U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss’ visit to Gainesville concluded long before the polls closed in New Hampshire Tuesday evening. The senator, however, said he was not surprised by last week’s showing by his colleague, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., or former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

"When you follow the campaigns as they progress, those two seem to be gaining a lot of strength," Chambliss said. "What did surprise me was the margin of victory."

The GOP senator said there is the potential on the Republican side to have a different winner in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and possibly Florida.

"As you get to Feb. 5, it makes Georgia more important," he said.

The senator said it remains to be seen if his other Senate colleague, Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., can regain momentum.

Chambliss has not made an endorsement in his party’s presidential contests.