GOP Donors Pour Millions Into Ga. Race

Action on curbs didn't make final cut, leaving 'very big loophole'

(NEWSER) - Turns out the big health care reform bill doesn't actually rein in those out-of-control premium rate hikes. The Democrats used outrage over whopping increases to corral support for the overhaul, but the bill doesn't deliver, finds the Los Angeles Times , because it doesn't give the government the regulatory authority. "It is a very big loophole in health reform," says Sen. Dianne Feinstein. More»

Former Republican says GOP let him down

(NEWSER) - Arlen Specter may be a Democrat now, but the erstwhile Republican senator says he’s not afraid to use the F-word: filibuster, Politico reports. Specter told NBC’s Meet the Press he hasn’t promised to be “a loyal Democrat” and made the switch after realizing through “polls and a lot of personal contact” that his re-election prospects with the GOP were “bleak.” More»

Aides made calls to senior senators before today's decision

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama may have had something to do with the Senate’s apparent about-face on Roland Burris, a congressional aide tells the Huffington Post. Obama reps contacted senior Democrats before they began moving today towards accepting the Blagojevich appointee, despite the Illinois governor’s ongoing corruption case. After meeting with Burris, Majority Leader Harry Reid took pains to praise the veteran Chicago pol, as did Obama, who called him “a fine public servant” and expressed willingness to work with him. More»

(NEWSER) - Republican Saxby Chambliss has held onto his Senate seat in Georgia, a crucial win that prevents Democrats from reaching a filibuster-proof 60 seats, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Chambliss handily defeated Democratic challenger Jim Martin in today's runoff. He led 57% to 43% with 99% of returns in. Although Minnesota's Senate race remains undecided, the best Democrats can hope for now is 59 seats. More»

Georgia race tests whether Obama can pull one out for Dems, even in absentia

(NEWSER) - Today’s runoff election in Georgia between incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss and challenger Jim Martin is a test of whether Barack Obama’s election heralds a new political movement, or just a moment, writes Sasha Issenberg in the Boston Globe. Democrat Martin is campaigning as an Obama ally, using the president-elect’s lines in his speeches. If he wins, chalk it up to the Obama magic. More»