Georgia Dem Senate Candidate Attacked On Family Safety, Even Though His Daughter Was Once Kidnapped

There is an eerie familiarity taking hold in Georgia's runoff Senate race. The same tone that defined the much lamented 2002 contest -- in which challenger Saxby Chambliss questioned the patriotism of triple-amputee, Vietnam vet Max Cleland -- is resurfacing in the current go-around.

This time, Chambliss and other Republican groups are going after Democratic challenger Jim Martin for being soft on crime and a danger to children, even though Martin's daughter was kidnapped at the age of eight and, subsequently, the Georgia Democrat introduced a wide-variety of legislation to protect families from crime.

It's a classic thread of political thought that suggests the best line of attack is to go after your opponent's character strength. And it's a meme that defined Chambliss' past run for office. In 2002, the Georgia Republican (who never served in Vietnam) was widely rebuked for running an advertisement that featured a picture of Cleland alongside one of Saddam Hussein and then Osama bin Laden.

This time around, the Chambliss campaign has put out an ad saying that the Martin was fired from a government position "after children die[d]." The reference was to Martin's 2003 resignation from the post of commissioner of the Department of Human Resources after two toddlers passed away under state supervision -- hardly the implicit involvement that the charge suggests.

But the more controversial attack comes by way of the group Freedom's Watch, which put out an ad that accuses Martin of being a danger to "your family's safety."

"You need to know, one public leader failed to look out for Georgia families: Jim Martin," goes the script. "First he actually helped block stiffer penalties for drunk drivers. And then, Martin voted against tougher sentences for domestic abuse."

Story continues below

advertisement

Martin's campaign has been quick to push back against the line. The former General Assembly member and Vietnam vet put out an ad of his own, telling the tale of how his eight-year-old daughter, Becky, was kidnapped in 1980 while walking home from school.

"We were blessed that she got away but I never forgot the way she trembled when she faced her kidnapper in court," Martin says, directly into the camera. "That's why I fought so hard to crack down on violent crime and lockup violent criminals."

Martin's response is a good one, in that it doesn't overtly denounce the attacks being launched his way, but rather makes the case that he is the one who is serious about tackling crime -- after all, he knows from personal experience.

Whether Republicans in Georgia can win a second straight Senate race by going after their opponent's personal stories and character strengths remains to be seen. The runoff election is on December 2.

Comments

[LeLoup]

"Whether Republicans in Georgia can win a second straight Senate race by going after their opponent's personal stories and character strengths remains to be seen."

Oh! It'll work alright. We're talking about Georgia here, remember?

[LexLuthier]

Sadly, you're right. Georgia has a few areas where transplants make up a significant portion of the population, such as Atlanta and Athens. In those areas, even the natives are more cosmopolitan as they are exposed to different cultures and ideas. But for the most part, Georgia is one big ocean of rednecks in all other areas of the state. The main topic of discussion in letters to the editors around here for more than a week now has been how wonderful it was for Rep. Paul Broun to point out how afraid we should be that Obama may be planning to establish a Marxist dictatorship. I'm serious.

[KayDGee]

I worked on the Obama campaign amidst the "ocean of rednecks" that you describe. The age range was 17 to over 80. All were committed in time and money to keeping the campaign alive when the Obama folks abruptly left for battleground states (yes, I understand the chess board nature of politics). Keep in mind that Pres. Elect Obama got a hefty share of the vote here, which the Electoral College negated. This was a solid Democratic state until the Republicans thundered in, pandering to the religious right (Baptists here in Georgia) promising old fashioned family values. Since it was the so-called "liberal left" that kept portraying them as dumbells in screen, and even by inference in the news; it was pretty easy picking for the Repubs. That is a form of discrimination that doesn't stop (like calling the 96 Olympics the "Bubba Games"). Please - There are rednecks everywhere... They go by different names, but the mindset is the same.

[toypiano]

I hope Obama makes a visit to GA to help rock the dem vote. What a bright and positive counterpoint that would be to the shady Palin-esque cheating figure of Chambliss. We need to put a stop to the Palin way of doing business.

[tedeger]

I figure thet'll hack about ten per cent of the machines. They'll be counting on people not noticing that their vote was stolen - wny not? it worked in 2002. SO - IF YOU TOUCH MARTIN, AND THE MACHINE SAYS YOU VOTED FOR CHAMBLISS, scream! Demand your right to vote for the candidate of your choice, and also demand that the faulty machine be taken off line and be impounded pending legal investigation. Then tell your story to the local disseminators of news. If they intend to steal, make it as obvious as possible!

[DaBluAce]

Not only send money but go to my.barackobama.com and get a call list from Georgia and call Georgia voters to GET THE VOTE OUT! Early voting has started and will continue on Monday (24) and Tuesday(25)....

[lj9283]

Welcome to the New Republican Party, just like the Old Republican Party. If anyone thought that the Republicans were going to change tactics from fear and loathing, they were sadly wrong. The Republicans plan to continue the formula that they have been using since 1994:

1. Create a sense fear about your opponent and ridicule his strengths .
2. Foster loathing about the electoral process.
3. Pander to religion (which is a well organized sub-culture in this nation able to motivate its members to vote).

[ObamanextPresident]

4. Disguise and cover up your own corruption by vehemently accusing your opponent of that very corruption.

[ladycubsfan]

Is there no level too low for Chambliss to sink to? Apparently not. Listen up, Georgia voters: if you don't do the right thing and elect Jim Martin, a pox on your house!!!!

[KayDGee]

Hey! We're working on it. You're beginning to sound like a Republican. I know the Obama campaign folks are back in town and are soliciting assistance from outside states like to help with the phone banks. Maybe you can do the right thing, too. Help us out and check in your area, or send a buck or two.

[LeLoup]

"Is there no level too low for Chambliss to sink to?"

There is only one...72 inches under.

[c3m]

Saxby Chambliss a standrd Repug lowlife!!!!!!!

[SOLERSO68]

Alright those of us doing the Georgia baiting. Most of the Georgians on here, arent going to vote for Chambliss. But it IS true that Chambliss represents the past. There is no future in old fashioned class baiting, race baiting politics and right wing "policies" the ONLY right wing policy is cut taxes for the rich. Thats all they want, they already have everything they need, and all everyone else needs too. Note to angry, white,right wing working class folks. a better world is possible. do you really want your kids to grow up in a country that plays them off against poor black folks, or poor hispanic folks just so the trust fund babies never have to work? do you want them to go without to protect the silver spoon legacy crowd?you know what they think of us: "poor white trash" they sleep well at night because they BELIEVE that they are better, they BELIEVE we are too scared and too dumb to ever walk off the walmart plantation. they really believe we cant get by without them, but they have it backwards. prove it to them

[LMPE]

To riff on what Ray Charles sang, Georgia is currently on everyone's mind.

[rafaelkafka]

if Martin "fought so hard to crack down on violent crime and lockup violent criminals" why he "voted against tougher sentences for domestic abuse"?

[EdMuse]

Uh, the point is that Republicants can't help themselves from lying like pigs in crap.

[JMartinBurke]

Sure, just like Chambliss is patriotic for wearing a flag pin and Cleland (who lost his legs and an arm in Vietnam) associates with Osama bin Laden.

[krabby]

It's time for your meds!

[cubs325]

and saxby did what regarding this issue?

[ShockedSHOCKED]

I'm in. Who else?

[LadyMing]

Well I just sent Jim more money. Times are tight but I send a little at a time, what I have.....hope it helps!

[SSF]

I'll bet the $50.00 I'm going to send to Jim Martin that the politics or fear and smear aren't going to work for Saxby Chambliss any better than they worked for John McCain. Anyone care to match that bet and send $50.00 to Jim Martin?!

[coolekat]

I will

[traumasurg]

I'm in for $100. Thanks for reminding me!

[cutandpost]

$50 from me too

[Ron1951]

Hey folks, remember, this is Georgia we are talking about. And Chamblis pulled off the same type of strategy against Max Cleland last tine around. Martin's only hope is for a large enough turnout of voters to overcome the base voters who will go to the polls just to keep the Dems from getting their 60 in the Senate. And, they will happily vote for Chamblis they believe what he is saying. They are the Georgia republican base.

[coolekat]

After what happened in the national election, I have hope for everyone

[oscartucker]

I have emailed family and friends in Georgia ,as wellas friends who may know someone in Georgia, and asked them to get out the vote. Early voting started Monday and many people have voted early. I certainly everyone in Georgia thinks about the general election, too. They should realize the negative and dirty campaigning is a ploy to distract from the real issues. Call or email everyone you know folks; get friends in Georgia out to the polls.

[curocat]

It's time for us to start sending Democrat Jim Martin some money to fight this kind of abuse...