I tend to think that we should not be too dismissive of Saxby Chambliss's win in Georgia tonight. Although the outcome was expected, and although run-offs and special elections sometimes behave in idiosyncratic ways, moving from a 3-point margin of victory on November 4 to a 15-point margin of victory a month later is a significant accomplishment.

Nate has an interesting take on the reasons for Chambliss's win and the implications for Democrats in 2010.  Essentially he is saying that Chambliss didn't run against Obama this time around, but for an independent bipartisan voice in Washington.  Quite a re-invention for Chambliss given his previous track record and an example of how easy it seems to be, in US politics, to re-brand yourself as something quite different from your previous incarnation as recently as a few weeks ago.

Perhaps there is some truth in Reincarnation (at least in US politics) after all!

notes from no w here