The Hill News

Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R) on Thursday gave his first public comments on an anti-gay slur sent from one of his staffers' office computers, suggesting that the offending employee would be fired.

Chambliss stopped short of an outright promise, saying he first wants the Senate Sergeant at Arms's office to complete its investigation. But he made it clear he would have a strong response.

"I won't tolerate any kind of sentiment like that," Chambliss told The Hill. "We'll have to see what's found out."

Questions arose Tuesday when the comment "All [gays] must die" was posted as a comment on "Joe.My.God," a blog that covers gay and lesbian issues. Blog author Joseph Jervis, with the help of readers, was able to trace the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the comment's author to an office building in Atlanta shared by Chambliss and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.).

Isakson's spokesman had denied Wednesday that the IP address matched that of their network.

Chambliss's office employs 42 staffers.