Georgia has spoken and the nation took note. Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss was returned to office in Georgia’s run-off election by a wide majority over his Democratic opponent Jim Martin Tuesday.
Chambliss’ reelection garnered national attention because it has assured that the Democrat-controlled Congress will not have a filibuster-proof majority. A Democratic presidential administration and a Democratic House and Senate can still get its way more often than not, but Chambliss’ return means the Democrats can’t simply steamroll everything it wants into being.
Chambliss’ return means the Democrats will stay face a GOP with some teeth. Not terribly effective teeth, at this point, but some opposition nonetheless.
How effective Chambliss will be for the state, and specifically his native South Georgia, in this new Congress remains to be seen.
The Democrats still have steep control of the Senate. The Senate race in Minnesota remains contested. Chambliss has made efforts this year to be a more bi-partisan senator, having worked closely with Democrats to reach a compromise on energy legislation. But many Democrats still recall Chambliss’ nasty, albeit successful, campaign against then-Sen. Max Cleland, a Vietnam veteran and triple amputee, whom Chambliss painted as a traitor in league with Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. And now he’s spoiled the Democrats’ opportunity for a super-majority.
It’s doubtful the Democrat-controlled Senate will embrace Chambliss’ return with open arms, and Georgia may well pay the price.
Still, as we noted in our endorsement of Chambliss, returning him to office was important because Georgians have seen, on both a state and national level, the disastrous effects of the past few years when one party has too much control. Opposition and compromise are important components of a representative government.
During the past six years in the Senate, we hope and believe Saxby Chambliss has learned when one must be applied over the other.
What We Think
Our Opinion: Welcome back Saxby
- What We Think
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Shame in Berrien County
Unfortunately for Sherrie Williams of the Berrien County school-based health clinic, she talked to The Times and praised the program that she oversees. This pride in her work led to the loss of her job.
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Grading policy: A second chance?
In clarifying the Lowndes County Schools’ controversial grading policy, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith spoke of second chances.
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Be up to any weather challenge
Georgia’s Severe Weather Awareness Week starts today and runs through Friday. The idea behind the week is to prepare Georgians for weather emergencies and how to keep these situations from becoming tragedies.
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Parents and schools
There is a lot of talk lately about school systems and grading policies, and how all of a child's problems come back to a lack of parenting. But is it really that simple? Can it be a case where the school systems are so focused on the problem few that the majority of students are ignored?
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Brooks County High School engineering and technology teacher Don Morgan and his students. They recently received national attention for their work with biodiesel fuel. They collect used cooking oil from area fast-food restaurants then process this oil into biodiesel. Morgan hopes to next interest the Brooks County school buses into running on the fuel created in his class. This classroom not only prepares students for the future but may prepare all of us for an alternative energy source.
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Take me out to the ball park
The Valdosta State baseball season begins today. The Blazers host Lindenwood at 2:30 p.m. Nothing beats quality baseball played in warm weather with a great venue like Billy Grant Field.
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What We Think: Signing Day
Wednesday was National Signing Day, the day when high school athletes across the country make official announcements about what school they’ve chosen to sign with.
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School policy fails expectations
Lowndes County Schools recently implemented new grading guidelines for students. These guidelines have left many parents upset ...
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Just the facts, please
The Times has taken some hits this weekend following the reporting of the Rev. Floyd Rose’ rally on Saturday concerning the car which drove into a home, killing an infant on New Year’s, and an incident at Pinevale Learning Center. Some police officers think the VDT is not being fair, and Rose accused the VDT of not printing the facts, but the facts are as follows:
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Fathers teaching daughters
It began as a small gathering for fathers and daughters. It has become one of Valdosta’s most popular social events of the year.
Several years ago, Jeff Stewart co-founded the event with his wife, Becky, as a way for him to give a special night to his two daughters. Other fathers of First Presbyterian Church liked the idea and the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance was born. - More What We Think Headlines
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Shame in Berrien County
