Saxby Chambliss: Barack Obama’s new best friend
Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss typically is a big critic of President Barack Obama.
But these days on Capitol Hill, the senior senator from Georgia is turning into one of the biggest boosters of the Democratic president’s plans for Afghanistan.
In numerous appearances over the past several days, Chambliss has staunchly supported the president’s plans.
“I think it’s time to rally the troops and rally the policymakers around the president’s mission,” he told MSNBC on Wednesday. Chambliss is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Chambliss and other members of Georgia’s congressional delegation spent five days in Afghanistan and Pakistan just prior to Obama’s announcement to add 30,000 troops in Afghanistan.
In an interview with my AJC colleague Bob Keefe, from Afghanistan, Chambliss said his support of Obama shouldn’t be surprising.
“I said during (my) campaign that when I think the president is right I’m going to support him, and when he’s wrong I won’t support him,” Chambliss said. “And I think he’s making very sound decisions to this point.”
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2011 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
40 comments Add your comment
War is not the Answer
December 2nd, 2009
7:16 pm
We go to Afghanistan after the U.S.S.R gave up.
……………………………………………………………
We went to Vietnam after the French gave up.
…………………………………………………………
All the wasted lives and resources to accomplish zero.
stw
December 2nd, 2009
7:38 pm
War is not the answer: And if we had not reacted after Pearl Harbor ?????????? If ignorance is bliss you must be the happiest person on earth,,,
t-bone
December 2nd, 2009
7:52 pm
The freedoms we enjoy did not just fall in our laps. Many brave Americans have fought and died so that we can live in freedom. Everyone wants to live in peace, but peace without freedom is slavery.
sally
December 2nd, 2009
7:56 pm
As if Saxby Chambliss is the only Republican supporting the President’s plan for Afghanistan. Really. There are more Republicans supporting him than Democrats I think.
JEM
December 2nd, 2009
8:07 pm
Go get ‘em, Barry!
You Distort/We Deride
December 2nd, 2009
8:08 pm
What a shock. Escalate a war and the Republicans celebrate.
Cobb Taxpayer
December 2nd, 2009
8:10 pm
Looks and smells a lot like my Vietnam – going to war without any idea of what a victory would be and how to win ! Bring the troops home !
Tyler Durden
December 2nd, 2009
8:18 pm
He inherited a boondoggle and it seems like he’s doing the best he can. At the end of the day, I disagree with him but he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Dems supported Dubious when he went into Afghanistan, so I guess we should acknowledge the quid pro quo here.
Shirley
December 2nd, 2009
8:20 pm
Well, war seems to be the only thing the Republicans can agree with the President on. But they are already finding ways to pick. They can’t tak it. This war is sad but necessary. Get a map and notice how close to Iran Afghanistan is.
With a 20% literacy rate for men and only 5% for women they are easily manipulated. I think that would be one thing that would, if the assistance America gives to Afghanistan has a literacy component. It is hard for terrorists to take over a country if the people can read. The people there are hungry for education and if literacy lessons were provided contingent on strong cooperation, the war would be different but effective.
As for Saxby and his fellow war supporters, may this will bump them out of their conservative heatheness and line them up behind health care.
Glenn
December 2nd, 2009
8:25 pm
We went to France after the French gave up…. twice.
Yeah, war is never the answer.
techengineer
December 2nd, 2009
8:39 pm
Kill’em all! Women children camels.. etc. Slaughter em all!! USA USA USA.. lol These warmongers make me sick! I’d like give them all a hard kick in the ass!
Elliot Garcia
December 2nd, 2009
8:47 pm
Well, at least somebody is Obama’s friend these days….I hope all the fools that voted for him are happy…
techengineer
December 2nd, 2009
8:51 pm
The occupation of sovereign lands in the Middle East with the US Military is nothing short of asinine! What transpired in Iraq may go down as one of the worlds greatest evils! A sovereign nation which had not done a damn thing to America! Then Afhganistan is invaded after terrorists all coming from Saudi Arabia bomb the towers? Bomb the hell out of them, exact a pound of flesh then come home but to occupy their lands? Could you imagine how Americans would feell if Asians, Africans, or even Arabs attempted to occupy our land? This war policy is completely insane! Americans need to think and ask many questions… btw, I am a right wing hard line conservative evangelical christain for all more patriotic friends on the right.. lol
Why so surprised?
December 2nd, 2009
8:59 pm
If it means killing people, then the Republicans will support it. So, if only President Obama would appoint some Republicans to the death panels that would be created with the health care bill, maybe he’d get some more support!
Bill
December 2nd, 2009
9:15 pm
techengineer, spoken like a true, liberal, college idiot!!!
Hanoi Jane
December 2nd, 2009
9:18 pm
Peace
dmac
December 2nd, 2009
9:25 pm
Obama’s decision is good for Chambliss’ defense contractor friends. They make lots of money when we commit more troops (and lots more private contractors). And let’s not forget the hardware needed in Afghanistan. Chambliss’ eyes light-up at the thought of all those campaign dollars flowing his way. Isn’t war grand.
If Obama started a war against Iran or Venezuala, Chambliss would probably pull a Joe Lieberman and endorse Obama’s re-election.
MarrG
December 2nd, 2009
9:29 pm
Shouldn’t the headline/link from the home page be “Chambliss is Obama’s new BFF” rather than “BF”?
George R
December 2nd, 2009
9:50 pm
Chambliss is a disgrace. Obama is merely presenting Gates plan, who is a Vietnam era vet who has experience in this matters. I suppose Chambliss also supports the socialist style healthcare, cap/trade. He is another Arlen Spector, and needs to be voted out in 2010.
woofn
December 2nd, 2009
9:56 pm
stw
December 2nd, 2009
7:38 pm
War is not the answer: And if we had not reacted after Pearl Harbor ?????????? If ignorance is bliss you must be the happiest person on earth,,,
========================================================================
PUTTING YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND OR ACTING AS THOUGH EVERYTHING IS OK IN THE WORLD IS STUPID…SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SQUASH A BUG.
woofn
December 2nd, 2009
9:58 pm
War is not the Answer
December 2nd, 2009
7:16 pm
We go to Afghanistan after the U.S.S.R gave up.
……………………………………………………………
We went to Vietnam after the French gave up.
…………………………………………………………
All the wasted lives and resources to accomplish zero.
=======================================================================
stw
December 2nd, 2009
7:38 pm
War is not the answer: And if we had not reacted after Pearl Harbor ?????????? If ignorance is bliss you must be the happiest person on earth,,,
========================================================================
PUTTING YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND OR ACTING AS THOUGH EVERYTHING IS OK IN THE WORLD IS STUPID…SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SQUASH A BUG.
CL
December 2nd, 2009
10:17 pm
I wonder how many folks that have such expert opinions on matter of national security can tell the difference between the words WITHDRAW ALL THE TROOPS and BEGIN WITHDRAWING TROOPS in 3 years.
U cannot fight tribal insurgents with a conventional war style. All the negative opinions are from folks that think this war is about digging trenches and holding positions. Thats how we got screwed in Nam.
This is going to be an effort to put the right forces in place to isolate the Taliban/AlQaeda from Pakistan. Pakistan will either play along or start dancing with bombs. Obama cant say this, but I can.
I realize the landslide victory by Obama in the fall gives everyone ammunition to overanalyze everything from a political perspective, but please believe if Obama is committing this many of our troops, this is not being done for political expediency. HE is the one that flew out to meet the soldiers in coffins, not you or I.
I will continue to take his judgement over anybody else out there flapping their gums with no concrete knowledge of the conditions or viable solutions any day of the week.
TnGelding
December 2nd, 2009
10:25 pm
“Knee” should know. Seriously, what an unnecessary tragedy.
OHREALLY?!?
December 2nd, 2009
10:27 pm
Funny how all the libtards on here keep talking about how conservatives are all about killing people. If I recall…the libtards are the ones constantly trying to increase access to abortions, demanding that criminals receive light sentences (resulting in more innocent deaths), and acting as apologists for America’s enemies. GOD bless the USA!
Dave
December 2nd, 2009
10:30 pm
Shirley – you may be the biggest idiot on the face of the earth. Maybe we should focus on how to keep them alive before we teach them to read, if they had anything to read.l Lady, if left to you own devices you’d be extent…
jack
December 2nd, 2009
10:59 pm
techengineer
December 2nd, 2009
8:51 pm
The occupation of sovereign lands in the Middle East with the US Military is nothing short of asinine! What transpired in Iraq may go down as one of the worlds greatest evils!
I am a right wing hard line conservative evangelical christain
***********************
No, you’re an idiot.
Not Going To Use My Usual Name
December 2nd, 2009
11:04 pm
OHREALLY?!?… 1) If liberals believed that life begins at conception, they wouldn’t be pro-choice. As it stands, that is not the case.
2) If you want to talk about “light sentences,” talk to Huckabee. It’s true that liberals question why we need so much higher an incarceration rate than other countries–particularly on drug use (marijuana) charges. Over two percent of the U.S. population is in jail, on probation, or on parole. If more than 1 in 50 people are in the legal system in that way… I would question the criteria. Not everyone behind bars is a violent offender (unlike the guys to whom Huckabee seems to enjoy giving the “get out of jail free” card).
3) Liberals see nuances, not “we good they bad.” I understand that’s difficult. We sound like “apologists” because sometimes we think about how America *looks* to *other* countries and we don’t assume that everything America does is right because “GO USA!!!1!!”
hera
December 3rd, 2009
6:34 am
Obama is the worst President in our history. He and his boys have attempted to destroy our Republic, our military might, our economy, our capitalistic society and our Constitution. Without all of these we will spiral into being a third world nation. Then all those with assets will have no assets and those without assets can finally feel good abot themselves. I pity the upcoming generations. They will never know what it felt like to be an American.
For those of you that can not understand the above is true please don’t bother replying. Ignorance in your case really is bliss.
Ga Values
December 3rd, 2009
7:51 am
Saxby “Draft Dodger” Chambliss is seting us up to vote for “Cap & Trade”. As you’ll know Cap & Trade is full of ETHANOL subsidies and Saxby’s son Bo is a LOBBYIST for ETHANOL interest. Saxby will be voting for his son’s interest not Georgia’s, as always with Saxby its LOBBYIST FIRST, Taxpayer last.
Funny...
December 3rd, 2009
7:57 am
It’s amazing. Y’all had me convinced he was a secret mooslem that wanted to blow America up. Now, he’s escalating war with de mooslems?
AM
December 3rd, 2009
8:08 am
@ Hera – I suppose they will still be American. So, they will know what it feels like
@ Ohreally – Republicans tend to support war, the death penalty, trigger-happy cops, less health care and any other means of support for the needy, and collecting AK-47s as hobbies. All of that equals = DEATH.
Democrats support LIFE but, we also believe women have the right to make that decision and some of us dispute your religious defintion of when life begins. It’s a wonder Repubs don’t support abortion. In many cases, it is more financially responsible
Stand Waitie
December 3rd, 2009
8:10 am
Chambliss and Isakson will stray from the reservation if they are not constantly reminded by us, the citizens and voters, on what they should do. I, with hesitation, voted for Chambliss last year, and he immediately let me down by voting for confirmation of Obama’s most anti-American cabinet appointment, Eric Holder. If you’re careful, both senators will vote for Obamacare. The Republicans are in the process of adding amendments so they can justify voting for this Obamanation.
The Oddball
December 3rd, 2009
9:30 am
Roger that, CL. The Oddball has spent a little time in green. Sending troops to war is never something to celebrate, but the President has clearly spent a lot of time devising a targeted mission and exit strategy to avoid the mistakes of the past.
There are no guarantees when the bullets start flying, but so far it appears that our Commander-in-Chief is seeking out all the good advice he can find and is doing things carefully and deliberately. any time you see SecState and SecDef on the same page as the top military brass and the theater commanders, you know you’ve got the best plan possible.
Bryant
December 3rd, 2009
10:17 am
what do you expect. He wants to be a career politician like all senators. It is a classic photo opt for him to be seen by democrat constituents in GA on a topic that is safe for him to agree with Obama on.
I voted for Chambliss but never again. He has done nothing to help GA.
tc
December 3rd, 2009
10:38 am
love these repubs who support war yet get deferments…and their children don’t serve either (there are exceptions).
answer is simple, get india on our side and tell pakistan to get bin laden and al queda removed or will make a parking lot out of pakistan and eastern afghanistan.
the us better figure out their future alliances because china will soon be our landlords…..its not iran or pakistan that is the problem……they are aiding and abetting china in undermining the usa, russia is loving it too. that’s why corporations are more multnational now so when the usa bites the dust they can set up shops in the stronger survivors….but unless they are that nationality they will be removed.
don’t think we have much more time.
JM@50
December 3rd, 2009
10:57 am
OK all you right wingers who are blasting Chambliss on here, explain to us this:
When Chambliss supported Bush’s wars you slapped him on the back and beat your chests and all shouted “Hoo-ah!” Now he supports a continuation of essentially the same war policy but – because it’s President Obama now – you condemn and attack Chambliss?? Are you listening to yourselves? Your hatred of Obama is making you sound like crazy people who really don’t know what you’re talking about. Take a deep breath and put aside hate for a minute or two. Because you’re not making any sense.
Barry
December 3rd, 2009
2:25 pm
Man, Barack just turned into a “warmonger” Republican. This war is only the military industirial complex, to include HALIBURTON< getting more taxpayers dolaars for war games. The cost not being calculated is the "COST OF A LIFE." Many American sons and daughters will be risking their lives and limbs and at the same time making the rich cats richer. I am syre Dick Cheney and his cohorts are overflowing with more money than before they left office from the extension of this war. When will it cease!!?? When will the "VALUE" of LIFE AND LIMB" of the many in our military overshadow the money of the "FEW" who will benefit from this war!!!?? Who is looking out for our relatives, neighbors, and friends who havee to got to this very confusing fight against a blind enemy call TERRORISM. Many know the war can be won in an intense special operations manner combined with an intense military assault in many targeted areas. Moreover, we must understand that Afgahnistan is not our country. We can not allow our citizens to stay there forever to fight. I know it benefits some political fat cats financially to do so but not the families and friends of the soldier who are fighting over there. BRING OUR SOLDIERS HOME AND LET THE LIKE OF CHENEY, HALIBURTON, AND MILTARY CONTRACTORS SACRIFICE LIFE AND LIMB INSTEAD OF OUR SOLDIERS!!!!!!
Tom
December 3rd, 2009
2:29 pm
tc: You are right about China becoming our landlard and every time we spend a dollar at walmart we are helping them. Have you tried to find anything american made lately? It’s almost impossible and people are beginning to blame the president for lack of jobs. The real blame lies with the corporations that have moved the jobs overseas and the politicians that have allowed it to happen.
Sanddy Bull
December 4th, 2009
5:53 am
One must remember, Obama supported the Afghan conflict back in the day. That being during the presidential campaign. Of course, it is the president’s wont to change his mind.
C3ATL
December 4th, 2009
12:41 pm
The only reason the Republicans are standing behind Obama is because after 8 years of floundering and screwing up 2 wars, the Democrats are going to come to the rescue, get Osama Bin Laden, hand him over to the world… The Republicans will look like money blowing coke-addicts that avoid their National Gaurd flight duties and make up for it by flying in on an Aircraft carrier at Taxpayer’s expense.
Fact: The Republicans couldn’t care less about Afghanistan and anything they say is delusional rhetoric. Democrats to the Rescue! AGAIN! First FDR, then JFK, Now Obama….
How many more times do we have to clean up after Republican Greed Fest Super-bowls?