Both parties plan Monday rallies to rev up voters

Georgia’s Republican and Democratic parties will turn to their top names Monday in a last-ditch effort to drive voter turnout on Election Day.

On the eve of one of the closest presidential elections in the state since 1992, neither party is leaving anything to chance.

Republicans will gather first, with a 12:45 p.m. get-out-the-vote rally in Marietta Square. Gov. Sonny Perdue and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle will join U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, U.S. Reps. Tom Price and Phil Gingrey.

U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), himself facing a tighter-than-expected re-election bid, will also be there as the GOP rallies for the state’s junior senator as well as Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

Chambliss’ opponent, former state lawmaker Jim Martin, will join fellow Democrats for a 5 p.m. rally at the state Capitol.

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin will rally the faithful for Martin, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and the rest of the ticket. U.S. Rep. John Lewis is among those invited but unconfirmed as of Sunday night.

Joining the Democrats will be Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins.