Senator Saxby Chambliss Rallies Support in Evans

By Barclay Bishop
WJBF News Channel 6 reporter
Published: November 22, 2008

Columbia County, GA—It all comes down to December 2nd. Right now, the Democrats have 58 seats in the U.S. Senate.  Making this one so important for Republicans, along with the one that’s up for grabs in Minnesota. 

Saturday, Senator Saxby Chambliss stressed that importance when he met with some of his supporters in Columbia County.

Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss, Georgia:  “Wow what a great day to be in Columbia County, gee whiz!”

With less than 2 weeks until the big day, Senator Saxby Chambliss and his campaign are hitting the ground running, trying to grab every vote they can before the December 2nd run off.

Senator Chambliss:  “This is the most important election in the history of Georgia. The world is watching this election and it is critically important that folks turn out to vote on December 2nd.”

Saturday afternoon, Senator Chambliss held a rally at Columbia County’s Republican Headquarters.  A chance to show why he thinks his opponent, Jim Martin, shouldn’t have the senate seat.

Senator Chambliss:  “He voted for the largest tax increase in the history of our state. He’s never seen a tax increase he didn’t like. He also voted against making English the official language in Georgia.

Martin’s had his fair share of attacks on the Senator.  Including this most recent one, doubting his knowledge on the economy.

Senator Chambliss:  “Yeah can you believe he’s got the gall to dispute what Alan Greenspan said. I was simply quoting Greenspan in that comment because back in the summer we didn’t know if we were in a recession or not.”

With 58 Democrats already in the U.S. Senate, a win for Chambliss could be the Republican Party’s last chance to gain back some control in congress.

Senator Chambliss:  “If we don’t do that, if we don’t get the 41 votes then the democrats will have a blank check and that’s not the way our government intended it to be run and that’s why this race is so critically important.”

Senator Chambliss:  “We’re going to win so that’s not even in my mind set, we’re going to win.”

The polls showed Senator Chambliss leading in September and October.  When we asked him what happened in the month leading up to November 4th, he said he ran into the same problem that other republicans who were running ran into, the economic crisis.

Saxby will be back rallying through Georgia one last time on December 1st.  Augusta is on his list of stops.