[jw2therescue]

I thought I was finished posting about my (by far) least favorite Republican senator....But now that the cowardly AuH20Republican is mouthing off again, I must respond.

First of all, a conservative Republican can get elected as GOVERNOR in a blue state. The issues are much different. In blue states such as Massachusetts and Rhode Island are controlled by far-left Democratic legislatures. Taxes are very, very, very high. Spending is very, very high. Corruption is out of control with the liberals. When liberals are in control of a state legislature --- disaster is so prevalent that most moderate Democrats are open to putting a Republican in the governor's mansion.

Governor's races are localized. They are about taxes, balancing the state budget, fixing failed education systems and other fiscal issues. Issues like Abortion and Gay Rights have limited impact in those races. For example, Conservative Dino Rossi's response in the Washington Gov's race was "Those issues have no relevance in this race."

In a senate race, the issues are nationalized. Issues like the War in Iraq, Abortion, Social Security/Medicare nationalized health care loom large in senate races. Rhode Island holds liberal views on most of those issues. A conservative can't say "those issues have no relevance in this race" in a senate campaign. That's why no conservative Republicans are senator in deep blue states.

Chafee is a disgrace to Republicans. If I was forced to get rid of one R in the senate, it absolutely would be him. Unfortunately, our Senate Majority may be in trouble in 2006. Better safe than sorry. Hold your nose and vote for Chafee.

[AuH2ORepublican]

Cowardly? Why am I cowardly, because I believe that the GOP actually stands for something and refuse to let the party be taken over by Democrats in sheep's clothing? It is you who is cowardly if you refuse to stand up to somebody who votes against the positions of the GOP platform more often than not.

As for the distinction between federal and state elections, you are correct that abortion is seen as a "federal issue" by many, and thus states like Alaska have elected pro-abortion Democrat governors and states like Rhode Island have elected pro-life Republican governors. But it is also true that Rhode Island's 2nd CD has elected pro-life Democrats to Congress for many years now, first with Bob Weygand and then with Jim Langevin, so being pro-life does not make one unelectable in Rhode Island. But anyways, I'm not necessarily advocating that a pro-life Republican challenge Chafee in a primary or that we convince Chafee to leave so that a pro-life Republican runs---I would be satisfied with someone who is not a liberal extremist in the Chafee mode, even if such candidate is for the most part pro-choice on abortion. As much as I hate Olympia Snowe and Arlen Specter, I would accept Republicans with such issue positions if they were running in Democrat Rhode Island. But Lincoln Chafee would be unacceptable as a Republican anywhere except maybe the District of Columbia.

[Kuksool]

Social issues like illegal immigration, abortion, and gun rights are seen as federal issues by many. However in fact, these issues are creeping down into local races as well. For example, Chicago has a ban on many types of guns, established a domestic partner registrar, gives tons of money to Planned Parenthood, and recognizes the Mexican Matricular cards as valid forms of ID.

Straight ticket voting is alive and well today. Swing voters are becoming fewer and fewer. People are taking sides. The Red / Blue divide is solidified in national politics. I expect the same to happen in state politics.