Martin says that unlike Chambliss, he'd work constructively with Barack Obama

Jim Martin asked voters Saturday to send him to the U.S. Senate to work with President-elect Barack Obama "to move this country forward."

With a little more than two weeks to go before a Dec. 2 runoff against Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss, the Democratic candidate made four stops in Chatham County.

Martin addressed about 50 people from the flag- and bunting-bedecked back porch of a big bungalow that serves as party headquarters.

The challenger portrayed Chambliss as an obstacle to changes that Obama advocates.

"We have a wonderful new president who has a vision for this country," Martin said. "The person I'm running against says, 'No, not so fast. You say you can; I say no, you can't. I'm going to go back to the Senate and try to block everything you try to do.' "

The runoff is one of three unresolved races that could determine whether there are enough Senate Democrats to overcome GOP resistance to upcoming federal initiatives.

Martin's message Saturday in Chatham County likely will sell better here than in some other areas.

Obama and Martin carried the county easily in the Nov. 4 general election, but Republican presidential candidate John McCain carried the state against Obama.

And Chambliss outpolled Martin statewide, but a Libertarian candidate drew enough votes to deprive the incumbent of the majority he needed to avoid a runoff.

Martin also chided Chambliss for supporting the agenda of President Bush and the ongoing Wall Street bailout.

"The idea was that there was an experiment," he said. "Unfortunately, it was the people who were being experimented on.

"The experiment was: 'Let's give all the money to the people at the top. And let's see how it works.' ... And who's having to bail them out. We are. A trillion dollars."

Chambliss says the bailout was needed to keep the economic crisis from worsening. And he notes that Obama and most leading Democrats also supported it.

Martin's remark Saturday drew a sharp rebuke from Chambliss spokeswoman Michelle Grasso.

"Mr. Martin continues to demonstrate that when tough issues arise, all he does is stick his head in the sand," Grasso said.

Earlier Saturday, Martin greeted workers during a shift change at the Fahm Street post office in Savannah. He also met with local party activists over breakfast at Clary's restaurant.

But his biggest crowd of the day appeared when Martin greeted hundreds of people at East Broad Elementary School. Scores of people were lined up to receive free low-flow toilets from the city of Savannah.

The event wasn't on Martin's official itinerary, but "we got a heads-up from one of our supporters," said state party spokesman Martin Matheny.

Later Saturday, Martin campaigned in Statesboro, Hinesville, Brunswick and Valdosta.

Due to visit Chatham County on Friday, Chambliss stumped Saturday in Sandy Springs, Ellijay and Calhoun.

He was endorsed Saturday by former U.S. Sen. and former Georgia Gov. Zell Miller, a Democrat who has sided with major GOP candidates, including Bush, in recent years.