Cross-posted at Tondee's Tavern
This weekend, I hit the road as a volunteer with the Jim Martin for Senate campaign as we toured Georgia by bus. You can read my previous post here. We (the road crew) were off to a later start on Sunday, although Jim Martin had been attending church services in the morning.
We headed out to a round table of veterans in Augusta after lunch. At this event, we heard stories from several veterans (clips may eventually be on YouTube, a few different tv cameras were there). They shared their feelings about the war, and talked about problems with accessing health care services and the VA. These people need help, and Georgia needs a change. Georgia needs to elect Jim Martin on behalf of all who are not being served by their government today.
Then we got back on the bus and headed north to Athens for a private fundraiser. The event was a house party tucked away on a side street in Athens. Perhaps the most famous guests there were members of the band R.E.M. (Athens is their hometown). It’s a little bit strange to see famous musicians mingling with regular people, all waiting in line to put little slices of cheese on small crackers. Jim gave a barnburner of a speech on the front lawn of the house, the only place large enough for the hundreds of guests to all gather. We had to leave in a hurry though to make it to the next event. Jim Powell (candidate for Public Service Commission, also in a run-off) rejoined the bus tour here, fresh from a debate.
It was time to file on the bus again to head to another fundraiser, at a museum in Atlanta. No dinner tonight - no time! The headliner at this fundraiser was Nobel Peace Prize winner, Academy Award winner, former Senator, Vice President Al Gore. Some clips of this were on the evening news (lots of cameras there), and may show up on YouTube eventually, too. One of the reasons why the campaign is doing these fundraisers, is that it's so important we raise money to get our message out. The NRSC, RNC, and other right-wing groups are pouring money into Georgia, and every dollar donates helps us to withstand the deluge. Donate now to help us win in 8 days!
We also had a special surprise guest at the end of the event, Senator Max Cleland!
At the end of the day we the staff were pretty exhausted. But it's doubly hard to be the candidate. Little sleep, always on the road, giving speeches day after day, strange hotels, skipping meals, snacks of various levels of unhealthiness, and being ready to handle gotcha questions. You can see why people would turn away from the idea of running for office. One of the things that impresses me about Jim Martin is that he is doing this uncomplainingly and with grace. More than one person has introduced him at rallies by saying "Jim Martin is a good man." This is not just words. He truly wants to help people and make Georgia a better place. Please support him and give him a chance to do just that.
Keep the wheels on the bus going round and round: Donate today.
Volunteer: in staters are welcome to stop by their nearest campaign office, out of staters can travel on down for the last few days or do phone-banking from home.