Breaking: Saxby Chambliss to retire
posted at 11:01 am on January 25, 2013 by Ed Morrissey
Republicans will have to defend at least one Senate seat without its incumbent in 2014. Saxby Chambliss informed his staff that he will not seek re-election in 2014, leaving an open seat in deep-red Georgia to fill:
Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss will announce Friday that he will retire from the U.S. Senate and not seek a third term next year.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Chambliss informed his staff this morning.
Chambliss was a member of the so-called “Gang of Six,” a bipartisan group of senators that tried last year to forge an agreement on ways to reduce the debt. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., had been considering a challenge to Chambliss in a GOP primary.
Chambliss, 69, was first elected to the Senate in 2002 after serving in the U.S. House for four terms. He defeated Democratic incumbent Max Cleland, a Vietnam veteran and triple amputee, in that first race after running controversial ads that included images of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden.
In 2008, Chambliss had a closer-than-expected fight against Democrat Jim Martin, winning by only 3 percentage points.Democrats were buoyed by high-turnout in the presidential primary that year, and poured resources into defeating Chambliss.
Chambliss hasn’t exactly been a darling of the Right, although his voting record is still conservative:
Chambliss has grown increasingly frustrated with the pervasive gridlock in the Senate — particularly its inability to reach a grand bargain to slash deficits.
The move is certain to prompt furious effort among Republicans to hold onto the seat. After working with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, first known as the Gang of Six, Chambliss came under criticism from the right for advocating a major deal with higher tax revenues. Still, he appeared in a strong position to fend off a primary challenge from the right.
This will produce an opening for Tea Party activists and a challenge for the GOP establishment. John Cornyn warned earlier that the NRSC would start getting more involved in candidate recruitment after grassroots candidates in Missouri and Indiana lost races that had widely been predicted as relatively easy wins for Republicans. This may be the first test of this establishment activism, as the GOP can hardly afford to lose a Senate seat from the South.
The AJC’s Jim Galloway notes that a few names are already getting some play:
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.
On the Democratic side, 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.
Who else might be interested in the opening? Both Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich have national followings, and both have substantial credibility on the Right. Cain has been very popular with the Tea Party. I’d guess that at least one of them will start exploring a new campaign in the near future.
If Cain is interested in jumping into the race, at least he can provide continuity for Chambliss’ latest effort:
Wednesday night, U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), introduced S.122, The FairTax Act, which would implement a simpler, less-cumbersome tax code. Chambliss has introduced the FairTax legislation every year he has been in the Senate.
“The current tax code has become too burdensome and complex, and is filled with provisions that only benefit a few Americans at the expense of everyone else. That’s simply not right,” said Chambliss. “The FairTax Act would create a fairer, simpler tax code that allows every American the freedom to determine his or her own priorities and opportunities.”
The Fair Tax was an integral part of Cain’s presidential agenda.
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He looks promising.
Trust me if the Democrats get their way on the 2 billion in tax hikes they want to push through – there are going to be some ticked off Minnesotans at the polls in 2014.
gophergirl on May 4, 2013 at 7:05 PM
I wish him luck. There’d nothing I’d like better than see Franken be a one term Senator.
CoffeeLover on May 4, 2013 at 7:05 PM
I don’t have much faith in a populace that elected Franken to begin with..
melle1228 on May 4, 2013 at 7:06 PM
Franken won by outright fraud and the help of the lizard people. Now we have this dude from Lazard poising to challenge his absurd presence on Capital Hill.
Dissention in the ranks?
Happy Nomad on May 4, 2013 at 7:09 PM
That’s easy enough to answer. What are his positions on the issues? Is he a man of good character?
Stoic Patriot on May 4, 2013 at 7:13 PM
Man, I have a hard time apprehending that MN is a purple state, but I welcome local reports to prove me wrong. :)
22044 on May 4, 2013 at 7:15 PM
The challenger just has to find more missing ballots in his own trunk than Al Franken can find in his.
The Rogue Tomato on May 4, 2013 at 7:16 PM
trigon on May 4, 2013 at 7:19 PM
He will have the Lazard People vote.
I think Franken got all those last time around.
BigWyo on May 4, 2013 at 7:21 PM
Franken has done a wonderful job of quietly sitting in the corner and voting the way Ozero and Scum Ball Harry tell him to.
Never hear about the sorry SOB in these parts that often.
BigWyo on May 4, 2013 at 7:23 PM
You say Lizard, I say Lazard.
trigon on May 4, 2013 at 7:24 PM
Reality?
thatsafactjack on May 4, 2013 at 7:26 PM
Since they got scammed by the Electronic Pull Tabs hoax, they gotta pay for that goddamn stadium some how or another.
BigWyo on May 4, 2013 at 7:27 PM
That state may elect clowns on a regular basis.. but they reject them too.. Remember a certain boa wearing former Governor who lied about being a SEAL?
UDT may be hardcore, but SEAL’s they weren’t.
I was an Air Force SP, Security ground combat specialist.. what they now call Security Forces.. I was trained as were my brethren by US Army Ranger qualified Airmen.. similar light infantry training, but I was not by any definition, a Ranger.. Though we were granted the privilege of a beret. War gamed with the 101st and 82nd in the late 70′s.. But the Rangers are our Gogfather, so to speak.. but we didn’t earn the Ranger patch.
That was the claim he maid on his service, and now he does a conspiracy theory nutjob show on cable.. if it’s even still on.
Franken, is just a nutjob..
a vote stealing, voting fraud using nutjob.. selected, not elected.. butt still an empty suit with rage issues nutjob, who attacks people physically on occasion..
mark81150 on May 4, 2013 at 7:29 PM
Not only was Franken’s “victory” disputed through several sketchy recount procedures, but it came in a three-way race.
His main rationale for reelection is that he has kept a relatively low profile and has been less of an embarrassment to the state than, say, Jesse Ventura.
Adjoran on May 4, 2013 at 7:29 PM
This is a lazy article, Jazz. Isn’t your job to find out something about Mike McFadden, rather than just saying “Here’s this challenger….and I guess I don’t know anything about him, by golly.”
rbk2000 on May 4, 2013 at 7:29 PM
sigh.. sometimes spellcheck doesn’t help when you’re typing fast.
mark81150 on May 4, 2013 at 7:31 PM
kinda harsh isn’t it?
Does anyone know much about him or this race yet? I like any post were we can beat up on that idiot Franken.. relives some stress.
mark81150 on May 4, 2013 at 7:33 PM
So he makes more than $250,000 a year? #mediadoublestandard
HitNRun on May 4, 2013 at 7:34 PM
ok.. I’ll stop typing for a while.. I really need new glasses..
mark81150 on May 4, 2013 at 7:34 PM
Is the discount comedian already worried some Liberal judge won’t be able to let him steal enough votes?
viking01 on May 4, 2013 at 7:42 PM
No, The exit question has to be………just how many car trunks has Franken already filled with pre-marked ballots.
GarandFan on May 4, 2013 at 7:43 PM
You mean a legitimate election with no “surprise” ballots or prison inmates voting, right?
Glenn Jericho on May 4, 2013 at 7:43 PM
What has this Idiot done since he’s been in office? I don’t remember reading about one bill which he has written or co-sponsored with other Dem Idiots! All he does is vote for any bill submitted by the libtards! I think I just answered my own question! I guess that’s all they require their puppets to do and as a good follower, he does it! He is as good a Senator as he was a comedian! NOT! He sucks!!!
Jersey Dan on May 4, 2013 at 7:44 PM
Actually area wise there is more red than blue when you look at a map. Unfortunately the blue spots are the big urban centers and then you throw in a little voter fraud and well there you go.
The democrats are really over reaching with taxes and spending – plus they are giving themselves a 35% pay increase. In reading the online comments to news articles – most people claiming to be democrats are saying they won’t vote at all in the next election. That’s as good as vote for our side.
Unfortunately the state GOP here is pretty dumb. The previous chair and the current chair I think get it so hopefully they will be able to turn this back around.
gophergirl on May 4, 2013 at 7:46 PM
Yep – Dean Barkley is pretty much responsible for ObamaCare. No Dean Barkley – no Al Franken – GOP is able to filibuster the bill.
gophergirl on May 4, 2013 at 7:47 PM
…Mickey Mouse?
KOOLAID2 on May 4, 2013 at 7:56 PM
That maid me laugh……
VegasRick on May 4, 2013 at 7:57 PM
Children and first term Senators are to be seen but not heard. Why the hell do you think the status quo goes crazy when Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, or Ted Cruz says stuff?
Happy Nomad on May 4, 2013 at 8:01 PM
Except they didn’t elect him. Well, maybe the felons elected him. Franken got in through blatant, well documented election fraud.
WannabeAnglican on May 4, 2013 at 8:07 PM
To be fair to the state’s voters, he stole the election, but we’re not supposed to mention that are we ??
cableguy615 on May 4, 2013 at 8:08 PM
I don’t have much faith in a populace that gave him 49+% of the vote, so I guess I agree with both of you.
HitNRun on May 4, 2013 at 8:09 PM
That is the first key question. If McFadden is a Chris Christie Republican who will vote for anything Obama wants and praises him while undercutting Conservatives; why should we care? In the absence of indications otherwise, today we have start with the assumption that he is a typical Institutional Republican.
That is first.
Second, Minnesota is now, like it or not, a state where Democrat fraud at whatever level necessary to win is now the norm. And accepted by both parties. The legitimacy of any election in a state like that is automatically not only suspect, but can be assumed to be stolen by the Left. How do they intend to fight the fraud that will make up a significant portion of the vote total, or do they just intend to assume that the Democrats will be good this time?
Subotai Bahadur on May 4, 2013 at 8:11 PM
You have to remember, he was elected by low-information voters. They will never know about the tax hikes or be told it only applies to billionaires.
Alabama Infidel on May 4, 2013 at 8:14 PM
He’s exactly the type of republican who won’t win, ie rich. Honestly, the only person who could maybe beat Franken is Jim Ramstad. There should be more talk of him running.
IR-MN on May 4, 2013 at 8:17 PM
One of the tax increases being proposed is a tax on clothes. Everybody will feel that.
gophergirl on May 4, 2013 at 8:17 PM
I think Pawlenty would win if he ran.
Have you seen this guy – Scott Honour who is running for Governor? I liked him on Facebook and so far I like what he has to say.
gophergirl on May 4, 2013 at 8:19 PM
How in the world did Al Franken get elected to the US Senate?
I know MN is a liberal state, but Al Franken?
Al Franken, US Senator from Minnesota.
ColtsFan on May 4, 2013 at 8:22 PM
I am totally confident that Al Franken will cheat his way back to DC.
Again.
Moesart on May 4, 2013 at 8:25 PM
Honour looks like a classy guy, but this state elects literally the dregs of society. No hope. Pawlenty would lose; he’s as popular as Coleman. Right now, we’re looking at Dayton and Franklen reelected. This isn’t the 2002-2004 MN that looked more competitive.
IR-MN on May 4, 2013 at 8:30 PM
frankenstein got elected because a third party candidate siphoned enough votes from Coleman which got the race close enough that the soros funded secretary of state (ritchey) could find a way for franken to some how just get enough votes to win. Coleman was no prize and may of been squishy but he was a lot better than the jackwad franken. If he is running against franken and is not a liberal democrat I already like him. There was talk that Jason Davis, a radio talk show celeb might jump in. We need to clean up the place but our governor and the dem legislature that the stoopids in Minnesota voted for are living up to their party symbol……bunch of tax happy jackasses…. folks if you think you got no representation…try this line up…keith the muslim ellison, amy the don’t do anything klobuchar and al the jerk franken…then mark dayton and my two legislators list so far to the left, are supposed to represent me and my family….ya sure you betcha…..
crosshugger on May 4, 2013 at 8:33 PM
Doubt it, Mickey will be voting for him!
cableguy615 on May 4, 2013 at 8:34 PM
Isn’t Ramstad a bit squishy?
crosshugger on May 4, 2013 at 8:34 PM
Is Minnesota famous for the wooded outdoors, hunting, 10,000 lakes, nature, wildlife, etc…etc?
I just figured MN would have a higher-than average group of 2nd amendment voters?
ColtsFan on May 4, 2013 at 8:34 PM
Kinda has a nice ring to it….
Kinda like Barrack Obama, President of the United States.
*gag*
BigWyo on May 4, 2013 at 8:36 PM
…and don’t think they are not even more inspired witnessing how easy it was to defraud an elecion at the federal level.
Stuart Smalldick knows he has nothing to fear.
cableguy615 on May 4, 2013 at 8:36 PM
Well, you have to consider the Twin Cities…they have a serious case of Left Coast Envy to go along with a serious population advantage.
BigWyo on May 4, 2013 at 8:39 PM
We did manage to push off the gun grab this year. HUGE accomplishment.
Best grass roots campaign for the good guys I’ve seen in awhile around here.
gophergirl on May 4, 2013 at 8:43 PM
You pegged that right.
gophergirl on May 4, 2013 at 8:44 PM
As a Minnesotan PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get Franken out!
TheOarsman on May 4, 2013 at 9:06 PM
The democratics can steal elections in Minnesota. Unless election laws there are cleaned up they will continue to steal them.
This is one of the reasons the Republicans were able to hold the House. It’s much more difficult to steal House seats because the big vote theft operations are in the democratic inner cities. They can steal the Senate and the Presidency, but not the House.
slickwillie2001 on May 4, 2013 at 9:20 PM
…and that’s why they will continue to get away with it.
slickwillie2001 on May 4, 2013 at 9:23 PM
The Minnesota GOP is in shambles.
When they won the State legislature in 2010 they insisted on governing like the minority, so they were booted back to that comfortable status last year.
The only hope against Franken is a long-shot Jason Lewis run.
Dayton has the job as long as he wants it.
Bruno Strozek on May 4, 2013 at 9:26 PM
Apparently Minnesotans act funny think funny and talk funny.
They used to make fun of the guy from Minnesota on my crew and now I know why.
Sherman1864 on May 4, 2013 at 10:09 PM
Please, get him out!
MT on May 4, 2013 at 10:11 PM
Actually the Democrat Activist Judges did that.
Del Dolemonte on May 4, 2013 at 10:11 PM
For a richly detailed look at how the Democrats Stole that Senate Seat, go to the Power Line Blog archives.
Del Dolemonte on May 4, 2013 at 10:14 PM
the state should be crawling with lawyers
and the person who should be under the microscope, given a rigid colonoscopy is Mark Ritchie, who helped engineer the fraudulent outcome of Franken’s election.
the honest voters of Minnesota were disenfranchised, denied their civil rights by having the election stolen.
where’s the media scrutiny.
with all the snow in Minnesota, the state deserves some sunshine on the shady practices of the democrats
wholefoodsrepublican on May 4, 2013 at 11:00 PM
I’ll take that for $400 Alex. What is a jigsaw puzzle marked 2-4 years?
The Rogue Tomato on May 4, 2013 at 11:21 PM
Being funny.
Tying his own shoelaces.
Getting elected without blatant election fraud.
S. D. on May 4, 2013 at 11:27 PM
being a midwestern born boy who appreciated scandinavian and german work ethic I almost worship Minneapolis. After working for an Edina company and visiting the Minne Aplle quite a bit as an adult, I have experienced the crap roads, the excessive welfare benfits the rampant alcohol and drug use.
The increased crime and murder and gands in the minney apple were astoundind, downtown is a boring cesspool.
I no longer want to emulate or even visit there.
Shame.
But I guess thats what the want there, I hope they enjoy their cesspool.
losarkos on May 4, 2013 at 11:33 PM
If election fraud is so blatant as it is in Minnesota, then why can’t something be done about it? Why does it continue? Are people that stupid and weak?
HiJack on May 4, 2013 at 11:42 PM
Yeah, they really screwed us voters over big time. The Amy Koch scandal didn’t help matters either. I’ve lost most hope for regaining either the house or the senate anytime soon with the party in shambles. If we can at least win back the governorship in 2014 it could do some good. I wouldn’t mind seeing Emmer try again. Maybe he’ll learn to sling the crap right back at Dayton this time. He would have and would still make a great governor.
I see the senate race as winnable, but we need someone who understands the economy and someone who has name recognition. My pick is Jason Lewis, who has a radio program at 5PM (central) on KTLK. He’s super smart, and while we leans a bit more libertarian than I am, I could easily vote for him. Heck, I’d love to work for his campaign if he announces. I have no idea who this McFadden guy is.
Othniel on May 4, 2013 at 11:48 PM
He helped ram Obamacare down our throats.
And if we’re really arrived at the point where obviously-deranged, thoroughly unlikeable clowns like Franken are viewed as nigh-unbeatable, then it’s frakking OVER.
Cylor on May 5, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Democratics put victory before the rule of law and the Constitution. It’s almost a platform of their party, quite the opposite of what Republicans believe.
The international socialists put it most succinctly when they say “there is no truth but that which serves The Cause.”
slickwillie2001 on May 5, 2013 at 12:10 AM
MN is home to many Scandinavians which equals socialist. The populace has not only gotten Franken into office via fraud and third party candidate Dean Barkley, but they have also voted in the most God awful constitutional amendments in recent years. Those things cements the case for the voting public in MN being either totally stupid or gullible or both.
Dasher on May 5, 2013 at 12:51 AM
I live in MN too and also have never heard of this McFadden guy. Jason Lewis has my vote.
Dasher on May 5, 2013 at 12:54 AM
He got about 44% of the vote. As did Coleman. The rest went to the third party candidate. There are a lot of even reliably red states where the Democrat candidate, regardless of his/her ineptitude or incompetence, can expect to pull 44% of the vote.
I expect he’ll pull a lot higher in ’14, because he’s basically done and said pretty much nothing, and just quietly rubber-stamped every Harry Reid proposal. The only bills he’s co-sponsored have to do with improving Veterans’ benefits, which makes him seem rational and moderate. So, he’ll pull his old 44%, plus a good chunk of people who voted third party last time, leery of what a Franken in the Senate might do to embarrass Minnesota, which he has been smart enough not to do.
He won’t exactly cruise to victory, but it won’t be all that close of a race.
Sadly.
notropis on May 5, 2013 at 1:14 AM
If Al can get voted out and Mark Begich too, I will be happy.
tbear44 on May 5, 2013 at 3:59 AM
This state is extremely politically correct because of its heritage. Very concerned about appearing “nice” and “caring” and “open-minded” (whatever those words mean). All has to do with being popular and loved and accepted; very important in a socialist — not independent — society. Appearances, not substance. It makes for a great tragic comedy.
RobertMN on May 5, 2013 at 8:09 AM
I still can’t get over the fact that a SNL cast member with little to NO political experience got elected to anything political in the first place, much less to the Senate.
He failed at his next “profession” after SNL…… (radio)which had terrible ratings….so then, he ran for the Senate. Honestly, why would any sane person have voted for a guy that couldn’t even take care of his own finances ($79,000 in back taxes owed at the time of the election)?
I realize that election fraud helped push him over with a smattering of “found” votes in a car trunk, but why in hades was this race even this close?
avagreen on May 5, 2013 at 8:34 AM
I thought Ed had a monopoly on Minnesota articles.
Since this is not a presidential election year race, I think a good GOP candidate would have a chance. The NRA voters will be out and Obama’s approval is sliding down and the job market and economy are stagnant which is not good for the incumbent party. Obamacare looks like it is going to be a bust too. If the GOP can’t win in that environment when would it.?
KW64 on May 5, 2013 at 8:42 AM
Othniel and Dasher, what part of Minnieso-tuh did yous guys (youses) live in? :)
I lived for a small amount of time in both Virginia and in Eveleth, Minnieso-tuh as a child. Beautiful place. It was in Spring & Summer while my dad worked on the Mountain Iron Mine……huge pit in the ground…..I heard the words, Mesabi Range, a lot.
From looking at the pic here, it seems now to be filled with…..water?
avagreen on May 5, 2013 at 8:50 AM
no the question was is and always will be what type of character does he have, what are his policies and positions on the issues and will he stick to those campaign promises once elected.
unseen on May 5, 2013 at 9:40 AM
once they get rid of Rove and the other establishment “consultants” and return to Reaganism the GOP will be able to win in any environment.
unseen on May 5, 2013 at 9:42 AM
the obamacare vote will only matter if the GOP challenger decides to use that vote against him. If Mitt would have used Obamacare as a wedge issue and run on repeal he would have won.
I totally agree with your last point. Our “elected” leaders are all jokes and clowns. In that regard AL fits right in.
unseen on May 5, 2013 at 9:46 AM
the victors of said election fraud will not give up their edge easily and since they control the enforcement it will take an outside group like the FBI to fix the issue. The next GOP POTUS whoever it maybe really needs to crack down on fraud and restore confidence in our voting process.
unseen on May 5, 2013 at 9:49 AM
Agreed; but we have a chicken and egg problem there. Until you win the Presidential election you cannot reform the fraud that keeps you from winning elections. Bush tried to push Federal Prosecuters to take on the fraud in various states but if he replaced them for refusing to act he got hammered for making the Justice Dept. partisan. Now when Obama has made it completely a tool for the DNC and his own administration the same media that howled against Bush sits silent.
The GOP has to win and has to ignore the entrenched left that defends the fraud it is rooting out. To defer to the state government that was elected by fraud to root out the fraud is a complete cop-out.
KW64 on May 5, 2013 at 10:02 AM
IR-MN on May 5, 2013 at 10:35 AM
What amazes me is that the guy moved away from MN as soon as he could(age 17/18) and only moved back 40 years later so he could run for senate.(Which of course since he won he basically had to move to DC. If he lost, well ok he would have moved away to either NY or LA.) I mean if that doesn’t scream that he hates his constituency I don’t what would.
Anyway I’m of the opinion the best way to beat Franken is to basically goad him until he loses his temper, preferably at a debate.(Even better if he loses it so badly he actually starts assaulting people again. That would cause him to lose.)
Dave_d on May 5, 2013 at 11:09 AM
Begich has Minny roots up in Ev-let. (Eveleth)
BTW, Wasilla, Alaska has a lot of Iron Range ties.
That’s why Sarah Palin seems to talk “funny” to the un-educated ear.
Blue Devil and Golden Bear? Yipes.
How’d ya work that out?
Bruno Strozek on May 5, 2013 at 11:29 AM
The dead voting early and often could keep Franken alive.
TimBuk3 on May 5, 2013 at 11:29 AM
Ahh, yes. Minnesota. Home to a hostile Muslim congressman, and a washed-up has-been comedian senator.
friendlygrizzly on May 5, 2013 at 2:08 PM
Franken frauded his way into the Senate and Republicans did little about it. Since then he has done nothing of note, as his real voters may have noticed by now. The challenger must win by at least 5% and must have a strategy for dealing with voter fraud the minute it becomes known (preferably before election day).
virgo on May 5, 2013 at 2:17 PM
It’s actually worse than that.
Thousands of votes went to Libertarian and Constitution party candidates. If those morons would have just “stayed home” and voted for the evil Republican, we may not have had Obamacare.
But they voted for their principles, and look where that got us.
strictnein on May 5, 2013 at 4:53 PM