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DEL.ICIO.USJim Martin says he’s likeable and has the lead; Jones will join Sunday forum
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The U.S. Senate campaign of Jim Martin has made public a polling memo that gives him the lead in the Democratic primary race.
Also, DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones has committed to appearing Sunday in the first forum for Senate candidates, according to Elizabeth Scott of the League of Women Voters of Georgia. The League is sponsoring the event, which will be available via the Internet.
Jones had been the only hold-out among the five Democrats.
In his memo, Martin claims he’s leading Jones by 5 points, and would even beat him in a run-off.
You can catch the memo on Martin’s web site, or read it here.
The survey was conducted by the Mellman Group, and was conducted May 29 to June 1. It boasts a 4 percent margin of error.
The memo, of course, requires a caveat. As it would be with any candidate, the primary purpose of such literature is to reassure the people to whom Martin is now approaching for campaign funds — especially after the candidate’s failure last week to win the important endorsement of the Georgia AFL-CIO.
But while skepticism is required, the memo is a worthwhile read, because it establishes the presumptions under which Martin is operating:
— First, Martin has assumed a run-off strategy.
The memo puts Martin at 21 percent; Jones at 16 percent; Cardwell at 7 percent; Josh Lanier at 3 percent; and Rand Knight — who won that AFL-CIO endorsement — at 2 percent. Says the memo: “The initial vote suggests that this may end in a run-off, which Martin also leads. In a head-to-head with Jones, Martin leads 31 percent to 25 percent, making him well-positioned for that race as well.”
— Martin will also be relying on his status as a nice guy — the likeability factor. Martin, the memo states, “is the only one equally well liked inside and outside the Atlanta media market, and among both white voters and the African-American voters who have accounted for nearly half the vote in the 2004 and 2006 primaries.
“While Jones is better known, he has the highest unfavorables in the field, and a net unfavorable image even in his DeKalb County base.” The Martin poll claims that 40 percent have a favorable opinion of Jones in DeKalb, while 51 percent have an unfavorable opinion.
— Other candidates in the race are given short shrift. “Cardwell, Lanier and Knight are not particularly well-regarded, or nearly as popular as Jim Martin is within his base,” the memo said.
Photos of Democratic Senate candidates Jim Martin (upper) and Vernon Jones by Rich Addicks/AJC, Jessica McGowan/Special
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Comments
By Jeff
June 5, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Well, down here in South GA (specifically the Macon-Cordele corridor on I-75, GA 300, and Albany), Jones is the only one with any kind of signage up. And I see billboards with his name plastered on them QUITE frequently. I’ve even started seeing yard signs.
NOBODY else has this down here, not even the Republican.
By Somethin' Smells
June 5, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Every good thing I have read about Martin has come from his own mouth or his own campaign. What is that about?
The last poll has Cardwell followed by Jones, then Lanier and Martin at 3%.
I guess anyone can commission their own poll to make them look better.
Jim, you stink! Stop lying about yourself.
By Georgia_Values
June 5, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
One must understand that the Martin campaign needed to make up some good news so the AJC would promote him.
I am sure Jim is likable among his courthouse friends and family.
I wonder what Rand has to say about this?
By crackberry
June 5, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
“I wonder what Rand has to say about this?” WHO the F*ck cares? Why oh why GA voters do you want to screw yourselves? Why would you nominate someone like Rand or Josh or Dale? For the love of god, I would be happier if you nominated Vernon because at least then you’d have someone with political experience. Criminal experience too obviously, but still something! Don’t elect boys to do a man’s job and Rand Knight with his prissy Private school educated FAKE southern accent needs to pay his dues before trying to run for a United States office.
By Georgia_Values
June 5, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
Dear “crackberry”,
Gotcha!
By Jim, Jim, Jim . . .
June 5, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
If anyone besides me takes the time to read the poll results, it is a sad excuse for a legitimate document. If one can get over the typos, the logic is sorely lacking.
The Mellman Group doesn’t come across as being very professional.
By GeorgiaValues
June 6, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
The Mellman group will post whatever poll results the poll’s sponsor (Jim Martin) want.
Vernon, Dale and even Rand have been running circles around him and are actually out campaigning.
Jim has been holed away squeezing his liberal trial lawyer buddies to max out so he can buy the primary election.
By Ga Dem Knight Fan
June 6, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
These pollsters called me because I belong to a local party org whose leaders (politically entrenched up the DNC’s butt, though they send us NO money) support Martin. I told them I LIKE RAND KNIGHT! Two percent my butt! Knight is making friends with the people of Georgia while the state party is trying to tell US whom we like. Get over yourselves! Georgia Democrats are thinking for ourselves now, since y’all lead us down the path to loservile EVERY TIME.
By Mystic55
June 6, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Vernon Jones shouldn’t be elected to Dog Catcher much less US senate.
By Debra Poss
June 6, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Elections have become a horse race rather than about issues. It’s time to clean up our election process so that issues not only matter, but are given serious consideration.
Candidate Josh Lanier not only advocates clean elections, but has made his campaign a model for such. Josh Lanier’s “Un-campaign” accepts donations only from individuals; and accepts no more than $100.00 from any one individual, while encouraging one-time donations of only $5.00.
Furthermore, the “Un-campaign” has no paid staff, and relies on “organic organising”.
To learn more, or to set up your own “Personal Control” page for organizing, please visit www.joshlanier.com.
By Jeremy
June 8, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
You are all missing the point. What’s important is WHO CAN BEAT SAXBY CHAMBLISS in the fall.
Whether you love him or not, Jim Martin is the most credible candidate in the race and has the best chance of running a campaign that will get noticed by the people who can make him a winner (THE DSCC).