Gay issues still sensitive for ’08 Senate race

The first two Democrats to give chase to Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss for the 2008 election both remain mum on changing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which prohibits gay people from serving openly in the military.

Chambliss’ current challengers — DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones and Dale Cardwell, formerly an investigative reporter for WSB-TV — are each toeing the middle line as “conservative” Democrats in attempts to lure voters from both ends of the political spectrum. And while they are quietly taking jabs at each other, Cardwell and Jones’ knives are out and in view when it comes to Chambliss, Georgia’s senior U.S. senator.

Chambliss’ campaign did not respond to interview requests by press time.

“He’s had his chance. By giving Bush a blank check, he’s put us in a bind,” Jones said of Chambliss, who in 2003 defeated Sen. Max Cleland, a Democrat, to take the seat.

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Link: http://www.sovo.com/2007/8-24/news/localnews/7360.cfm


I understand that we live in a fairly conservative red state, but it would be nice if we could get someone who is *not* a "conservative Democrat" to run against Chambliss next year. I would be slightly happier with Cardwell than with Jones, based on their votes on the 2004 marriage amendment, but it looks like I'll be holding my nose...again...and voting for the Democrat who gets the Dem nod for the Senate race next year. I can't say that I'm excited about either of them.

*sigh*