Rumors have been circulating for weeks that Jim Martin is contemplating a run against Saxby Chambliss, or more to the point, a run against the current crop of Democratic hopefuls careening (in clown car fashion), toward the July Primary.
Depending on whom you believe, Jim is either a) being pushed hard by certain folks within the DPG but is somewhat reluctant, or b) is doing this under his own steam. Either way, he is rumored to have contacted County Chairs and other party leaders to "test the water" about a possible run.
He has not however contacted the administrators of this blog for our opinion on the matter. Had he done so, we would have certainly given him the big thumbs up, because we love us some Jimbo.
If you live in Metro, you can ask Jim what his plans are in person at the upcoming Mid-Fulton Democrats Meeting next week. All the info is below the fold.
Otherwise, do you think Jim Martin should run for US Senate in 2008? Would he have your support over the current declared candidates? If he prevails in July, could he beat Saxby? Is it simply too late to raise the money needed for a statewide campaign?
Speak.
Mid Fulton Democrats' Meeting
Tuesday, March 18th at 6:30pm
Manuel's Tavern
602 North Highland Avenue
Atlanta, 30307
Meeting in the North Avenue Room
Special guest for March: Jim Martin
23 Responses to “Jim Martin for US Senate?”
Well at least he would probably breach the 40% ceiling.
So Saxby is announcing in Moultrie? Might we expect some juicy live blogging?
I don't see Martin being able to win in Nov. I doubt if he'll be able to stop Vernon and that's what this is really about, isn't it?
I'm sticking with RJL.
I was considering it Mel but a lovely bartender asked me last night if I was stopping by to see her on St Patricks Day. Life is such a dilemma.
Primary voters only need his quotes on voting/supporting George Bush and Jones is toast.
yea and thats the problem there are three months to raise the money necessary to broadcast that info and i don't know if there is enough time.
I like RJL too. What worries me is his campaign finance ideas. I commend his commitment to reform, but we need to get folks elected before we can make those changes.
Catherine - I think leading by example is needed.
I believe Josh will come up with some very creative ways to raise the needed funds - all within the spirit of the Fair Elections Now Act.
So if others want to jump onboard with another insider candidate brought to us by the big money donors and the establishment, go for it.
sndeak, has Josh declared yet? Do you really think he will?
As if voting for Bush TWICE wasn't bad enough, according to OpenSecrets.org Vernon Jones contributed to the Georgia Republican Party in 2001
JONES, VERNON
DECATUR,GA 30030
DEKALB COUNTY/CEO
1/12/2001
$1,232
Georgia Republican Party
Snuggles is a total embarrassment.
i heard a rumor that RJL would step aside if jim martin got into it.
PaulaG - Was there any reason given why he would step aside?
Anybody want to start a little wager on whether RJL will step aside. I've got $50 saying Josh welcomes Jim to the race but will not step aside for him.
I like RJL and would for him if Jim wasn't on the ticket, but he hasn't declared yet, right? He's been running it very flat and so it gives an impression he's not really into it....Which makes me worried...
sndeak - my understanding was that RJL would step aside out of respect, etc. like i said, just a rumor, so take it fwiw.
The people that seem to be pushing this are insiders. I'll leave it at that.
Do you honestly think Lanier would do better than Martin against Saxby?
Martin is the complete opposite of a politician, and that's a good thing. He truly cares about what he talks about.
Anyway, I don't see how any of the other candidates could compare to him if he steps in. None of them can fund raise, none of them have name id, the list goes on.
Lanier is nice, but he's got no name id, and his entire fund raising plan is better suited in another race.
Besides, out of all of the candidates in now, I'd say either Knight or Jones would come out on top, and that's scary. Lanier would probably finish ahead of Martinez.
In Chatham County, we would love to have Jim Martin run. AJC rumors that he has already talked to DSCC, etc.
I, too, think that, all things being equal, Mr Lanier would be a better fit. Unfortunately, with his self-imposed fund raising limitations, all things are decidedly NOT equal.
I'd say either Knight or Jones would come out on top, and that's scary
Dude, Vernon is always on top...OH SNAP!
CatherineATL - What's to worry about Josh's finance ideas? That he's showcasing the Fair Elections Now Act in the primary? He's taking that risk.
So, if the those with money beat him in the primary, what's the worry for Dems in the general? If he wins on his 5 cent budget in the primary, then you've got a candidate with real MO who has pledged to follow the FENA formulas for the general which allow more money than could probably be raised, including DSCC and GA Victory Fund.
So, what's the worry? If he's willing to take that risk on principle in the primary, I'm standing with him.
How about Rand Knight? He seems to have it all going on to me!
Freak alert.
Jim is the typical politician. He can find the problems and says we need to fix them but never says how to do that, duh. Why vote for him over anyone else? Will have to see how he matches up with others in the race. It may just be the typical choice of the lesser of evils rather than a positive vote for a good candidate. What ever happened to those who serve for the sake of service rather than finding a cushy job with high pay and little effort required?