Posted on 05/21/2005 10:10:33 AM PDT by Clintonfatigued
former Rep. Toomey (R-Pa.) said he had spoken in recent weeks with Laffey about running against centrist Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.)
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
former Rep. Toomey (R-Pa.) said he had spoken in recent weeks with Laffey about running against centrist Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.)
I wanted to see Toomey beat Specter in the GOP Primary because I thought Toomey would win in the general election. But I do not want to see a Republican challenge Chafee in the primary. Sure, I, along with almost every other conservative Republican, am on different sides every issue with this man, but he does vote with his party on two very important votes: keeping Bill Frist (or whoever the Republican leader is) at the helm of the US Senate, and keeping Republican control of the Judiciary committee. It would be nice to get rid of all the RINO's in Washington, but Rhode Island is not the place to start just yet. As much as I hate to say it, I would like Chafee to be the Republican nominee.
No, he's a leftist here as well. It's just that he has an R after his name.
I can't believe Chafee. He has the personality of a librarian, a Mr Peepers sort.
I grugingly agree with you. Chaffee is even less loyal then Specter, but Rode Island was the bluest of the blue states in 2000, and one of the bluest in 2004.
Still, his voting record is to the right of any Dem that would replace him, and is to well the right of Jeffords, which makes me think he won't ever switch, and I think anybody but him would lose. He basically coasts on his dads name. That's pretty much it.
So yah, I'd rather him win, although I have some fear I will regret it later.
I heartily endorse Mayor Laffey to take out Chafee in the primary. This freakshow Senator just received the ringing endorsement from NARAL for his reelection. We need to show the old pro-slavery "Cotton Whigs" the door in the pro-life Conscience Republican party.
I agree, Chaffee is a moron. But if we lose the Senate in 2006, we are in trouble. Rhode Island is a liberal state and only a liberal Republican can get elected Senator there. That is unforunate!
You make a good point. But, if I'm not mistaken, Stephen Laffey is not conservative on everything. Though he's pro-life, I believe he'd defect party lines on some trade and labor issues.
A Conservative Republican got elected Governor.
Well, I'd rather he go overboard on some trade and labor issues (we've got room to spare), but on other moral issues, he'd be a definite improvement. The one thing with Chafee is that we cannot rely on him for ANY vote, even one for the head of his own party for President. We don't need that garbage.
Thanks... I'll ping my FRiend who does the RI list.
For the RI list...
Good point, but a senatorial election is different than a governor's race. A Gov's race is about local issues, while a senate race is nationalized. Bush lost Rhode Island by 20+ points, so I don't think that a conservative would be a effective candidate in Rhode Island.
I'm going to stop defending Chafee, because I can't stand his politics.....except the fact that he brings one extra R to the senate.
RI Ping!
Laffey ought to run against Chafee.
There's some good discussion on this thread about keeping Chafee on board, but I can't get over the fact that he stood shoulder to shoulder with the Brown U. anti-war protestors.
Laffee seems like an OK individual.
But being a mayor of a small city for two years does not make Senatorial material, just like Chaffee being mayor of a small city for a few years dosen't allow him to live up to the reputation of his father.
Surely, we in RI can come up with a better candidate (but names escape me)
That is the usual conclusion that is made, but I don't necessarily believe it is true regarding a federal candidate. Too often, we run candidates who are so liberal that there is little difference between them and their 'Rat opponents (and add to that, they are often not well funded), and the result is that we usually lose these areas. I think taking the opportunity to run well-funded and strong, unapologetic candidates in these races, and we might be quite surprised that they do far better than expected. One reason why Bush fared so poorly in places like RI is because he didn't much bother to campaign there (it's argued it's not worth the time and effort and money to fight over a miniscule 4 electoral votes). Unfortunately, in places in the NE, they have the added problems of an exclusionary RINO establishment-run state parties and also (as a result) rotten and withered grass-roots. Until we can sack those running the state parties and reinvigorating the grass-roots, it's going to remain a very daunting task in winning these areas.
The problem is RI doesn't exactly have a ton of GOP candidates (who have actually won office) to take on a major run for a federal office. Many of our past GOP winners have shunned runs (like popular ex-Atty Gen Jeff Pine). Fmr. Gov. Lincoln Almond is too old (and too liberal, in my opinion), others like ex-Rep. Claudine Schneider (also too liberal), have been out of the public eye too long (and she was crushed by ex-Sen. Pell), and ex-Rep. Ron Machtley (who thought he would cruise to the Governorship before being upended by Almond), is now content to lead a college in the state, and no longer seems interested in politics. Laffey seems to be the only one who is genuinely interested in stepping up to the plate to take on the embarrassing Linc Chafee, and given that he comes to the race bringing exactly the same political experience that Linc did when his dad died, I think we should give him our consideration.
Chafee already threatened to switch parties and didn't even vote for Bush. Screw him.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.