Chambliss learning ways of the other side of Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON - Saxby Chambliss, a longtime occupant of the south side of Capitol Hill, has been getting acquainted with the north side this week during an orientation program for new senators. <br> <br> The Georgia Republican congressman is one of ten newcomers who will occupy the chamber when the Senate convenes next month, but most of these freshmen have government experience well beyond their rank. <br> <br> Chambliss said he&#39;s in Senate mode now. He has moved out of his House office and into temporary quarters in the basement of a Senate office building. <br> <br> Chambliss, who defeated Democrat Max Cleland last month, will officially rank 93rd of the 100 senators, behind only former Representative Jim Talent among freshman Republicans. <br> <br> Those two, along with New Hampshire Republican John Sununu and South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham, will get some credit for their previous House service when it comes time to pick office space and committee assignments. <br> <br> The experienced class also includes former Education Secretary and Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander, former Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole and Frank Lautenberg, a New Jersey Democrat who served in the Senate from 1983-2001. <br> <br> Chambliss said, ``We will mesh together well. We have a lot of common interests, a lot of common problems.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Chambliss was planning to meet with incoming Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, a Republican from Kansas, about the possibility of creating a subcommittee similar to his terrorism and homeland security panel in the House. Chambliss has been trying to retain his committee assignments on the Intelligence, Armed Services and Agriculture panels.