"The Red / Blue divide is solidified in national politics. I expect the same to happen in state politics."
You're correct, but it will take a long time for state politics to reach that level. After all, the divide mentioned in national politics was a while coming. From a historical perspective, it began in 1990, when a number of incumbents in both parties saw their percentages drop, which is highly unusual.
Chafee is nothing but trouble. He takes up one of our seats on the Foreign Relations Committee and I assume one or two other committees. He rarely votes with us, and he gives legitimacy to other RINOs -- the fewer of them there are, the more an individual RINO stands out and is weakened thereby.
This is a seat we can and should lose. Offing Chafee in a primary would be well worth it, even if Laffey wouldn't win the general. All real Republicans should contribute to any serious primary campaign against Linc.