Georgia Sen. Chambliss Knocks Over Camera When Asked About Lawsuit

The pressures of the runoff election and the continuing questions about his ties to a large, scandal-scarred sugar company seem to be getting to Sen. Saxby Chambliss.

Asked by a reporter whether a lawsuit involving deaths at an Imperial Sugar plant -- a lawsuit in which Chambliss claims he has senatorial immunity from testifying -- were making his chances at reelection harder, the Georgia Republican responded by knocking away a nearby camera.

The video, put out by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, is another chapter in a bizarre but brewing saga that could very well affect the outcome of the Senate race.

In February 2008, an explosion at the Imperial Sugar Factory in Savannah, caused largely by combustible dust particles, killed 14 workers and injured 40. The whistleblower who brought the issue to light came before Capitol Hill to testify on the matter. Chambliss sat in on the hearing, though he was not part of the Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety. He was accused by his opponents of verbally harassing the whistleblower. Moreover, Chambliss continued to oppose a new combustible dust standard at the plant even after the explosion. Finally, when families of the victims filed a lawsuit, the Senator refused to give evidence or testimony, citing Senatorial immunity, which doesn't actually exist.

Imperial Sugar, which has funneled a moderate amount of donations into Chambliss' coffers, has defended the Senator's conduct as appropriate.

Comments

[Jesster]

Hmmm, do you suppose that Chambliss is lobbying for a slot on Bush's Pardon List?

[PatrickforO]

Here comes number 60. Drumroll, please!

[madisonhack]

The camera crew should have used force to defend themselves. It's come down to this.

[FR]

Some form of "Senatorial immunity" does exist, but it only applies to activities that fall within the scope of a senator's legitimate Senate duties (the Senate may even be able to decide to let a Senator hang in the wind). I don't see why Chambliss NEEDS immunity for the simple act of testifying, unless of course by doing so he would expose some actionable involvement on his part -- and actionable involvement in an exploded sugar factory is probably not covered by one's "standard" Senate duties.
Also not covered: shoving camera equipment into people's faces.
Bottom line, it just makes him bad, ... which he is.

[Jesster]

It sounds to me like he is using linguistic subterfuge to basically Plead the Fifth... But not to worry too much - he's just doing a Dick Cheney variation of flicking a switch to determine which branch of government he is actually in on any given day.

I hope the good people of Georgia don't opt to bring more shame* on themselves by re-electing this creep.

(*Chambliss's campaign against Max Cleland was unforgivably shameless or do I mean SHAMEFULL...)

[dougiec]

We are supposed to have checks and balances of power in this country, but apparantly a U.S. Senator doesn't have to answer to a court unless it's for an indictment on criminal charges. Another legacy of the Bush administration?

[gloweybabe]

ALL these CORRUPT GOP politicians think they are above the law because of the EXECUTIVE Power of the BUSH Administration. Prosecute them all and put their asses in jail. Fine them and take away everything they OWN. Freeze their bank accounts, etc.

RANDY DUKE CUNNINGHAM is in the SLAMMER and lost his Rolls Royce and his home in Rancho Santa FE from taking kick-backs & bribes from the businesses who support the military and the WAR. BTW, the San Diego UNION Tribune always supports the Republican CROOKS - stop reading that newspaper, they are worse than FAUX NEWS.

[jellinda]

Good ol' boys, sticking together.... Might as well stick together in hell...Go Martin!!

[qdog112]

Good ole "Southern hospitality".

Now yawl sarw that cameraman attack the good senator. He was just defending himself and the honor of southern womanhood.

[oldugly]

There is one more race you can effect. The Republicans are trying to bury Georgia with TV, radio and the loved robo calls. Your tiny donation ads up America, we know that.

Saxby Chambliss is a notorious slime ball. A liar, a bigot and a very, very good friend of the Bush policies. Chambliss is going around outside the cities ginning up fear and race baiting crowds every day.


Please give even just $5 or $10 bucks today

Jim Martin for US Senate website:
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Live in Georgia? Link to list of early voting sites…
http://www.sos.georgia.gov/elections/advanced_voting.htm

Vote now! There are no lines anywhere. The vote totals will be much, much smaller making every vote so very important. Do your share to rid Georgia of the liar Chambliss and help the new congress get the work done. Vote!

Georgians this race can be won! VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!

[likeicare]

Saxby (what a name!) doesn't even rise to the level of human scum.

[hilary916]

I guess he doesn't know how to count to ten.

[repugnicansfearme]

For how he disparaged Max Cleland, Chamblis is scum. Pure, sugar coated, scum.

[edsel]

You always get paid back call it karma or whatever. It always happens.

[ggmome]

Well Bubba, when will you bring out the dogs and fire hoses? This cameraman, should sue you down to the hem of your sheets.

[UsofA]

Just another Rethuglican, out enjoying the sunshine.

[CaliforniaJake]

Come on Georgia do the right thing and vote Chambliss out of office.