Fresh Loaf

Speaking on KCRW’s To The Point yesterday, Winslow Wheeler, Director of the Straus Military Reform Project, Center for Defense Information, had some harsh words for Sen. Saxby Chambliss and his failed effort to save the Marietta-made F-22 fighter jet.

Wheeler described Chambliss’s failed maneuvering to save the pricey-but-unusable jet as “disingenuous” and a “total dishonor” because Chambliss proposed paying for the plane with money set aside for vital support of U.S. troops in battle.

A partial transcript:

Q: Would the money save by not building more F-22s necessarily go to helping the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Wheeler: Yes, in this case, because of the very disingenuous way that these airplanes are paid for in Sen. Saxby Chambliss’s amendment. He didn’t add money to the bill to pay for [the F-22]. He raided other accounts.

And to his total dishonor, one of the accounts he raided for $850 million was the operation and maintenance account. That’s the kind of thing that pays for training, and depot maintenance and gasoline –the kind of thing that is the true hard-core support for troops deployed in the field.

You can hear the entire program at KCRW’s web site. The conversation with Wheeler about the F-22 starts about one minute in and lasts for about six minutes.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Last Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss expressed concern over USDA deputy secretary nominee Kathleen Merrigan’s controversial past — as a proponent of organic farming. Since 1998, Chambliss’ campaigns have received more than $2.1 million from agriculture-related industries whose practices are not as environmentally friendly.

“I do have some concerns that in promoting your passion for organic and sustainable agriculture that you tear down other types of agriculture and those with another point of view. … [F]armers and ranchers are the biggest environmentalists we have in America because they make their living off the land.”

— Chambliss, speaking to Merrigan during her confirmation hearing

“These farmers and ranchers who represent the vast majority of agricultural production deserve a USDA that will fairly represent them and not put forward false choices.”

— A March 19 letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, signed by Chambliss

“Senator Chambliss has a stellar record when it comes to supporting American agriculture.”

— From a May 10, 2007, press release by the American Farm Bureau Federation, a national trade organization that awarded Chambliss its Golden Plow award

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Man, the Beltline can be pretty confusing, huh? So can writing about transit agency disputes.

To put it plainly: The vision of a 22-mile loop of transit, parks and trails is now in jeopardy after the state Department of Transportation and AMTRAK unexpectedly announced they had their own heavy-rail plans for the project’s northeast section along Piedmont Park.

On Wednesday, members of the Beltline Network, a citizen group that supports the project, will meet for a special-called meeting to discuss how to keep the $2.8 billion “Emerald Necklace” — the largest public-works project of its kind in the country — on track.

Liz Coyle, chair of the Beltline Network, writes in an “urgent” e-mail sent yesterday to members (emphasis added for the more civic-minded Fresh Loaf readers who want to get involved):

I am calling a special meeting of the BeltLine Network on this Wednesday, January 28, at 4:30pm at Trees Atlanta, 225 Chester Avenue. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and strategize a community response to a threat to BeltLine transit. I will provide more details as available at the meeting, but to summarize the situation and get right to the point, AMTRAK has begun condemnation proceedings on the NE Corridor of the BeltLine. This is in response to Norfolk Southern Railroad (NSR), Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) and Atlanta Development Authority (ADA) pursuing rail abandonment on the Northeast Corridor (aka the “Decatur Belt”) with the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB), a necessary step to advancing light rail transit in the BeltLine corridor. Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and AMTRAK have filed Motions to Stay the abandonment proceedings.

More on Coyle’s e-mail and the issues — and questions — surrounding this dispute after the jump.

(more…)

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Hindsight’s 20/20 and all that, but here’s a thought.

Even with all his faults, could DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones — who lost to Martin in the Democratic primary — have beaten Saxby Chambliss in a runoff?

Vernon Jones and admirers earlier this year at Manuel's Tavern

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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The Associated Press says Saxby Chambliss has convinced voters to send him back to Washington, D.C. for six more years.

Six. More. Years.

Saxby supporters election night November 4

(Photo By Joeff Davis)

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Subscription-based news service Insider Advantage has time traveled back to the present after a heady trip to tomorrowland. Upon exiting its gullwinged timemachine, the site called the U.S. Senate race for incumbent Saxby Chambliss.

Note the time:

BULLETIN

6:30 p.m.

(12/2/08) Based on our early evaluation of turnout in the Georgia runoff, it appears Republicans have successfully defended Saxby Chambliss’ U.S. Senate seat against Democrat Jim Martin. The four-week campaign focused national attention on the Peach State and brought John McCain, Sarah Palin, Bill Clinton and Al Gore to the state to help their parties’ respective candidates drive up turnout. Barack Obama cut an ad and a robo-call tape for Martin but didn’t risk his prestige on the race through a personal appearance.

As I write this, both the U.S. Senate and Public Service Commission races show Republicans leading 60-40. Results from Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton Counties are just now rolling in.

(DeLorean photo from Newsgroper)

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Depending on how these races turnout, they could either be celebrations or a wake. Roll the dice and decide which you’d like to attend.

• U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and most of the state’s Republican usual suspects will hold court at the Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead, the same place the incumbent Republican partied at on Nov. 4. Cash bar and what looked like good food were at that shindig. Believe it or not, there was hummus. The public’s invited and doors open at 7 p.m.

• The Democrats, including Chambliss’ Democratic opponent Jim Martin and Georgia Public Service Commission candidate Jim Powell, will be at Park Tavern. Doors open at 7 p.m. and it’s also open to the public.

• Manuel’s will undoubtedly be serving beer and wings. If this turns out to be the night Republicans Strike Back, you’ll want to be among friends.

If you know of any others, leave ‘em in the comments.

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VOTERS IN DIFF'RENT AREA CODES Democratic nominee Jim Martin, supported by T.I., Young Jeezy and Ludacris (not pictured), on Monday night at the Gold Dome.

Let it be stated: You will never again see Jim Martin walk out to bodyshaking bass and shake hands with three hip-hop stars. Absurd moments like these only happen on the eve of a runoff where a Democrat-controlled Senate is at stake.

On Monday night in front of the Capitol, standing at a podium underneath a statue of one of Georgia’s most perplexing racists, the U.S. Senate Democratic nominee addressed a bundled-up crowd of nearly 1,000 people that braved the cold to see Ludacris, T.I. and Young Jeezy. (Martin admitted as much.)

But Democrats hope those supporters will return to the polls on Tuesday to vote for the Party’s candidates — and tell their friends and families to do the same.

Flanked on stage by more than 30 city, state and federal Democratic notables, Martin repeated the phrase he’s used to describe his role if voters send him to Washington — to be a “bridge” to Pres.-elect Barack Obama’s initiatives, not a “firewall,” as Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss has branded himself.

“You did the right thing,” Congressman John Lewis told the crowd. “You did it. And we must do it again… I’ve served in Congress for a little while. Saxby is not our friend. I tell you, he’s not our friend. If you really want to help Barack Obama, let’s do it.”

(more…)

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Remember this Thanksgiving  video of U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss? Well, someone’s focused on the more, uhm, confusing part.

(Hat tip to Buzzfeed)

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From Andre at Georgia Politics Unfiltered:

Georgia Politics Unfiltered has confirmed with state Democratic Party officials that the director of the Illinois Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Tammy Duckworth, will campaign with Jim Martin throughout the day Monday including stops in Atlanta and Macon.

Duckworth is a veteran of the Iraq war where she suffered severe wounds that cost her both legs along with damage to her right arm. In 2006, Duckworth was a candidate for Congress from Illinois’ sixth district. She continues to serve as a Major in the Illinois Army National Guard.

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Today’s the last chance for Georgia’s U.S. Senate candidates to campaign, and they’re both playing to the base.

Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss hosted Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin last night at a private fundraiser at the W Hotel in Midtown; today she’ll stump for the candidate in Augusta, Savannah and Perry before finishing the day at the Gwinnett Arena at 4 p.m.

Democratic candidate Jim Martin is scheduled to receive well wishes from rapper Ludacris and U.S. Congressman John Lewis today at a rally in front of the Capitol at 5:30 p.m.

Martin, whom many political pundits said needed a visit from Pres.-elect Barack Obama to rouse voters back to the polls against Chambliss, is trying to energize turnout among African-American voters. That demographic turned out in record numbers for the Nov. 4 General Election, but statistics for early voting in the runoff election show fewer numbers are returning to the polls. Obama did lend his voice to robocalls and a radio ad for Martin, it looks like he won’t be stopping in the Peach State to rally for the former state lawmaker.

And before I forget. Matt Zencey, the editorial page editor for the Anchorage Daily News, has some kind words for Palin as she makes her way across our gee-golly-this-place-is-neat-ya-know state.

Gov. Palin’s eldest joined the Army and has been deployed to Iraq. As a justifiably proud military mom, she might ask herself why she is using her conservative star power to support such a reprehensible Republican chicken hawk.

OK then! We’ll have info later in the day about voting tomorrow as well as the usual list of who’s partying where. If you attend any of these rallies — I’ll most likely try to get some face time with America’s sweetheart — feel free to send in photos.

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U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Jim Martin released a new ad today that says incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss voted against bills that would help military veterans.

Since taking office in 2003, the ad says, Chambliss has voted 23 times against increasing funding for veteran’s health care programs. The ad also says the senator voted against the latest GI bill for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan that would provide full educational benefits to soliders upon their return.

I’ll update the post when I hear back from Chambliss’ campaign. Expect a blitz of these ads leading up to Tuesday’s runoff.

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I’ll let them say it:

Is it just me, or has our state’s senior Senator been going to a tanning bed? On my computer it looks like he’s got a goggles tan.

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If the idea of listening to a redheaded journalist on Thanksgiving Eve sounds appealing, you’re in luck.

I’ll be on 1420 AM at 6:05 p.m. tonight — and until God knows when — to talk about Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoff between incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss and Democratic candidate Jim Martin. Also up for discussion will be my most recent piece about the race.

If you want to participate, call (404) 292-1420.

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A new InsiderAdvantage/Politico poll shows U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss with a three-point lead over Democratic candidate Jim Martin.

From Politico:

The poll shows Chambliss leading Martin by 3 percentage points, 50 percent to 47 percent, with 3 percent of respondents undecided. The first-term GOP senator’s lead is within the poll’s four-point margin of error. The Politico/InsiderAdvantage poll surveyed 523 likely voters on Nov. 23.

The poll numbers are almost identical to the general election results, when Chambliss fell just short of the 50 percent necessary to win the seat outright on Election Night. He led Martin 49.8 to 46.8 percent, with a Libertarian candidate taking three percent of the vote.

“This thing’s going to be a nail-biter. We don’t know who’s going to turn out and we don’t know how it’s going to turn out, but it’s going to be a close race,” said InsiderAdvantage CEO Matt Towery.

Towery says a visit from Barack Obama could change the race. Chances of such an event happening before the Dec. 2 runoff, however, seem increasingly unlikely.

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Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will rally for U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss on Monday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. From the Chambliss campaign:

4:00 PM
METRO ATLANTA
Gwinnett Arena
6400 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, GA 30097

Doors will open one hour before each program begins. The events are FREE for the general public but in order to attend, you must RSVP at www.procatalog.com/saxby or by visiting the ‘Action Center’ at www.saxby.org

For her full Georgia itinerary, click after the jump.

John McCain and Sarah Palin at the 2008 Republican National Convention. (Photo by Joeff Davis)

(more…)

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Sorry for the back-to-back videos, folks, but this one just arrived via e-mail.

In this ad titled “Go to Work,” U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Jim Martin responds to incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss’ claims that the former state lawmaker voted for the largest tax increases in Georgia’s history while he served in the state Legislature. Martin says he actually voted for tax cuts to Georgians. The ad’s running statewide.

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It’s finally on Youtube, but hurry quick before it gets pulled. On last weekend’s Saturday Night Live, Zell Miller — the former Georgia governor and U.S. Senator who’s all about the gunplay — was played by Will Forte.

In the clip, Miller gave the real reason he endorsed incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss in his U.S. Senate race against Democratic candidate Jim Martin — names.

Elect Goolsby Scroggins!

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Oh, man, this is gonna be rich.

Sarah Palin — governor of Alaska, John McCain’s former running mate, aerial wolf hunter — is coming to Georgia on Monday to stump for U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss in his Dec. 2 runoff race against Democratic candidate Jim Martin.

Jim Tharpe with the details:

Palin, who drew large crowds while running for vice president with Republican presidential candidate U.S. Sen. John McCain, will appear at Chambliss rallies in Augusta, Savannah, Perry and Atlanta on Monday, the day before the Dec. 2 senate runoff between Chambliss and Democrat Jim Martin.

Sarah Palin speaking at the 2008 Republican National Convention.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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It’s not a visit from Pres.-elect Barack Obama to help U.S. Senate Democratic nominee Jim Martin, but it’s something. Below, listen to the ad that’ll brainwash every single Georgian over the age of 18 to visit the polls on Dec. 2 and vote for Martin in his runoff against incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss.

It might now be safe to say the Peach State won’t be getting a visit before the runoff. The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza interviewed several anonymous Democratic operatives who say that a visit to Georgia may just not be worth the political risk.

I know, I know. I too am feeling a little…I don’t know…empty. But we’ll carry on, my fellow Atlantans. Be strong. Take comfort in this photo of a kitten.

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Jim Galloway reports:

Neither Democrat Jim Martin nor Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss would commit — each citing scheduling conflicts. Martin pointed to a visit from former Vice President Al Gore, and the Chambliss campaign said it had a fund-raiser on its calendar.

Press club debates involving two other runoffs, for Public Service Commission and the state Court of Appeals, will be held Sunday

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Former presidential candidate Fred Thompson has endorsed U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss in his runoff race against Democratic candidate Jim Martin. Big surprise there, eh?

But there was also this in the e-mail announcement, sent to reporters by Chambliss’ campaign, by Will Andrews of Thompson’s PAC:

The Georgia seat is key to all of these battles and many more. Barack Obama is going to Atlanta to drum up support for his Democrat candidate. The unions and ACORN and every other left-wing group is on the ground working night and day.

Night and day! Eating only Socialist food rations that we’ll all riot over on Jan. 21, 2009. Yo, Will! Let us know when Obama’s coming, please. Everyone here is saying it’s unlikely.

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STAR POWER Former president stumps for U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Martin

In the quickening cold on Wednesday evening, Augustine Smith, a wide-grinning middle-aged man from Duluth by way of West Africa, leaned against a railing in the crowded Arnett Quadrangle at Clark Atlanta University, Barack Obama hat perched atop his head, and waited for the man many of these people came out to see.

Not U.S. Senate Democratic nominee Jim Martin, although the event was in his honor and Smith said he’d vote for the former state lawmaker again, but former President Bill Clinton. The president had visited Atlanta to stump for Martin in his runoff race against incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss before zipping off to a local fundraiser.

“This country does not need to build a firewall,” Clinton told the energetic crowd of 1,500 people, referring to how Chambliss has described his role in a Democrat-controlled Senate under Pres.-elect Barack Obama. “It needs to build a bridge to the future. Martin’s the bridge, Chambliss is the firewall.”

Clinton repeated this mantra over and over as he attempted to enthuse supporters to do what Republicans know best and Democrats have historically proven unable — the tricky task of getting the voters back to the polls in a runoff.

(more…)

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Now that Ted Stevens has been sent packing back to Alaska, the two most closely watched U.S. Senate races in the country are Minnesota and Georgia. The race in the North Star State won’t be decided for a while thanks to a recount.

Down here, Rasmussen Reports’ latest polling shows that incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss holds a four-point lead over Democratic nominee Jim Martin.

Chambliss leads 50% to 46%, with the vote scheduled for December 2. Four percent (4%) are undecided. However, runoff elections typically have lower voter turnout than general elections and can be impacted in either direction by organized get-out-the-vote efforts.

…

Eighty-eight percent (88%) of Georgia voters say they are certain to cast their ballots in the runoff. Of this group, 51% favor Chambliss, 46% are for Martin, and three percent (3%) remain undecided.

…

In Georgia, 52% of voters say they are less likely to vote for Martin if it means the Democrats will gain a 60-seat majority in the Senate. Thirty-eight percent (38%) say they are more likely to vote for Martin if that’s the outcome.

Interestingly, nine percent (9%) of those who plan to vote for Martin say the prospect of a 60-Democrat Senate makes them less likely to vote for him. Only 2% of Chambliss voters who say it makes them more likely to vote for Martin.

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Jim Galloway with the details:

The fourth former GOP presidential candidate will make his way to Atlanta on Monday — that’s three days before Thanksgiving — to help Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss gather cash for the final week of his U.S. Senate runoff.

The price of the evening fund-raiser at the Linstrum + Matre Artworks is $500 per couple. They will take more if you insist.

The former mayor of New York, you’ll recall, took .7 percent of the vote in Georgia’s Republican presidential primary.

Giuliani’s last stop in Georgia — that I can remember at least — was a toe-touch in Marietta during his presidential run. That was a lot of fun.

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