U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss: Frustration with Washington drove him out
U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, the leader of a bipartisan effort to address the federal deficit, this morning pointed to gridlock in Washington for his decision not to seek a third term in 2014.
A statement just released by his office includes this:
“I have no doubt that had I decided to be a candidate, I would have won re-election. In these difficult political times, I am fortunate to have actually broadened my support around the state and the nation due to the stances I have taken.
“Instead, this is about frustration, both at a lack of leadership from the White House and at the dearth of meaningful action from Congress, especially on issues that are the foundation of our nation’s economic health. The debt-ceiling debacle of 2011 and the recent fiscal-cliff vote showed Congress at its worst and, sadly, I don’t see the legislative gridlock and partisan posturing improving anytime soon. For our nation to be strong, for our country to prosper, we cannot continue to play politics with the American economy.”
In a conference call with supporters that he just completed, Chambliss didn’t detail the reasons for his departure, but reviewed a career that included authorship of four farm bills and 18 defense authorization bills, during two terms in the Senate and several years in the U.S. House.
“I’m going to have a life after this,” Chambliss said. “Sitting on a back porch drinking whisky with some of y’all is exciting to think about.”
Gov. Nathan Deal said that U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss called him this morning to inform him of his decision. “I told him to make sure he served out his full term because I didn’t want to appoint someone,” Deal told my AJC colleague Greg Bluestein. The governor assured Chambliss would do so.
Chambliss’ announcement will immediately set off an avalanche of Republican candidates who will seek to replace him.
At least two GOP House members from Georgia, Paul Broun of Athens and Tom Price of Roswell, have been contemplating primary challenges to Chambliss, who has been criticized for leading the bipartisan “Gang of Six” effort to broker a deal to address a $16 trillion federal deficit.
Chambliss and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., are scheduled to speak Monday on coming fiscal negotiations during a joint appearance at the University of Georgia.
Both Chambliss and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson had voted this month for the Senate-negotiated deal that avoided the “fiscal cliff” imposed by a 2011 fight over the federal debt ceiling. All Republican House members from Georgia voted against it.
A decision from Price is expected sooner rather than later. More members of Congress – including Phil Gingrey of Roswell and Tom Graves of Ranger – are certain to consider the race now that it lacks an incumbent. In the state Capitol, one name has already popped up — that of state Sen. Ross Tolleson, a Republican who hails from former U.S. senator Sam Nunn’s home town of Perry.
Talk radio host Herman Cain, a GOP candidate for president who began his political career in Georgia with a 2004 run for the U.S. Senate, quickly removed himself from consideration this morning. But don’t rule out former House speaker Newt Gingrich.
Chambliss’ withdrawal could also awaken Georgia Democrats from the torpor they’ve been in since losing the governor’s office in 2002. This statement comes from Guy Cecil, executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee:
“Georgia will now offer Democrats one of our best pick-up opportunities of the cycle. There are already several reports of the potential for a divisive primary that will push Republicans to the extreme right. Regardless, there’s no question that the demographics of the state have changed and Democrats are gaining strength. This will be a top priority.”
U.S. Rep. John Barrow of Augusta has said he wasn’t interested in challenging Chambliss. Whether or not that disinterest applies to an open seat may be another matter. State Rep. Scott Holcomb, D-Atlanta, may be another name to add to the mix.
Chambliss had offered a hint that he was wavering earlier this month. From a quote in a column written by my AJC colleague Kyle Wingfield, who had asked him if the curdled atmosphere in Washington made him think twice about a third term:
“This is an eight-year decision for me. It’s two years [campaigning] plus six years” in office, he said. “And if I thought the next eight years were going to be filled with contentious debates and the wrong way to govern that we have just gone through in the last two months, it would have a significant impact on my decision. But yeah, right now my plans are to run.”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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346 comments Add your comment
Bill Gullion
January 25th, 2013
10:57 am
What about Herman Cain?
Political Mongrel
January 25th, 2013
10:57 am
Good riddance to bad rubbish. Never forget, though, that the bad can be replaced with the worse, and that Georgia’s GOP House delegation has several examples of the much worse.
Harry Callahan
January 25th, 2013
10:57 am
“Paul Broun is a moroon. He believes the earth is only 6000 years old!!! Well, at least when he’s talking to other moroons, he does.”
Brought to you by a moron who can’t spell moron.
Classic
Willowspring
January 25th, 2013
10:58 am
I would Love to see Neal Boortz run!! He would definitely shake things up! We need a principled constitutional conservative who will go toe to toe with the Progressives, who for over a hundred years have been working to move this country away from our Constitution. Newt Gingrich would be another favorite choice.
bigeasycharlie
January 25th, 2013
10:58 am
The only way to gather so many hateful, personally offiensive comments in one place is to allow liberals to comment. Why can’t we try to get along? Saxby is slightly right-of-center; he’s worked hard and tried to bring compromise and concensus to the process — Max was worthless in this regard.
Columbus
January 25th, 2013
11:01 am
Herman Cain if he wont blow it….all you Dems posting on here with your tongues hanging out are so funny! Dream on. This is God country….not immoral baby-killing, homosexuality is not even a sin no more, money blowing like its going out of style, take God out of everything you can country…get it? You better move to California and enjoy the mess there instead of dreaming of doing the SAME thing here….you want to see what liberalism leads? Look at California, been dominated by Libs like you for quite awhile…..shhhh…..theres no way of distancing yourself from that. A case study in what happens when Libs have free reign….broke broke broke and having to raise taxes like their going out of style, no morality, no Godliness….how far you have fallen. See what it gets you? You need a crate of bricks to fall on your heads? Nah that wouldnt be enough for you brainwashed products….its almost cult-like. Progressive America killing products of lies, spins and truth being hidden much as possible and we have …California as exhibit 1. Look at the OTHER states with Democrat DOMINATED LEGISLATURES….thats all we need to know about where your leadership leads…..look at the GOP led legislatures….interesting they are doing MUCH better….hmmm
Breaking: Saxby Chambliss to retire « Hot Air
January 25th, 2013
11:02 am
[...] AJC’s Jim Galloway notes that a few names are already getting some play: More members of Congress – including Phil [...]
Angel Macaroni
January 25th, 2013
11:04 am
If the tea-tards succeed in poisoning the GOP nominee, then the Democrats can pick up a seat. q.v. what the tea-tards did in Nevada, Delaware, Missouri and Indiana.
U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss to announce retirement | The Brantley Enterprise
January 25th, 2013
11:04 am
[...] via Political Insider. [...]
zeke
January 25th, 2013
11:06 am
NO DEMOCRAT LEFTIST LIBERAL BUFFOONS, PLEASE!
Black Label
January 25th, 2013
11:07 am
Harry
Haven’t seen you blathering at Bookman’s lately. Where have you been?
Sen. Saxby Chambliss Withdraws from 2014 Re-Elect, Rep. Tom Price Eyes Open Seat | Viral Read
January 25th, 2013
11:07 am
[...] a whirlwind of events, current Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss is set to announce his intentions not to run for a third [...]
www
January 25th, 2013
11:07 am
lol. when saxby chambliss is too “libruhl” for the republcans in georgia, you know the system is broken. these morons are gonna nominate some nut like paul broun and harm the state even more.
prepare to be more of a laughingstock than we are now.
dan
January 25th, 2013
11:08 am
Before you in-your-parents-basement-in-your-underwear liberals get too excited a demo-RAT will never win this seat. Period. Over. Maybe a real Conservative will win it this time …. Price would be great.
Tech Troll 13
January 25th, 2013
11:09 am
Why do liberals insist on throwing insults? I thought y’all wanted us all to get along.
Black Label
January 25th, 2013
11:10 am
Columbus
You sound so un Christian? Evangelical I presume………..
Levin
January 25th, 2013
11:13 am
I have gained respect for Sen Chambliss over the last couple of years due to his actual desire to do what is in the best interest of our state and nation. Johnny Issakson is a Yes man that lacks the backbone to do anything other than what the far right looney honey boo boo crowd demand. I’m sure Saxby will take a position with one of the mega law firms downtown much like Sam Nunn did and collect a million bucks a year for the use of his name on their letterhead. I wish we could convince Cathy Cox to run for this open seat. She did an incredible job as Sec of State and as a conservative democrat could do a great deal of good for the State of Georgia in Washington.
Black Label
January 25th, 2013
11:13 am
Tech Troll
Don’t be a hypocrite. Call out Columbus and the right wing bloggers if you are going to be baby and cry about name calling. And change your bib. You have food and drool all over it
Dirty Dawg
January 25th, 2013
11:15 am
If the national Democratic Party had kept up the momentum of Howard Dean’s Fifty State Strategy, we might have some better candidates for this seat. As it is, no black man or woman can win state-wide – wonder why – and neither Roy Barnes or Max Cleland have the stomach for another race. The only way a progressive Democrat could win here now is if we had a bright, energetic, tough-minded, woman that could appeal to enough pockets of the electorate to overcome the lizard-brained bunch that have taken over the state…but, alas, we don’t have one – at least that know of. Although a Goldie Taylor could kick the crap out of idiots like Broun, Price, Gingrey, et. al.., in a debate, it wouldn’t mean she could win an election.
Voter
January 25th, 2013
11:20 am
@K-Ster and others, I was referring to the Democrats. I want Republican Majority.
clem
January 25th, 2013
11:21 am
even sane repubs know that they cannot win in crazytown anymore. should push even more people to left of crazy arse far right.
ely abellera
January 25th, 2013
11:26 am
Never was a Chambliss fan so this is a welcomed news for me. I guess he run out of golf courses to visit and raise money for his conservative allies.
With Saxby out, these Georgians might run for Senate in 2014 | Kyle Wingfield
January 25th, 2013
11:27 am
[...] colleague Jim Galloway drops a mighty big political bomb for a Friday morning more than 21 months before the next election: Saxby Chambliss reportedly has [...]
Intown
January 25th, 2013
11:29 am
Will Kasim Reed risk it all on a Senate run?
Chambliss Will Not Run for Senate Again | Hotspyer – Breaking News from around the web
January 25th, 2013
11:32 am
[...] certain to set off an avalanche of Republican candidates who will seek to replace him,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution [...]
Tech Troll 13
January 25th, 2013
11:32 am
@ Black Label
I, nor other “right wingers” profess a desire to get along. I don’t believe in compromising on principle. I don’t care what you call me.
Sonny Lied
January 25th, 2013
11:34 am
Well, it’s official. The Tea Party has destroyed the very fabric of the GOP.
In a state that has proven time and again that is capable of electing the American equivalent of the Taliban to public office, the Tea Party has now pushed out the last guy who doesn’t routinely embarass our state.
I’m voting for the corpse of Paul Coverdell.
Borodawg
January 25th, 2013
11:38 am
What about Jack Kingston? I’ve always thought he is prett even keel.
Kyle
January 25th, 2013
11:39 am
Chambliss was going to far left to have been voted back in and I’m sure he knows it and that is why he isn’t going to waste time and money running again. There is nothing I hate more than a Democrat but one thing I have to admire about them is no matter what they never change from their wimpy, anti-American ways but the people on our side can’t help but try to go to their side every chance they get and yet they want us to send money to support them. Get someone in there who supports this Country and doesn’t waiver and I’ll send them money every payday.
Black Label
January 25th, 2013
11:40 am
tech
And your crying goes on… hypocrite
DC
January 25th, 2013
11:40 am
Why not State Sen.Butch Miller? He seems to know what he’s doing in the Legislature.
OSG
January 25th, 2013
11:41 am
Dr. John Barge or Roy Barnes….both are seasoned, and balanced.
But since ignorance is the key to success around here, I seriously doubt that they would attempt to waste time, effort and money on the political baffonnery in this state.
GtBee
January 25th, 2013
11:41 am
Thanks for your service, Saxby. You’ve seen it all!
I would love to see Herman Cain in his spot, but God forbid we put someone with a little common sense in the office. Herman seems to be a able to talk the talk and walk the walk of a politician who actually gets it done.
Beaver Boy
January 25th, 2013
11:41 am
We need somebody responsible with money…I say Clark Howard!
Ronin
January 25th, 2013
11:42 am
Best news I’ve read all day.
Abe Froman
January 25th, 2013
11:43 am
Come on Herman. We need some entertainment in the Senate and you would certainly provide it. I agree with term limits on Senators and Congressmen. They get so out of touch being in Washington for too long. Let’s say you can only serve 20 years in Congress. That seems more than enough time to do what you want to do, and not get too corrupt or stupid.
VOS
January 25th, 2013
11:44 am
Worst news I have heard since Obama won.
gun control is having two hands on your weapon
January 25th, 2013
11:46 am
If the gagop leadership has any say in who becomes their nominee you can bet your bonnet they’ve sold us out!.. be careful what you wish for. I’d vote for rock before I’d cast a vote for anyone hand picked by the gagop.
liberalefty
January 25th, 2013
11:49 am
how about sambo CAIN?
yuzeyurbrane
January 25th, 2013
11:51 am
Can’t wait for Republican circular firing squad.
Johnson
January 25th, 2013
11:53 am
you right wing nut jobs are the reason for the decline in the republican party. Not endorsing Saxby because he was too bi partisan, what is wrong with you. You need to quit focusing on your anti gay rights, immigration and abortion stances, otherwise we will never win another election.
Dirty Dawg
January 25th, 2013
11:53 am
Oh yeah, Callahan, if you don’t know where ‘maroon’, or even ‘moran’ comes from, you haven’t been paying attention for the past few years…and the last thing we need is a Dino like Cathy Cox to replace a, so-called, Rino like Chambliss…Cathy Cox, who gave us the election-stealing Diebold machines that turned both Cleland and Barnes out of office and who has been taking money from the State – or wherever Young Harris College gets their money – courtesy of Zell Miller ever since she lost her last election, and whose husband is a, full-blooded, Republican attorney. No, if we can’t get a ‘center-left’ candidate in office we might as well get another wing-nut Republican…who knows, maybe if they embarrass enough people, enough times, perhaps enough voters will decide ‘enough is enough’.
liberalefty
January 25th, 2013
11:54 am
WHICHEVER ones love god but hates blacks,hispanics, gays, women etc will win
J Throckmorton Malcontent
January 25th, 2013
11:54 am
Corporations are people, right? Why not run one for office? Think of all the hassle you could save by just putting them directly into the seat of power. Senator Georgia Pacific in 2014!
Mark
January 25th, 2013
11:55 am
It is amazing that in 8 years, according to congress.gov, Chambliss has sponsored or co-sponsored only 4 pieces of minor legislation: the Freedom to Fish Act, the Student Athlete Protection Act, a gold medal for Arnold Palmer and a commendation for UGA gymnastics. That, folks, is it. What Georgia should have is a candidate who is a proven leader and legislator. I wouldn’t be surprised if that person comes from outside politics, since we seem to be short on real political leadership and wisdom here.
CC
January 25th, 2013
11:55 am
“Enter Kasim Reed…. Why do you think he has been on Meet the Press so much?”
I guess he’s been on ‘Meet the Press’ because black politicians are very much in vogue these days. ‘Meet the Press’ won’t be voting in a Georgia election. Reed may be ‘hot stuff’ in urban Atlanta but he is a big zero as far as the state goes. You can keep Reed thereby saving him from a very humiliating defeat.
OSG
January 25th, 2013
11:56 am
GTBEE…yes Mr. Cain would get things done…just like the other J—a$$es in this state. He would make sure that he does a better job of hiding his women, and lying in public. You see, now that he has experience and the qualifications that it takes to run for office (lying, cheating, womanizing and talking nonsense) coupled with the home grown intelligence level that we have here in Georgia, the population just might actually elect him.
Jeff
January 25th, 2013
11:58 am
This is a great lesson for our kids. When the going gets tough….. QUIT!
US Sen. Saxby Chambliss: Frustration with Washington drove him out – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) « Current News « Direct Global Media
January 25th, 2013
11:58 am
[...] article: US Sen. Saxby Chambliss: Frustration with Washington drove him out – Atlanta Journal Constitut… [...]
Sonny Lied
January 25th, 2013
11:58 am
I voted for Obama twice, and I would vote for Jack Kingston over somebody like Jim Martin.
I guess that means all the knuckle-draggers would prefer some clown like Broun over Kingston.
Remember folks, this is a US Senator. We are sending him (or her) to Washington to try to get stuff for our state. We are not sending them to a tent revival in Luthersville. Try to pretend you have a brain the next time you go to the polls.