Cleland won't challenge Chambliss for Senate in '08

[KingFlorez]

http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfullstory.asp?ID=83917

Cleland won't challenge Chambliss for Senate in '08

The Associated Press - 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.

[Erika]

1. So Sad. The GOP would rather vote for Chickenhawks

who chose not to serve their nation.

[MADem]

2. The clinical depression and PTSD aren't helping, either

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.

I'd love it if Max was offered one of those great, well paying technical staff jobs in the Senate. He'd be a champ doing some of that 'inside baseball' work. And I'd just love it if his duties required him to get in Saxby's smug and greasy face every so often. But that's just me. I'm a fan of the 'revenge is a dish best served cold' school....

[Erika]

3. A right wing site called Max an inept fumbler tonight

The lack of sensitivity about our Vietnam vets shown by the GOP is astounding and revolting. It boggles the mind as how they ascertain a man who fought for our nation is inferior to one of their GOP chickenhawks.

They have no idea what true patriotism is about.

[MADem]

4. Completely without shame, those chickenhawks. Unsurprising, really. They lack souls. NT

[napi21]

5. I'm sorry to hear that Max isn't running, but I sure hope we can get

a great Dem to challenge Saxby! I hate that fool, and he's my senator! Every time I write to him about ANYTHING he always responds, but never answers the question I asked!!!! He's also such a Shrub A kisser, I hope some of Shrub's ratings rub off!

[cynatnite]

6. I hate to see it, but Max sure has done a lot of good...

Maybe that's partly why he's not running again. Perhaps he feels he can do more good outside the Senate.

He's part of a great club. Kerry, Murtha and him had their military records trashed because they spoke the truth. It's one I wouldn't mind being a part of.

He's a great man and I expect we'll see a lot more of him in the future. :patriot:

[SoCalDem]

7. Good for Max. He should be back in charge of the VA

and with a little luck (and a lot of hard work) the next president will appoint him to that post.

[Selatius]

8. Didn't the exit polls disagree with the results that said Chambliss beat Cleland in 2002?

I had heard allegations of e-voting fraud in Georgia during the 2002 senate elections.

[Zynx]

10. There weren't exit polls in 2002.

That was the odd part.

[Zynx]

9. GA is a state that has slipped beyond our reach.

While we are making gains in Arkansas and Virginia, Georgia in a state that has slipped into political oblivion for us.

[eridani]

12. And it will stay that way with all DRE voting n/t

[jgraz]

11. Any chance he'd be part of a Dem ticket? Gore/Cleland?