Blog for Choice - Community, Connection, Change

Elizabeth Shipp is political director for NARAL Pro-Choice America.

Okay, so I'm a sucker for movies that feature come-from-behind victories against incredible odds. One of my favorites? Seabiscuit. I mean, come on...who doesn't love it when the underdog (under-horse?) is counted out and then proves everyone wrong on the big day by winning the race? Everyone cries...some tears of joy...some tears of disbelief...and some because an injustice has finally been corrected and goodness triumphs over evil.

(Jim with supporters. Photo source.)

Well, with apologies to my friend Tom Matzzie who used this description first in '06, I'd like to introduce you to my "Seabiscuit" race in 2008 and ask pro-choice Americans and particularly those of you who live in Georgia to do everything they can to help elect Jim Martin to the U.S. Senate. Jim is running for U.S. Senate against anti-choice Sen. Saxby Chambliss. Even if you don't live in Georgia, you may remember the despicable way that Chambliss won his race in 2002 -- by denigrating disabled war-hero and true American patriot, pro-choice Sen. Max Cleland. If anyone deserves to lose solely for being a slimy, disgusting politician who will stoop to depths lower than the gutter to win, it's Saxby Chambliss.

In '02, Chambliss threw the book of dirty, underhanded attacks at Max -- including last minute distortions about Max's pro-choice voting record and values. Chambliss won that race but karma has a way of sneaking up on these kind of politicians and paying them back for their previous sins.

This year, Georgians have a chance to right the terrible wrong perpetrated upon them in 2002 by voting for former state Rep. Jim Martin for U.S. Senate. In return, the good people of Georgia will get a U.S. Senator who actually puts principle above politics and has been a leader when it comes to the values of freedom and privacy, and a woman's right to choose.

I first met Jim in 2006, when he was running for Lieutenant Governor. What struck me about Jim -- beyond him being probably one of the nicest guys I've ever met -- was that he really cares about the people of Georgia and wants to do right by them. He was so genuine and honest and low-key, I really wondered if he was serious about running. That year was a tough one for Democrats in Georgia and Jim ultimately lost that race, but he gave it everything he had and came up just a little bit short.

What a difference two years make. Now, Jim is within striking distance of Chambliss and what a great day it would be for Georgians and the country as a whole to have someone like Jim Martin in the United States Senate come January, 2009. Polling indicates that the race in Georgia (yeah, I'm shocked just typing this) is tightening up and Jim is closing the gap between himself and Chambliss:

A SurveyUSA poll of 547 likely voters conducted October 11 - 12, 2008 showed Chambliss narrowly leading Martin 46% to 43% with 6% voting for Libertarian Allen Buckley and 5% undecided. The poll had a margin of error was +/- 4.3%.
In a Research 2000 poll of 600 likely voters conducted October 14 - 15, 2008 Chambliss lead Martin by an even narrower margin, 47% to 45% with 5% for Buckley. The poll had a margin of error of +/- 4%.
"Martin and Chambliss, who participated in debates aired on two networks in the state on Sunday, continue to run neck and neck in polling, including a new Democracy Corps poll released Monday. The poll, conducted Oct. 15-19, showed Chambliss narrowly ahead of the Democratic upstart, 48 percent to 44 percent, just within the poll's 4-point margin of error. Those findings are consistent with a string of recent polls in the state that have shown a marked tightening of the race in recent weeks." (Roll Call, 10/21/08)

So, take heart...Jim Martin can win this race, but he needs our help to do it.

Here at NARAL Pro-Choice America we have a saying that we take very seriously: We stand with those who stand with us.

Jim Martin has stood on the side of women and now it's our turn to stand with him. Throughout his entire legislative career, Jim was fighting against anti-choice politicians who threatened Roe v. Wade; who undermined a woman's right to choose at every turn; who thought that they knew better than women and their doctors what was best for women and their families. Jim stood with us even when his family was threatened...even when it wasn't popular...even when he constantly had to face down anti-choice politicians in the legislature.

Jim signed amicus briefs in support of Roe v. Wade and always voted in support of the landmark Supreme Court decision that recognized that women and their doctors -- not politicians -- should decide what's best for women's health. When Jim was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the Georgia legislature, he stood up against an anti-choice abortion ban that came for his committee -- more than once -- because it didn't include an exception for women's health.

So, Georgia women, stand with those who've stood with you. Support Jim Martin for U.S. Senate. There are very few people who I feel this strongly about, but Jim Martin is one. He deserves your help, your backing, and most of all, your vote.