Oklahoma Farm Report - The Ranking Minority Member of Senate Ag Committee Survives Runoff in Georgia

Agricultural News

The Ranking Minority Member of Senate Ag Committee Survives Runoff in Georgia

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 6:25:20 CST

The Ranking Minority Member of Senate Ag Committee Survives Runoff in Georgia Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia has won his runoff against Democrat Jim Martin on Tuesday- keeping the Republicans from handing over a super majority to the Democrats in the US Senate. It was especially good news for agricultural interests, not just in Georgia, but across the country who felt they had a reliable supporter in the 65 year old Chambliss, who served as the Chairman of the Senate Ag Committee until the Republicans lost control to the Democrats- since that time, he has served as the ranking member of the Committee- and was a key counter balance to the populist agenda offered by Chairman Tom Harkin of Iowa during the 2009 Farm Bill debate.

One Washington lobbyist who was outspoken in his desire to see Chambliss survive was Colin Woodall of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. He told us right after it was learned that the Senator from Georgia was being forced into a runoff that Chambliss had been a friend of agriculture in both the House and Senate Ag Committees down through the years- and that the race was of paramount importance to farmers and ranchers. We pulled his comments from early November and have them linked on the Listen Bar below to jog your memory about what was said about Chambliss, this runoff and agriculture.

Chambliss portrayed his win as an encouraging sign for Republicans looking to regroup as they head into the next election cycle.

"I'm excited to be the first race that leads us into the 2010 campaign because it'll be a tough fight," Chambliss said at a victory party.

Former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore both stumped for Martin.

Several ex-Republican presidential candidates made appearances for Chambliss, including GOP nominee John McCain, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Chambliss brought in Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain's vice presidential pick, as his closer. She headlined four rallies for Chambliss across the state Monday that drew thousands of party faithful.

Ron Hays with Colin Woodall of NCBA Singing Praises for Senator Saxby Chambliss

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