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Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Cleland’s out, but that may not have been the news
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last week, Max Cleland declared himself unavailable for an ‘08 rematch with Republican Saxby Chambliss, who grabbed Cleland’s U.S. Senate seat in 2002.
This was not so much news as a confirmation of the status quo. Cleland had long told friends that he was through with elected politics — except to help other Democrats, which he did to great success this year.
The real news may be on the other side of the coin. Chambliss has long been viewed as a shoo-in for a vice presidential slot in 2008. His Georgia roots could serve as a regional balance to any ticket-leader from the North or Midwest. He’s telegenic, and he’s got a commanding view of international affairs from his seat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.
All that may have changed in November, one of our well-read Republican friends pointed out this morning. If Republicans are to have any chance — slim though it may be — of taking back the Senate in two years, Chambliss may obliged to keep his seat.
As red as Georgia may be, an open Senate seat is still a gamble — and would drain valuable GOP resources.
