Romney ties Martin, Democrats to socialism

Senate candidate Jim Martin with former President Bill Clinton at Clark Atlanta University on Thursday; former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney with Republican incumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss at a rally in Atlanta on Friday. (Photos: John Bazemore /AP)

Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney lent his support to Sen. Saxby Chambliss on Friday, warning that a victory by the Democratic challenger in next month’s hotly contested runoff could be the first step toward a European brand of socialism.

Romney is the latest in a parade of GOP bigwigs who have flocked to the state in the weeks before the Dec. 2 runoff between Chambliss and Democrat Jim Martin. Romney’s criticism is not unlike the line of attack Sen. John McCain used unsuccessfully against Democrat Barack Obama in the campaign for president.

Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, told a crowd of about 200 cheering supporters that the general election showed that people wanted change in Washington. But the Georgia runoff, he said, could alter the very nature of the country.

"This election is about whether we want to change America. And I want to keep America America," he said to applause.

"I think in this race you have two different men who have two different views. One would take America down the course of becoming like Europe, big taxes and big government," said Romney. Chambliss, he said, "fundamentally believes in keeping America strong and safe and free."

In a brief news conference after the speech, Romney added: "I want to make sure we don’t take a left turn toward Europe."

Martin, a former state legislator, dismissed the ideological labels and stressed his record of bipartisan cooperation.

"I was one of the most effective members of the state House. I worked across party lines, and I’m going to continue to do that in Washington," he said after appearing at a campaign office in Decatur. "I’ve been a person who has always worked to try to solve the problems people face."

The Georgia race, one of two unresolved Senate races, has taken on national significance. The other is in Minnesota, where a re-count will help determine whether Republican Sen. Norm Coleman or Democrat Al Franken is the winner.

Victories in both races would give Democrats the 60 seats needed to fend off Republican filibusters.

The stakes are high, and both parties have rolled out their political heavyweights. McCain and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee both stumped for Chambliss last week, and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is scheduled to appear next week.

Former President Bill Clinton led a rally for Martin on Thursday and Clinton’s vice president, Al Gore, is set to appear Sunday. About 100 Obama field operatives have been helping boost turnout, and the president-elect recently recorded a radio ad supporting Martin’s campaign.

The national focus has helped the candidates fill their campaign coffers.

Chambliss raised about $1.9 million between Oct. 16 and Nov. 12, and has $1.4 million cash on hand remaining. Martin raised $2.4 million over the same time period, and has more than $600,000 left in the campaign bank.

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(AP)

Clinton for Martin, gun lobby for Chambliss on Wednesday

Georgia’s runoff election is ahead in 12 days, and for the candidates, little time to lose on the campaign trail. From Atlanta on the campus of Clark-Atlanta University, a few thousand Democratic supporters braved chilly temperatures in the 40’s to rally for U.S. Senate challenger Jim Martin. Supporters heard from a former president.

"His opponent was elected on a false premise six years ago, and is running on a false premise today"

Bill Clinton fired-up the crowd and looked to make the case of Martin’s ‘campaign for change’ against Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss. As Democrats have drawn to within two seats of a filibuster-proof U.S. Senate, high focus has fallen on the Georgia race. Clinton made that a recurring theme in his 20-minute address.

"We don't need a firewall, we need a bridge. Martin's the bridge, Chambliss is the firewall...this is not rocket science. ...will you put Georgia back on the right path and send a message to the rest of the country about what kind of state this is and what kind of people you are?"

Meanwhile, Chambliss was on the trail Wednesday with stops in Atlanta and Perry. He was alongside the executive VP of the National Rifle Association getting their support. Chambliss says in the wake of the GOP losing the Alaska Senate seat, he’s ready to handle the pressure of this race in Georgia.

"The pressure is always there in campaigns. Certainly it has become much more important with the situation in Alaska developing like it has. It's imperative we win this seat."

Ahead for Chambliss Friday, he’ll get a visit from Mitt Romney, former presidential candidate. Martin on Sunday gets former vice president Al Gore coming to Georgia.

Clinton to rally Martin supporters in Atlanta

Another high-profile name drops into the state today to get involved in the U.S. Senate race. Former president Bill Clinton will be in Atlanta this afternoon to headline a rally in support of Democrat Jim Martin. The hotly-contested race between Martin and Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss is leading to the runoff election in 13 days. Ahead on Friday, Chambliss’ camp will get the boost from former presidential candidate Mitt Romney. And on Sunday, more help for Martin arrives in the person of former vice president Al Gore.

Bill Clinton coming to stump for Martin

Chambliss and Martin squared off, along with Libertarian candidate Allen Buckley, at a Georgia Public Television debate on the Sunday before the Nov. 4th elections. (Dave Bender)

Former President Bill Clinton will headline a rally for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jim Martin in Georgia.

Clinton is the first big name Democrat to stump for Martin in his Dec. 2 runoff battle with Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss.

Republican U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss at a recent press conference at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. (Dave Bender)

Former Republican presidential candidate John McCain lent his star power to a Chambliss rally Thursday and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will stump with Chambliss Sunday.

McCain claimed Georgia's electoral votes on Election Day and Huckabee won the state's Feb. 5 presidential primary.

Clinton won Georgia in his 1992 presidential bid, the last Democrat to carry the state in the race for the White House.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jim Martin during a recent press conference at his headquarters in Atlanta. (Dave Bender/file)

Martin said Saturday that Clinton - who balanced the budget - would underscore the failures of Republican leadership in Washington when it came to the economy.

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(AP)

Clinton to raise funds in Atlanta

Democrat Jim Martin is getting some high-profile help in his bid for Georgia's US Senate seat. Former president Bill Clinton will be in Atlanta tomorrow to headline a fundraiser for Martin. Republican incumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss has more money in his campaign account than Martin, despite Martin raising more cash in the last quarter.

Clinton stumps for Obama in Georgia

Former President Bill Clinton was in Georgia Thursday afternoon to lend a boost to Barack Obama’s campaign for the White House. The $1,000-a-head fundraiser was held at an Atlanta art gallery. A spokeswoman says as Clinton won Georgia in the 1992 election, the former president wanted to return here to do what he could to help Obama down the stretch in this election.

King Day events and ceremonies across Georgia

Georgians are remembering the legacy of Martin Luther King-Jr. on this national holiday. Events across the state have been held throughout the weekend, and many are scheduled for today as well.

U.S. Representative John Lewis spoke at King events at Augusta State University on Saturday. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke at services at Ebenezer Baptist Church Sunday. Republican candidate Mike Huckabee is among several politicians and dignitaries attending services today in Atlanta.

Former president Bill Clinton is also in Atlanta this morning for King ceremonies. Following those events, he will travel to Macon for an afternoon campaign rally in support of his wife's presidential candidacy.

Atlanta to host Baptist convention

Baptists from more than 30 denominations are planning on descending on Atlanta come January. Among the guests, former Vice President Al Gore, former President Clinton and Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Charles Grassley of Iowa.

The gathering is part of an effort, called the New Baptist Covenant, that's meant to pool the resources of the many Baptist groups and escape the shadow of the conservative Southern Baptist Convention. The 16.3 million-member Southern Baptist Convention is the largest Protestant group in the country.

Among the conference topics are evangelism, criminal justice, preaching, interfaith relations, racism, HIV/AIDS and religious liberty. The meeting is scheduled for January 30th through February 1st.

Andrew Young: Obama's Too Young

Young. (Ric Field/Associated Press)

Civil rights icon Andrew Young says Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is too young and lacks the support network to ascend to the White House.

In a media interview posted online, Young also quipped that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton has her husband behind her, and that "Bill is every bit as black as Barack."

Sen. Barack Obama. (AP /J. Scott Applewhite)

"He's probably gone with more black women than Barack," Young said of former President Clinton, drawing laughter from a live television audience. Young, 75, was quick to follow his comment on Bill Clinton with the disclaimer, "I'm clowning."

Young, a former United Nations ambassador and lieutenant of Martin Luther King, Jr., made the comments at an appearance at "Newsmakers Live," an urban media forum that interviews prominent Atlanta personalities and political figures.

Excerpts of the interview were posted on Newsmakers Journal, the Newsmakers' Web site, though the date of the appearance was not included with the video posting. Young was scheduled to appear on "Newsmakers Live" on Sept. 5, according to a press release.

Repeated efforts by The Associated Press to reach Young were unsuccessful.
Young's comments were prompted by a member of the audience who inquired about his opinion on Obama's candidacy.

"I want Barack Obama to be president," Young said, pausing for effect, "in 2016."

"It's not a matter of being inexperienced. It's a matter of being young," Young said. "There's a certain level of maturity ... you've got to learn to take a certain amount of (expletive)."

Young went on to say that Obama needs a protective network that he currently lacks - a quality that could hurt him if he were to be elected. He said Hillary Clinton already has that kind of network, including her husband to back her up.

"There are more black people that Bill and Hillary lean on," Young said. "You cannot be president alone. ... To put a brother in there by himself is to set him up for crucifixion. His time will come and the world will be ready for a visionary leadership."

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(The Associated Press)

Clinton, Obama at SCLC gathering

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference continues its six-day event in Atlanta today, as the group marks its 50th anniversary.

This afternoon, former President Bill Clinton will be on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open a new headquarters for the SCLC. Also expected this week is his wife Hilary. Mrs. Clinton will address delegates as her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination continues. Over the weekend, Illinois senator Barack Obama spoke to the SCLC gathering.

Civil rights group celebrates 50 years

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference kicks off its annual convention in Atlanta tomorrow. This is the SCLC’s 50th anniversary year. It was co-founded by Atlanta native and late civil rights leader Doctor Martin Luther King Junior. The civil rights group will be focusing on economic empowerment and voting rights. Democratic presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are expected to attend, along with former President Bill Clinton. The group says it invited all presidential candidates as well as President George Bush.