Georgia win denies Democrats supermajority
No supermajority for Democrats on Capitol Hill
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Wednesday, 03, Dec 2008 10:24
Democrats in the Senate will not hold a so-called 'supermajority' following a run-off vote win by Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss in Georgia.
Mr Chambliss had fallen short of the absolute majority required by state law in the first round on November 4th, leading to yesterday's runoff vote.
With most results in he had won around 58 per cent of the vote compared to 42 per cent for Democratic challenger Jim Martin. Republican candidate John McCain won Georgia by five points in the presidential election.
The Georgia senator won his seat in 2002 after accusing Max Cleland, a Vietnam veteran and triple amputee, of being weak on defence. Democrats bitterly resented the victory and had hoped to unseat him this time round.
"You have delivered a message that a balance in government in Washington is necessary and that's not only what the people of Georgia want, it's what the people of America want," the Associated Press news agency quoted Mr Chambliss as saying in his victory speech.
His hold for the Republicans confirms the Democrats will not reach the 60-seat mark which would have allowed them to prevent opposition filibusters.
The tactic had been used repeatedly during the last two years, when Democrat-sponsored legislation was blocked by Republicans.
Before yesterday's vote Democrats held 58 Senate seats, with Minnesota the only other state whose result has yet to be called. A recount is underway there but the result is now irrelevant on a national level.
Despite this former comedian Al Franken will be hoping he can oust Norm Coleman in a bitterly fought campaign. He currently holds a slim lead of around 4,000 votes, according to the latest updates.