The Road to Change is Rolling Into Macon

The Road to Change Bus Tour, featuring Democratic Senatorial Candidate Jim Martin, will roll into Macon on Wednesday, October 29th. At 9 a.m., either outside or inside City Hall-depending on the weather-Martin will gather with other Democratic Candidates for a GOTV rally. We're about to make history in this election, and you're invited to be a part. Plan now to come out to the rally on Wednesday.

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Clinton Makes Case for Martin

Clinton Stresses the Importance of the Race

Clinton and Martin Salute the Crowd

President Clinton with Ambassador Wyche Fowler


Clinton Makes a Point as Martin Looks On

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Clinton in Georgia!

(Photo Credit: Lauren Benedict)

What charisma and wisdom. President Bill Clinton was in Atlanta tonight for Jim Martin. The event at Trois was sold out by late yesterday, and at least 450 people packed the room tonight.



The Martin Campaign brought in some serious cash tonight as President Clinton energized the crowd, reminding anyone who might've forgotten what Chambliss did to his friend of 20 years Max Cleland. (To laughter, Clinton pointed out that he and Max were friends long before anyone thought either would amount to what they ultimately became.) Clinton said that he wished he had done more when Chambliss launched the awful ads against Max. Today, he stressed the importance of this race in determining the direction of the country.

I can tell you this, as David Worley said in introduction, Bill Clinton could've been anywhere in the country tonight, stumping for dozens of candidates. But he was in Georgia. And that should tell us something about the state of this race.

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Bill Clinton is Awesome!

More to follow about President Clinton's event for Jim Martin from Amy!
Lauren Logan Benedict

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Coming Full Circle

In the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, John Kennedy was elected President in 1960. When Kennedy took office, the Governor of Georgia was Ernest Vandier, father of current Democratic Party of Georgia Chair, Jane Kidd. The Lt. Governor was Garland Byrd, the father of Democratic Party of Georgia Parliamentarian, Chuck Byrd. Now both Jane Kidd and Chuck Byrd are outspoken supporters of Barack Obama whose candidacy would not have been possible except for that fight for equality and suffrage for all Americans. And, on election day - and all days between now and then - both Jane and Chuck will be fighting to protect that hard-won right for every Georgian to cast a ballot and to have their vote counted.

Last night, Chuck Byrd addressed the Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce as a surrogate for Barack Obama- not exactly friendly Democratic territory. His remarks below are well worth the read:


Remarks of Chuck Byrd
Obama Surrogate
Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce
October 23, 2008


Yesterday in Richmond, Virginia Barack Obama held two events -- one a campaign rally – the other a meeting with his advisors on national security and foreign policy. After that meeting these advisors stood with Barack Obama before the American public and the world.Standing with Barack Obama was a great American - a great Georgian – a son of middle Georgia – a son of Houston county. Standing by Barack Obama was Sam Nunn.

Sam Nunn said when endorsing Sen. Obama that he “will have the sound judgment to put together an outstanding governing team, bringing people across old boundaries.” Sen. Obama doesn’t just show sound judgment in taking counsel from Sam Nunn – he shows great and wise judgment. Sen. Obama continues to cross old boundaries. Colin Powell, a Republican Secretary of State, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a war hero, when endorsing Barack Obama said that Sen. Obama was “a transformational figure.” He went on to say that Sen. Obama “is a new generation coming into the world, onto the world stage.”


Sam Nunn and Colin Powell know both candidates for President. They have known Sen. McCain for many, many years. Their respective judgments in this race speak volumes ---- most importantly they speak for and too our children and grandchildren.


I both respect and admire Sen. McCain. While I may disagree with him on many issues I never question his love of country and his patriotism. – my respect for Sen. McCain grew even more when he publicly stated that he has never questioned or doubted Barack Obama’s love of country and his patriotism.

We live in perilous times – two wars – economic bad times we have not seen since the great depression – hardworking people in this state and all over the country losing their jobs – losing their pensions – our international standing is in tatters. The way we respond to these challenges will forever set the direction of our children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Listen to the words of Barack Obama spoken yesterday at the campaign rally in Richmond, Virginia:

With the challenges and crises we face right now, we cannot afford to divide this country by race or class or region; by who we are or what policies we support. There are no real or fake parts of this country. We are not separated by the pro-America and anti-America parts of this nation - we all love this country, no matter where we live or where we come from.

I ask you ----- how will the United States of America respond to these great challenges?

We need change. We need change.

As Sam Nunn said Barack Obama will cross old boundaries.

As Colin Powell said Barack Obama is a transformational figure.

As Barack Obama crosses these old boundaries he will forever change this country in a positive way for our children and grandchildren.

I thank the Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce for bringing us together. Five minutes is not enough time to address all of the issues but it is a good start -- now is the time for us to come together not only to discuss our differences but also too reason together. It is biblical. We only have twelve days until election day -- now more than ever --- we need positive discussions – we – and certainly our children and grandchildren – should not be exposed to scurrilous e-mails and campaign flyers. Certainly we have passed those old boundaries of lies and hate.

Join with us on this Campaign for Change. Vote for Barack Obama.

Let everyone within the sound of my voice understand that on the night of November the fourth when we elect a new President that the enemies of freedom will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are not divided as a country and that we are the United States of America.

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Pat Dooley Needs Your Help TODAY

Pat Dooley, Candidate for Georgia House District 38

Pat Dooley needs your help TODAY!

In House District 38, Pat, endorsed by Georgia's WIN List and EMILY's List, is poised to WIN as voters reject the failed policies and negative campaign of Republican, anti-choice incumbent, "Thunder" Tumlin.

How does "Thunder" respond? By spending tens of thousands of dollars on spiteful mail attacking women and working families. Now it's time for us to fight back, and you can do that by making a contribution of $25, $50 or $100 or more to Pat today. With your help, we can take this seat back and send a woman to Atlanta who will fight for Georgia women, not attack them.

Show "Thunder" Tumlin that women in Georgia won't stand for this shameful display. Please make a contribution today to help Pat win. Give her the support she needs to WIN!

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The REAL Threat to Security

CNN reports that the economy is forcing police departments across the country to cut budgets and therefore staff. That sounds like the real threat to security, on election day or any other day.

On the other hand, to update the previous post about the email from Staton's aide, I have this:

From: Zachary Johnson
To: lauren.benedict@macon.ga.us lauren.benedict@macon.ga.us

Sent: Thu Oct 23 07:31:56 2008
Subject: Good morning

Hello, Amy. Having never met you before, my name is Zach Johnson and I am one of your constituents. I woke up this morning to realize that my email to you was now on the web for all to see. You should know that despite my dumb mistake to send it from my work account it had nothing to do with my boss, Sen. Staton who is in fact out of the county. A gmail account would have made more sense but you live and learn. I am concerned however that you found it a good idea to forward one of your voter's emails to a media outlet? But that is your choice. Just know that this came from me and me alone and had NO CONNECTION with Senator Staton. I don't know Ms. Morton so would you please forward this to her. Thanks and hope you're doing well.

Zach Johnson

Now, Zach's a little confused about who's who, and makes some assumptions about who forward what, but his bottom line is that he says his original email, one I would still call ill-advised-is from him alone and is not connected to Sen. Staton. I do find his concern about the email being forwarded interesting. Such emails are considered an open record-you know those pesky sunshine laws- and any citizen or media outlet could request copies of emails to these city council members accounts-and from Sen. Staton's account, for that matter. Something a staffer might want to remember.

And this from the AJC:

The e-mail was sent on the Republican senator’s account, and time-stamped at 1:26 p.m. Wednesday. But Staton left for China on Tuesday, to look at that country’s mag-lev rail system, and had no hand in it, his wife Catherine Staton assured the Insider this morning. He still doesn’t know, she said, and certainly does not approve.

An apology from Johnson followed. Several people have emailed me to say that Johnson is new to politics. Welcome, but remember what Roy Barnes famously said - it's a blood sport. In fact, if Zach thinks he's had a rough day, he should check the new RNC mailer that basically calls Obama a terrorist. That's right, go there now, and contribute.

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Staton Aide Warns of Election Night "Security Issues"

I don't know whether it's the comparison to Jack Ellis, the idea that an aide (or at least someone with a cecilstaton.com email account) thinks they need to come down from on high to advise local law enforcement regarding possible security risks on election day (implying that local law enforcement is incompetent, living under a rock or both), or the fact that an increased police presence could intimidate some voters- see Florida 2000- but something about this email is just plain wrong. Of course the fact that it comes from the office of Mr. Voter ID himself, Cecil Staton, is enough to make me suspect of the purpose:


From: Zach Johnson [mailto:zach@cecilstaton.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 1:26 PM

To: rick.hutto@macon.ga.us; james.timley@macon.ga.us; larry.schlesinger@macon.ga.us; miriam.paris@macon.ga.us; lauren.benedict@macon.ga.us; lonnie.miley@macon.ga.us; mike.cranford@macon.ga.us; alveno.ross@macon.ga.us; charles.jones@macon.ga.us; nancy.white@macon.ga.us; elaine.lucas@macon.ga.us; ed.defore@macon.ga.us; virgil.watkins@macon.ga.us; tom.ellington@macon.ga.us; erick.erickson@macon.ga.us; keith.moffett@macon.ga.us; sam.henderson@macon.ga.us; andrew.blascovich@macon.ga.us

Subject: Election night issues

Good afternoon,

As a strict precautionary measure I want to bring the possibility of election night issues to your attention. With this being one of the most heavily followed elections in history, I strongly feel that which ever way the election goes the city of Macon could be faced with potential security issues on election night. If you remember, following the election of Mayor Jack Ellis downtown Macon faced substantial celebratory damage and it is my fear that if Obama/McCain wins or loses we could face even greater issues this election. With the City’s recent crime issues, I strongly feel that you all need to huddle with the Mayor, The Chief of Police and well as the Sheriff to put together a contingency plan for potential election night issues. Thank you for your leadership!

Best regards,
Zach Johnson

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Veteran in Freeman Mailer Endorses Epps

RETIRED U.S. MARINE DALE PARHAM ENDORSES EPPS FOR GEORGIA HOUSE DISTRICT 140

MACON, Ga. - Today, retired U.S. Marine and resident of the Georgia War Veterans’ Home Dale Parham announced his endorsement of Democrat James “Bubber” Epps for the Georgia House of Representatives. Epps, who is running against Republican Allen Freeman, has made support of veterans a centerpiece of his campaign. “On my watch, said Epps, “the needs of veterans, and the protection of their benefits will be a top priority.”

Freeman used Mr. Parham’s name in a mailing to thousands of voters in the district, so Mr. Parham wants to make it crystal clear that he is supporting Mr. Epps. “Make no mistake, I stand with Bubber Epps because he’ll stand up for veterans,” Parham said, “I have already voted for Mr. Epps, and I am actively working to encourage others to do the same.”

“I am honored to have Dale’s support,” said Epps. “Veterans and others who live in the district deserve to have a representative who will fight for them in Atlanta, and unlike Mr. Freeman, I will do just that. Despite serving as co-chairman of the Defense and Veteran’s Affairs Committee, Mr. Freeman failed to stand up for local veterans and prevent the closure of the Georgia War Veteran’s Home in Milledgeville. On Allen’s watch, veterans who served our country honorably face eviction from the only home they have. That’s unacceptable.”

“When I am elected, I will make sure that the values and priorities of Middle Georgia are at the top of the agenda, and that includes honoring and respecting-not evicting-our war veterans,” said Epps.

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Blitz to remove blight.

One of the best parts of my job as a member of Macon's City Council is to serve on the Community Resources and Development Committee which reviews and supports the work of the Economic and Community Development Department. ECDD works on numeorous issues in our community including neighborhood stabilization and revitalization. The following is a press release from ECDD regarding the demolition blitz that begins this Friday in the Bartlett Crossing Community. I urge everyone to come out and celebrate as we move forward toward improvement of that community and all of Macon.

On Friday October 24, the City of Macon through its Economic and Community Development Department (ECD) will take a bold step to eradicate blight and decline in the Bartlett Crossing Community. In partnership with the City’s environmental contractor, Geotechnical Environmental Consultants (GEC) and the Department of Public Works, ECD will demolish 35 open and dilapidated units in the two block area adjacent to the intersection of Bartlett Street and Ernest Street. The public is invited to attend the press conference at 9:00 a.m. located on the 1100 block of Ernest Street. Demolition of the dilapidated structures will commence shortly thereafter and continue for next several weeks.

Community Leaders from the Manna Community Housing and Development Organization, Lizzie Chapel Baptist Church and the City are working on a plan to revitalize the Bartlett Crossing Community. In response to their efforts, ECD has agreed to take down as many abandoned properties in the area as possible. ECD has identified over 100 units of abandoned housing units within the Bartlett Crossing Community. “I made a promise to Manna and the Bartlett Crossing community that I would do something about blight in Bartlett Crossing once I became Mayor.” says Mayor Robert A.B. Reichert. “I am pleased that we are able to this in my first year in office.”

Once these 35 properties have been removed, the City demolition total for the year will be 70 units, nearly doubling last years pace. Kevin DuBose, the Director of Economic and Community Development cites the creation of the Neighborhoods Division with his department as the biggest reason for the increased production. “The City is well on its way of making its commitment of tearing down 100 dilapidated housing units this year. We are using new tools to fight blight and we are getting results.”

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Georgia Sheriff's Race Goes National

Making the case that even Republicans in red states are grabbing for Obama's coattails, this San Francisco Chronicle piece by Chip Johnson references our sheriff's race right here in the heart of Georgia, my sister's dinner party in North Carolina and your's truly. Here's a bit:

While some angry voters have chanted Obama's middle name, "Hussein," as an insult at Republican rallies, local candidates on the Nov. 4 ballot are using his well-known name on their campaign signs, mailers and Web sites to improve their chances of winning.The tactic has been seen in races from the Bay Area, which is serious Obama country, to Georgia, where a law-and-order Republican for sheriff in the liberal enclave of Macon is using the name as a political prop.

Macon, where we have more churches than restaurants, "liberal enclave." Ha! Tongue-in-cheek, I'm sure.

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Freeman Flyer Flap

Rep. Allen Freeman (R-Macon) is in trouble with a veteran for misleading voters about his own military service, and this is not the first time. In today's Telegraph, a local veteran, Jerry Fincher, calls Freeman's hand for a misleading campaign mailer that he says implies Freeman was deployed to the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm. He was not. He was in the National Guard but did not go to the region. The mailer says that Freeman is a "decorated veteran of Operation Desert Storm" and includes a photograph of him in uniform in the desert-the California desert. It's printed on the picture, if you look closely. Most people do not look closely-most spend less than 20 seconds looking at a piece of campaign mail.

As I said, this is not Freeman's first trip around this rose bush. I recall seeing the exactly same picture-or one very, very similar-in his campaign material before. I believe that it was during the 2004 cycle, and he drew very similar criticism. It seems that either he did not learn, or he decided the potential political benefit was worth the risk.

Frankly, I have never understood his approach on this issue. It just makes no sense. Serving in the National guard is an honorable thing to do, but it's not honorable to fuzzy-up the truth about what the service included. Why not just be proud enough of what you did to be completely clear about it?

What's the truth? This is what I found, and much of it is from his own biography. After high school, Freeman initially attended North Georgia Military College and then attended Georgia Southern. Freeman served in the Georgia Army National Guard from 1988 until 1993, the same year he graduated from Georgia Southern. According to his "Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty" he had "Foreign Service...0 Years, 0 Months, 0 Days" and "Sea Service...0 Years, O Months, 0 Days. Freeman was a Medical Supply Specialist and his highest ranking was Private First Class.

His claims of being a "decorated" "veteran of Operation Desert Storm" are misleading. He was never deployed to the Middle East, or anywhere else out of the country. He did receive two ribbons: the Army Service Ribbon, a ribbon given to any member of the U.S. Army, including ROTC or the Army National Guard, who complete initial entry training-as in, basic training. He also received the National Defense Service Medal. According to Wikipedia:

The National Defense Service Medal is awarded to anyone who serves on active duty in the United States military during the above time periods. For service in the Gulf War and War on Terrorism, it is also authorized for members of the Reserves or National Guard ordered to active duty or who are performing "reserve service in good standing" which normally translates as regular attendance at monthly drills and performance in yearly training.

Fincher also takes issue with Freeman's claim in the mailer that he "stood up" to members of his own party regarding the War Veteran's Home closure. Freeman claims to have called the Governor to "protest how the matter was handled." Call the Governor? He couldn't even call a press conference, and we know he knows how to call a press conference for really important things, like attacking his opponent. Now, he wants the vets there to just be happy that they won't be homeless before Christmas. Maybe he figures that in 2009, this is going to be someone else's problem, and the way this race is shaping up, he might be just about right about that.

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And We Reap the Whirlwind

This election cannot come fast enough. Last week, I wrote that the McCain campaign, along with supporters, were, to borrow a phrase from the Old Testament, "sowing the wind." With every day that passes, I fear more and more that we will all reap the whirlwind. I am worried about violence as election day approaches, and worried that an Obama victory will leave many people believing that a socialist-terrorist-anti-American who they should fear occupies the White House. All courtesy of John McCain and the RNC.

On Thursday night, on Letterman, McCain awkwardly interjected that regarding the financial crisis, the American people had been victims of "a drive by shooting" by Washington and Wall Street. Just a random statement, of course.

Last night, I listened in absolute shock as Rep. Michelle Bachman, a United States Congresswomen, questioned whether or not Sen. Barack Obama was "anti-American." Really?

I listened to network after network replay the vile robocall to swing state voters, warning them, essentially, that Obama and his terrorist friends plotted to kill Americans. Despicable. All paid for by McCain and the RNC-the same McCain who for a minute last week seemed to be tamping down the incendiary speech that has marked and marred his campaign in recent weeks. No more.

Yesterday, Republican women distributed fake food stamps with Obama's picture. And, today, McCain called Obama a "socialist."

And, tonight, this, a racist flyer, threatening Obama's life , distributed in mailboxes of an Atlanta subdivision. No idea who did this. Whether it is the KKK as the piece claims, or a group or individual seeking to influence the election. The Secret Service is investigating-and no matter who did it, they should go to jail.

I no longer believe that John McCain is a victim of this strategy, simply unable to lead. With his words today, it is clear, John McCain has sold his soul.

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No Drama: Obama

That's my commentary on the debate tonight. Before I saw the polls, I told my family that I thought this was McCain's worst debate. Why? Politics at this point is tonal. The few who listen to every word have long since stopped. Voters look at demeanor and listen for tone. Tonight, McCain sounded mad; Obama sounded calm and confident. It comes back to who do I want addressing the nation if the worst has happened. Not McCain. Listening to him makes me feel anxious. Certainly not Palin. I'll take Mr. No Drama: Obama.

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Saxby's Worried

And, with the quality of these two ads, he should be. With any ad from Chambliss, you have to simply consider the source. This is the same guy who used a football injury as an excuse for avoiding serving his country in Vietnam, and then called into question the patriotism of a veteran who gave three limbs for his country.

What do we know about Saxby? He'll approve ANY message in order to win.

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