[aShepard]

Too bad!

Laffey is just a small town mayor. It's too bad that RI can't come up with a pubbie candidate who's up to the responsibilities befitting a Senator.

[.cnI redruM]

Oh, you mean like Lincoln Chafee who worked as a blacksmith before inheriting the Senate seat from his dad?

[California Patriot]

You forget that most Senators aren't up to their responsibilities anyway. That certainly includes Chafee.

Ideally, all Republican Senate candidates, especially challengers, would have statewide name recognition before they even run. Personally, I think all Senators should have experience as either a governor, a congressman, or something very, very distinguished in the private sector. But a mayor of even a medium-sized town, if that town has problems, has had valuable experience making things happen against Rat opposition -- or trying to. Laffey isn't ideally qualified, but I think he's more qualified than he may seem.

[billhilly]

"Laffey is just a small town mayor. It's too bad that RI can't come up with a pubbie candidate who's up to the responsibilities befitting a Senator."

Chaffee was a farrier. He tried on horse slippers.

[caresistance]

I would view this as a positive, considering what elitist career politicians have done to the country. Why not try real citizen legislators again?

[Bommer]

Too bad! Laffey is just a small town mayor.

Verses what? The entire state of Rhode Island is smaller than most cities.

[Ditto]

Laffey is just a small town mayor.

And Chafee is just a 3rd generation trust fund kid. All things being equal, I'll take the small town mayor.

[npg]

"responsibilities befitting a Senator."

The only responsibility is to be a 30 year old American citizen and live in the state you are running.

I'd rather he never served in office.

Haven't you had enough of professional politicians?

[Suzy Quzy]

What are you TALKING about/?? Laffey is going to win and be a Senator that RI can be PROUD of...not the laughing stock that Chaffee is.

[juliej]

I heard that Laffee did a good job in Cranston - they were bankrupt befor he took over. However, RI is a blue state. Unfortunate since it is at least 60% Catholic.

[hinckley buzzard]

Laffey is just a small town mayor. It's too bad that RI can't come up with a pubbie candidate who's up to the responsibilities befitting a Senator.

Before being appointed senator, Chafee was a mayor too, of Warwick RI. Seriously what "responsibilities" does a Senator actually have these days, besides hiring a bloated staff to do his work for him?

[Busywhiskers]

All of RI wouldn't make a decent size county west of the Mississippi. So if they don't elect a "small town mayor", who else do they have. I suppose they could import someone from out-of-state, like New York did.