Posted on 11/30/2006 2:39:08 PM PST by LdSentinal
WASHINGTON - Former Georgia senator Max Cleland confirmed Thursday he will not seek a 2008 rematch against Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss, who won Cleland's seat in a bitter 2002 campaign.
Cleland, a Democrat who lost three limbs in Vietnam and uses a wheelchair, had campaigned aggressively for other Democratic candidates this year, leading some to speculate that he might be preparing for a run of his own. Still angry over 2002 political ads criticizing Cleland's commitment to national security, many Democrats had hoped he would try to avenge the loss.
But through a spokesman, Cleland told The Associated Press Thursday that he would not challenge Chambliss.
"Sen. Cleland has decided not to run again in 2008," the spokesman, Michael Duga, said. "(He) looks forward to entering the private sector and private life for the first time after more than 35 years in public service."
Cleland's decision was not entirely surprising to Georgia political observers who note that Democrats were trounced in major statewide elections Nov. 7 and that returning to a Senate seat six years after losing it is rare.
"I would have been surprised to see him run," said Charles Bullock, a political scientist at the University of Georgia.
Bullock noted that Cleland, 64, has spent much of his time recently campaigning with other Democrats, including Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.
"That is not exactly a strong credential for a person who wants to hold public office in Georgia," Bullock said.
Still, Cleland was among the best-known potential Democratic challengers, and his decision leaves the field wide open.
"Obviously he'd be a great candidate. He's very popular in Georgia and he has a lot of respect nationwide," said Jeff DiSantis, executive director of the Georgia Democratic Party. "But we expect there to be one or maybe more strong candidates running, and we think Sen. Chambliss is vulnerable."
Cleland was Georgia's secretary of state for 12 years and headed the Veterans Administration under President Carter.
He was elected to the Senate in 1996, serving one term in the seat previously held by Democrat Sam Nunn for 24 years. In 2002, Chambliss beat him with 53 percent of the vote to Cleland's 46 percent.
The race - particularly Chambliss' ads associating Cleland with Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein - is frequently cited as an example of successful Republican efforts to question Democrats' commitment to homeland security in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
John Anzalone, a Democratic pollster based in Alabama who works with candidates across the country, said some Democrats could shy away from the race with Georgia leaning more and more Republican.
"I think one of the things that will cause hesitation there is that (Democratic Lt. Gov.) Mark Taylor just got his clock cleaned" in his gubernatorial bid against Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue, Anzalone said, referring to Taylor's 38 percent showing. "But at the same time the fact that there is this generic Democratic wave ... will probably lead some people to think it's viable."
Bullock said Cleland's decision highlights the "paucity of the Democratic bench, that Democrats are looking to try to find some credible candidate to try to run against Chambliss."
Democrats said to be considering a Senate bid include Rep. Jim Marshall of Macon, DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones and state office-holders such as Secretary of State Cathy Cox.
Cleland has acknowledged battling depression and said recently he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, possibly prompted by violence in Iraq triggering memories of Vietnam.
Duga said his "health is good, both physically and mentally," noting that Cleland traveled to more than 70 congressional districts in some 30 states this year.
He said Cleland will take some time off in the immediate future but declined to say what the former senator plans next.
Not to mention, a medical marvel...
I don't recall anyone asking if he would run.
"That is not exactly a strong credential for a person who wants to hold public office in Georgia," Bullock said.
ROFLLL!!! Now that is the understatement of the year!
Bullock "couched" that statement! LOL!
The only reason Cleland won the seat in the first place is because he had Guy Millner as an opponent. Chambliss has no worries, GA is a solid GOP state now. Now to take out Marshall and Barrow...
It's possible that Marshall or Barrow will decide that if he must lose, why not lose a Senate race instead of reelection?
Either one would be a respectable opponent, but Chambliss would still be the solid favorite.
In a way it is bad news for the Dem's.Cleland is a spent force in Georgia politics. But, then again the Dem's don't really have any one else who would be a credible opponent.
Maybe Cleland is realizing that the jig is up and Republicans are refusing to play the "untouchable victim" game that the Democrats try to impose. If Cleland runs, his opponent will hopefully treat him as everyone else would be treated, which is what most disabled people want. And by the way, I think it's ridiculous the way the Dems label Cleland as a "war hero" who "left 3 limbs on the battlefield" when the truth is that he left three limbs in a bar where he was making a fool of himself by juggling a live grenade. I'm very sorry he was injured and lost his limbs, but that should not buy him a senate seat for life. I think the sympathy vote is wearing thin as most people realize that victims make lousy candidates.
"when the truth is that he left three limbs in a bar where he was making a fool of himself by juggling a live grenade."
That isn't true, but where did you get it from?
I read it on this website and I assumed it to be true. If it is not true, then what is the truth?
Another thing is that Cleland has no more usage for the Democrats anymore. They used him and spat him out.
It'll probably be a shock to him when he enters the private sector, though. Wal-Mart greeter immediately comes to mind.
This is from Wikipedia, he used to say that the grenade was his own, but now he is not sure. While the grenade incident was an accident, we should remember that combat soldiers are always open to accidental discharges and explosions, vehicle accidents, helicopter crashes etc.
"Cleland served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for valorous action in combat, including during the Battle of Khe Sanh on April 4th, 1968.
On April 8, 1968. Captain Cleland was the Battalion Signal Officer for the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavarly Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during the Battle of Khe Sanh[1]. During the battle, in which the Battalion was attempting to relieve besieged Marines defending the Khe Sanh Firebase, Cleland was ordered to erect a communications antenna on a nearby mountain top.
"On April 8, with a month left in his tour, Cleland was ordered to set up a radio relay station on a nearby hill. A helicopter flew him and two soldiers to the treeless top of Hill 471, east of Khe Sanh. Cleland knew some of the soldiers camped there from Operation Pegasus. He told the pilot he was going to stay awhile. Maybe have a few beers with friends.
When the helicopter landed, Cleland jumped out, followed by the two soldiers. They ducked beneath the rotors and turned to watch the liftoff. Then Cleland looked down and saw a grenade. Where'd that come from? He walked toward it, bent down, and crossed the line between before and after."[1]
Due to the severity of his injuries, doctors amputated both his legs above the knee and his right forearm.[2]"
I apologize for having believed the wrong account of how Cleland was injured. It's just that I saw the same thing said numerous times and I had no reason not to believe it.
Thanks for setting the record straight.
I believe Barrow was the closest we came to knocking off an incumbent in this cycle, which was a surprise, as Marshall was viewed as weaker. Marshall would be the stronger of the two statewide, but there is likely to be pressure brought on both to stay put, as an open seat means we pick it up. The Dems could also put up Cathy Cox, the outgoing Sec of State, or the Black Atty Gen, Thurbert Baker (who could run without jeopardizing his office). I was rather surprised we were unable to dislodge Baker this year, or Tommy Irvin, the State Agriculture Commissioner, who has held the job since 1969.
I will add one thing, though... my dream candidate for the Dems is none other than Jimmuh Carter. I'd love to see him obliterated again, for old times' sake. ;-)
There has been a lot of confusion about it, but I think that the Wikipedia version is the accurate one, he wasn't awarded a purple heart because his injuries did not result from hostilities.
Of course, Cox couldn't even pull off a primary win over Taylor for the Gubernatorial nomination. To add to the confusion for statewide voters, which might've benefitted our candidate back in '02, the State Schools Chief, who was fortunate to keep that job in the GOP column after the disgraced Linda Schrenko, was none other than Kathy (with a K) Cox (with many believing the Sec of State was running for the job). ;-)
I'd be surprised if Cathy with a C would be able to win any statewide office now because of the dynamics, unless she ran to succeed Kathy with a K in 2010, benefitting on the confusion of the 2 candidates...
Oh man, that's harsh. But hilarious nonetheless.
Good thing he's not running. Just would have blown up on him, IMHO.
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