Chambliss: Republicans should return to Reaganism

Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, whose re-election on Tuesday stopped Democrats from winning a potentially filibuster-proof majority in the next Senate, said today that the lesson for Republicans from his triumph is to return to Ronald Reagan's basics.

"And that is Republicans stand for smaller government, fiscal responsibility, more individual rights and freedoms, and lower taxes. And we've got to get back to those fundamentals," Chambliss said on Fox News Channel. "That's what we talked about on the campaign trail and, obviously, it resonated with our constituents here."

Chambliss, who easily defeated Democratic challenger Jim Martin in the runoff, also disputed suggestions that if President-elect Barack Obama had personally campaigned for Martin, it would have definitely made a difference. Obama cut a radio ad and sent staffers and canvassers, but left the in-person stumping to other party leaders, including former president Bill Clinton.

"I have no idea why he didn't come down, but his people were here. His organization was here. And we knew that. And they really did a good job in the general election of turning out people. And whatever their game plan was this time, if he had been here, I have no idea whether it would have worked better," said Chambliss, who also received high-profile help from national Republicans, including vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

"But I do know this...that if he had come down, it would have fired up our base even more."