voting Rights Act.
Kidd says Democrats will challenge Republican incumbents in six of the seven districts they hold. Who’s likely to get the free ride? Nathan Deal, up north Georgia way.
Republicans, too, are relying on a military name in a congressional race. Retired Air Force major general Rick Goddard was among the first to qualify Monday. He’s aiming at Democratic incumbent Jim Marshall of Macon — a former Army ranger.
As promised, Lauren “Bubba” McDonald showed up to reclaim his seat on the Public Service Commission, after a six-year absence.
We’re told Mark Musselwhite of Gainesville has decided to pass on the PSC race.
McDonald is a former Democrat, of course, but made his party switch in 2004, before his unsuccessful race against state Sen. Bill Stephens.
“I’m delighted to be here, because I’m a strong believer in John McCain,” McDonald said. “The interests of the Georgia GOP track mine.”
But he has another reason for running. “Really, you can just play so much golf,” he said.
State Rep. Ben Bridges (R-Cleveland) showed up, even though he’s bowing out of the Legislature. Bridge said he’s angling for the seat on the state transportation board vacated by Mike Evans.
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