Senate candidates spar in final debate

Libertarian candidate Allen Buckley, Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss, and Democratic candidate Jim Martin argued their respective positions at the Atlanta Press Club debate, held at Georgia Public Broadcasting's Television studios in Atlanta, Nov. 2, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Georgia's three U.S. Senate candidates faced off in their final debate last night. Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss is battling for a second term against a stronger-than-expected challenge from Democrat Jim Martin. The candidates clashed over economic policies.

The candidates faced off against a rotating panel of four journalists at the Atlanta Press Club debate, held at Georgia Public Broadcasting's Television studios in Atlanta, Nov. 2, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Chambliss who voted for the 700 billion dollar financial rescue package said he won't support a proposed second economic stimulus plan backed by Democrats. "Just saying that we need take another 300 billion dollars to distribute around the country will not get us out of this problem," said Senator Chambliss.

Jim Martin responded, "How outrageous... Saxby Chambliss economics is taking care of people at the top. We need to take care of the middle class and that's what this stimulus package would do."

The two candidates also traded spars over whether banks are using the bailout money effectively. Martin brought up criticisms that the money is being used by larger banks to buy smaller banks and to pay dividends to shareholders. Chambliss said it's acceptable for larger banks to buy smaller ones that are loaded with toxic loans, and challenged Martin to name one bank that was paying out dividends to no avail.

Libertarian candidate Allen Buckley also participated in the debate. He said both candidates would do little to nothing to address the larger economic picture--the burgeoning national deficit which is his main issue.

The latest polls show a tight race between Martin and Chambliss with neither candidate clenching a majority. If that bears out on election day, a run-off would ensue.

(Dave Bender)

Hear the entire debate tonight on GPB radio at 8:00 p.m.

Senate runoff in the offing?

The "what-if" scenario gaining currency in Georgia political circles goes something like this: After all the votes are counted on Election Day none of the three U.S. Senate candidates gets a majority.

Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss speaking at a press conference in Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Oct 2, 2008. (Carl Zornes)

The race heads into a Dec. 2 runoff between Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss and Democrat Jim Martin. Democrats have picked up enough Senate seats nationally to pull within striking distance of a filibuster-proof 60-member supermajority.

Democratic Senate race candidate Jim Martin, talking to reporters at a press conference in downtown Atlanta, Sept, 16, 2008. (Dave Bender)

If it happens, the harsh glare of the national spotlight would turn to Georgia. Big money and big-name politicos would descend upon the state. Attack ads would flood the airwaves for weeks in what could be one of the nastiest political races the state has seen in recent years.

While he wouldn't say that scenario is likely, Emory University political scientist Alan Abramowitz says "it is definitely more than a remote possibility."

(Courtesy buckleyforsenate.com)

He says Libertarian candidate Allen Buckley would only need to pull a few percentage points if the contest between Chambliss and Martin is close.

There's certainly a statewide precedent: Libertarian Garrett Michael Hayes won just shy of 4 percent in the race for Georgia governor's race two years ago.

It wasn't long ago that Chambliss was considered a safe bet to coast to re-election in Republican-friendly Georgia.

But that was before the nation's economic turmoil upended the political landscape.

Chambliss angered some conservatives with his vote for the $700 billion financial bailout bill, and the economic woes have created a wave of anti-incumbent frustration among angry voters.

Polls suggest the Senate race in Georgia has tightened considerably.

The Chambliss and Martin campaigns maintain they're working hard to win the race outright.

Click here for more GPB News Election coverage.

(AP)

Lively candidates forum in Perry

The first face-off of the candidates in the U.S. Senate race came last night in front of a boisterous crowd at the Georgia Fairgrounds in Perry Thursday night. Sharp words were traded between Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss and the challengers--Democrat Jim Martin and Libertarian Allen Buckley. The financial crisis was the overriding topic. Chambliss calling the crisis the "9/11 of our domestic economy". He defended his vote for the 700-billion dollar federal bailout, and said his opponents were sticking their heads in the sand over the issue. Martin and Buckley fired back that Chambliss was too aligned with President Bush policies, and said there are not good enough safeguards in the bailout for homeowners.

Last night’s debates also featured the 8th Congressional district race combatants--Representative Jim Marshall and Republican challenger Rick Goddard.

Georgia National Fair to host candidates

The Georgia National Fair in Perry has the rides, fair food, and concerts on its menu. For today, it’ll have politics on the schedule. The first face-to-face meeting for Saxby Chambliss and Jim Martin is set as time is ticking down toward next month’s election, when voters decide the Georgia U.S. Senate race. Republican incumbent Chambliss, along with Democratic challenger Martin, will be joined by Libertarian Allen Buckley in the candidates forum.