Sen. Saxby Chambliss easily wins runoff

Reporting from Washington and Atlanta — Democrats' dream of a filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate ended Tuesday when Georgia Republican Saxby Chambliss held on to his seat in a closely watched runoff election.

With 96% of the precincts reporting, Chambliss was leading Democratic challenger Jim Martin, 57.5% to 42.5%. A runoff became necessary when neither candidate won 50% of the vote in last month's election.

As it stands, the Democrats will control at least 58 seats in the Senate, where 60 votes are needed to cut off debate on a bill and force a floor vote. There is one race that remains undecided: Minnesota Republican Sen. Norm Coleman is involved in a recount with Democrat Al Franken. The recount is set to be finished by Friday, but legal challenges to some ballots will need to be resolved before a winner can be declared.

A super-majority would have given Democrats the ability to enact major legislation over Republican objections -- which is why the Georgia contest drew national attention. Cash poured into the state from interest groups and the national political parties. Big names -- such as former President Clinton, Al Gore, John McCain and Sarah Palin -- campaigned there.

In a speech to his supporters Tuesday night, Chambliss said: "People all around the world have truly had their eyes on Georgia. You have delivered tonight a strong message to the world that conservative Georgia values matter."

His victory party was staged in Cobb County, a wealthy suburb with a conservative history: A few years ago, the school district placed a sticker on science textbooks calling evolution "a theory, not a fact," until a federal judge deemed it unconstitutional.

One politician who did not make a campaign stop in the state during the last month was Barack Obama, although the president-elect did record one radio ad on Martin's behalf. In addition, more than 200 workers from Obama's presidential campaign descended on Georgia after election day to help the Democratic cause.

Martin's showing Nov. 4 was stronger than had been expected, largely because African Americans came out in huge numbers to vote for Obama. That turnout did not materialize Tuesday.

Chambliss, 65, elicited polite applause when he told his backers that Obama would be "in our prayers every day because he is our leader." But, he said, when Obama challenges conservative values -- such as gun rights or low taxes -- "then I'm going to be the 41st senator to stand up" to him.