Blogging for Max

1:50 a.m. - Well, we’re going to bed for the night. As of right now, Barrow has a 3,146 vote lead on Burns with 95% of precincts reported, but it is FAR FROM OVER. To the best of our knowledge, it will be days, weeks or possibly longer before this race is decided. There’s a huge mess with nine precincts in Effingham County and a few precincts across the district are still unaccounted for. There is also a good chance that there will be a recount. What happens next? We have no idea. But Blogging for Max will continue to bring you every possible bit of information we can until this thing is finally decided.

12:19 a.m. - They’re closing up shop for the night and we’re packing it up. It’s too close to call and we won’t know about Effingham until the morning. It looks like we’re going into extra innings and we’ll have complete coverage as soon as we know what’s going on.

12:16 a.m. - Some more numbers are showing on the SoS site from Richmond County. They’re showing 93% of precincts reporting with Burns down to 48.65% and Barrow up to 51.35%. If true, Burns is now down 3,552 votes. But there’s so much confusion and legal technicalities that we can’t confirm that. As of now we’re hearing Burns is trailing between 800 and 3500 votes. There’s still one precinct from Richmond County showns as outstanding, a few others from a handful of counties, and the mess in Effingham County. We’ve heard that the votes have been sealed and lawyers from all sides are meeting with law enforcement officials in Effingham to work on the situation.

12:04 a.m. - We’re holding tight at the Victory Celebration, still unsure of what’s going on in Effingham County. It’s looking like we probably won’t know anything tonight. On a side note, we want to wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Max Burns! We were hoping to get him a birthday present in the form of a win, and we still probably will, but it possibly will not come until tomorrow. We’ll let you know about the Effingham situation as soon as we have more.

11:24 p.m. - Right now there’s a confirmed report that the ballots in Effingham County have been “sealed” due to a malfunction with the vote-counting machines. Lawyers from Savannah are en route to work on the problem, but it may a be a while before we have anything from Effingham. Stay tuned.

11:19 p.m. - We’re hearing that Effingham County is having computer problems and that Burns is now unofficially withing 977 votes of Barrow.

11:11 p.m. - Burns just addressed supporters gathered here in Statesboro. He told the crowd that the numbers are inside of a point and come down to nine precincts in Effingham County. This is going to be a nail-biter to the bitter end.

11:04 p.m. - UPDATE: 92% of precincts are in: Barrow holds 50.5% of the vote to Burns’ 49.5%. Barrow holds a very slim 1,277 vote lead. This thing really comes down to Effingham and a recount is looking like a possibility.

10:59 p.m. - All of Screven County is now in: Burns won 2319-1579. That bumps Burns’ total percentage to 48.78%. Barrow is now at 51.22%.

10:54 p.m. - The numbers have hit a lull. We have 86% reporting, with Barrow at 56,342 votes (51.25%) and Burns at 53,598 votes (48.75%). We’re still waiting on precincts in Toombs, Effingham, Bulloch, Richmond, Screven and a few others.

10:35 p.m. - All of Chatham and most of Richmond are in: Barrow has won 64% and 65% respectively. Richmond has 36 of 44 precincts reporting and Chatham shows all 73.

10:24 p.m. - The official results are holding steady at 74% reporting: Barrow is up 51.15% to 48.85% for Burns.

10:19 p.m. - With 67 out of 73 precincts in from Chatham County: Barrow leads the county total 16,228 to 9,071.

10:09 p.m. - New totals. With 70% of precincts official reporting: Burns 49.1 %, Barrow 50.9%.

10:02 p.m. - All of Screven, Treutlen and Montgomery are in: 2319-1579 Burns, 753-715 Burns and 1247-802 Burns respectively.

9:56 p.m. - With eight of 14 precincts from Burns’ home base of Screven County in: Burns 877 votes, Barrow 605 votes.

9:49 p.m. - The SoS site has 60% of precincts reporting and Burns holds an 86 vote lead (50.05%) out of a total of 66,718 votes.

9:47 p.m. - Our source is telling us that, with 59% of precincts reporting, Burns has 52.1% to Barrow’s 47.9 %.

9:41 p.m. - The new numbers include crushing wins for Burns in Jenkins and Glascock Counties, carrying 60.23% and 58.13% respectively.

9:34 p.m. - We have just heard that, with 56% of the vote reported, Burns has 53% to Barrow’s 47%.

9:30 p.m. - More from Richmond County: Barrow has 55.57% of the vote with 28 of 75 precincts reporting. Burns has 3419 votes (44.25%).

9:27 p.m. - The official Augusta Elections site is reporting that, with 28 of 75 precincts reporting in Richmond County, the votes there are: 4294 Barrow, 3419 Burns.

9:24 p.m. - We’re hearing that with 49% reporting, Burns has won 52.47% of the vote to Barrow’s 47.53%.

9:22 p.m. - With all 17 precincts from Burke County reporting, Burns has won by exactly 100 votes. A total of 2188 voted.

9:13 p.m. - We’re hearing that, with 45% of precincts reporting, Burns is at 53%, Barrow at 47%.

9:07 p.m. - Four more precincts from Bulloch County: Burns 3074, Barrow 1604. With 35% reporting, Burns is at 51.52% and Barrow is at 48.48%.

9:03 p.m. - With six more precincts from Chatham County: Burns has 1877 votes to Barrow’s 3237. New totals: 25694 votes (29%), Burns 12,952 (50.41%), Barrow 12,742 (49.59).

8:59 p.m. - Seven of seven from Jenkins County, Burns 1141 votes, Barrow 822 votes. In Baldwin County, nine of 15 precincts are in and Burns took 918 votes to Barrow’s 1434. More from Warren County, with seven of eight in, 768-669 Barrow.

8:52 p.m. - More from Chatham County: with 18 of 73 precincts reporting, Burns has 1606 votes, Barrow has 2339 votes. From Evans County: four of 12 in, 616-342 Burns. Totals: 26% of precincts reporting, Burns 52.45%, Barrow 47.55%.

8:44 p.m. - More numbers:.Washington County, four of 10 reporting: Burns 675, Barrow 622. With reports from five of nine precincts from Johnson County, 557-316 Burns. With six of eight precincts in Warren reporting: Burns 425, Barrow 382. New totals: 78 of 349 precincts in, 54.57 % Burns, 45.43% Barrow.

8:38 p.m. - BIG ONE for Burns. With four of 18 precincts in from Bulloch County: Burns 2016 votes, Barrow 948 votes. New totals: 18% of precincts in, Burns 54.3%, Barrow 45.7%.

8:32 p.m. - New numbers from Glascock County: with five of six precincts in, Burns 324, Barrow 85. From Chatham, with seven of 73 precincts reporting, Burns 345, Barrow 320. New totals: with 6320 votes and 49 of 349 precincts reporting, Burns has 52.02% of the vote, Barrow is at 48.98%

8:24 p.m. - New reports. From Burke County: 17 out of 17 precincts reporting, Burns 414 votes, Barrow 335 votes. With three of eight precincts from Treutlen: Burns 153 votes, Barrow 90 votes. With three of four precincts from Taliaferro: Burns 169 votes, Barrow 311 votes. Totals: 5210 votes - Burns 50.12%, Barrow 49.88%.

8:16 p.m. - An update from Jenkins County: with five of seven precincts reporting, Burns 711 votes, Barrow 597 votes. From Baldwin County: with 5 of 15 precincts reporting, Burns 297, Barrow 694. The new totals are 3738 votes, Burns 50.16%, Barrow 49.84%.

8:11 p.m. - Report from a precinct Johnson County: Burns 167 votes, Barrow 94 votes.

8:03 p.m. - Two new counties with precincts reporting: Jenkins County is dead even with 380 votes a piece for Burns and Barrow; in Candler County, Burns picked up 509 votes while Barrow grabbed 272. Totals: 2219 votes, Burns 1247 (56.2%), Barrow 972 (43.8%).

7:57 p.m. - Precinct report from Glascock County. Out of 54 total votes, 39 for Burns, 15 for Barrow.

7:50 p.m. - We’ve got reports from precincts in Oconee and Riddleville. Votes: in Riddleville, Burns 146, Barrow 105; in Oconee, Burns 93, Barrow 130.

7:42 p.m. - The first numbers for the 12th are showing up on the SoS site. It still shows 0% reporting and only 624 votes from Washington County, Max Burns is up 51.1% to 48.9%.

7:38 p.m. - People are beginning to file in here at Victory HQ. Cash bar and refreshments. Entry is free, so if you’re in the Statesboro area and support Max Burns, swing on by. We’re starting to see numbers on the Secretary of State site, but it’s still WAY TOO EARLY and there’s nothing on the 12th. On a side note, the campaign staff is in good spirits and the mood here is tense but upbeat.

7:15 p.m. - We are at the Max Burns “Victory Celebration 2006” in Statesboro and are ready to LIVE-BLOG. Blogging for Max will have ALL of the news and information from the 12th District race between former Congressman Max Burns (R) and Rep. John Barrow (D) as it happens, in REAL-TIME. The polls have JUST closed, the event is about to kick-off, and we’re ready to bring you LIVE information as we get it. We are your only source for UP-TO-THE-MINUTE coverage of the FINALE to this heated race - so keep your browser REFRESHED and stay logged-on to www.bloggingformax.com through the night until a winner is called. We will be here till the end, bringing you live election results, interviews, quotes, photos and other news/thoughts/observations. Spend your Election Night 2006 with Blogging for Max!

Don’t forget that Jack Kingston and Charlie Norwood will join Max in a fly-around tomorrow through the new 12th District. Rallies will be held at stops in Savannah, Statesboro, Milledgeville and Augusta. Well-wishers are encouraged to attend and show their support for Max. Election Day is Tuesday and this is a very tight race. See the complete schedule for times and details.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Max Burns, former Congressman and candidate for Georgia’s new 12th District, and wife Lora will team up to campaign across Georgia’s new 12th District for Election Day 2006.  Burns and his wife have been campaigning since June of last year and will work polls across the district this coming Tuesday.

Mr. Burns will begin rallying supporters at Milledgeville-area precincts early Tuesday morning, while Mrs. Burns does the same in Sylvania.  Mr. Burns will continue with similar stops and Sandersville, Augusta, Waynesboro, Sylvania, Springfield, Rincon and communities in Chatham County, while Mrs. Burns will work communities in Statesboro, Millen, Swainsboro, Vidalia, Glennville, Reidsville, Claxton and Metter.  The couple will meet to watch election results with the rest of their family in Statesboro that evening.

Burns will vote at 1:15 pm at his stop in Sylvania.

Burns and his entire family will be spending election night at Forest Heights Country Club in Statesboro.  The public and media are invited to attend.

Max Burns

7:00 – 7:45 am             Milledgeville – Courthouse Precinct, Baldwin County Courthouse, 121 N. Wilkinson Street

8:30 – 9:15 am             Sandersville – Sandersville Precinct, Washington County Recreation Department, 200 Franklin Hayes Blvd.

10:30 – 11:15 am         Augusta – 805, Southside Baptist Church, 3612 Mike Padgett Highway

11:45 – 12:30 am         Waynesboro – American Legion, 270 S. Liberty Street

1:15 – 1:45 pm             Sylvania (Max will vote at Jackson Fire Station Precinct, 2960 Old Poor Robin Road, Sylvania at this time)

2:15 – 2:45 pm             Springfield – Effingham County Board of Elections, 405 Ash Street, Springfield

3:15 – 3:45 pm             Rincon – 4B, Rincon Church of God Family Center, 3430 Highway 21 South

4:15 – 4: 45 pm            Port Wentworth – Port Wentworth Community Center, 300 Appleby Road

5:15 - 5:45 pm             Pooler – Rothwell Baptist Church, 216 E. Rothwell Street

6:15 -7:00 pm              Pooler – Pooler Town Hall, 100 Collins Street

Lora Burns

7:00- 8:00 am               Statesboro - Pittman Park United Methodist Church, 1102 Fair Road

8:30 – 9:30 am             Millen - Senior Citizens Building, 998 E. College Avenue

10:00 – 11:00 am         Swainsboro - Earl Varner 4-H Center, 220 S. Circle Drive

11:30 – 12:30 am         Vidalia - Vidalia Police Department, 101 Durden Street

1:00 – 2:00 pm             Reidsville - Manassas 2, Reidsville Armory 1, 161 Brumby Avenue

2:30 – 3:30 pm             Glennville - Glennville Baptist Church, 321 W. Barnard Street

4:00 – 5:00 pm             Claxton - Claxton City Hall, 204 W. Railroad Drive Street

5:30 – 7:00 pm             Metter - Metter Community Center, 435 N. Roundstreet Street

Victory Celebration ‘06

7:00 p.m.

Forest Heights Country Club

3772 Country Club Road ~ Statesboro, Georgia

ELECTION NIGHT MEDIA CONTACT: TIM BAKER (912) 656-6851 - CELL

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Max Burns, former Congressman and candidate for Georgia’s new 12th District, and U.S. Representative Jack Kingston will tour Georgia’s new 12th District via airplane on Monday, November 6th, in support of Burns campaign to return to Congress. Burns and Kingston will begin the day with a kick-off rally at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, and then continue via private plane to rallies in Statesboro, Milledgeville and Augusta. U.S. Representative Charlie Norwood will join Kingston and Burns in Augusta.

9:45 AM
Savannah Airport Rally
Signature Terminal
1001 Davidson Drive
Savannah, GA

10:45 AM
Statesboro Airport Rally
Statesboro Airport
601 Airport Blvd
Statesboro, GA

11:30 AM
Visit to Statesboro High School for a Special Presentation
10 Lester Road
Statesboro, GA

12:45 PM
Visit Boyd’s Bar-B-Que
302 Northside Drive
Statesboro, GA
2:15 PM
Milledgeville Airport Rally
Baldwin County Airport
216 Airport Road, NE
Milledgeville, GA

3:30 PM
Augusta Airport
Daniel Field Airport
1771 Highland Avenue
Augusta, GA

Updated: 11/02/2006, 1:09 p.m.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Americans for Immigration Control, the Dustin Inman Society, and the Minuteman Political Action Committee will weigh in on key Georgia congressional races Friday during a series of news conferences in Macon, Augusta, and Savannah.

WHAT:

IMMIGRATION REFORM CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS

WHO:

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE AND FORMER U.S. REP. MAX BURNS
CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE AND FORMER U.S. REP. MAC COLLINS (MACON ONLY)
U.S. REP CHARLIE NORWOOD (AUGUSTA ONLY)
AMERICANS FOR IMMIGRATION CONTROL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PHIL KENT
DUSTIN  INMAN SOCIETY PRESIDENT D.A. KING
MINUTEMAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE PRESIDENT CHRIS SIMCOX

WHEN AND WHERE:

9:30AM MACON: CITY HALL, 700 Poplar Street
1:00PM AUGUSTA:  MUNICIPAL BLDG, 530 Greene Street
4:30PM SAVANNAH: CHATHAM CO SHERIFFS DEPT, 1050 Carl Griffin Drive

By Adam Fogle

President Bush will be in Chatham County tomorrow at a fundraiser for U.S. Congressional candidate Max Burns. Bush will be the featured speaker for the Thursday luncheon at Pooler’s Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.

Burns, a former Georgia Southern University Professor, is in a heated race with Democrat John Barrow for Georgia’s 12th District. Burns narrowly lost the seat in 2004, and polls suggest this year’s rematch is a dead heat.

The president will attend the fundraiser after delivering a policy speech in Atlanta.

Besides the expected financial boost, many believe that Bush’s visit demonstrates the importance the National Republican Party is placing on this race. Democrats need to pick up only 15 seats to regain control of the House, so the Georgia 12th could be crucial in determining the outcome.

For coverage of the president’s 1:15 pm speech in Pooler, turn to WSAV 3. The feed will also be going out to FOX News, CNN, and every other major news network.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Max Burns, former Congressman and candidate for Georgia’s new 12th U.S. Congressional District, will participate in a forum with Athens trial lawyer John Barrow Monday, August 28, at 7 pm for the first debate of the election at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville. The event will be held in the Student Center’s Magnolia Ballroom.

GCSU faculty members and regional media representatives, including Bobby Matthews, Managing Editor of Milledgville’s Union Recorder, will serve as panelists and pose questions to the candidates. Macon WMAZ 13’s Randall Savage will function as moderator.

The Candidate Forum is sponsored by the GCSU American Democracy Project, College Republicans, Young Democrats, the Government and Sociology Department, Georgia League of Women Voters, and the Coverdell Institute.

The public is invited to attend and there will be an opportunity to speak with the candidates after the forum. The Student Center is located on West Hancock Street, across from the Georgia College campus.

For more information, contact Gregg Kaufman, Director of the Coverdell Institute, (478) 445-1711.

From the campaign:

(Savannah, Georgia) – Max Burns will conduct an Agriculture Listening Tour across Georgia’s new 12^th District Tuesday, August 1 through Friday, August 4. The tour will take Burns to various farm facilities in the new district from Vidalia to Davisboro to Waynesboro to Statesboro and locations in between.

“It’s always good to get out in the community and listen to the farmers talk about the issues facing the agricultural community on a daily basis,” said Burns. “These visits with folks in the ag country will provide me an opportunity to hear firsthand what is working and what’s not working for them. I look forward to taking what I hear back to Washington and applying it to my work on the House Agriculture Committee during this next Congress,” Burns added.

Burns, a former 12^th District Congressman and member of the House Committee on Agriculture, is the only farmer and rural candidate in the race. Burns and his wife Lora still live today on the family farm in Screven County, where they have spent a lifetime working in and around agriculture, growing corn, soybeans, hay, oats, and timber, and raising beef cattle.

A complete listing of Burns’ Agriculture Listening Tour is listed below, and 12^th District farmers and agribusiness community members are invited to attend.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Members of the media are invited to attend all events. Please contact Tim Baker at (912) 353-9626 for more information.

Tuesday, August 1, 2006

8:00AM     Emanuel County Listening Session

Webb Brothers Transfer

3728 Highway 80 East ~Twin City

Coffee and Biscuits will be provided.

6:30PM     Toombs County Listening Session

Frogs Pad – South of Vidalia on Highway 15/29

Fish Fry Dinner will be provided.

Wednesday, August 2, 2006

9:00AM     Washington County Listening Session

AGrowStar

12389 Highway 24 East ~ Davisboro

Coffee and Biscuits will be provided.

Thursday, August 3, 2006

7:30AM     Screven County Listening Session

Old Gold Kist Store

201 Industrial Road ~ Sylvania

Coffee and Biscuits will be provided.

6:30PM     Burke County Listening Session

Southern Auto Store

551 Academy Avenue ~ Waynesboro

BBQ Dinner will be provided.

Friday, August 4, 2006

8:00AM     Bulloch County Listening Session

Agribusiness Center

151 Langston Chapel Road ~ Statesboro

Coffee and Biscuits will be provided.

The next big Max event will take place this Friday, July 28, at 8:30am, when Max will be hosting the Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Ken Mehlman. The breakfast will be held at Johnny Harris’ Restaurant in downtown Savannah. Tickets are $10 and are more than worth the price.

Mehlman, born in Baltimore, Md. in 1967, is a Harvard Law graduate and served as the Campaign Manager for President Bush’ 2004 re-election campaign.

For more information call Barbara at (912) 353-9626.