Georgia On My Mind

Six years ago this week, I was campaigning across Georgia for re-election to the United States Senate. I loved being a U.S. Senator and serving the people of Georgia. As our country headed to war in Iraq, and continued to fight to find Osama Bin Laden, I believed that my service in Vietnam, my experience as a combat veteran, would be of added value to my home state, and to my country.

My opponent at the time, Saxby Chambliss, disagreed; running a television commercial against me that not only had Osama Bin Laden's face morphing into mine but also questioned my "courage to lead." I felt at the time that surely, my service and my sacrifice in Vietnam would be seen in a more positive light than that of Mr. Chambliss's, who was forced to miss the war with a bum knee.

Sadly, as my good friend John Kerry would learn two years later, the power of well-funded lies can be hard to overcome with the truth, and six years ago next Tuesday, Saxby Chambliss won.

It was a devastating loss to me personally, but rest assured my friends, I am doing well. I am hopeful for a resounding Democratic victory across the country next Tuesday and I am encouraged to see that Jim Martin is running a great race against Saxby Chambliss here in Georgia. Jim is gaining ground and if you can help him in any way, please do so.

I believe that justice can sometimes be delayed, but it can never be denied. I served my country to the best of my ability and I hope to serve it again. And like Jim Martin, I will serve with character, dignity and grace.

Something I can not say about the man I pray he replaces.

Comments

[mikekev58]

While I was repulsed by Chambliss and his ads, what always troubles me is that enough people buy into that crap, just as many are buying into the crap that's being thrown against the wall these days about Barack Obama.

Looking at videos of McCain/Palin supporters in my home state of PA and hearing their vile comments truly frightens me. These are part of the so-called "real Americans" that Sarah Palin speaks of.

[RobinSeattle]

Palin promises Hispanic group amnesty, so why won't Fox News report it?
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/29/144555/97/914/645892

[RobinSeattle]

Poor Joe Lieberman: nobody loves a Quisling, even the party that he is currently helping out (the GOP):
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/2008/10/mccainlieberman/

[RobinSeattle]

Hey Max,

Thanks for your service to our country. It is because of folks such as yourself that I can sit here all day and litter the internet with my random thoughts.

I hope you will find a place in the new Obama administration.

[wingnutslayer]

Senator Cleland, you represent the greatness that America has always attributed to itself but only ocassionally has lived up to. You are a man who sacrificed much for his country, more than one man should have to give up, but you did it with grace and without complaint. Saxby Chambliss represents the darker side of the American story, a man who can only count on lies and tricksterism to gain what he wants and to serve only himself and a party that has led us to the brink of disaster. That so many Americans, ranging from ill-informed working people to the monumentally, tax-fearing wealthy alike, seem to not only approve of the work that Chambliss and his ilk have wreaked on us all, but desire its continuation, is a matter of great shame to me. It seems that thinking, using those great big brains that we've been given, passed away with the 20th Century. I'm very heartened to hear that you are doing well. If anyone deserves it, it would be you. Bless you, and I hope that we hear more from you in coming years.

[cariintexas]

Thanks for your service Max. YOU are a REAL HERO. What Chambliss did to you was just what chickenhawks do, Hopefully his chickens are coming home to roost.

[Wender]

I will never forget what that son of b.... did to Sen Cleland. Saxby Chambliss head has been up Bush/ and Cheney's as. ..since he was elected.

He is doing same kind of negative stuff in the current election. I already voted for Martin.

Best of heath and luck to Sen. Cleland

[KayDGee]

Sen Cleland -
I was ashamed to admit that I live in Georgia after what was done to you in the name of politics; and that it resulted in a win for Chambliss. I took advantage of early voting and cast my vote for Jim Martin.
Your heroism of 40 years ago is not forgotten. But more importantly heroism in the face of the unimaginable indignities heaped upon you by the foul Mr. Chambliss; and the character, dignity and grace, which you attribute to your candidate, eminate from you as an example to us all. We thank you for that and hope to see you active again in a government that recognizes deep thought, honesty, and adherence to principles as the attributes of a true politician.

[Beka13]

Max we are so sorry about what they did to you and you are at the top of the list of reasons we are so fired up to take our country back!!

[Pat-GA]

Great article. It was awful what happened to you during that campaign. I, like you, felt that your service would trump those lies and that people just simply wouldn't fall for the trick. But, they did.

Thanks for your service.

Pat-GA

[buggedabouttheus]

Senator I have NEVER forgotten what happened to you in that election. Shameful. However, we have a chance to get a much, much better government with the Democratic party winning enough seats to make significant changes that we need to progress and succeed.

In an Obama administration I am hoping that you would be willing to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs because our veterans have been woefully under-served. I believe that you would be the best person to turn that around. God Bless you.

[19061899]

I totaly agree.

Here's hoping for a better future.

God Bless You, Max.

[jusme2008]

Dear Max

I am kin via marriage to Saxby & know he and Julieanne well. BUT I did not believe he acted with HONOR during his campaign against you. I did not vote for him at that time despite family and personal ties for that reason. After he got into office, I had a conversation with him regarding the Iraq War and his close alignment with President Bush/ the Bush Administration. As I attempted to WARN HIM about this alignment, I was dismissed in a curt and condescending manner. I then decided I could not support his political career in any form. I VOTED FOR MARTIN AND OBAMA/BIDEN the first day Georgia opened for early voting.

I feel your contest against Saxby is symbolic of exactly why the GOP is losing all over the map right now. Those Rove tactics will no longer work. They have lost all public trust, even as they have continued to attempt to use ever-worsening SMEAR & FEAR. They are no longer convincing. We can no longer be a divided people and denied HOPE.

Thank you for your service to our country in the past and hopefully in the future. Continue to hold your head high. NO OFFICE IN THIS NATION IS WORTH THE LOSS OF PERSONAL HONOR. Most folks cannot respect one who is so willing to sell it so cheaply, to part with it so freely & willingly. May God Bless you and our great nation.

[Oldtimer]

Sharpen your pencils Max. Your country needs you to help turn the ship of state around.
It will be a massive task. Together we can do it.

[lynjs]

Mr. Cleland, I want to thank you for the years of service to our country. I have seen you on Bill Mahr's show a few times. You're a straight-talking honest plain spoken man that seems not to give a flying flip about the consequences. We need that in DC more than ever now.

The treatment that you received was not only an atrocity but disgraceful. I hope come Tuesday that the good folks of Georgia will help Mr. Martin take Mr. Chambliss down. We don't need a person of his ilk in any kind of government position. It is time for a change and a fresh start.

[SpringDoc]

Max, It's so good to see your name and read your post. I think you might even have more to say and I would like to hear or read it.
The crime against you by the Republican machine, as Robert Redford put it, was the most dispicable act toward a true American Hero that he (we) have ever witnessed. I truly hope President Obama and you can agree on a position where you can continue to honor the commitment you made to the fine citizens of Georgia and serve the rest of the Americans, as well. My thoughts were with you this past June 8th, on your 40th anniversary. You are truly loved and honored by Vietnam Veterans across this nation. I, for one, was hoping to see you out on the campaign trail for Senator Obama as a surrogate, as your views and opinions are spot on and inspirational. AND... The VA could certainly benefit from your knowledge and leadership... again.
Best to you... Rex in N. NV