Fresh off his double-digits runoff win, Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss says his party must return to its conservative roots.
But what is troubling is this:
he said he expects his campaign will be a model for Republicans looking to regroup in the 2010 election cycle.
Now, if you mean being forced to put your team in the corner and let the professional, conservative adults in the room take over, rescue you, and win, then absolutely! If you mean, blow a lead, burn through a wad of cash, run a cluster *$#! of a campaign, get into a runoff, and scramble around like mad forcing others into difficult positions they should not have had to be in, then no.
The fact is Saxby, you have no natural base in Georgia. You don’t. Johnny has the metro Atlanta Republicans — a sizable group. You have Moultrie. Johnny has the country club moderates. You don’t have them and you don’t have the conservatives. The best you can claim are farmers — not a sizable group.
Saxby, do you realize your campaign did no significant outreach to third party groups in the general election? Seriously. Now I know some of your staff will say otherwise, but I’ve talked to the gun groups, the small business groups, the Christian groups, the free enterprise groups, and others — they are all pretty damn unanimous that your outreach efforts were terrible.
Likewise, you put yourself into this position. You talk about returning to your conservative roots — well you start first. The immigration compromise hurt you with the base. The farm bill hurt you with the business community. The energy compromise hurt you with the part of the base not hurt by the immigration compromise. Then the bailout vote set you on fire and nobody could bother even peeing on you after that. You’ve gotten squishy on financial issues. You’ve gotten squishy on business issues. You’ve gotten comfortable in the establishment and the base does not see you as dependable anymore.
In short Saxby, you pissed off everybody. And people did not come out to vote for you. They came out to stop a filibuster proof Democrat Senate.
We all like you Saxby. Hell, I’ve busted my butt for years to get you elected, starting in 1994. And despite hundreds, if not thousands, of man hours working for you (including subjecting myself to Jim Marshall’s “Advising Small Businesses” class just to see if he’d say something stupid in 1998) and constantly fixing that miserable computer system in the old campaign office, I am sorely disappointed in how you’ve conducted yourself in the past few years. I am even more sorely disappointed that your campaign was a disaster of monumental incompetence and a high level of being disconnected and out of touch with the grassroots on whom you depend for votes and volunteers.
And you are damn retarded if you think otherwise.
Steve Maley
Neil Stevens
Daniel Horowitz
Getting elected is less than half the battle
Erick Brockway (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 3:29PM EST (link)The real work begins now. I don’t pretend to know what went on in Georgia campaigns, but I know this; There’s more to being a US Senator than just getting votes every 6 years, then ignoring the base for 5 years and appeasing the left.
We want, we need fighters sir, like the fighters that got you elected if you need an example.
Thank you in advance for holding the line in the battles to come. If that doesn’t happen, in another 6 years there’l be worse than a 60 seat Dem majority.
Note to lefties;
“Don’t be afraid to see what you see.” -Ronald Reagan
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Couldn't have said it better
Just_A_Grunt Wednesday, December 3rd at 3:32PM EST (link)Saxby didn’t run a campaign in GA. He was a one note song. Vote for me because we don’t want to give the Dems a super majority.
The best ad he had was the one over Thanksgiving that wasn’t political in nature at all.
Saxby don’t be so sure that conservatives voted you. Republicans did but conservatives sat this one out.
Erick...
Attack Mode (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 3:46PM EST (link)Seriously…Six years is enough time for you to take this seat. I gave money to Saxby and I didn’t even like him…I like you and would support your run any way possible.
Anyway I know it is a long time from now…but I just want you to know that you have my support…at least until DC turns you into a squish…then I will be looking to primary you as well…;^)
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger

“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
Saxby should just hang onto the skirt.
newagegop (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 4:03PM EST (link)Do whatever Sarah says Saxby. Hang on tight to that skirt that dragged you from a 5 pt lead to a 15 pt landslide. You were a great Bush puppet now I want Sarah to own you.
Wondering about the bailout call Sarah.
Questions on taxes ask Sarah.
Not sure which suit to wear beg Sarah for advice.
Because as it stands Sarah unburdened by McCain 1 vs. Obama burdened by Ludicris 0.
Sarah.
???
Profit.
Really, Erick.
Loren Heal (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 4:09PM EST (link)If ever there is a teachable moment in a politician’s life, there are two: a) The 48 hours following an electoral loss and b) two weeks before that, when he’s trailing in the polls
anticipating the 48 hours following an electoral loss.
Immediately after a win? Not so much.
–
Join the Concord Project, and follow @lheal, if you dare.
Well said...
horse Wednesday, December 3rd at 4:13PM EST (link)It is so obvious many citizens share these same sentiments, yet republican politicians only learn when they have nowhere else to turn.
Well said...
horse Wednesday, December 3rd at 4:13PM EST (link)It is so obvious many citizens share these same sentiments, yet republican politicians only learn when they have nowhere else to turn.
Chambliss on Beck this morning
Scope (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 4:18PM EST (link)I didn’t hear the whole interview but caught a part where Chambliss was saying something about moderates. Did anyone else hear that interview. Beck would be the perfect show for a moderate to talk on, as Beck said right after the election “the Republicans will now run to the right, but I warn you not to run too far to the right.” Mr. Beck, I prefer looking at how the pendlum swings, and as far left as it swung this year, it will swing that far back to the right in the next election. And, that’s as it should be.
Why I love Erick, among other reasons
Robert (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 4:53PM EST (link)Statements like this:
Had me laughing out loud.
I contributed to Saxby’s campaign from way over here in Texas to help block the Dems from getting 60, not because he is a stellar conservative. Just think about how much easier it would be for me to support a stellar conservative. Shall I make out the check to “Erickson for Senate”?
Now, if only Saxby...
jonnot Wednesday, December 3rd at 4:58PM EST (link)realizes that this overwhelming election success was not about him, but about saving the seat from the clutches of the democrats, thus preventing the 60-seat filabuster-proof majority. He should now wake up, dump his ineffectual Chief-of-Staff, Charlie Harmon, and start behaving like a CONSERVATIVE republican–not a pro-bailout moderate.
In his defense...
birdmojo (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 5:00PM EST (link)If half of your (conservative) constituency is screaming that the bailout is a bad idea and the other half of your constituency is screaming that the bailout is necessary to save the country as we know it, it’s not like he can make a decision that won’t irritate half of his constituency.
For every single flaw that Saxby has, I bet that I can find you a chunk of his (conservative) constituency that will scream loudly had he voted with a different button.
Personally, this is why I think that it becomes verrrrry important to hammer out what it means to be Conservative/Republican so that when he represents his (conservative) constituency, he does so in such a way that benefits Conservatives as a whole, rather than have it explained that, yes, he DID vote for the bailout but you have to understand that these circumstances are extraordinary and why can’t you understand that his vote on protecting marriage/children more than makes up for that.
If you know what I mean.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. –Voltaire
I tend to cut him some slack Bird
kyle8 (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 5:06PM EST (link)because I believed the bailout was needed (although I wanted a smaller one). Looks like it really wasn’t, don’t mind admitting when I am Wrong.
But it is a heavy thing to be responsible for another possible great depression.
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
hahahahahahahahahah!!!!!
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 5:17PM EST (link)Chambliss, I think you need to cowboy up and take that first step toward the conservative mainstream.
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
Give Saxby some credit
Change Jar Conservative (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 5:21PM EST (link)At least he compromised on illegal immigration, voted for bigger government (overriding Bush’s veto of the farm bill), and immeadiately jumped into bed at the drop of the hat on the bailout (don’t let facts get in the way, just do something!)
I mean, it’s not like he’s a one trick moderate.
********
Formerly know as “Oz” in these parts
Erickson 2014!
Dan McLaughlin (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 5:30PM EST (link)Hey, I like that one.
“No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong.” – Winston Churchill
Oz, that is precisely
TxCon (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 5:57PM EST (link)why we need term limits on these clowns. Maximum of two Senate terms and six house terms, that’s it. Then these bozos will have to find work in the private sector like the rest of us.
I am a Saxby constituent...
Mark Malcolm (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 8:55PM EST (link)and closer to 85% of us called, emailed, and pleaded with him to NOT vote for the bailout. He did it anyway.
He then went on the public airways and said, not once, but twice he knew–knew his constituents didn’t want him to vote for it. He did it anyway. After, he was on talk radio and said he’d still have voted for the bill.
On Monday and Tuesday his talk radio mouth piece (Boortz) said, ‘If he’d known how they were going to really use the bailout money he never would have voted for it’. Heck, I’m just a dumb project manager who watches Washington politics from afar and I knew what they were going to do with it….Because I read the dang bill!
If Saxby really didn’t know how they intended to use it his judgement was/is too flawed for Washington. If he knew he’s not conservative enough.
Oh, and I got blasted for admitting I wasn’t voting for him because I think he needs to learn about representative government. No, I don’t think he learned anything at all. I think he thinks he’s invincible now. We’ll see.
He could come on Redstate and post a note explaining how he understands what conservatism is etc, but I don’t think he’ll do that. I do note he came on Redstate to post a note asking us all to support him though.
I may not agree with what you say but I’ll defend your right to say it to the very death.
OH, AMEN brother...
Mark Malcolm (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 8:57PM EST (link)Term limits, a balanced budget amendment, and an outlaw on earmarks. I am with you TxCon.
I may not agree with what you say but I’ll defend your right to say it to the very death.
I read an intersting article in which you were quoted Erick...
Marcus_Traianus (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 9:31PM EST (link)Now I realize the article was meant to be about Saxby’s win. Nonetheless, it spoke volumes about how Sarah Palin attracted crowds wherever she went. Saxby was in response gushing about her turnout.
Is he really that clueless? Or does he just not understand that people in Georgia, like others, thirst for a real, living and breathing, stick to your principles conservative? Let that be a foreboding image seared into his mind.
The pas de deux is has ended. If you want to me more like the other guys, become them, don’t imitate them.
By the way; veto proof majority? They have the phoney Republican from Maine, et al who can be counted on to vote for every piece of hope and change.
“Both of our political parties, at least the honest portion of them, agree conscientiously in the same object—the public good; but they differ essentially in what they deem the means of promoting that good. One side believes it best done by one composition of the governing powers; the other, by a different one. One fears most the ignorance of the people; the other, the selfishness of rulers independent of them. Which is right, time and experience will prove.”.Thomas Jefferson
You're really going to hate that
Achance (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 9:58PM EST (link)when someone you rally like term limits out.
There’s a term limit every two or six years; it’s called an election.
In Vino Veritas
My wife just read this post
Erick Erickson (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:29PM EST (link)She’s laughing hysterically saying “this is the best damn thing you’ve ever written.”
Who will stand on either hand and keep this bridge with me?Follow @EWErickson
that's ok
kyle8 (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:31PM EST (link)After about eight-ten years in Washington they aint the same person you elected anyway.
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
I notice a lot Hate lately
dld1717 (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:35PM EST (link)I notice a lot hate on this site at other Republicans quote and quote not being “Conservative” enough
It really worries me that the party is being splintered more and more and that people like me who call themselves Conservative but have no problems with helping out a Snowe or Collins for example are feeling alienated.
I still maintain party lost in past 2 elections because we were deemed too far to the right.
dld1717...if you believe we went too far right than you probalby aren't a conservative...
Attack Mode (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:39PM EST (link)I suggest you reflect on that for a while.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger

“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
i don't get this
Erick Erickson (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:41PM EST (link)I’m not hating on Saxby. I love the guy. I’m writing out of disappointment, not hate.
He ran a disastrous campaign and embraced lots of bad advice. I want better for the guy.
He is, at heart, really a conservative.
Who will stand on either hand and keep this bridge with me?Follow @EWErickson
you are wrong, but even if you are right
kyle8 (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:42PM EST (link)then so what? If we are “too far” to the right in this day and age of the government taking over everything, then I shudder to think of what is centrist in your opinion.
If I cannot support good government, small government, conservative and libertarian positions, then I will just stay home and watch the collapse of society on TV.
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
You aren't reading well
Erick Erickson (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:46PM EST (link)We aren’t hating them — well a few — but not Saxby and most others. We know we need them for a majority coalition. We’re just tired of them stabbing us in the back or, even worse, pretending they are conservative to get elected, then not governing like a conservative.
Who will stand on either hand and keep this bridge with me?Follow @EWErickson
There U Go
dld1717 (Diary) Wednesday, December 3rd at 11:23PM EST (link)I am well aware of what and who I am and sure as hell won’t say what I am not
I am Conservative but does that make me fit litmus test with some of you 100% of time NO
The results are simple
BoatFoot (Diary) Thursday, December 4th at 10:05AM EST (link)I did not vote for him in the General election becuase of his vote on the 1st bailout. (I didn’t vote for anyone in that race) Communications sent to his office and phone calls before and after the bailout vote and even after the election came back with the exact same boilerplate answer: It wasn’t a bailout and it was best for the country.
The only reason I and many others voted in the run-off for Saxby was the filibuster issue. It accounts for all of the the percentage changes in Gwinnett and Cobb.
Isaakson is next… Rep. Price and Rep. Linder need to run for Isaakson’s senate seat and governor. I don’t really care whihc one runs for which but the so-called conservative turned washinton insider politicians like Saxby and Isaakson need to be taught a lesson. Maybe Saxby Chambliss learned his.
My Diary: http://www.redstate.com/jbristor/