US Senator Saxby Chambliss has announced that he won’t be running for re-election in 2014. I can’t say I’ll miss him all that much.
Chambliss has been an ardent supporter of the 2nd Amendment, but that’s not enough. Single-issue voting is a willing set of blinders that causes its proponents to miss other important issues. I haven’t forgotten Chambliss’ blind co-sponsorship of S. 968, which would have had a chilling effect on internet speech. Nor am I willing to forgive his support for civilian detainment in the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, a stance he refused to change even while many Democrats voted to excise the offensive provisions.
I’m also reluctant to let history overlook his reprehensible tactics in the 2002 election, or his unwavering support for the PATRIOT Act despite many obvious 4th Amendment and due-process concerns. Given that he’s got nothing to lose at this point, there’s also a chance he may decide to give ground on his support for gun rights as well.
So, who takes his place? Nobody’s clamoring for the seat at the moment, and there’s a chance it could go to a Democrat. It could go to an ineffectual but surly Tea Party demagogue as well. It’s too early to make predictions, but the status quo is indefensible at this point.