Poll: Martin Only Two Points Behind Chambliss In Runoff

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has a poll showing Georgia challenger Jim Martin within two points of his Republican rival, incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss in their runoff election.

Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Jim Martin is within two points of Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss and holds Chambliss to just 48% of the vote, according to a new poll taken for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Martin campaign. Chambliss leads Martin 48% to 46% in the poll, which was taken by the Mellman Group from November 21 to 23.

"With just a week to go until Election Day, Jim Martin is well-positioned to win this campaign," DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller said. "As every day brings more proof of just how badly Saxby Economics has failed, Georgians are showing they want a leader who will work with Barack Obama to fix the economy, not a politician who blocks change for the middle class."

The poll of 600 likely voters has a 4% margin of error.

But a Public Policy Polling survey finds Chambliss has expanded his lead to six points, leading Martin 52% to 46% with increased support from independents.

Comments

[victoriajubilee]

There are still a lot of backwoods mentality in Georgia,especially in the very northern part near Tennesee and the very southern part near the Florida border. Remember in 1987 when Oprah Winfrey went to this Georgia County that expelled all blacks in the late 1900s. She did one of her shows there and the "N" word was used openly in front of the camera. Also in 1996 the International Olympic Commitee refused to fly the Georgia State flag at the Olympics ,the state flag had the confederate emblem . Despite many protest by businesses to change the flag -Holiday Inn refused to fly it over their hotels--- The state refused to change it ,I believe they had a referendum and the majority of voters voted to retain it. Georgia still has a way to go.

[victoriajubilee]

two amendments : The Georgia county that expelled all African Americans was Forsyth County,it happened in the early 1900s. Also the State modified the flag after the vote in the legislature to make the confederate emblem smaller.

[robXdion]

It needs to go completely.

They say it stands for "their heritage". Bur what if that heritage is the brutality, enslavement and continued dehumanization of an entire group of people based on skin color? That heritage is based in a war fought with the intent to keep those people enslaved and subservient to a "master race". I don't care what they call it: "states rights" OR "the war of northern aggression", initiating the war was based on protecting slavery and prompting it's spread west. The aftermath of the war also verified this true intent of keeping blacks marginalized. That flag is symbolic for all those purposes. The men who died under it are consequential of that ill-advised cause.

The lies perpetuated behind that flag are what many blacks have a problem with.

[amyers]

I live (at least part of the time) in Forsyth County. In the 20 years since that Oprah appearance, the county has gone from an isolated rural community to a booming bedroom community for the northern Atlanta area, and is in fact one of the fastest-growing counties in the entire country. There still aren't too many black people coming into the area, but the racial makeup still has changed drastically even in the 6 years since my family moved there. It's also the most Republican state in Georgia. Did I mention that I wish I had shifted my voter registration to my campus address for this election cycle?

[tbone99]

yes but doesn't Atlanta outnumber those people by the thousands?
Do you think the African American vote is not interested since its between two white men?

[mlaiuppa]

The Independents are buying Chambliss' campaign swill? Again? Are they that stupid?

[amwalker]

Well, it's nice to see so much anti-Georgian hatred here.
Seriously, guys, all of this stereotyping of Georgians is wrong. I'm from Georgia, and while I personally am very liberal (as are many of my friends), I have a lot of friends that are Republicans too. I think that a lot of their views are wrong, and they certainly think the same about mine; however, just because we disagree with each other doesn't make one side dumb and the other one brilliant. Each party has their own merits and drawbacks, and their ideologies just happen to be closer to the Republican side of things. (And before you say it, no, my friends aren't a bunch of dumb, bigoted, redneck hicks. They're smart, intelligent people who are actually pretty progressive socially, they just happen to agree with Chambliss' economic plan more.)
You guys all hate on Chambliss for running a despicable campaign against Max Cleland, which I agree was horrendous, but the hatred I see for anyone who disagrees with you here on HuffPo can be just as bad. Militant Democrats are just as bad as militant Republicans.
That said, help Martin win this election! You can phone bank from anywhere, and it'd be great if you could help tie this win up for us here in Georgia!

[LadyMing]

Well said.

[Ladyrantsalot]

"They just happen to agree with Chambliss' economic plan more" ? I'm sorry, but conservative Republican economic theories are destroying this country: 1. Deregulation has produced the 3rd financial meltdown in 80 years. 2. Reaganomics has produced the most astronomical budget deficits since, well, Reagan. They like to pretend it's because Republicans have proven themselves, once again, to be the biggest spendthrifts in human history (and they are), but it's mostly because the country could not afford the Bush tax cuts; the money wasn't there and we have had to borrow up the whazzoo to shovel all of that money to the top 2% of the income bracket. 3. Speaking of deficits, the borrow and spend philosophy of American conservatives are turning us into a third world economy, deeply in debt to the Chinese communists and the petrokingdoms. I'll stop there, but my point is that anyone who continues to support conservative Republican economics is either "stupid" or hell bent on destroying the economy of the United States of America.

[VOTER]

Last week Saxby Chambliss was one of four senators to not vote on extending
unemployment benefits.

Why was Saxby not there to vote?

He was out giving a campaign speech.

Topic of his speech: UNEMPLOYMENT

VOTE FOR MARTIN!

SAXBY THINKS THIS JOB IS HIS HOBBY.

[RumiSouth]

Chambliss not only got into office by denigrating a wounded hero, he's got one of the worst records in the Senate on vets issues. No self-respecting veteran should vote for Chambliss. He does not support our troops -- here ,there, or anywhere.

[xmontreal]

If the people of Georgia want some bacon brought home in the next 6 years they better think hard about who they vote for. There isn't going to be much pork in Saxby Chambliss's shopping bag if he gets elected. But then again-- the people of Georgia don't seem to have a problem voting against their own self interest.
I find it interesting that most of the Republican support resides in the former "slave states".

[CaptD]

Don't forget to vote on Dec 2,

+ tell your friends and family that Martin will make Georgia Proud!

BTW: Georgia's Senator's seat is still up for grabs...

I called from CA before and am still interested in calling next Monday nite.

FYI:Here are my stats for the last calling session I did:

81 calls
48 Pro Martin not counting other supporter that are family members and friends...
18 No or "other"
06 Answering machines, I left a "Pro message"
09 Wrong State, the folks moved since list was made(?), most like Martin!
+
It was inspiring to speak to so many folks that thanked me for reminding them to vote for Martin, after 8 PM their time, I talked to one woman that was over 85, that said she never had the chance to go to any schooling, ("too busy pickin' cotton for our food"). I asked her what she thought of Obama getting elected and she turned the question back to me asking what I thought, I told her, "I had tears in my eyes and I've never been more proud of America". She then said, "Bless You Child, I had tears in my eyes too, I never thought I would live this long, but I'm mighty glad I did..." America is lucky to have so many people with LOVE in their hearts...

"It don't get any better than that..."

[brt929]

Good job! Isn't the problem though, that voters might not turn out for a Senator only vote?

Do they have the option of absentee voting?

[Roxanna]

Let us hope that Georgians will make the progressive change so necessary in these hard times.

[w8aminute]

One would think that all those liberal hating, flag waving Georgians would vote against the man that skewered a real American Hero - Max Cleland. Put your vote where your mouth is about loving our country and treating our war heroes with respect and just vote against Chambliss this time.

[EllaBee]

They don't care about a war hero. All they see is Republican or Democrat

[OB-GYN]

Way to go, Georgians! Thanks.

[elliegrl]

We need to donate time and money to this campaign, we can't get lazy now. If you don't have the time to make calls, send in some $. It's the 2nd campaign contribution I've ever made, multiple donations to Barack and then to Martin. I know $ is tight for everyone but this is so impt. It's not just the "magic 60"/filibuster that's largely wishful thinking, chances are we will have Democrats that vote against Dem legislation. But I'm sure we'll have some Repub.s who see which way the wind is blowing and will vote w/us too. The larger our numbers, the better our chances at effecting real change. One person, one legislator can make a difference, and you can be that one person to help tip the scales in Georgia.
http://www.actblue.com/page/orangetoblue?refcode=Burner11-2

[mcantwell]

Uh Hello...not all Georgians are stupid sheep, just the majority of us are. This independant minded Repub and our family of four voted for Obama, and will be back at the polls to vote again for Martin. Hard to say if it will go Martin's way though.

[EllaBee]

Thank you. From looking at the numbers there was a lot of Republican support for Martin. There will be early voting until Wednesday

[Vyvjala]

Nothing would please me more than to see chapped @$$ chambliss get his walking papers..........

[Pepper14]

Chambliss will win and I don't believe the dem poll. Every poll I have seen has the republican ahead and the GOP will turn out for him where a lot of them didn't vote in the general.

[radical1]

AGAIN, I say, naive follower who is preyed on by Rt. Wing religions & sneaking, lying Repugs. Who in their right minds would vote for these thieves but the wealthy who profit from repug. tax breaks for the wealthy? Are you wealthy? I thought not.

[gapeach2468]

Sorry, read my other post, sadly, many people vote for Repubs, even tho it doesn't benefit them personally. I have tried to point out many x's to friends (even fellow union members) & family how voting for Dems could benefit them, only to be cursed out (or near equivalent to) for my efforts!!! (And these same people came back to mock me when Gore & Kerry lost). These are the same people who are now telling me Obama got a "FREE RIDE" in the press.

I hate to say it, but this country will probably have to sink MUCH FURTHER DOWN, into depression, recession, unemployment, etc. before these people will WILLINGLY vote for a DEMOCRAT, SAD, BUT TRUE!!!

[speeddeeps]

We need the great General Sherman to teach these Georgians a lesson.

[hortonhearsawho]

Excellent point.

[IndependentBadger]

That's pretty harsh, man. I'm a northerner myself. But I don't know how kindly I'd take it if someone from the South showed up and burned Milwaukee or Madison to the ground. Chambliss won because he could successfully manipulate anger and hatred, even against a triple amputee.

I'd like to think we could eliminate him without using his own medicine to "cure" ourselves of his ilk.