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

[GPMeg]

We miss you Max!!!! While I'm casting my vote for Martin, I sure wish I could cast one for you since I wasn't old enough to vote the last time around. Either way, it's looking like Saxby might get his comeuppance. The regular folk down here in Decatur miss your smiling face and easy way-- glad to see you're still doing your thing

[Kat]

God Bless you Max. You are MY hero and I lost all respect for the GOP after the sleazy attack job they did on you. They are truly evil. You are truly a hero. You need no defending. They are defenseless when they meet their maker and have to explain the lies the deceit they used to gain power. I would rather be you then them. God's speed to you Max.

[CaptainStormfield]

Mr. Cleland,
Thanks for all that you have done. I donated 25.00 to Jim Martins campaign.
I live in Oregon but I thought it was the best way to spend 25.00.
Take care..

[larry278]

As always-you did it forcefully. I'm heartened that you're doing well, in addition to being tactful & forceful.

[helix711]

I'm afraid a lot of the good ole boys in GA are going to vote for Saxby just because he has a good ole boy's name.

[robiform]

Mr. Cleland, I don't live in Georgia, but a number of my friends and relatives do, and I'm please to report that they will all be voting for Jim Martin (and of course for Barack Obama)! Bless you, sir, for your sacrifice and your service to your country--hopefully in one week, Saxby Chambliss will be known as "former senator" Saxby Chambliss!

[Irishfly]

Senator Cleland-

Thank you for your dedicated service to this country, both in Vietnam and the Senate. YOU are a true hero.

[breezyholler]

One of the biggest problems in American politics is the gross number of undeserving , unqualified people who see themselves as entitled to power..It'­s time We The People put a stop to this goofy trend..
POWER TO THE PEOPLE ...RIGHT ON !!!!!!

[CruzDelSur]

Senator, if you lead, I will follow you anywhere.

[susie1776]

But you see, what was done to Mr Cleland is just part and parcel of the Republican way of doing things. They scream "SUPPORT THE TROOPS!" while voting against the bill to properly armor them; they yell, SUPPORT THE TROOPS!" while voting against the new GI Bill. They scream "SUPPORT THE TROOPS" as they send young men and women to fight in a trumped up war and then don;t take proper care of them when they come home, wounded as Mr Cleland was. They accuse people who are against the war as being unpatriotic while they put out scurrilous ads against heroes like Max Cleland. They trumpet the war hero status of a man who thought so little of his appointment to the naval Academy that he only managed to scrape by and was almost expelled; the same man who brags about being a POW but who gave information to the enemy when so many of his comrades did not. Max Cleland is a true war hero. I hope Saxby Cambliss gets booted out of office this time.

[Blain]

I'm not from Georgia but I'm well aware of what happened in 2002 and I personally can not look at Chambliss without thinking about my own father who served in Vietnam and suffered seizures and psychological problems for the remainder of his life because of the injuries that he sustained. It's personal for me and I'm donating to Mr. Martin's campaign today and I hope others will do the same.

[Dystopic]

Max, you have nothing to prove to anyone. I salute your service and sacrifice.

Saxby Chambliss is a draft dodging coward, just like Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld.

[GonzoFactor]

Not quite. Rumsfeld was an active duty naval aviator and flight instructor, and he joined the reserves after his active duty.

This didn't stop him from becoming one of the most incompetent Secretaries of Defense ever. There's always the military's lack of respect for him http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1231-05.htmm), too.

[CaptainStormfield]

Rumsfeld was McNamara re incarnated.

[breezyholler]

Max Cleland ..you are a true American Hero...you have served this nation to the MAX.and I am pleased that you are doing well...You say you want to continue serving your country ...Take it from this ordinary man , Sir ....you just did serve us again with this true and timely article...
Peace@wellness to you...

[telebob59]

"...justic­e can sometimes be delayed, but it can never be denied." I believe it too, Max.

[Kindheart]

I honor your service to this country. Chambliss is nothing more than a GOP loser. I do believe in karma and while sometimes it takes longer for karma to work, but I believe that it does work. We just have to be patient.