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
cissy969
January 25th, 2013
12:53 pm
He was not going to be re-elected………The grassroots org will not let him win
Eric
January 25th, 2013
12:53 pm
There is nothing conservative about consistently voting to expand the government and grow spending. There is nothing conservative about shredding the constitution by voting for the treasonous NDAA. Good riddance.
Waldo
January 25th, 2013
12:56 pm
Cain has already said he’s not running (read the article). Boortz is a resident of Naples Fla although he owns property in Ga. He’d pass on it anyway. He’s too smart. Besides, it’ll interfere with his golf and traveling in his new bus.
David
January 25th, 2013
12:58 pm
We should probably go ahead and elect a democrat here and give them full and complete control. The attitude in America seems to be everybody wants something for nothing, so lets go ahead and get this plane flown into the side of the mountain so we can get to the part where we are picking up the shattered remains. Once this country re-elected the Chief Clown up there, I have given up all hope, really. We are so very ski-rude.
Another comment
January 25th, 2013
12:59 pm
The best candidates for the Democrates would be a white woman, look at the other 20 women that have won seats in the Senate. Lets try Stacy Evan’s Ga. Rep from Smyrna, UGA grad. She grew up in North Ga. or Carol Porter who ran for Lt. Gov. and got more votes than her husband running for Gov.
These are the candidates. Republican Women will cross over to vote for a white women instead of voting for these crazy Republican men who want to tell them what to do with their money.
Forget about Kaseem Reed he is dirty, part of the Black Mafia. Spending $1,000 ton on gravel from his contributor during the ice storm vs $40 ton. Then his shenigans at the airport with the contracts. His running of the Atlanta School Board, even destroying one of the better performing school clusters that the white families had built. Shirley is just as tainted her daughter and son-in -law were convicted of being part of the black mafia gang, while living with her. Wake up.
Of course, many of us would vote for Mary Norwood
This blog is a great sign of the sad state of affairs
January 25th, 2013
12:59 pm
….in this country.
The problem continues to be the two party sytem. It’s old, it’s outdated and self perpetuates a party over policy mentality.
The reality is that right now our appetite for goods and services provided at the federal level outpaces our willingness to pay for it. And the Democratic saber rattling about the protection of the elite at the expense of the poor and middle class AND trumpeting “progressive” social issues is no better or worse than Republicans wanting deep tax cuts and trimming the deficit at the expense of government social programs……just as long as it’s not doing away with all their choice tax deductions or touching the military. It’s the same tired uneducated and ingenuine dribble coming from both sides. In the end if it’s a complete win for one party and a complete loss for anothor………it’s a complete loss of all.
We have two choices…cooperation and pain sharing or taking it all out of the hands of the federal government and letting the states work out anything other than a serviceable military and reg of interstate commerce…….50 petri dishes for democracy.
I’ll take either…..let’s just do something other than using emotion and circumstances to opportunistically push bad legislation. IE wasting time on Gun Control when have lots of bridges, roads, and structural elements everywhere that need attention.
Let’s do better than this……
richie
January 25th, 2013
1:01 pm
I would like to see Max run so that the Georgia voters could redeem themselves.
richie
January 25th, 2013
1:01 pm
I would like to see Max run so that the Georgia voters could redeem themselves.
freidenker
January 25th, 2013
1:01 pm
@voter
why would we want someone who believes in a imaginary friend in the sky? what’s He done for the world lately? (i would give kudos to the ladies and say She, but a woman wouldn’t screw things up as has He) what is your educational background? scientific “theories” are tested and proved or disproved. if you had attended a real school in your lifetime you’d know the meaning between scientific theory and your “hunch theory” and you’d know evolution has been proven. have a great imaginary life.
FM Fats
January 25th, 2013
1:03 pm
Time for Saxby to sack away some dough in the business world rather than busting his hump raising campaign contributions, plain and simple.
YourPoliticalAnimal
January 25th, 2013
1:04 pm
I forgot to comment on Herman Cain…he would be a fool to run, with a new book about his alleged affair(s) about to hit the stands as soon as he stands in front of an American flag with his dutiful wife in tow and announces his newest 9-9-9 plan to save our already rebounding economy…one accusation, maybe two could be false, but when you get to five and above, either someone knows how to create a better conspiracy theory than Oliver Stone or….well, you fill in the rest…stay on the radio Herman and be a good minstrel fill in for that racist sicko Booooooortz…always easy to find a good house negro to tap dance for the white man when one is needed…say hello to Booker T. Washington and Steppin’ Fetchit, ok????
Mmmm Hmmm
January 25th, 2013
1:05 pm
Perfectly put freidenker.
Double Down on craziness
January 25th, 2013
1:05 pm
It is a sad day when conservative Saxby Chambliss is deemed too liberal for voting for what is in the best interest of the country he was elected to serve. Let’s serve up an even dumber, crazier person for the “necks” who love them some guns
harold
January 25th, 2013
1:07 pm
I think he should run again, and present himself as the sane man in a field of hyper-ideological, anti-science crazies. He should make the case that Broun and Price, for sure, are going to be nothing but an obstacle to doing what must be done.
The Tea Party and their ilk had a chance to influence the path of government and they blew it with temper tantrums and blind adherence to far-right ideology. We don’t need more extremists in government, we need statesmen.
Atlanta1
January 25th, 2013
1:09 pm
Maybe we can bring Sam Nunn back out of retirement…
Taxi Smith
January 25th, 2013
1:11 pm
Left wing nuts, right wing nuts. Take your pick. Georgia has a bumper crop of both. What we are lacking are well reasoned men and womnen willing to jump into politics. Sad.
Georgia, The " New Mississippi "
January 25th, 2013
1:12 pm
Chambliss has accomplished so much for Georgia and our nation he will be hard to replace…….An empty chair should do the trick……….
Military Veteran
January 25th, 2013
1:12 pm
Saxby drinks??? Well!!!
Maybe dear ol’ Saxby drinks because of his “bum knee” pain. I’m sure that’s the reason.
And I’m sure dear ol’ Saxby has had a few tears in his beers, too, not being able to serve his country due to his “bum knee.”
“He’s not quitting, he’s
choosing not to stand for re-election.”
Well, of course. How could Saxby STAND with a “bum knee?
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga) Expected to Retire | Race 4 2012
January 25th, 2013
1:14 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal and Constitution is out with a story today that Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss will announce his decision to retire. A hotly [...]
FarTrain
January 25th, 2013
1:15 pm
He won’t be missed. He’s a poor excuse for a senator anyway. His hometown of Moultrie in Colquitt County is overrun with illegal immigrants and he ignores it. He didn’t even mention it in a speech there recently, yet there’s several arrests every week for Hispanics driving with no license, DUI, etc. Crime is rampant there! He is a RINO, nothing more!
the bob.bob
January 25th, 2013
1:16 pm
A perfect opportunity for the Party of Stupid to bring in another TEA-party Senator. Stick to your guns, boys!! Prepare for the Tyranny of Democratic elections and Government for The People and by The People.
jdatl
January 25th, 2013
1:16 pm
Glad to see him go. I’m a conservative, and he just helped the democrats ignore the deficit. Need more principled leadership to fight for lower spending.
natrone
January 25th, 2013
1:18 pm
that’s good news! he’s been there too long and has done nothing except help a bunch of rich friends get richer. Hit the road saxby!
bob
January 25th, 2013
1:18 pm
Surprised that the most obvious name was not mentioned…an individual who would follow the path of many governors…..Gov. Sonny Perdue….already has a network….name recognition..Gov. Perdue has shown interest in a post in Washington each time there has been a presidential race. He seems to relish the national stage…and public service….still a very ambition individual.
SB in ATL
January 25th, 2013
1:24 pm
I can guarantee that NONE of these republicans panting to replace Chamblisss will get my vote. Sometimes the stupidity of some of these comments (example CC) continue to point out the ignorance of many voters in Georgia.
freidenker
January 25th, 2013
1:29 pm
@bob
bob, bob……..my day was going well. now you have ruined it with the “P” word. i had managed to forget that fishin’ rube.
@Taxi Smith
you stated more eloquently what i expressed earlier. nail on the head!
NYTN
January 25th, 2013
1:31 pm
Who does he think he’s fooling? He’s following the trend of other Republicans who since PREZ won again, they’re leaving while the gittin’s good to take those big time corporate and lobbying jobs.
JamVet
January 25th, 2013
1:33 pm
Old Blood & Guts Saxby is typical of the fascist cowards and swiftboating scum in this state.
Alas, there are so many other equally horrific Republicans here that nothing will really change.
i suspect that that wormy little POS Tom Price will be our next US Senator.
At any rate, good riddance to bad trash…
Dr. Irving
January 25th, 2013
1:33 pm
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Bob, but Gov. Perdue was diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma in December.
Voter
January 25th, 2013
1:34 pm
@freidenker & Mmmm Hmmmm – I’ll be praying for you both.
Like I said, evolution is a theory. Never proven and never will be. I have higher education so I know. Apparently you didn’t listen to well in class that day or you would know also. And how do I know? because Jesus, the Son of God lives in me, that’s how I know. If He was in you, then you would know.
Dr. Irving
January 25th, 2013
1:34 pm
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Bob, but Gov. Perdue was diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma in December.
Pope UGA XXIII
January 25th, 2013
1:35 pm
I just love reading these remarks – certainly no reason to make
any additional comments about a possible fiscally conservative
candidate since many of these commenters probably can’t even
balance their checkbook.
I can throw out the name of brilliant congressman Hank Johnson.
If he’s elected, maybe the Senate will “tip over and capsize” into the
Potomac River, then we can be rid of all of them !!
Pope UGA XXIII
January 25th, 2013
1:35 pm
I just love reading these remarks – certainly no reason to make
any additional comments about a possible fiscally conservative
candidate since many of these commenters probably can’t even
balance their checkbook.
I can throw out the name of brilliant congressman Hank Johnson.
If he’s elected, maybe the Senate will “tip over and capsize” into the
Potomac River, then we can be rid of all of them !!
Sasha
January 25th, 2013
1:40 pm
Enter your comments here
captguitarman
January 25th, 2013
1:42 pm
Way too bad for the Pub/Cons that Chambliss is throwing in the towel, because he could be replaced by an intransigent, uncompromising, right wingnut with not one clue about how to solve any problem this nation and its government has (federal, state, or local) except by cutting taxes. We need far more than a “one play” book from any candidate running for the Senate. So, Chambliss’s departure may mean nothing more than another right wingnut who can be just as “principled” and dig in just as deep as the left wingnuts in the Senate and the Congress.
Or, it could mean that the Pub/Con Senate seat will be lost to the Dem/Libs. Not likely, but certainly possible as was proven in Delaware, Indiana, and Nevada when shoo-in Pub/Con seats were lost in the primaries where the Tea Party – Libertarian type candidates (not the sharpest pencils in the box as we have all seen) ran and won, eliminating a long time Pub/Con Senate stalwart in Indiana (Richard Lugar) and other traditional and politically stable Pub/Cons who would have retained the Delaware, Missouri, and Nevada Senate seats. (Why can’t the wingnuts have their own primaries and leave the traditional Pub/Cons out of it?). Instead, they were lost to the Dem/Libs.
If that hapens in Georgia, hopefully the elected Dem/Lib will not be an ideologue who would rather be “right” than find a solution and move things forward, and a reasonable moderate open to compromise and getting things done, like Chambliss.
Sasha
January 25th, 2013
1:43 pm
Cut off time for every person in politics should be 70.
Sax by is fixed with benefits…why continue…..especially
Since he could care less anyway.
jb
January 25th, 2013
1:43 pm
IS HE TAKING THAT GREAT PENSION AND FREE HEALTHCARE THE TAX PAYERS PAY FOR OR LEAVING FOR THOSE WORKING FOR LESS AND NO PENSION? HE WANTED TO VOTE NO ON HEALTHCARE FOR ALL.THE BENEFITS OF CONGRESS,SENATORS AND SUPREME COURT NEEDS TO CHANGED. NO AMERICAN CAN WORK ON A JOB BETWEEN AGE OF 70-90 BUT WE ALLOW THEM.
Military Veteran
January 25th, 2013
1:43 pm
Dear ol’ Sonny running? Nah!
There’s other FISH in the pond.
Sasha
January 25th, 2013
1:44 pm
GO HOME PLEASE!! You have done enough damage.
Derek Williams
January 25th, 2013
1:46 pm
In the last few years the Senator has alienated many groups, including community bankers. Re-election was in no way secure. “But I’d have won anyway….” The Senator doth protest too much, methinks.
Road Scholar
January 25th, 2013
1:48 pm
Cut and run Chambliss?
honested
January 25th, 2013
1:50 pm
I do so look forward to the ‘Party of Stupid Primary’ (thank you bobby jindal).
It should clear the chaff from the Georgia Congressional Delegation.
JamVet
January 25th, 2013
1:52 pm
And how about about that Arnold Einsteen from Athens, huh?
He can’t even figure out how to post something just one time.
LOL!
No wonder he’s a Saxby guy…
Truth Hurts
January 25th, 2013
1:53 pm
“For our nation to be strong, for our country to prosper, we cannot continue to play politics with the American economy.”
————–
An odd statement coming from one of the worst offenders. Georgia is 7-10 years from becoming a blue state anyway, so his time was limited. The white trash redneck Republicans that run the state now soon be outnumbered so we can finally have some intellect representing us rather than the bible thumpers, birthers, and the Klan.
captguitarman
January 25th, 2013
1:56 pm
Far Train: If you and many other misquided Pub/Cons think that this country is going to expel 11 million illegal immigrants based upon a Congressional immigration reform bill supported by a popular consensus, you are all smoking ganja.
The reform bill that gets passed will create a pathway to citizenship and perhaps even grant citizenship to some based upon their history while here. And it will secure the borders.
And, if the Pub/Cons cannot negotiate compromise and find a way to support that reform bill, the Hispanic vote (which Obama captured at a rate of over 70%) will increase for the Dem/Libs in Congress in 2014 (possibly causing the Pub/Cons to lose their House majority) and for the Dem/Lib presidential candidate in 2016, perhaps clearing the way for Hillary Clinton.
And if the Pub/Cons dig in on this issue, the Hispanic vote could be lost permanently, and the Pub/Cons will become a small regional party headquarted in the South, and an inconsequential and powerless voice as we proceed into the 21st century. That is why we need Pub/Cons like Chambliss and not the wingnuts who lost Pub/Con seats in Delaware, Nevada, Missouri, and Indiana.
Truth Hurts
January 25th, 2013
1:57 pm
“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Bob, but Gov. Perdue was diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma in December.”
—————
So what? Certain lymphomas have over a 90% cure rate anymore (since 1998 thanks to Rituxan). I was diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma 8 years ago and was back at work in less than 6 months.
Giant Comfort » GOP Senator Announcing 2014 Retirement
January 25th, 2013
2:02 pm
[...] Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) is announcing Friday that he will not run for re-election in 2014, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]
almcc
January 25th, 2013
2:04 pm
The first sentence of his release is telling. Someone who believes that doesn’t have to say it.
Good riddance to an epic porker. (I’m talking about his fiscal excesses here, btw.) Republicans like him are at least as much to blame for our budget mess as spendthrift Democrats. I just hope we can elect a fiscal conservative who can stay focused on the only issue in Washington that matters: passing a living within a budget that balances income and outflows. The rest of us do that.
Tod
January 25th, 2013
2:06 pm
At least a Republican legislator understands that an Island can’t “tip over”. I think Chambliss knew he would get beat. Good luck as a lobbyist.
B-Bro
January 25th, 2013
2:15 pm
“Sitting on a back porch drinking whiskey with some of y’all is exciting to think about.”
He’ll be a whole lot better off than arguing with those idiots on Capital Hill…..I can’t blame him one bit.