Sorry for the sudden slap-happy posting, but this deserves special treatment - turns out the RNC sent out a bunch of absentee-ballot-request cards that made it hard to tell that a signature is required:

The signature line on the RNC cards is easy to miss since it appears after an entry asking voters to enter an address different from their permanent one ... Cobb County received about 7,075 of the cards from voters that were not signed, about 44 percent of the cards received. "We've never seen anything near that ratio," registration manager Beth Kish said.

I think our reputation as the dumb party may have just taken another hit. It does bear repeating, though - folks, sign those absentee ballot request forms. At this point your ballot better either be on its way or you should just forget the whole thing, as was discussed at the most recent Fulton County party meeting.

7:11 P.M. Time to dust off the olde blog laptop, while hiding from the cameras and the DFI (I'm unaccountably wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, can we say "duh"?), in time to see Al Gore and Jim Martin at the Mason Murer gallery in Atlanta. There looks to be a sizable crowd of people better dressed and more important than I am gathering.

Chambliss's Profligate Spending On Golf Outings With Lobbyists

Since 2005, Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), who is currently locked in a tough run-off election battle against Democrat Jim Martin, has been in charge of the Republican Majority Fund. The PAC, established in the 1970s, was set up to help fund GOP candidates. However, as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports today, Chambliss has instead used it as a personal fund to ingratiate himself to lobbyists, reward his political contributors, and fund his golfing habit.

Related: Time for Chambliss to go, Al Gore tells Martin supporters

Bush 'very pleased' with Iraq war outcome: report

TOKYO (AFP) - US President George W. Bush believes the Iraq war was a success and is "very pleased" with what is happening there, he said in a pre-recorded interview broadcast on a Japanese television network Sunday.

Rep. Kathy Ashe * Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield * Rep. Karla Drenner *
Rep. Pat Gardner * Rep. Michele Henson * Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver

Invite You to Join Them for a Reception Honoring

Jim Powell
Democratic Candidate for the
Georgia Public Service Commission

Tuesday the 25th of November, 2008
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Manuel's Tavern
602 North Highland Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30307

Jim's wealth of experience with the U.S. Department of Energy and his commitment to renewable energy for the Peach State make him the only choice for Public Service Commission. Jim is the candidate who will stand up for all Georgians on the PSC, and he needs your support.

For More Information about this event, please contact Stephanie Stuckey Benfield at (404) 377-7014 or Stuckey@mindspring.com.

[NOTE: There is no contribution amount listed, so I'm assuming it's any amount appreciated.]

Lance and I went out and canvassed a ton of houses this morning and here's two stories to make you smile. First, I asked an older man whether he had heard about the run-off between Martin and Chambliss. He said, "Yeah, Obama called me last night." Score 1 for the Obama / Martin robo-call! Later, I approached a house where a lady in her front yard was gardening. She was blasting the local R&B station on her radio and it cut to commercial as I was heading up her driveway. Who did I hear? Obama! Score 1 for the Obama / Martin radio ad!

Kudzu Vine Interview

If you're still puzzled about the Georgia Court of Appeals candidates please take the time to listen to Sunday's Kudzu Vine. We invited (and had confirmations from) both Michael Sheffield and Sara Doyle. They were to be on individually for 30 minutes each. Ms Doyle was on for the first 30 minutes, but Mr Sheffield didn't bother calling in for his slot. I like to think that he was scared off by the threat of Tim Shiftlett, Steve Anthony and myself asking tough questions. But, I'm sure he was advised that it would be a waste of his time to talk with a bunch of Democrats.

In any event, Sara Doyle was impressive. In preparation for Sunday's show I reached out to some of my attorney friends for advice on questions to ask the candidates. It seems that one of the questions about Ms Doyle is that she has little criminal defense experience. Ms Doyle addresses this question and many others during her visit with us. (Alas, all my prep for Mr Sheffield was for naught!)

If you'd like to hear more from Ms Doyle and Mr Sheffield check out their appearances on What is Goin' On. As usual, Wilson is terrific with them both. Listen to Mike Sheffield on What is Goin' On. Listen to Sara Doyle on What is Goin' On.

I think you'll find, like I did (and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Georgia Equality, among others), that Ms Doyle has the temperament, qualifications, and experience to serve all Georgians well on the Court of Appeals.

Creative Loafing fires Editor Ken Edelstein

In a move that stunned staffers, Creative Loafing Atlanta Publisher Luann Labedz announced this morning that Editor Ken Edelstein was fired. A tearful editorial staff followed him out of the building to say goodbye.

Labedz said Edelstein’s firing was a "confidential personnel matter" and that she could not elaborate. A call to Edelstein reached his voicemail.

"This was an involuntary termination," Edelstein told the AJC. "I feel very comfortable that I did the right thing, and I love my staff."

I'm voting for Jim Martin because as a veteran, I believe he would work with the US Senate and President-Elect Barack Obama to change bullshit like this:

Marine Cpl. James Dixon was wounded twice in Iraq -- by a roadside bomb and a land mine. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, a concussion, a dislocated hip and hearing loss. He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Army Sgt. Lori Meshell shattered a hip and crushed her back and knees while diving for cover during a mortar attack in Iraq. She has undergone a hip replacement and knee reconstruction and needs at least three more surgeries.

In each case, the Pentagon ruled that their disabilities were not combat-related.

"Brand New Day" - Jim Powell for Georgia Public Service Commission from Jim Powell for GA PSC on Vimeo

Donate to Jim Powell here.

Last night, I had the unexpected pleasure of attending Milk - the movie . My new BFF David Heyward of Touching Up Our Roots, scored us passes to the screening at Atlantic Station sponsored by Creative Loafing.

For those of you not familiar with Harvey Milk, he is best described on the film's site:

Gay Rights Activist. Friend. Lover. Unifier. Politician. Fighter. Icon. Inspiration. Hero. His life changed history, and his courage changed lives. In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into major public office in America. His victory was not just a victory for gay rights; he forged coalitions across the political spectrum. From senior citizens to union workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became, before his untimely death in 1978, a hero for all Americans.

I love a film with history, activism, 70's music and excellent acting, and this film has-them-all. The movie is without question inspirational and timely. Many of the issues Harvey fought for, we are still grappling with and fight for to this day. Then, it was Prop 6, a statewide proposition to fire teachers suspected of being gay along with anyone who supported them, today Prop 8. Then, it was discrimination in housing and jobs, today - the same. Then, it was mouthpieces for the hate like Anita Bryant, today it's Sarah Palin.

This past weekend I bought a bumper sticker that reads "I can't believe I'm still protesting this crap". Needless to say I thought of that sentiment often during the evening.

Everyone knows that 'tis the season to give gift certificates, but in a probably-unprecedented development, you can now get your relatives in Indiana Planned Parenthood gift certificates. The organization is quick to point out that while they can indeed be used toward abortions, the idea is to use them to pay for preventative health care for both men and women. I think this is a great idea, but it's a little sad that we've entered a time where we have to give STD screenings and breast/prostate exams as gifts rather than the usual more pleasant goodies under the tree. Conservatives are predictably unhappy; perhaps they should fight back by offering gift certificates for those stupid anti-choice bumper stickers.

P.S. Hey Melanie, can we get a couple of feminist and/or health care type blog icons? This one doesn't really fit.

This weekend, the last weekend before Dec 2nd, there will be a number of opportunities for us to stand together to support Jim Martin.

What: GOTV Rally with Jim Martin
When: Saturday Night... November 29th 2008
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Machinist Union Hall
1032 South Marietta Pkwy Marietta GA

Come out and join your friends this Saturday at the rally. Buttons, you ask.. why yes there will be buttons!

If you are in town, drop by for a couple hours at one of the conveniently located offices. These offices are staffed with nice folks, many have come from all over the US to help us elect Jim Martin. Phone banking volunteers needed daily at these locations:

1200 Cobb Parkway N, Suite 700
Marietta, GA 30066
Phone: 937-541-6209

1025 East-West Connector
Austell, GA 30106
Phone: 937-541-6209

Not in Cobb, busy on Saturday night or you don't even live in GA, no problem... You can get involved right now by making calls from home. Share crucial information about voting on Tuesday and give Jim Martin the support he needs.

This is the home stretch folks, we are almost there, I promise.

Wishing you all a lovely sunny and safe holiday.

Tell us what you are up to today.

Here's our President Elect yesterday, at a school and helping to distribute food at a local church. Yeah, you just might cry a little.

Among other things, today I'm feeling thankful for YouTube. How about you?

View video here.

New Rule: No Robocalls on Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving. Usually I have a full table, a full menu, and several full loads in the dishwasher. While I have come to expect robocalls from candidates and their supporters in these "nutty" days just before an election, calling on Thanksgiving is just unforgivable. While I was relaxing between bastings this afternoon the phone rang. Hmmm, area code 303? Denver, Colorado? I thought to myself, maybe friend or family spending the holiday in the Rockies? But no, it was a robocall from the campaign of Kimberly Esmond Adams.

Here's something for Ms Adams to be thankful for - that I completed and mailed my Absentee Ballot earlier this week - with a vote for her. Were I headed to the polls on Tuesday, that vote would now be cast for her opponent, Michael Wallace.

What were you thinking? Or, more likely, what kind of cheap-ass consultants do you have that would even consider making calls on this day devoted to family, friends, food, and football?

Am I the only one who finds this extremely disturbing?

Sunday Service

Reverend Al Sharpton will be joining the 8AM services tomorrow at First Iconium Baptist Church. Can't imagine a better way to kick off a Sunday than with Reverend Sharpton and Atlanta's own Reverend Timothy McDonald.

First Iconium Baptist Church
542 Moreland Avenue
Atlanta 30316

8AM Services, Sunday November 30, 2008.

And so it goes, as a crisis born in the mortgage collapse and sent into overdrive by Wall Street’s financial disaster now spreads to the broader economy. In this port city, near the mouth of the Savannah River, the downturn is chipping away at expansion and prosperity, dimming a 20-year boom. The unemployment rate in Savannah has risen sharply, just as it has across the nation. And cutbacks in output in midsize cities like Savannah are contributing to an accelerating decline in the country’s gross domestic product.

New York Times

This weekend, I hit the road as a volunteer with the Jim Martin for Senate campaign again as we toured Georgia by bus. With the runoff on Tuesday the spotlight is shining brightly. I re-joined the bus on Friday afternoon, as we headed out to Macon for a rally with supporters at the local campaign office. The major personnel shift on the bus this time was that Joan Martin (Jim Martin's wife) was not with us - instead we had Frank, Jim's son.

It soon became dark as we made the long drive to Macon, which led to a low-key atmosphere on-bus. Then at the Macon office, the two Jims (also Jim Powell, candidate for Georgia Public Service Commission) talked individually to some dedicated volunteers dedicated enough to be there making calls on the day after Thanksgiving!