This page was last updated on September 4, 2004.

Mr. Guinn joins a “distinguished” group regurgitating the Max Cleland urban legend.  Members of this group include Gino Piroli, Edward Hum, and others.

The myth goes something like this.

1.     Cleland, a triple-amputee Vietnam veteran, was wildly popular in Georgia.

2.     Cleland lost re-election to the Senate in 2002 because a Republican ad questioned his courage and/or patriotism.

Here are the facts.

1.     Cleland was not wildly popular.  Less than half of Georgia voters supported Cleland in his initial election in 1996.  Cleland barely won the 1996 election with only a plurality of the vote, 49% to 48%.

2.     Georgia Democrats are not Massachusetts Democrats.  Georgians, including Democrats, are relatively conservative, but Cleland is very liberal.  His lifetime Americans for Democratic Action – a liberal lobbying organization – voting rating was 83%, where 100% is purely liberal.  This was far above the average even for the Georgia Democrat delegation.

3.     As contrast to Cleland, consider the following.  Bush defeated Gore in Georgia with 55% of the vote.  In 2004, the remaining Georgia Democrat senator, Zell Miller, is campaigning for President Bush.  Does this sound like a state that would support a liberal senator?

4.     Cleland voted multiple times against formation of the Department of Homeland Security.  Cleland ultimately voted for the bill, but by then it was too late.

5.     Cleland opposed the bill because it did not guarantee a role for organized labor management.  That was not a popular stand because Georgia is a right-to-work state.

6.     The ad cited by Democrats questioned Cleland’s domestic security voting record and his claimed support for President Bush’s homeland security initiatives.  The ad was tough but did not question Cleland’s courage or patriotism in any way.  Don’t take my word for it.  You can see the ad here.  You will need RealOne Player installed to view the ad.

7.     Cleland’s opponent, Saxby Chambliss, was popular as evidenced by his four terms in the House.

8.     Chambliss won the 2002 election 53% to 46% despite the fact Cleland outspent him by 36% ($2.7 million).

The bottom line is, Cleland lost his Senate seat because his voting record did not represent the will of the people.

Before the next time Messrs. Guinn, Hum, Piroli, et al spread the Max Cleland myth, let’s hope they do their homework.  Of course, they may already know it’s a myth.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“I offer my congratulations to letter writer Bill White (‘Reasons to vote for Bush?’ Thursday).  He eloquently stated the case for (against) Bush.

“Concerning Max Cleland, Where are the veterans’ organizations?  Why don’t they speak out about the Bush administrations [sic] treatment of this man?”

[RWC] Mr. Guinn doesn’t even describe the alleged treatment.  That’s a clear sign a person doesn’t know what he’s talking about.  My guess is Mr. Guinn simply heard or read “Max Cleland was abused by those evil Republicans” and didn’t bother to learn the alleged facts of the accusation or attempt to verify their truthfulness.

Though Democrats have been spreading this myth for nearly two years now, I believe Mr. Guinn is the first person I’ve seen blame the Bush administration.  I’m sure Guinn, Hum, Piroli, et al don’t know the following tidbit.  In 2003, that evil President Bush appointed Max Cleland to the board of directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a four-year term.  President Bush made this appointment even after Cleland bashed Mr. Bush on a variety of topics, including the 9/11 Commission.  The position pays $136,000/year.  Boy, President Bush treated Cleland poorly. <g>

“The former U.S. senator from Georgia didn’t hide when the bugle sounded, and he didn’t have other things to do.

“By the way, why do Georgians allow one of their own to be abused in this manner?”

[RWC] Because, Mr. Guinn, the alleged “abuse” never happened.  If you want to talk about abuse, what do you call it when a candidate for President – John Kerry – won’t confront his attackers – Swift Boat Veterans for Truth – but instead sends a wheelchair-bound triple amputee – Max Cleland – on a political stunt?

“I remain a concerned citizen.  The only way we can stop the Bush farce is to register to vote and vote against him.”

[RWC] Yeah, we get it.  Mr. Guinn is a “concerned” partisan.  He’s concerned we won’t elect John Kerry president.

© 2004 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.