Saxby Chambliss Wins Ga. Senate Runoff

Republican's Victory Ends Democratic Hopes Of Achieving Filibuster-Proof Majority In Senate

(CBS/AP)  Georgia Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss handed the GOP a firewall against Democrats eager to flex their newfound political muscle in Washington, winning a bruising runoff battle Tuesday night that had captured the national limelight.

Chambliss' victory thwarted Democrats' hopes of winning a 60-seat filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. It came after a bitter monthlong runoff against Democrat Jim Martin that drew political luminaries from both parties to the state and flooded the airwaves with fresh attack ads weeks after campaigns elsewhere had ended.

Minnesota - where a recount is under way - now remains the only unresolved Senate contest in the country. But the stakes there are significantly lower now that Georgia has put a supermajority out of reach of Democrats.

With 96 percent of the precincts reporting, Chambliss captured 57 percent to Martin's 43 percent. Chambliss' win is a rare bright spot for Republicans in a year where they lost the White House as well as seats in the House and the Senate.

"This is a rare tidbit of good news for a Republican Party reeling from November's losses," said CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "While it may seem to have stopped the bleeding, the party remains in the kind of minority status it has not seen since the early 1990s. A runoff victory in a strong Southern state is thin thread upon which to build a political comeback. At the same time, the result is a caution signal to President-elect Obama that his election mandate has its limits."

Martin called Chambliss to concede before 10 p.m., then emerged to tell supporters as his voice cracked: "For me and my family and campaign team and all of you this is a sad moment."

Chambliss declared victory before about 500 cheering Republicans in Cobb County saying he'd hoped to win the race outright on Nov. 4. During the general election, it was a three-way race for the seat and neither Martin nor Chambliss was able to secure the necessary 50 percent to avoid the runoff.

"But you know, God works in strange ways," Chambliss said. "What we have seen over the last four weeks has truly been remarkable."

Chambliss' mantra on the campaign trail was simple: His re-election was critical to prevent Democrats in Washington from having a blank check. Chambliss, 65, had angered some conservatives with his vote for the $700 billion bailout of the financial services industry and his early support in 2007 for the guest worker provision in President George W. Bush's immigration bill. But fearful of unchecked Democratic dominance, some came back into the GOP fold Tuesday.

Martin made the economy the centerpiece of his bid, casting himself as a champion for the neglected middle class. He also linked himself at every opportunity to Barack Obama and his message of change. The Democratic president-elect was a no show on the campaign trail in Georgia but did record a radio ad and automated phone calls for Martin.

In the end, Martin, a 63-year-old former state lawmaker from Atlanta, wasn't able to get Obama voters back to the polls in large enough numbers to overcome the Republican advantage in Georgia, which has become an increasingly a reliable red state since 2002.

With most precincts reporting, turnout stood at about 35 percent. That's higher than the 20 percent predicted by a spokesman for Secretary of State Karen Handel but far less than the 65 percent who voted in last month's general election.

The runoff between the former University of Georgia fraternity brothers was necessary after a three-way general election prevented any of the candidates from getting the necessary 50 percent.

Chambliss came to the Senate in 2002 after defeating Democratic Sen. Max Cleland in a campaign that infuriated Democrats. Chambliss ran a TV ad that questioned Cleland's commitment to national security and flashed a photo of Osama bin Laden. Cleland is a triple amputee wounded in the Vietnam War.

He was a loyal Bush supporter and, as a freshman, rose to become chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. the former agriculture lawyer from Moultrie has been the ranking Republican on the panel since Democrats won control of the Senate.

Some 3.7 million people cast ballots in this year's general election, and both sides have since tried to keep voters' attention with a barrage of ads and visits by political heavy-hitters.

Former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore both stumped for Martin.

Several ex-Republican presidential candidates made appearances for Chambliss, including GOP nominee John McCain, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Chambliss brought in Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain's vice presidential pick, as his closer. She headlined four rallies for Chambliss across the state Monday that drew thousands of party faithful.

[earache4]

Let''s see if the Wicked Witch of Wasilla can keep her streak going....

[louiville2]

Let''''s see if the Wicked Witch of Wasilla can keep her streak going....

Posted by earache4

Hand wringing democrat is there any other kind?

[earache4]

Hand wringing democrat is there any other kind?
Posted by louiville2 at 09:51 AM

Sorry to spoil your little affront, but I am not a democrat.....

[earache4]

By the way, where''s Levi?

[aldon61]

I''d like to see a Martin victory but it''s not likely to happen. Chambliss *** near avoided a run-off in November and that was with Obama on the ticket to help Martin. Barring a miricle, Chambliss will return.

[aldon61]

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told Al-Arabiyah TV that Obama "will not have the same enthusiasm and momentum for this situation" in Iraq as President Bush.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by TheMasses10 at 10:57 AM : Dec 02, 2008

What''s this got to do with this story line?

[noloyalisti]

Let''s hope the hopeless bimbo Palin gave Saxby the Republican Death Party kiss of death. Honestly, I can''t imagine someone actually voting for either of these evil, anti-American morons, even holding their noses against the stench of corrupt slime.

[usclimey]

Remember Chambliss was the pile of dung who intimated that his 2002 opponent Max Cleland, a Viet Nam triple amputee, was lacking in courage. Just goes to show how ignorant the denizens of GA are.

[actornaught]

...how ignorant the denizens of GA are.
Posted by usclimey at 12:53 PM : Dec 02, 2008

They elected that archetypical disgraced scumbag, newt gingrich.

Doesn''t give you much hope...

[louiville2]

Sorry to spoil your little affront, but I am not a democrat.....

Posted by earache4

Yeah whatever if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck it''s a duck.

[louiville2]

Let''''s hope the hopeless bimbo Palin gave Saxby the Republican Death Party kiss of death. Honestly, I can''''t imagine someone actually voting for either of these evil, anti-American morons, even holding their noses against the stench of corrupt slime.

Posted by noloyalisti

Another know nothing troll.

[actornaught]

I like the part about how Sarah Palin hasn''t even been in the Alaska state capitol since August. Now her popularity is slipping amongst her supposed constituents. What do you expect from someone that''s a failed beauty queen, and barely got a BA in Journalism...

[louiville2]

I like the part about how Sarah Palin hasn''''t even been in the Alaska state capitol since August. Now her popularity is slipping amongst her supposed constituents. What do you expect from someone that''''s a failed beauty queen, and barely got a BA in Journalism...

Posted by actornaught

And what State are you Governor of?

[hatesthecolt]

I don''t hold much hope for Martin unfortunately. Chambliss is polling 78% among white (read: Cracker redneck) voters in the state. Just goes to show Georgia is STILL trapped in the 19th century.

[actornaught]

And what State are you Governor of?
Posted by louiville2 at 02:23 PM : Dec 02, 2008

You''re crying...

[louiville2]

You''''re crying...

Posted by actornaught

It''s your hypocrite troll comment unless you''re a Governor? You obviously have no room to talk.

"What do you expect from someone that''''s a failed beauty queen, and barely got a BA in Journalism."

[earache4]

Yeah whatever if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck it''s a duck.
Posted by louiville2 at 01:55 PM

That is a pretty generalized statement. That would be like me saying not all republicans are racist, but all racists are republican.

[hatesthecolt]

"What do you expect from someone that''''''''s a failed beauty queen, and barely got a BA in Journalism."

Posted by louiville2

That''s not a troll comment it''s pure truth. She''s an illeducated poor-speaking third rate intellect whose has among her sparse claims to fame is that some people regard her as physically attractive.

[noloyalisti]

Let''s hope most of the voters there have wised up and no longer want anti-American Republicans who represent the rich elite in office. After all, we saw that all they are about is war and spending, spying and torture. Oh, and keeping the sheeple frightened.

[louiville2]

That''''s not a troll comment it''''s pure truth. She''''s an illeducated poor-speaking third rate intellect whose has among her sparse claims to fame is that some people regard her as physically attractive.

Posted by hatesthecolt

Just change she to he and you have Obama without his earpiece who looks now like a drowning man grasping at straws.

[hatesthecolt]

ust change she to he and you have Obama without his earpiece who looks now like a drowning man grasping at straws.

Posted by louiville2

nice try, but I hardly think you can compare that ditz to an Ivy league educated lawyer who can speak extemporaneously on a wide variety of topics and has been abroad. In fact, he did as extensive tour of cooperative threat reduction sites in Russia with Republican Senator Lugar (as opposed to looking at Russia through his window).

[hatesthecolt]

ust change she to he and you have Obama without his earpiece who looks now like a drowning man grasping at straws.

Posted by louiville2

nice try, but I hardly think you can compare that ditz to an Ivy league educated lawyer who can speak extemporaneously on a wide variety of topics and has been abroad. In fact, he did as extensive tour of cooperative threat reduction sites in Russia with Republican Senator Lugar (as opposed to looking at Russia through his window).

[actornaught]

Posted by hatesthecolt at 03:11 PM : Dec 02, 2008

You have to go easy on loui (not). It''s tough trying to see the computer monitor through all those tears. I mean, i read that run-on fractured sentence of his about 5 times and i''m still not sure what he meant to say.

[earache4]

Saxby is such a red neck, his whole head is red.

[earache4]

P.S. Nice comb-over, Saxby...

[hatesthecolt]

Posted by actornaught

I have a really hard time being generous with these guys... they gloated like maniacs in 2000 and 2004 stolen elections and then ran the country into the ground. My attitude at this point is, if Lou or any of them are going to shoot their mouths off now, they can dam ned well support it. And if I get to rub a little salt in the process, even better ; )

[usclimey]

Just change she to he and you have Obama without his earpiece who looks now like a drowning man grasping at straws.

Posted by louiville2

"an illeducated poor-speaking third rate intellect whose has among (his) sparse claims to fame is that some people regard her as physically attractive."

Wow - Magna *** laude Harvard Law; editor of the Harvard Law Review a "third rate intellect" hunh. What did you get your third Nobel prize in? Obviously to consider Obama a "third rate intellect" you have to have three. In reality if you own a pet you''re not the leading intellect in your trailer.

[hatesthecolt]

Wow - Magna *** laude Harvard Law; editor of the Harvard Law Review a "third rate intellect" hunh. What did you get your third Nobel prize in? Obviously to consider Obama a "third rate intellect" you have to have three. In reality if you own a pet you''''re not the leading intellect in your trailer.

Posted by usclimey

Spoken like someone who couldn''t get into a decent school. I don''t have to be as well educated to admire and appreciate someone who is. In fact, I do NOt want someone "like me" to be president, I WANT someone who is smarter than I am to be president; I actually hold the person in that office to a higher standard.

[usclimey]

Spoken like someone who couldn''''t get into a decent school. I don''''t have to be as well educated to admire and appreciate someone who is. In fact, I do NOt want someone "like me" to be president, I WANT someone who is smarter than I am to be president; I actually hold the person in that office to a higher standard.

Posted by hatesthecolt

I was actually referring to louiville''s comment - not yours

[usclimey]

Spoken like someone who couldn''''''''t get into a decent school. I don''''''''t have to be as well educated to admire and appreciate someone who is. In fact, I do NOt want someone "like me" to be president, I WANT someone who is smarter than I am to be president; I actually hold the person in that office to a higher standard.

Posted by hatesthecolt

I actually agree with you completely - it was louiville comment taking you Palin quote and applying it to Obama that I objected to.

[hatesthecolt]

I actually agree with you completely - it was louiville comment taking you Palin quote and applying it to Obama that I objected to.

Posted by usclimey

Sorry! I lettered in conclusion-jumping in school and as you can see I am quite good at it!

[erich_1-2009]

Senator Chambliss will win this one very big.

The African-American votes are not coming in this time.

[bjcone8559]

"Chambliss, 65, is seeking a second term after winning in 2002 against Democratic Sen. Max Cleland in a campaign that infuriated Democrats. Chambliss ran a TV ad that questioned Cleland''s commitment to national security and flashed a photo of Osama bin Laden. Cleland is a triple amputee wounded in the Vietnam War."



As a Vietnam vet, I would give a month''s pay for the opportunity to slap the shiite out of this piece of skunk dung, chicken-hawk, wide-stance, pekker-breath, good-for-nothing Chambliss. I hope he suffers a horrible and painful disease that sets in right away and lasts for decades.

[erich_1-2009]

whoa...68% to 32%...closer than I thought.

[jowand]

Wow - Magna *** laude Harvard Law; editor of the Harvard Law Review a "third rate intellect" hunh. What did you get your third Nobel prize in? Obviously to consider Obama a "third rate intellect" you have to have three. In reality if you own a pet you''''re not the leading intellect in your trailer.

Posted by usclimey at 04:09 PM : Dec 02, 2008

Not quite as good as Summa C.u.m Laude and he never wrote an opinion while Editor of the Harvard Law Review, first person not to write one.

[donbl1]

Dang, I wanted the Democrats to have 60 votes and no excuse but to pass some of their nonsense from their platform.

Now, they will be afraid to bring up the bills for fear the Republicans will NOT filibuster..........

We could see some serious political reevaluation if the Democratic constituents do not get their rewards such as:

Unions with card check
G*ys with elmination of "don''t ask don''t tell"
Anti-war demonstrators
Freedom of Choice for not getting govt funding of abortion.

This will be interesting to watch.

[donbl1]

It is pronounced d''annnnnnng

[jowand]

Thirty days as President Elect and the referendum on his performance in tonights vote count doesn''t look good for Obama.

[CNH]

In the overall scheme of things, not that big of a deal. Repubs who read too much into it are acting like a football team that is getting its butt whipped 56-0, but manages to kick a field goal during the last minute of the second half and then acts as though it won the game. ("We got ''em now...!)

[clovisbuford]

his is media Bs on both sides , if dems had won they didnt have a guaranteed 60 votes to halt a flibuster , as "noble repulicans " acting like this is a firewall , have never seen how susan collins votes or olympia snow or arlen spector . or the blue dog democrats like the reps from monatna or even jim webb . please we are a plurality , not a monolith , and either party ignores that at their own risk .

[clovisbuford]

chambliss''s campaign against max cleland will go down in history as a classic in the sense he used lee atwater techniques to describe a man(who had lost 3 limbs in the service of his country as a veteran )as an accomplice of osama bin ladin . the sad thing is it reflects more on the voters than saxby chambliss. I cant bring myself to call chambliss Mr . or the honourable . his campaign was not issues driven ,but 9/11 driven and a sad case of what gets voters to the polls.

[jowand]

please we are a plurality , not a monolith , and either party ignores that at their own risk .

Posted by clovisbuford at 09:46 PM : Dec 02, 2008

Joe Leiberman is proof of that

[jowand]

Hopefully this means we can kick that turncoat to the curb once and for all.

Posted by Ace_Face1 at 09:56 PM : Dec 02, 2008

Why would you want to do that?

[clovisbuford]

please we are a plurality , not a monolith , and either party ignores that at their own risk .
Posted by clovisbuford at 09:46 PM : Dec 02, 2008
Joe Leiberman is proof of that
Posted by jowand at 09:55 PM : Dec 02, 2008 I will give you an out if Liebermann doesnt run in 2012. I think internal polling will tell him all he needs to know . however jowand 4 yrs out I can tell you Lieberman no longer serves the electorate that voted for him . so if you want to make a wager on that election baby .. you tell me the terms ,and your contact info

[hober_mallow]

i''m happy to see this happen. one party rule is a disaster (see george bush and the repubs).

on the other hand, ''split party'' rule is quite successful (see bill clinton and the repubs).

[solarrays247-2009]

"Chambliss came to the Senate in 2002 after defeating Democratic Sen. Max Cleland in a campaign that infuriated Democrats. Chambliss ran a TV ad that questioned Cleland''s commitment to national security and flashed a photo of Osama bin Laden. Cleland is a triple amputee wounded in the Vietnam War."

Yep, I remember this 2002 race quite well!! Disgusting! It certainly made me even more certain that I did the right thing when I quit the Republican party! How can Chambliss even look himself in the mirror? Did all those good Christians in Georgia vote for Chambliss this time around also?

[solarrays247-2009]

chambliss''''s campaign against max cleland will go down in history as a classic in the sense he used lee atwater techniques to describe a man(who had lost 3 limbs in the service of his country as a veteran )as an accomplice of osama bin ladin . the sad thing is it reflects more on the voters than saxby chambliss. I cant bring myself to call chambliss Mr . or the honourable . his campaign was not issues driven ,but 9/11 driven and a sad case of what gets voters to the polls.
Posted by clovisbuford at 09:51 PM : Dec 02, 2008

bump

[cdfoxtrot6]

Why didn''t Obama campaign for the Democrat??? It makes no sense to let this seat go. Now President Obama has no chance of getting his agenda through the Senate without having those a$$hole Republicans playing politics and blocking him the way they did Clinton.

[clovisbuford]

"Chambliss came to the Senate in 2002 after defeating Democratic Sen. Max Cleland in a campaign that infuriated Democrats. Chambliss ran a TV ad that questioned Cleland''''s commitment to national security and flashed a photo of Osama bin Laden. Cleland is a triple amputee wounded in the Vietnam War."Posted by Solarrays247 at 10:15 PM : Dec 02, 2008 The disturbing thing is Chambliss took 4 dreaft deferrments then got out on a medical disability thing .. which you know like *** cheney said after his 5 deferrments .."I had better things to do" . yanno its not like that is something to be attacked ..right .. chamabliss and cheney had their priorities and should be allowed them , but to attack a mans service who had actually shown up when called , and given , and given .. to me ..lets talk to jowand . its a values question .

[solarrays247-2009]

Why didn''''t Obama campaign for the Democrat??? It makes no sense to let this seat go. Now President Obama has no chance of getting his agenda through the Senate without having those a$$hole Republicans playing politics and blocking him the way they did Clinton.

Posted by cdfoxtrot6 at 10:20 PM : Dec 02, 2008


I think that remains to be seen. This should be interesting! If the electorate remains alert, especially our young people, and they demand that their Senators and Reps truly represent them....and with the Obama White House "wired" and continueing to communicate with the public (via the internet, especially)...well, it will be very interesting to see how the political arena responds, don''t you think?