Georgia: Gore ties Chambliss to ‘Bush-Cheney' philosophy

ATLANTA -- Former Vice President Al Gore had a simple message Sunday night for U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.

"It's time for him to go," Mr. Gore said.

The former vice president and Tennessee senator spoke at a fundraiser for Sen. Chambliss' Democratic opponent in Georgia's Dec. 2 Senate runoff election, Jim Martin, at Mason Murer art gallery in Midtown Atlanta.

In his short remarks, Mr. Gore tied Sen. Chambliss to President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, saying Sen. Chambliss "embodies the Bush-Cheney philosophy."

Mr. Gore went on to say the Bush presidency has been "a catastrophe."

"The kinds of changes we need right now are the kinds that are in Jim Martin's heart," he said as Mr. Martin stood next to him on the stage.

But Michelle Hitt Grasso, a spokeswoman for Sen. Chambliss, said the incumbent senator is more in-line with what Georgians want.

"He stands for traditional family values," she said. "He stands for Georgia's conservative values."

Ms. Grasso specifically said Sen. Chambliss stands for lower taxes and Second Amendment rights.

But Mr. Gore argued Mr. Martin would lower taxes, too, citing his support for a middle-class tax cut and health care reform.

Georgia's Senate runoff election, along with a recount in Minnesota, will decide whether Senate Democrats will reach a 60-seat majority. With a majority that size, Democrats could cut off debate and prevent filibusters.

Mr. Gore is one of a parade of political stars to come out for Mr. Martin and Sen. Chambliss in the weeks since the Nov. 4 general election.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on Friday appeared with Sen. Chambliss in Atlanta and Savannah, Ga. Earlier this month, the GOP's presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., rallied Chambliss supporters.

Former President Bill Clinton spoke Wednesday at an Atlanta rally for Mr. Martin, and President-elect Barack Obama recently recorded a radio advertisement for the Democratic Senate hopeful.

As Mr. Gore finished his remarks Sunday night, supporters chanted, "Yes we can," President-elect Obama's campaign slogan.

In the general election, Sen. Chambliss was just shy of the majority vote needed to be declared the winner. He garnered 49.8 percent of the vote, compared to Mr. Martin's 46.8 percent, according to the Georgia secretary of state's Web site.

Both campaigns are encouraging voters to cast ballots during Georgia's advance voting period, which starts today and ends Wednesday.

The fundraiser Sunday cost $125 to attend and $1,000 for a private reception with Mr. Gore.