Obama Asks Georgia Voters To Elect Jim Martin In Radio Ad

Atlanta, GA (AHN) - President-elect Barack Obama is asking supporters in Georgia to "turn out one more time" to help Democrat Jim Martin win in the runoff against Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA).

Martin, a former state representative, began running a radio ad on Friday that had Obama telling voters, "Jim supports my plan to cut middle-class taxes, make sure every American has access to affordable health care, stop spending $10 billion a month in Iraq, and get our economy moving again."

"Jim Martin's a man of his word. And I know he'll do everything he can in the Senate to help me change Washington and get America moving again," the president-elect added.

Martin had asked Obama to return to the campaign trail, but the president-elect has not made clear if he will do so. Obama previously sent aides to to help Martin's runoff campaign.

The radio ad comes the same week as former President Bill Clinton held an event for Martin in Atlanta. Former President Al Gore will be headlining a reception for the Georgia Democrat on Sunday.

Obama lost Georgia to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) 47 percent to 52 percent, on election day, making Clinton the last Democrat to win the state.

Chambliss, who got the endorsement of the National Rifle Association (NRA) on Wednesday, campaigned this week with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. He also had McCain stumping for him last week. The first-term senator will hold a door-to-door canvassing and phone banking on Saturday.

Early voting in some counties in Georgia began on Monday, with the turnout heavy in some polling places. Advance voting, distinguished from early voting by casting one's ballot a week before the election, is scheduled throughout the state from Nov. 24-26.

Results from all precincts in the state's 159 counties were certified by Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel last Thursday, when a runoff was officially announced for Dec. 2. Chambliss led with 49.8 percent, or 1,867,090 votes, while Martin trailed with 46.8 percent, or 1,757,419 votes. State law requires that if no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates face off again.

The contest in Georgia is one of two last Senate races that have yet to be completed. Minnesota is currently recounting ballots cast. Senate Democrats are hoping to win in both states in order to gain the 60-vote majority they need to prevent filibusters from Republicans.