Saxby Chambliss Wins Re-Election Handily
Which I’m sure you all know by now, but what does it mean for Republicans going forward?
Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) easily won reelection Tuesday night, trouncing his Democratic challenger in a runoff and thereby ensuring that the GOP will retain the ability to filibuster bills in the Senate.
With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Chambliss held 58 percent of the vote to Jim Martin’s 42 percent.
The result prevents Democrats from controlling the 60 seats in the Senate needed to override Republican filibuster efforts. Democrats have 56 seats, while two independents typically caucus with them. Republicans now have 41 seats and hope to hold one more, in Minnesota, where a recount between Sen. Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken remains to be decided.
Chambliss was introduced at his victory party Tuesday night by Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. “Mike” Duncan as “Mr. 41,” and he declared that Republicans “now have the momentum” after his victory.
I think it’s a little silly to suggest that a Republican winning a run-off race after an election where he didn’t get enough votes to win the first time – an election that saw Republicans in general get trounced – gives the GOP “the momentum.” Clearly, someone is trying to put the proverbial lipstick on the proverbial pig.
But Chambliss’ overtime win is interesting in that he did one heck of a lot better without Obama at the top of the ticket than he did with Obama at the top of the ticket. Which indicates that the Democrats seem to be a one-man team at this point. Without Obama on the court their ability to win elections drops significantly.
