Rep. C. Saxby Chambliss is in his 4th term in the US
House of Representatives and is chairman of the House subcomittee on
terrorism and
homeland security. He has also announced his intentions to run against incumbent Senator
Max Cleland for his US
Senate seat.
Earlier this month, at a meeting of
Georgia law enforcement personel, he quipped "just turn (the sheriff) loose and have him arrest every
Muslim that crosses the state line". Needless to say, Chambliss' "joke" has not endeared him to many people and anti-discrimination groups have spoken out against him. Apparently fearing
negative publicity, Chambliss attempted to persuade
Valdosta Daily Times reporter Bill Roberts to refrain from publishing a story on his comments and even enlisted the local sheriff to block publication (though the story doesn't specify exactly what methods would be used).
Chambliss issued a non-apology and claimed his remarks were taken
out of context.
Sources: Washington Post, Valdosta Daily Times