McConnell says goodbye to Senate’s ‘southern gentleman’

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) bid farewell to retiring Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.).

“Saxby, as we know, is the ultimate southern gentleman,” McConnell said on the Senate floor Wednesday. “He’s blessed with the charm and drawl only a Georgian could possess.”

{mosads}Chambliss, who serves as ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is retiring after two terms.

McConnell said Chambliss was extremely successful at “getting his way.”

“It’s kind of what you’d expect from a former door-to-door fruitcake salesman,” McConnell said. “I mean, after hawking loaves of spiced dough, there’s not much Saxby can’t sell at this point.”

The Republican leader said he hopes Chambliss enjoys his retirement.