Bill Clinton Stumps In Georgia

ATLANTA — Former President Bill Clinton on Wednesday appealed to Georgians to send Democrat Jim Martin to Washington arguing the state's hotly contested Senate runoff must provide a "bridge not a firewall" to the progress promised by President-elect Barack Obama.

"The hopes of America are riding with Georgia," Clinton told a rally at Clark Atlanta University, a historically black college.

Democrats are within two seats of a 60-vote majority that would give Obama a stronger hand in Washington and Georgia is one of two unresolved Senate races. Martin is locked in a tight Dec. 2 runoff against Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss.

"Martin is the bridge, Chambliss is the firewall," Clinton said. "Don't let Georgia put a firewall up in front of the bridge."

Some 3,000 supporters huddled in the darkening chill Wednesday night on the campus quad to hear the ex-president, the last Democrat to carry the state when he won the White House in 1992.

Georgia's race is one of two Senate contests still to be decided weeks after the election. Minnesota is conducting a recount in the contest between Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken.

The GOP lost the Alaska seat Tuesday as Democrat Mark Begich ousted Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator in history.

Chambliss said the GOP's loss in Alaska raises the stakes for his contest as the party struggles for votes to stand up to Obama and the Democrats.

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"It makes this race even more important, without question," Chambliss said Wednesday. "It means that if the Minnesota race was lost, and this race was lost, then they (Democrats) will have a blank check."

With Clinton's visit galvanizing Democrats, Chambliss appealed to his own base at an event with National Rifle Association Vice President Wayne LaPierre

"From a philosophical standpoint, I sure am glad I have the National Rifle Association standing with me rather than Bill Clinton," Chambliss said to cheers at his campaign headquarters.

Clinton is the latest in a parade of big political names to beat a path to the state.

Former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney has scheduled an appearance for Chambliss on Friday. GOP presidential nominee John McCain and one-time candidate Mike Huckabee campaigned in the state last week.

Former Vice President Al Gore will appear for Martin on Sunday. Gore's campaign manager from his 2000 presidential bid, Donna Brazile, also is a consultant on Martin's campaign. Obama has dispatched aides to the state, but there's still no word on whether he will accept Martin's invitation to help out.

On Election Day, Chambliss and Martin both fell short of 50 percent of the vote in a three-way general election race that included Libertarian Allen Buckley, forcing the runoff between the top two candidates.

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Associated Press Writer Greg Bluestein contributed to this report.

Comments

[Fotios]

Here's a video of the al gore event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnyJj0SktT8

[Fotios]

I took video of most of this speech, but haven't put it online yet.

Here's my video from the al gore event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnyJj0SktT8

[dcoxucla]

CLINTON DELIEVERED AND GAVE A GREAT STUMP SPEECH ON WHO WANTS IT MORE...GEORGIA WILL VOTE MARTIN IF WE SHOW IN THE SAME NUMBERS ...DEMS GET BEAT BECAUSE THEY DONT GO TO THE POLLS EVERYONE I TALKED TO ARE STILL EXCITED AND REACHING OUT TO PEOPLE...OBAMA WAS ONLY DOWN HERE BY 4PTS THATS A WIN IN GEORGIA

[negotiatethis]

So, what's the scoop? Can Martin win?

[canucklivinginUSA]

I am sooo jealous. I wish I had gone to see Bill.

[Lakrosse]

This is great, because you have a huge name Democrat like Bill Clinton, who can rally the base and moderate voters, while we let Barack transition and not risk his face. Also, we avert the racist backlash which Chambliss is hoping will get enough old whites to the polls to make life harder for the black guy. Bill is a God.

[nextpres08]

I was there yeah!!! It was cold as he ll but it was worth it to see Bill.

[Yurdelite]

Thanks for braving the cold for those of us who support you from a distance...

[EllaBee]

Bill Clinton was awesome tonight. I was so cold, but it was worth it. People were fired up and ready to go. I early voted today. I continue to urge others to do the same.

[lovethesinner]

I have a lot of reasons to suspect Bill Clinton, but one thing you have to give him credit for... he's the master of the stump speech. I saw him on CNN live, and his pitch was like a master class in political messaging.

He said, "Chamblis wants to build a firewall, and Martin wants to build a bridge to tomorrow." Then he filled it in, over and over, with little details that fit together perfectly. It was really something to watch. Anyone could walk out of that rally and convince someone to vote for Martin with just a couple sentences.

Obama is great educator, but for salesmanship... there just isn't anyone like Bill Clinton. He is the master.

[audiodramatist]

Just a small probably naive question: Doesn't President Carter have any voter persuasion chits in the state if Georgia? I mean, why is he not in this mix?

[ShanniC]

Yes, Jim Martin is the lesser evil in this race but he will not win. I live in Atlanta, one of the few liberal bastions in this red, "Good Old Boy" state. As much as I wish it were otherwise, this state is still stuck in its backwards racial thinking and if voting for Chambliss keeps the Democrats, and thereby Barack Obama from passing necessary legislation, they will jump on board. Will black voters return to the polls? Doubtful. I just got a robo-call today from the Georgia GOP asking for my support, which was shocking considering the fact that I am a registered Democrat, African American, and live in a mostly black populated side of town.

Almost all of my black friends voted for Martin in the general election, but not many of them are enthusiastic about returning to the polls. There's also the Hispanic vote to contend with. Will Hispanic voters come out in Georgia? At best the Democrats will maintain a healthy 59-41 majority, assuming Franken wins Minnesota. However, Georgia will not go blue. Nothing short of Obama campaigning in Georgia will change this fact unfortunately.

[EllaBee]

got to have faith

[myfatherschild]

Don't be so sure of that.....

[eleutheros]

Just back from the Rally. Bill was, as usual, late, but came out and did what he does best. Martin spoke briefly and then turned it over to master campaigner, who was right on with his message, that is .... whoever wants it more will win. Obama election staff are here in Georgia and there's something of a ground game going on. I voted early and there was a small line consisting mostly of elderly white voters. I'm in a heavy Republican area so no surprise. But they are out there. Fulton and Dekalb county turnout is the ticket for Martin. Come on Urban Radio, talk it up!

[larry278]

This could be like emptying a can of worms but if BHO were to speak in behalf of Mr Martin, it could make borh Mr Martin & former Sen Cleland (D-Ga) happy if BHO could say these words in Ga. Sen Chambliss maligned former Sen Cleland repeatedly in his campagin to take Ga's US Senate seat which Max Cleland had occupied. Max Cleland had & still has the right to take offense at Saxby Chambliss's words. The words can never be unsaid or forgotten; Saxby Chambliss may know this by now. Revenge can be compared to a fine, sparkling wine; both are best when taken cold.

[grumpygranny66]

I live in Georgia, and remember Saxby's campaign against Max it was very mean spirited, Even though I am recovering from the flu, I went out in the frigid cold yesterday morning to vote for Jim Martin in Gwinnett County. I hope Bill can persuade voters to get out and vote.