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

[qdog112]

There are many bitter white southerners. Remember Zell Miller challenging Chris Matthews to a duel?

When they get pissed, they lash out and usually with impunity.

[MsLiz]

When ya'll tawk like dat, I dunno whether to reach for mah gun or mah Bible!

[pillgirl]

sheesh a simple 'no comment' would have sufficed.

[qdog112]

They have to remind you who's in charge.

[Trevor51181]

I'm currently volunteering in Georgia. I worked for Obama in Michigan and Indiana and we need people to get phone banks up and running ASAP and calling into Georgia. Turnout for runoff elections are usually at 15%. Many people just don't know about the election or that they can even vote early in the runoff. Don't let Chambliss get away this time. Send me an email at [e-mail] and I'll get you in the right direction to place calls to Obama supporters in Georgia.

[Ron1951]

I don't understand something here. If there is no such thing as Senatorial Immunity, why was he not forced to testify or pay the consequences? Republicans do not, contrary to the word put out by Bush/Cheney, stand above the Rule Of law. Apparently this judge is missing the same anatomical parts as the U.S. Congress.

[ADC14]

I lived in Georgia for what turned out to be the worst 4 year of my life. Outside of Atlanta, the folks are pretty ignorant and content to stay that way. Really, I wish the south had seceded from the country. The region has been a big drag on the nation and pork keeps it going. Chambliss could run as a corpse and he'd still win.

[SugarMan]

HIS DAYS ARE NUMBERED

[my2girls]

Is it any wonder the GOP has fallen so sharply???

[freethinking moderate]

Someone needs to make a vidoe of Saxby with the song "Sugar" as the unerlying theme.

[Leelee14]

Sadly, as a Georgian in the blue zone, I hold out little hope for Martin. He's a good man, but he lacks charisma. Moreover, one reason he "lost" in the first instance is that a significant number of African Americans failed to vote below the top of the ticket. (Martin did have support from a number of McCain voters who haven't forgiven him for Max Cleland cruelty.) The chances of African American voters getting to the polls on Dec. 2 seem slim unless Obama himself comes to Georgia on election day and invites only people who wear "I Voted" stickers given to Georgia voters. Alas, that's not looking promising. So far, not even an Obama endorsement ad is out. Maybe closer to election day, I hope. Meanwhile, the turnout will be abysmally low. Welcome to Georgia runoff laws.

[conscioushope]

Tsk...tsk...

"Sugar is sweet, but not are you."

[scjk67]

camera dude should of called the cops and had him arrested for assault and battery!

[qdog112]

A look at history would tell you that the cameraman would have been arrested, not Chambliss. The same way any act by a white person is "legal" over a black one.

That's just how they have always rolled. Call it the "NATURAL ORDER" of things.

[heavychain]

Your rite, he should've

[DoTheMath]

I didn't think Democrats had much chance of picking up this senate seat, especially since Georgia voters now know (most of) the results of the November 4 elections. It's starting to look interesting, though.

[felinetta]

Nice Senator - statesman-like. Oh I forgot, he's a repug!

[Damaven]

Is that guilt showing. Work on it Georgia folks. Get rid of that punk.

[TLCB]

Yeah, why should HE be held accountable and testify and how dare anyone question him on it? Come on Georgia, put this old dog down!!