The line of politicians stretched from one end of the 1818 Club to the other, almost overwhelming those who came to hear them.

About 65 candidates, virtually everyone with his or her name on the lengthy July 20 ballot, were at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce's Meet the Candidates Forum on Friday morning.

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They all had a chance to speak — but only for one minute each. For politicians, it was agony.

"It's harder to take a 10-minute speech and put it into one minute than it is to take a three-minute speech and stretch it into 20," said Mike Muntean, a Republican candidate in state House District 98. "I thought most of the candidates did fantastically well."

One misstatement came from state Sen. Gloria Butler (D-Clarkston), a candidate in state Senate District 55. She gave a brief summary of her legislative experience, then said, "My experience, my leadership have been detrimental to getting things done in this state. I ask you for your support." No doubt she meant to say "instrumental," but people in the audience shot "did-she-really-say-that?" glances at each other. One opponent clapped at her misstep.

Most candidates gave their names and the positions sought and talked a little about their qualifications. A few talked about issues.

Lined up in a crowd, it was hard to stand out. Jerry Wyatt, Republican candidate in state Senate District 55, found a way to be remembered. After a brief introduction, he said, "My name is Jerry Wyatt, and I'm a candidate for Senate District 55. My name is Jerry Wyatt, and I'm a candidate for Senate District 55." Six times he said it. People laughed.

The tables were covered with candidates' literature. Some pieces looked as if they had been produced on home computers, while others were slick and glossy.

Judicial candidate Chung Lee put together a packet that included literature and three fortune cookies with messages that said, "Please vote for Magistrate Judge for Gwinnett State Court Judge." But he came late and didn't get to put them on all the tables.

For the most part, the candidates minded their manners.

Former state Sen. Joe Burton, a Republican from Atlanta, talked a little bit about some things he did in his years in the Senate before retiring in 2002. He's running in state Senate District 41.

When his opponent Jennings Thompson spoke, he blurted out that he had been the victim of dirty tricks by Burton. Burton seemed surprised at the accusation, and shook his head, but didn't interrupt.

"I wish I had been testifying after him," Burton said later. "I'm a Christian man. I don't tell lies. I don't know what he's up to. I don't want to knock the guy. My friends say I shouldn't jump in the gutter with him, and so I'm not."

About 160 people attended the forum.

Wayne Pulkin, 53, of Lilburn said he didn't hear anything that convinced him one way or another, but he said he found the forum useful anyway.

"I put faces with names," he said. "I wanted to see how they get their message out. Some did really good. Some didn't."