Never one to let an opportunity to mislead the people of Georgia, Saxby Chambliss has requested that he actually be excused from the December 2nd runoff against Jim Martin and just be declared the winner.
It is rumored that in private statements, Saxby has claimed that the knee that allowed him to have six deferments from serving in Vietnam has been acting up again, and not a minute too soon, as the race for what could be the 60th Senate Senate appears closer than ever.
Just in case his deferment is not granted and Saxby never had a problem in the past, Saxby has started to run a commercial in Georgia focusing on the attacks on 9/11.
Let's go to the tape and make sure you listen to the first line, "When our country was under attack, we trusted Saxby Chambliss."
Well, there are a couple of unintentionally humorous things here. First, the only thing Saxby can be trusted to do when the going gets tough, is go get another deferment.
Second, back on 9/11, Saxby wasn't sitting in his seat, Max Cleland was. Saxby then defeated Max as many of us know, by running perhaps the worst ad in American political history. An ad so bad, I'm not going to embed it here but it showed Osama Bin Laden morphing into Max Cleland's face. It was a test run of swiftboating, and tragically it worked -- turning Max's service and sacrifice against him in favor of someone who has never served anyone but himself.
At the time, many veterans in the US Senate were absolutely outraged by the ad, most prominently and passionately, John McCain.
"I've never seen anything like that ad," says McCain. "Putting pictures of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden next to a picture of a man who left three limbs on the battlefield -- it's worse than disgraceful, it's reprehensible."" (Washington Post, 7/3/2003)
Senator Chuck Hagel chimed in.
"Beyond offensive to me."
Unfortunately, Saxby's treatment of Max wasn't the only time his treatment of a decorated war hero was horrific. In honor of Veteran's Day, let's run through Saxby's record on this issue.
(And remember, if you get really angry, count Saxby's deferments.)
Chambliss Voted Against the New GI Bill for Veterans of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Chambliss Has Voted Against Veterans Programs at Least 23 Times Since Joining the Senate
Chambliss Voted Against Additional Funding to Research Traumatic Brain Injury--thee "Signature Wound" of the Iraq War.
Chambliss Opposed the Webb Amendment Guaranteeing Troops Time At Home Between Deployments
Chambliss Repeatedly Voted Against Additional Funding to Give the Men & Women in Uniform the Armor and Equipment They Need.
Now, on December 2, there will be a runoff in Georgia, unless Saxby gets a deferment because of his knee. So in honor of Max, in honor of all our veterans, here are a couple of things we call can do.
First, if you are in Georgia, have relatives in Georgia or know anyone in Georgia, let's get them to the polls on that day and vote for Jim Martin, a Vietnam Veteran by the way.
And, if you can, donate here to Jim Martin's campaign, $5 or $10 a deferment is fine, this is a special fundraising page, called "Do It For Max" All the money donated goes straight to Jim Martin's campaign, but it's a little tip of the hat to the man who, frankly, still should be sitting in that Senate seat.
Finally, yesterday, we launched a very special NewsLadder dedicated to the Georgia Runoff. Click here and see the latest stories about this critical last Senate race.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.