MORNING READ

The reelection of Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) means different things to different bloggers. Conservatives see it as the first step in a Republican rebirth, while liberals write that it doesn’t change the fact that Republicans will need to cooperate. The decision by Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) not to seek another term gives former Gov. Jeb Bush (R) a chance to rehabilitate his family’s name, according to bloggers on both sides.

The Republican victory in Georgia shows that President-elect Barack Obama’s coattails aren’t that long and that the GOP can win in 2010 and 2012, writes Townhall’s Hugh Hewitt. Tuesday’s vote shows that people do take into account whether they want divided or one-party government, writes Mickey Kaus. Now that the “pro-amnesty and pro-bailout” Chambliss is in power, it’s up to conservatives to hold him accountable, writes Michelle Malkin.

But since Republicans just have 41 Senate votes, they’re the ones who will have to move to the center, writes MyDD’s Todd Beeton. Even if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) had the 60 votes that he had been hoping for, he would still work for a few Republican votes to pass the legislation he wants, according to Swampland’s Karen Tumulty.

Two sources close to Bush told Marc Ambinder that the former governor is seriously considering a campaign for Senate. If Bush runs, he could clear the GOP primary field and help the party’s image with Hispanic voters, Ambinder adds. The Senate campaign provides Bush with an opportunity to redefine his and his family’s image and set him up for a future run for the White House, writes Hot Air’s Allahpundit. Though the family name isn’t that popular across the country, Bush himself is well-liked in his own state and would probably prevent Democrats from taking it over, writes Oliver Willis.

FROM THE BLOGS:
Chambliss Rolls in Georgia – Hugh Hewitt, Townhall.com
Palin Wins the First Round – Don Surber
Ga. Reader Holds Nose and Votes – Michelle Malkin
Voters Choose Divided Gov’t – kausfiles, Mickey Kaus
GOP Needs to Move to Center – Todd Beeton, MyDD
Reid Still Needs to Woo Votes – Karen Tumulty, Swampland
Jeb Bush Ponders Florida Senate Run – Marc Ambinder
Sophie’s Choice Starring Jeb Bush – Phil Singer, The Marathon Blog
Opportunity In His Back Yard – Allahpundit, Hot Air
Jeb! – Oliver Willis

OTHER NEWS SOURCES:
Big Three Seek $34 Billion Bailout Aid – Wall Street Journal
Haste Could Make Waste on Stimulus, States Say – Washington Post
Obama Teams Scrutinizing Federal Agencies – Washington Post
Anxiety Among Dems as Pelosi Tightens Grip – The Hill