Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Chambliss "predicted" DSCC ads would attack him, ignored NRSC ad slamming Martin

In a November 13 article, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) "has purchased a week's worth of ads on metro Atlanta television stations" in support of Georgia Democratic senatorial candidate Jim Martin, and quoted Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)'s assertion that Democrats will spend "millions and millions on the airwaves to try to discredit me." But the article did not note that the DSCC's counterpart, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), is launching a new ad accusing Martin of being "Out of Touch with Georgia Values," and both organizations have reportedly committed similar amounts of money to the race. Nor did the article mention that the National Republican Trust Political Action Committee (NRT PAC) is launching a "TV ad campaign and other outreach efforts" focusing on the Georgia Senate race.

In a November 12 post on The New York Times' political blog, The Caucus, Sarah Wheaton reported of the NRSC, "Today... the group began running a new ad attacking Jim Martin, the Democratic challenger, on his tax record in the Georgia assembly." Wheaton further reported that the ad "features a bluesy soundtrack and ends with pictures of Mr. Martin, Senator Charles E. Schumer [D-NY] and Representative Nancy Pelosi [D-CA] as an announcer says, 'With unchecked power hanging in the balance, Georgia can't afford another liberal like Jim Martin in Washington.' " As the announcer makes that comment, the words "Liberal" and "Out of Touch with Georgia Values" appear surrounding Martin's name.

According to a November 11 Roll Call article, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) "has committed $100,000 to the NRSC to help fund Chambliss' race." A November 13 Roll Call article reported that the DSCC "has dropped cable television buys totaling $100,000 in several media markets around Georgia," and that "[d]uring the last week of the general election campaign, the DSCC dropped nearly $1.6 million in independent expenditures in the race while the NRSC shelled out more than $1.3 million in the Peach State." A November 8 Politico article reported that the NRSC "has ramped up its fundraising operation to funnel cash" to Chambliss.

In "A Letter to America" on the NRT PAC website, Executive Director Scott Wheeler wrote: "With Democrats now controlling 57 seats in the Senate, they are perilously close to getting the 60 votes in the Senate they need to end filibuster and pass [President-elect Barack] Obama's radical legislation. This why [sic] the special Georgia Senate run-off election slated for December 2 is now a national contest." Wheeler further wrote that NRT PAC is "launching an emergency appeal to Republicans across the United States to help defeat Jim Martin," including via a "TV ad campaign":

We at the National Republican Trust PAC, also known as GOPtrust.com, are launching an emergency appeal to Republicans across the United States to help defeat Jim Martin and keep Saxby Chambliss in the U.S. Senate.

[...]

Have no doubt the Democrats will throw everything they have to get out core constituencies for Jim Martin: union members, African-Americans and other special interests.

That's why our work at the National Republican Trust PAC is so critically important.

Our TV ad campaign and other outreach efforts will alert Georgia Republicans that this election is like no other. In fact, the future of the United States depends on it.

You can help us in our fight to keep Georgia's seat in Republican hands and out of Obama's control.

Donate today to help this important cause.

During the 2008 presidential election, NRT PAC produced several ads attacking Obama, including one highlighting sermons given by his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. A November 4 Boston Globe article reported of the Wright ad: "The National Republican Trust has made enormous advertising buys to put the ad on several national television networks in the final days of the campaign. The group spent $1.2 million on Thursday and $2.5 million more on Friday." The Globe further reported that the group "expects to raise $8.5 million this year and spend about $7 million on advertisements, including the commercial about Wright."

From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution article:

"John McCain is a great American," Martin said at a news conference at the state Capitol. "And he served his country with distinction. All Georgians know that."

But, Martin said, Georgia voters need a senator who will work with President-elect Barack Obama, not fight him.

"You can bring in all the political leaders of the past, like Saxby Chambliss is to shore up his position, but truthfully, it's the old politics. We're moving forward, and are taking our message to voters," Martin said.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, meanwhile, has purchased a week's worth of ads on metro Atlanta television stations for Martin.

Chambliss, standing with Ensign, predicted Democrats will spend "millions and millions on the airwaves to try to discredit me."

"The Democrats are going to try to buy this race," Chambliss said. Neither Chambliss nor Ensign, however, would say how much the GOP plans to spend on the runoff. Democrats have been equally evasive about how much they plan to spend.

Martin said there continues to be no word from Obama about a potential visit to the state before Dec. 2. He said his campaign is moving forward with the same plan as the primary, the primary runoff and the general election: appeal to middle class voters that he will be a voice for them in Washington.

From The Caucus post:

The National Republican Senatorial Committee isn't leaving anything to chance in Georgia, where one of the three outstanding Senate races is heading toward a run-off on Dec. 2. Today, for example, the group began running a new ad attacking Jim Martin, the Democratic challenger, on his tax record in the Georgia assembly.

Senator Saxby Chambliss received a plurality of votes on Nov. 4, but because he did not take a majority, the contest heads to a run-off. The N.R.S.C.'s television ad features a bluesy soundtrack and ends with pictures of Mr. Martin, Senator Charles E. Schumer and Representative Nancy Pelosi as an announcer says, "With unchecked power hanging in the balance, Georgia can't afford another liberal like Jim Martin in Washington."

From the website of NRT PAC: