November 25, 2008
Posted: November 25th, 2008 08:51 AM ET

From
One of Georgia Democrat Jim Martin's ads bears a striking resemblance to an earlier ad by the Obama campaign.
One of Georgia Democrat Jim Martin's ads bears a striking resemblance to an earlier ad by the Obama campaign.

(CNN) - It's been less than three weeks, but more than $4 million has already been spent on the airing of campaign commercials in the U.S. Senate runoff election in Georgia, according to new numbers from the Campaign Media Analysis Group.

Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss, will face off against Democrat Jim Martin, a former Georgia lawmaker, in a runoff election on Tuesday December 2, one week from today. The freshman incumbent won a plurality of the vote three weeks ago on Election Day, but Georgia state law calls for the winner to grab 50 percent plus one vote. Due to the inclusion of a third party candidate, Chambliss fell just shy of that threshold, forcing a runoff contest.

According to the numbers from CMAG, Chambliss's campaign and the National Republican Senatorial Committee have spent just over $1.7 million in ad time since the day after the November 4 vote, with Martin's campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spending more than $1.6 million. Outside groups account for the remaining $770,000 in campaign commercial spending. The vast majority of that money was spent by Freedom's Watch, a group that backs Republican candidates.

"This shows that there is still a lot at stake, this run off is giving campaign '08 a final act. Who would have predicted this, a red state Senate race with groups from the political left free spending and groups from the right clearly not taking this for granted," says Evan Tracey, CNN's campaign media analyst and Chief Operating Officer of TNS Media Intelligence/CMAG.

While he hasn't appeared in a TV commercial, Barack Obama is lending his voice to the Democrats' efforts to win back the Republican-held Senate seat in Georgia. The President-elect speaks out in a 60-second radio ad for Martin that hit the airwaves Friday.

Filed under: Georgia • Political ads


Doris,Memphis,TN   November 25th, 2008 1:50 pm ET

Chambliss will NOT WIN!

bsmith171   November 25th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

joe biden got five drafte deferments from vietnam and then permanentlt goy out because he had 'asthma as a teenager'
his bio cliams he was a lifeguard and football player.

WHO TOOK JOE BIDEN'S PLACE IN VIETNAM?
WHO TOOK JOE BIDEN'S FATHER'S PLACE IN WWII.

that's ride joe biden, sr was a draft evader in WWII.

nice people.

bsmith171   November 25th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

let's buy another election.
what a strange country this has become.
the media reports everyday about how much money is accumulated.

a few years ago the media was preaching we need to keep money
out of poitics.

anticlintonite   November 25th, 2008 12:57 pm ET

after voting for barack and getting hillary and team, instead, i dont think it will be a good idea to give the dems a filibuster-proof senate.

Tolu   November 25th, 2008 12:33 pm ET

Wish Atlanta was more representative of GA; this is still a deeply red, deeply backward state. Deeply red, deeply backward...hmmn...same thing, I guess...

Peter (CA)   November 25th, 2008 12:30 pm ET

After his attacks on Max Cleland, it was hard to have any positive things to say about Chambliss.

For that reason alone he should be removed. We don't need more sleaze. It's time to clean up congress. And yes right wingers, that DOES include William Jefferson.

Rick   November 25th, 2008 12:11 pm ET

Republicans better keep their guard up because this will surely be another election that the democrats will try to cheat and steal their way to victory.

Sharon Kitchen   November 25th, 2008 12:07 pm ET

keep spending that money Chambliss......................................................
the "little" guy sure needs it here in ga.....................................................
but those adds............they are horrible.....................................................
makes ya think of Palin/turkey/wolf pup/moose killer and all from her back door......................................................................................

wow ..............do you need help...............................................oh well.

Go Martin

Gary of El Centro, Ca   November 25th, 2008 12:04 pm ET

Saxby got into office by using the dirtiest of political tricks against a true patriot. Time for this sleaze ball to hit the trail and crawl back under whatever rock he came out from.

CanIcallyouJoe   November 25th, 2008 11:44 am ET

"LISTEN TO SAXBY CHAMBLISS."

OBEY. CONSUME. WAR IS OK. WE ARE THE GOP. ALL HAIL THE HYPNOTOAD.

Lydia   November 25th, 2008 11:42 am ET

Why on earth would Chambliss call on two losers, Sarah "no brain" Palin and Rudy "a noun, a verb, and 911" Guiliani to campaign for him? Sure Palin and Guiliani are high profile with name recgnition, but not for anything good. Could it be because they are both rabid, devisive, attack dogs? Ah! Undoubtedly, he is using them to remind the people of Georgia that racism is alive and well! That strategy didn't work for McCain; hopefully it won't work for Chambliss either.

Kelly   November 25th, 2008 11:42 am ET

To show you how much clout Chambliss has, ask him why DoD decided to close at least two military bases in the Atlanta area, Ft McPherson and Ft Gillem. Georgia military bases were off limits when Sen. Sam Nunn was there but oh how times have changed.

isaac, nj   November 25th, 2008 11:38 am ET

Too Bad Atlanta isn't any bigger...

Mavwreck   November 25th, 2008 11:34 am ET

GA Independent November 25th, 2008 10:12 am ET

Next thing you know, they'll be sending the 2nd worst they have to offer – Palin!

Guess What!!!!!!?????

"Palin to hit campaign trail in Georgia"

GA Independent   November 25th, 2008 11:33 am ET

OMG – CNN just announced that Palin is coming.

Maybe they'll bring Ann Coulter too – she can wave her arms while Palin talks...

GA let's show we really are smarter than the Republicans think we are...

Uncle Fester   November 25th, 2008 11:29 am ET

Saxby Chambliss is a lowlife, sleazy, lying bag of excrement. I hope
he goes to hell for his treatment of Max Cleland. While Cleland was in Vietnam, leaving three limbs there, Chambliss was sitting on his cowardly butt at home with a "bad" knee. It's time for the people of Georgia to correct what they screwed up so badly in 2002

LyonsPhilly   November 25th, 2008 11:29 am ET

Oh Dear Lord: Sarah Palin is coming.....Please head her off at the Mooseport.....

I can't stop laughing!   November 25th, 2008 11:27 am ET

This just in JOE THE PLUMBER is in Georgia this week endorsing Saxby Chambliss for Vice President to Sarah Palin.

Come on Republicans, support vice, stupidity, fear mongering and lies one more time. Vote Chambliss!

lovable liberal   November 25th, 2008 11:18 am ET

A vote for Saxby Chambliss is a vote for obstruction. That could be what Georgia wants.

Susan in NC   November 25th, 2008 11:15 am ET

Come on, Georgia - join the winning team. Vote Martin!

John   November 25th, 2008 11:10 am ET

They need to re-run the Saxby add where he tries to link Cleland to BinLaden. Enough people are now awake that they will see the scum-bag tactics for what it is and dump Saxby the chickenhawk.

Rick   November 25th, 2008 11:02 am ET

Looks like the excessive spending is about equal on both sides. I agree Tim in Wa that the money would be far better spent feeding people and providing health care. Besides if Obama can't get anything done with 58 or 59 Dem Senators, he will have failed miserably on his biggest selling point – that he can work across the aisle.

Curtis - Marietta, GA   November 25th, 2008 11:02 am ET

Darren,

As a GA resident, I apologize now. Yes, Chambliss is probably going to win. I worked on the Obama campaign and I'm helping Martin now, but our numbers have dwindled considerably. But, please don't consider us an anchor, we are trying.

Give it time though. When President Obama turns out to be as good, if not better than we thought, GA will go blue for his second turn. :)

grahame   November 25th, 2008 11:02 am ET

To Boise ID
Couldn't agree more. I swear that some of these idiots (Usually and sadly Republican) can't spell or even use spell check.
Perhaps they are so angry that they just type away without checking. It's sad when you consider the American Education System or lack thereof.
Hopefully Obama can change that also

Brad, California   November 25th, 2008 10:54 am ET

Saxby Chambliss – get rid of him! With such an elitist sounding name, I'd have expected nothing anyway. Pig.

Jen, Cali   November 25th, 2008 10:50 am ET

Boise, ID November 25th, 2008 10:26 am ET
Lord, please bless the intellectually less fortunate souls that believe in trickle down economics. Grant them enough intelligence . . .
____________________________

Lord, please forgive the idiot above, for he knows not whereof he speaks.

Noah   November 25th, 2008 10:50 am ET

BOISE ID- OK, so judging from you asinine comment you blame everything on republicans and do not hold any Democrats responsible. Yes, that sounds like such an intelligent argument. You say that no one has the right to hoist their morality on you yet you are "praying" for higher gas prices and the demise of anyone who does not agree with you. I cannot believe how twisted Liberals are.

happy thanksgiving   November 25th, 2008 10:49 am ET

it's time to get rid of chambliss, his support of bush helped create the mess we are in. vote jim martin dec. 2, 2008. do it georgia do it for your family.

mike NY   November 25th, 2008 10:47 am ET

The money from both parties would be better spent helping President Obama pay for the Inauguration. Rmemeber the 9.74 million tax dollars are not enough. Let Georgians make Georgia's decision in peace. They don't need all these vultures who did not get enough before November 4th.

Susan   November 25th, 2008 10:45 am ET

I do hope that my fellow Georgians will not fall for the fear, smear and disgusting ads run by Saxby chambliss. A vote for Chambliss will mean that Georgia will continue to go down the drain based up Chambliss belief that the middle clas are just plain stupid.

MESA MICK   November 25th, 2008 10:41 am ET

Noun, verb, 9/11. Nice job Rudy – Glad to see that you are personally making sure Dems win GA...

Chut Pata   November 25th, 2008 10:36 am ET

The biggest corporate lobbyist Ruddy 911 will bring more corporate mega bucks. Let us see who wins. Corporate mega bucks or American people who wants for change, someone who would speak for them, not for coporate America.

Roofin Reality, Houston, Tx.   November 25th, 2008 10:31 am ET

Chambliss got 5 deferrments from going to Vietnam, yet linked Max Cleland to bin laden and Saddam Hussein.
Yes, the same Max Cleland who LEFT 3 limbs in Vietnam fighting for this country.

The fraud Chambliss perpetrated is shameful and I hope the people of Georgia realize that fact this time.

vic   November 25th, 2008 10:29 am ET

Saxby – just another shameful republican that will try and win no matter the cost.
He's joined the ranks of the shameful republicans that will do and say anything to be elected.
I hope he loses.

Boise, ID   November 25th, 2008 10:26 am ET

Lord, please bless the intellectually less fortunate souls that believe in trickle down economics. Grant them enough intelligence to see through the fear tactics of those that seek to use them for their own gain. Please allow them to see that you cannot blame Clinton for the eight years after his presidency (Future) while blaming the Democratic Congress for our current situation (Present) and Obama for the two months prior to his Presidency (Past). Please show them that people with different colors on their skin are every bit as good if not better than themselves. Grant them the humility to realize that they have no right to project their own flawed morals upon others that seek to share their lives together in peace and tolerance. Show them that you cannot drill for more oil and protect our planet at the same time. Lord, please raise the price of gas continuously until we finally find something else. Please teach them how to spell so they don't look so dumb when they try to respond to this.

Alistair   November 25th, 2008 10:25 am ET

Go Jim, America needs you!!

whippingstick   November 25th, 2008 10:20 am ET

skeletor campaigning for chambliss will ensure his impending demise. guiliani leveraged tragedy for his own political campaign and it backfired. good riddance for both of these hateful humans.

GA Independent   November 25th, 2008 10:12 am ET

Mr. 911 is coming to GA? How sad. The whole Republican team is coming to GA to encourage people to vote for Chambliss – a bigot, a racist who doesn't appear to have more than two braincells. Is this really the best the Republicans have to offer?

And how does Mr. 911 sleep at night knowing that Chambliss used 911 to slime his patriotic and US Vet opponent in the last election?

Next thing you know, they'll be sending the 2nd worst they have to offer – Palin!

Praetorian, Fort Myers   November 25th, 2008 10:11 am ET

The more things change–the more they stay the same. Everyone is desperately holding on to what they've got–in Washington.

Meanwhile–we the people–find ourselves with a new President–but the same old crap going on all around him. Is there really a place for the people to "hope" something will change .

Tim in Wa.   November 25th, 2008 10:08 am ET

Shame all this money can't be used to feed people, provide health care to children, or help in some other way those less fortunate. Ridiculous sums during the Pres Election, ridiculous sums for a senate race being spent by both parties...

jon   November 25th, 2008 9:49 am ET

georgia wake up the usa needs a democrat to start the rebuild get rid of chambliss

Bubba   November 25th, 2008 9:46 am ET

Simply put, Saxby hasn't shown why he should keep the job. His best argument even now is that he at least keeps the Dems from being filibuster-proof, and man, that's pretty thin. Martin wants the job and is ready to work; Saxby has a boy bringing him mint juleps on the porch.

Seattle Sue   November 25th, 2008 9:43 am ET

Saxby Chambliss doesn't have the morals to be a Senator. He should go the way of Stevens and Craig.

Stacy from Loudoun County VA   November 25th, 2008 9:42 am ET

Chambliss will probably win, but again for all the wrong reasons. The war cry for the GOP is "don't let the DEMs have control", but no regard for the fact that Chambliss is just a rancid excuse of a human being. I offer my congratulations to the GOP in advance for electing this shining example of their party to the Senate yet again. Feh!

David in Dallas   November 25th, 2008 9:38 am ET

The last congress was a "do-nothing" congress because Republicans filibustered more legislation than any previous three congresses put together! If you want to undermine Obama's efforts to turn this nation around, then vote Republican and protect the Repub's ability to block meaningful legislation.

Otherwise, let's get Dems the 60 senate seats needed to block filibusters and turn the next congress into a do-something congress!

steve   November 25th, 2008 9:33 am ET

why are we still spending millions one these elections. this money could be spent on recovering from this god awful economy!!

John Santoro   November 25th, 2008 9:26 am ET

Goodbye Saxby! The country spoke and the Republican programs have been rejected. That includes Rudy.

skidog323   November 25th, 2008 9:26 am ET

As eveident in the commercial airing on TV, Saxby is clueless. While they both have issues with their candidacy, I would vote for someone that is not clueless.

How in the world could you say you don't know what a recession is? Look all around you! Lets give the Dems 60, so they can get something done.

Wayne, Greenville TX   November 25th, 2008 9:20 am ET

And any ad by Freedom's Watch is not to be believed. They're bigger liars than the Swift Boat Liars and Jerome Corsi combined.

RealityKing   November 25th, 2008 9:19 am ET

In the midst of a self-made crisis of confidence, with jobs being lost and poor children in Atlanta are going hungry, millions are being wasted to promote the image of those who claim to care.., DISGUSTING!

Steven   November 25th, 2008 9:11 am ET

It seems the Republicans are putting a lot of money in TV ads. It seems like I can't watch any station without seeing Chambliss or his attack dogs spewing distorted information.

Get out the vote, Georgia! Vote Jim Martin today, tomorrow (for early voting) or December 2nd (Election Day). I voted yesterday and the line in Columbia County was not very Democrat friendly.

Larry   November 25th, 2008 9:06 am ET

GO Saxby-The country and Georgia needs you !!

Dominic   November 25th, 2008 8:45 am ET

I believe Geogians would have realized that it is critically important that Martin win to further empower the President Elect and Democrats to freely get the job done for American people. I do not think that any one is in doubt where this Country wents to go now. We are deep in a hole as always is the case whenever Republican party got out of White house and democrats come back to put things back on track, We can not efford anymore obstructions. Therefore we need to do the necessary thing, and that is to increase Democratic number so as to deliver the American people from this terrible situation economically and renew our reputation in the world.

LisaB   November 25th, 2008 8:36 am ET

McCain should be his permanent surrogate since they both are clueless on Economics...by their own admission...

Larry in WV   November 25th, 2008 8:36 am ET

Come on all you folks in Georgia who are having bad times,get out there and vote for Democrat Jim Martin.There's got to be way more of you than republicans and they don't care one lick for how you are going to pay your bills this month or how much money you make at your hard working jobs.This election should show everyone that thier vote does count and there is strength in numbers.Let's get that filabuster proof 60!!!

JuleS   November 25th, 2008 8:31 am ET

That's great - millions of dollars more going toward the useless task of electing another useless politician.

Wouldn't it be refreshing for a candidate to step up to the microphone and announce, "Instead of spending our campaign funds on yard signs and bumper stickers, I'm giving my millions to the homeless shelter/local school system/churches that serve those in need."

When pigs fly, as they say in Georgia.

BC   November 25th, 2008 8:31 am ET

Saxby Chambliss is an utter slimeball. People like him are why voters are turning away from the GOP in droves. The fact that the GOP is backing him to this extent is just another sign that they just don't get it yet. I wonder what it will take for the GOP to understand that the American people are sick of the disgusting tactics that these Republicans have used to get themselves elected (take a look at Chambliss's last campaign if you don't know what I mean). There must be some decent conservative politicians around someplace that the GOP can back instead of slimeballs like this one and Sarah Palin.

Lynn in NM   November 25th, 2008 8:28 am ET

Here's an idea. Instead of spending all this money on the Presidential race, the Senate race, the House race, etc., let's just put that money back into the economy. Oh wait, that would mess up the pending tax increases Pelosi can not wait to put into effect.

Suzanne Martin   November 25th, 2008 8:25 am ET

Saxby Chambliss is slinging as much mud as he can find and selling half truths. I hope that a terrible person like him does not win this one.

Terry in NY   November 25th, 2008 8:23 am ET

All I care about is getting Billary out of NY!!!!!!!!!!

Christina   November 25th, 2008 8:18 am ET

Chambliss accused triple amputee Vietnam Veteran Max Cleland of being unpatriotic and putting the nation at risk in a nasty smear campaign some years back. Imagine– Chambliss likened Cleland to Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein just for votes. How can anyone vote for someone of his character? Go Martin! It's time for decency and integrity.

Matt in NC   November 25th, 2008 8:15 am ET

If Chambliss does win then a compromise could allow Atlanta to secede from Georgia. It would become a blue district in the middle of a very red state. Imagine the marketing possibilities!

Hope in Georgia   November 25th, 2008 8:13 am ET

You in the other 49 states don't know how lucky you are. In Georgia we are still subjected to sleazy, low-life negative campaign commercials coming from both sides. All because our legislature, in its lack of wisdom, inserted a self-promoting law that mandated a run-off if neither candidate received 50 % of the vote. December 2 can't get here fast enough. We are all about to go crazy.

Darren   November 25th, 2008 8:09 am ET

The sad truth is that the people of Georgia aren't smart enough to rid themselves of Chambliss.

Low test scores, high drug use, high teenage pregnancy, anger, hate...it's the perfect Republican state.

Had W run for a third term, he'd have won Georgia.

Sadly, the rest of the country is charged with dragging the ignorant anchor that is is the state of Georgia.

Candy West Virginia   November 25th, 2008 8:07 am ET

Its time to clean house and get rid of the hateful, venum tounged, spiteful, lying rethuglicans. Saxby Chambliss must go!

S Callahan   November 25th, 2008 8:05 am ET

What really have we learned in this recent economic crisis....
Keep wasting money? To me, those millions would be better spent in the local community/state to feed the hungry, shelter the cold, and so forth.

Barbara in NC   November 25th, 2008 7:55 am ET

I sure hope GA gets it right and gets rid of that sleaze Saxby. Good luck GA – everyone get out and vote again.

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