ATLANTA --- Vernon Jones and Jim Martin clashed on several topics during a televised debate Tuesday, a week before the pair face off in a runoff for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
While they agreed on all substantive issues, the two traded shots over who voted for whom in past presidential elections and over campaign tactics. Each accused the other of dishonesty, and Mr. Jones refused to say he would even support Mr. Martin if he won the runoff.
Mr. Jones, 46, the chief executive officer of DeKalb County, and Mr. Martin, 62, a former legislator and one-time commissioner of human resources for the state, finished first and second in the July 15 primary. Neither won more than 50 percent in the five-man contest, prompting the runoff to determine which will face Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss and Libertarian Allen Buckley in November. Mr. Jones repeatedly referred to Mr. Martin's vote for John Edwards in Georgia's presidential primary in February rather than Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, even though Mr. Edwards had dropped out of the race. Mr. Martin said he was fulfilling a commitment he had made months earlier to Mr. Edwards.
Mr. Martin hammered Mr. Jones for voting for President Bush twice and for putting Mr. Obama's picture on a campaign flyer even though Mr. Obama had not endorsed him.
"What was it about Senator Barack Obama who wanted to be president, or Hillary Clinton, who wanted to be president? You voted against both of them and voted for someone who was not in the race any more," Mr. Jones said.
Mr. Martin responded that he was supporting a Democrat.
"I do not think it's appropriate for a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate to have bragged on the fact that they voted for the current Republican president of the United States," Mr. Martin said.
Both support universal healthcare, increased federal spending for education and alternative fuels, and withdrawal of troops from Iraq on a schedule determined by military commanders.
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