Dredging for Brunswick Harbor

The Port of Brunswick could soon welcome bigger ships with more cargo thanks to some new federal funds. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is spending $3 million dollars to dredge the entrance of Brunswick Harbor. Senator Saxby Chambliss, who along with Congressman Jack Kingston and Senator Johnny Isakson, helped secure the money, says Georgia's ports are vital to the state's economy and this project comes at a critical time.

U.S. Senate candidates' final push today

It is the final push for the Georgia U.S. Senate candidates, with the runoff election ahead tomorrow. Democratic challenger Jim Martin spent weekend time in Macon, Savannah and Columbus. While in Columbus, Martin appealed to veterans who live in the area. Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss attended the Georgia-Georgia Tech football game Saturday in Athens--on Sunday, he appeared on Fox News Sunday to make his national case.

Last night, Chambliss welcomed Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to Georgia with private fundraisers in Atlanta. Today, Chambliss and the former vice presidential candidate will hit four cities in Georgia, starting with Augusta this morning. They'll move to Savannah, Perry, and metro Atlanta afterward. For Martin, he’ll campaign with civil rights leaders in two statewide stops today--Augusta and Macon, and then return to Atlanta with a State Capitol rally alongside hip-hop star Ludacris.

Get all the latest with Georgia election news by going to our website: gpb.org/election

Senate candidates break--only for today

Georgia's runoff election is only days away, but today will be a day of rest and time for family for the two U.S. Senate candidates.

But for Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss and Democratic challenger Jim Martin, both were busy yesterday in the final hours before the holiday. Chambliss was in Gainesville at an event with Zell Miller. The former Governor and Senator had this to say in turning-out to help Chambliss.

"It's a very important election. I don't get out of Young Harris much...it takes a lot to get me over that mountain. It's important."

Miller went on to say this was "a history changing election" and urged a gathering of Republicans to send incumbent Chambliss back to Washington.

In Atlanta yesterday, Jim Martin received the support of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers. Martin spokesman Matt Canter on the Democratic challenger’s schedule in these final days.

"We've got one more election left...people know how important it is. Jim Martin certainly wants to take as much time as he can with his family, but he's also traveling the state talking to voters making sure everybody get out to the polls on Tuesday."

Early voting for Georgia's runoff election is now closed. The Secretary of State's website shows over 345,000 registered voters took advantage of the opportunity to cast ballots early.

Final day for advance voting ahead of runoff

Today is the final day for advance voting in the state for the runoff election. Races to be decided at the polls include the U.S. Senate, Public Service Commission, and Court of Appeals. On Tuesday, yet another high-profile name dropped into Georgia for support of a Senate candidate. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani threw his public support behind Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss. Also announced yesterday, the Chambliss campaign will get a visit from former vice presidential candidate and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. She’ll be in Georgia Monday.

Senate candidates into stretch run toward runoff

Saying "it’s time for him to go" in referring to Republican incumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss, former vice president Al Gore dropped into Georgia to stump for Democratic senate challenger Jim Martin. Gore spoke to about 600 people at an Atlanta art gallery Sunday night, telling the crowd "change is coming to Georgia." The Gore visit for Martin follows that of Mitt Romney for Chambliss on Friday, as the parade of high-profile names into Georgia continues. The former Massachusetts Governor in his visit told Chambliss-faithful that a victory by Martin could be a first step toward a European brand of socialism.

Tomorrow, its former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani arriving in Atlanta for Chambliss. The runoff election to decide the U.S. Senate race, as well as races for seats on the Public Service Commission and Court of Appeals, is ahead a week from tomorrow.

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.

State certifies elections, runoffs

It's official. There will be a runoff election for Georgia's U.S. Senate race. Candidates Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss and Democrat Jim Martin have been preparing for a re-match, and today the Secretary of State certified all election results from November 4th. The Secretary of State also certified two other runoff elections for the Public Service Commission in District 4 and for the Georgia State Appeals Court. Early voting is next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Advance voting starts November 24th through Wednesday the 26th. The runoff election will be held statewide on December 2nd. For a full list of certified races, click here.

McCain visits Georgia today

With little time to waste, the candidates for the runoff election for Georgia’s U.S. Senate seat are going full-speed ahead. This afternoon, former presidential candidate and Arizona Senator John McCain drops into Georgia. He’ll be in Cobb County for an event to support Republican incumbent Senator Saxby Chamblis:

"I'm hoping for two things. Number one, obviously he's going to be a big help in fundraising and getting us the resources to get our message out. Secondly, John's very popular in the state. He carried it by a wide margin from a ballot standpoint. John is a good friend and he's coming here to help us rally the troops and get out the vote."

Meanwhile, as McCain’s visit steals some headlines in today’s news cycle, Democratic challenger Jim Martin wants people to remember this:

"The issue is not between Jim Martin and John McCain. We're both Vietnam veterans...that's not the issue. The issue is Jim Martin vs. Saxby Chambliss. Jim Martin's approach to the economy vs. Saxby economics that's gotten us into this terrible financial crisis."


The runoff election is December 2nd.

McCain to Campaign for Chambliss

By the end of today, we should have official word confirming a run off for the US Senate seat will be needed. Neither Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss or his challenger, Democrat Jim Martin, have reached the fifty percent threshold to avoid a runoff.

But Republicans, still facing the prospect of losing a filibuster proof minority in the Senate, are taking no chances here in Georgia. According to the Chambliss campaign, John McCain will be stumping for his Republican colleague.

Chambliss endorsed McCain days before the February 5th primary, a race ultimately won by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.

Martin, for his part, has taken to the airwaves linking himself to President-Elect Barack Obama. Martin endorsed former North Carolina Senator John Edwards before the primary, even though Edwards had withdrawn from the race. That endorsement caused Martin some headaches during his primary runoff with Vernon Jones.

Obama! Palin! Clinton! Romney!

With Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss headed to a run-off with Democratic opponent Jim Martin, and as that seat could end up being the filibuster-buster for Senate Democrats, rumors are flying around about just how much will be invested in the race.

As GPB reported earlier, Martin is hoping President-Elect Barack Obama will campaign in the state for him. Bill Clinton is also on Martin's short [wish] list. And now, this from Time Magazine's Swampland blog:

"Am told by a Dem operative working on the Georgia congressional race recount that the GOP is so serious about trying to preserve Chambliss's seat they're bringing in Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney. Because that worked out so well last time."

Actually, for Northwest Georgia, Romney might be a good choice. Many Republicans in the Rome area were itching for Romney to be on the Presidential ticket. Chambliss needs those voters to show up in December like they did on Tuesday.

And, while opponents of Palin are laughing as she is having to defend her position on Africa, those "Sarah!" bumper stickers outnumber the McCain stickers at least two to one on the side of town I live on.

Meanwhile, progressive and liberal netroots activists are raising money for Martin to get more of those "Saxby Economics"ads on the air. Maybe all the press and high profiles will generate more interest in the race. According to the vote tallies, about two hundred thousand people who voted for President, didn't cast a vote for Senator.

State election roundup--UPDATED

U.S. Senate--

Georgia’s U.S. Senate race may indeed be headed for a runoff on December 3rd. The latest numbers as of 8am show Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss has fallen below the 50% plus-1 vote margin to avoid runoff. Chambliss has 49.8% percent of the vote, compared to Democratic challenger Jim Martin's 46.8%. Libertarian Allen Buckley has 3.4% percent. This is with 96% of precincts reporting.

Georgia presidential race--

The 15 electoral votes from Georgia are still in limbo, as absentee and early voting ballots from heavier populated counties are still being counted. John McCain holds the 52.4%, to 46.9% edge on Barack Obama. Meanwhile, across Georgia for state Democrats, there were celebrations into the early morning hours to mark the national victory of Obama as the next president.

U.S. House races--

Around the state yesterday in Georgia’s election, the U.S. House races of note included victories for Jim Marshall in the 8th--the Democrat returns to Washington for a fourth term by getting 57% of the vote over Rick Goddard. Republican Paul Broun keeps his seat in the 10th, with 61% of the vote to defeat Bobby Saxon. Democrat John Barrow won his race in the 12th--66% of the vote to turn away John Stone.

Other races--

The two Public Service Commission races that were contested Tuesday--one may be going to a runoff. The northern District-4 has Democrat Jim Powell with 47.9%, less than a percentage point ahead of Lauren McDonald. In PSC District-1, Republican Doug Everett has won with 67% of the vote to defeat Libertarian John Monds.

State lawmakers push for U.S. military command center

Top Georgia officials are making a pitch to get a major U.S. military command center. They says it could bring hundreds of jobs.

Military officials are considering moving U.S. Africa Command, known as AFRICOM, from its current home in Stuttgart,Germany. The command center is in charge of operations in over 50 African countries.

U.S. Defense officials are considering several locations in the United States, including three base sites in Georgia--Fort McPherson, Fort Gillem, and Dobbins Air Force Base. All are in the metro Atlanta area.

Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson made Georgia’s case in a letter to Defense officials this week. They were joined by three U.S. House Representatives and Governor Sonny Perdue.

Lawmakers tout as selling points the runway network of Dobbins in Marietta, and the rail connection from the three base locations to Savannah’s port.

Officials say the joint command center could bring around 1,300 jobs.

New poll shows Georgia might be toss up state

An insider advantage poll taken this week shows John McCain and Barak Obama only one percentage point apart. The poll of 637 likely voters has a margin of error o 3.8 percent.

Matt Towery, CEO of Insider Advantage says Obama could win Georgia easier than North Carolina or Virigina if he invested in TV ads in Metro Atlanta. That, Towery argues, would get some more white voters. But the Georgia Obama campaign says they are running a grassroots effort that is stronger than in other states. John McCain has not opened a campaign office in Georgia. “McCain's done nothing in this state,” says Caroline Adelman with the Obama Campaign, “so everything we do is icing.”

The same poll also shows the race for the U.S. Senate within the margin of error. Incumbent Saxby Chambliss leads challenger Jim Martin by only 2 percent. With a Libertarian in that race and Georgia’s 50+1 vote rule, there could be a runoff for the senate seat.

Insider Advantage poll results.

President
McCain, 48%
Obama, 47%
Barr, 1%
Other, 1%
Undecidced, 3%

U.S. Senate
Chambliss, 46%
Martin, 44%
Other, 2%
Undecided, 8%

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.

Martin assails Chambliss' fed bailout vote

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

Jim Martin Thursday morning slammed Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss over his vote for the financial market bailout bill late Wednesday night:

“I am disappointed, but not surprised, to see that Saxby Chambliss voted for another typical Washington solution to a very real problem.”

“This updated package still fails to address the fundamental problems created by the deregulation of Wall Street, which Chambliss went to Washington and voted for every step of the way. And it lacks consumer protections to stem the abusive lending practices that are at the root of this crisis - practices that I sounded the alarm on two years ago, long before the mortgage crisis began.”

Martin, in a statement, said that if he wins Chambliss' seat in November, he'll take steps to prevent a similar situation in the future:

“If the bailout bill ultimately passes in its present form, I will work with our next president and the congressional leadership to address these flaws so that we can ensure that another crisis of this magnitude does not threaten our economy in the future.”

Click here for more GPB News political coverage.
Click here for the GPB News elections blog.

Chambliss: fed bailout crucial for Georgians, country

Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss said his vote for the Wall Street bailout was crucial for Georgians. Chambliss was speaking at a press conference in Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Oct 2, 2008. (Carl Zornes)

Chambliss says his Senate vote okaying the 700-billion dollar funding measure is in line with public sentiment:

“The overwhelming majority of the american people, and certainly the majority of Georgians, I know, support the Congress as policymakers, making sure that we don’t slide down into a financial depression.”

While Chambliss voted for the measure, all of Georgia's Republican House members opposed it in a vote on Monday. Chambliss says he hopes they will now throw their support behind the hotly debated bailout.

Sen. Johnny Isakson voted for the bill, as did both presidential candidates, Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain.

Chambliss says Georgia's economy could take a hit without it's passage. The House is expected to vote on the measure on Friday.

Talking to reporters at the Senate, Chambliss said:

"We’ve got Georgia banks who are crimped from a credit standpoint and aren’t even able to make automobile loans today,"

"We have major employers who are having their lines of credit cut or in some cases cancelled. And it's going to start costing us jobs.”

Addressing reporters at a press conference at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport the morning after the vote, Chambliss said:

"Taking no action is simply not an option. We simply can't afford for the stock market to have losses of one point two trillion dollars on any kind of regular basis."

Click here for more GPB News political coverage.
Click here for the GPB News elections blog.

Georgia Senators vote 'yes' to bailout

Georgia’s two Senators voted ‘yes’ to the revised bailout bill Wednesday night in Washington. Republican Johnny Isakson calls the new plan "without question the most important vote and most challenging vote I’ve ever been asked to cast in 30 years as an elected official". Both Isakson and fellow GOP colleague Saxby Chambliss will lobby Republican House colleagues before its vote, possibly tomorrow.

Chambliss released this statement following the vote:

Our country is facing the most serious and critical domestic issue I have dealt with in my 14 years in Congress. We have been betrayed by many people, and greedy Wall Street executives have abused the system, leaving taxpayers to feel the pain.

Today, I had a significant choice to make between two very different courses of action – do nothing at all or do what I truly believe is best for America. I believe to the core of my being that doing nothing will devastate our economy, destroy the financial security of millions of Americans and could possibly force our nation into a depression. I just as strongly believe the bill as it has been negotiated, and that I just voted for, will provide stability during this crisis and will begin to turn our economy around.

Let me be clear – this is not a bailout. This bill has been carefully crafted to arrest our current financial crisis, restore security for the American taxpayer and ensure that our nation is the strongest economic power in the world.

And every citizen can know with confidence that any individual who engaged in illegal activity – whether they are the executive of a financial institution or a member of Congress – if their illegal actions forced our nation in to this crisis - then they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

I know that my vote in favor of this package was not the politically popular thing to do, but this is not a popularity contest. This is about the future of our country and the future that my children and grandchildren will inherit. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind or my heart that my vote tonight in support of this measure was the right thing for our economy, for Georgians and for our country.

State fights for gas help

As parts of Georgia still struggle with low supplies of gas, top lawmakers are asking the federal government for help. U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency in support of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue’s request for help. They want the government to temporarily extend relief from the federally enforceable sulfur gasoline requirements in the 45-county fuel control area. The requirements are for metro Atlanta and they are meant to reduce toxic emissions.

Martin assails Chambliss over financial meltdown

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

Jim Martin called a press conference to criticize Saxby Chabliss, and conservative economic policies.

Martin says Chambliss and other Republicans have ignored the conditions that led to Lehman Brothers’ closure on Monday, and the resulting 500-point stock market dive:

Martin came out against Chabliss, and federal financial policies in the wake of the closure of the Lehman Bros closure on Monday, and the resulting 500-point stock market dive:

“Saxby Chabliss has received 474,000 dollars from the financial interests for his campaign. He hasn’t been present to help with this.”

Martin says he wants increased regulation of the finance industry, and blamed the President George Bush, along with Chambliss, for the financial meltdown:

"This is just more of a fallout of the disastrous economic policies of the Bush Administration that Saxby Chambliss has supported the entire time he's been in the United States Senate."

Martin says that Republican proposals to lower gas prices ignore speculation in the oil futures market, and says he supports offering incentives to find alternative energy sources.

The Chambliss campaign accused Martin of using peoples misery and the economic turmoil to get headlines.

Click here for more GPB News political coverage.