GA Senate Candidate Jim Martin's concession a class act

Written by: publius on Dec 5, 2008 10:33 PM EST

Remarks to Supporters
December 2, 2008

Tonight, the voters of Georgia have spoken. I accept the decision that has been made. I called Senator Chambliss and congratulated Saxby and Julianne on his re-election to the United States Senate.

I want to thank my wife Joan for her constant love and support. I want to thank my family and campaign team, and all you volunteers who came in from all over the country - thank you so much. I want to thank all the Georgians who have helped me in this campaign and all the Georgians who voted for me. I am proud of each of you and of the campaign we ran.

For me and my family and campaign team, and all of you, this is a sad moment.

In a similar situation over 50 years ago, Adlai Stevenson reminded us that, "It is traditionally American to fight hard before an election. It is equally traditional to close ranks as soon as the people have spoken."

But it hurts.

Adlai Stevenson quoted Abraham Lincoln's remark after an election defeat in which he said he "felt like a little boy who stubbed his toe in the dark. He said he was too old to cry, but it hurt too much to laugh."

I know our campaign has been successful even though we did not win. But that success does not belong to me.

It belongs to my family, who worked so hard on my behalf.

It belongs to my campaign staff, who worked so hard and so well.

It belongs to my brothers and my sisters-in-law, who have been so great for all of these years.

It belongs to all my supporters who so generously contributed their money and time to make this campaign possible.

After he lost his primary campaign to President Jimmy Carter, Senator Edward Kennedy addressed the Democratic Convention. He concluded his remarks with a statement that still inspires me. And I hope it will inspire you. "For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."

So it is in our defeat tonight we celebrate a victory beyond our campaign. We celebrate a campaign that stood up for Georgians and for the important issues: ending top-down economics that is destroying our middle class, ending the war in Iraq and regaining our moral leadership in the world, protecting our environment, celebrating our wonderful diversity, creating a health care system that is available to all, and helping those in our society whom Hubert Humphrey described as in the sunrise of life, in the sunset of life, and in the shadows of life.

I have a special word for Democrats and Republicans.

To Georgia Democrats: although we did not win this campaign, we won the Presidency, and that is more important. Barack Obama will be a great President, and with his leadership, this country has a bright future.

And in Georgia, in this process, as Democrats, we found our soul. We are the party of opportunity for all Georgians, with a base as broad as our vision.

To Georgia Republicans: for generations the hope for the South has been the development of a viable two-party system, so that public policy is formed by a free debate of all ideas. You have some good ideas. We do, too. Others have other ideas that are just as good. Let us engage in a discourse of mutual respect about how we can move Georgia and our country ahead together. In these difficult times, we need each other.

God bless each of you, and God bless America.

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Location: Macon, GA 31210