Sen. Chafee Not Ruling Out Changing Parties

theday.com/ ^ | Published on 11/4/2004 | LOLITA C. BALDOR

[crushelits]

Sen. Chafee Not Ruling Out Changing Parties
R.I. Republican says party is now too far to the right

Washington — Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee remained mum Wednesday on whether he planned to jump from the Republican Party, which he says has moved too far right under President Bush. Chafee, who is part of the state's better known Republican families but often votes with the Democrats, had said he would consider switching party affiliation if Bush were re-elected. On Wednesday, after Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry conceded the race to Bush, Chafee's spokesman said the Rhode Island lawmaker wasn't ready to make a final decision. “Clearly we're trying to digest the situation,” spokesman Stephen Hourhan said. “Ultimately, it's a question of what he wants to do and when he wants to do it.” U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said the Democrats would welcome Chafee with open arms, and were probably already trying to encourage his defection. “He's a fine senator, he has a lot of independence,” Dodd said. “He may find it more comfortable to be with us Democrats.”

After Tuesday's vote, Republicans were assured 55 Senate seats, strengthening their 51-48 margin, with one Democratic-leaning independent.

Hourhan said Chafee was buoyed by some of the victories that moderate Republicans posted around the country, and there would be no immediate move.

“The Republican Party, up until now, has been very nice to him,” Hourhan said.

Known for moderate views that often run counter to the Bush administration, Chafee said he cast a write-in vote for Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, in Tuesday's election, calling it a “symbolic protest.”

The Republican senator said it would have been impossible to vote for President Bush given their opposite views on issues such as abortion, gay marriage, the deficit, tax cuts, the environment and the war in Iraq.

Chafee, 51, has opposed the administration's push to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and voted against Bush's energy plan and tax cuts. He also criticized Bush's handling of the postwar reconstruction of Iraq and was the only Republican senator to vote against the October 2002 resolution that gave Bush the authority to invade Iraq.

Chafee, who was appointed to the Senate in November 1999 to fill the seat when his father, John, died, said if he were to change parties, “it would be with great sadness.”

In heavily Democratic Rhode Island, Chafee has been a Republican since birth. His parents named him Lincoln after the first Republican president. He's told The Associated Press he wants the moderate wing of the GOP to rise again, and he has trouble with the direction his party has been going. Chafee said ever since Bush has been in office, “it's been an agenda of energizing the far-right-wing base, which is divisive.”

[Ginifer]

Bye.

[dfwgator]

Oh just leave already Lincoln, we don't need you.

[jtminton]

Good riddance.

[Right of Right Wing]

I say good and take Snow and Spector with them.

[TheBigB]

Girly-man.

[Petronski]

(Children)
So long, farewell
Auf Wiedersehen, goodnight
(Marta)
I hate to go and leave this pretty sight

(Children)
So long, farewell
Auf Wiedersehen, adieu
(Fredrick)
Adieu, adieu
To you and you and you

(Children)
So long, farewell
Au revoir, Auf Weidersehen
(Leisel)
I'd like to stay
And taste my first champagne
(talking to the captain) yes?
(Captain) no!

(children)
So long, farewell
Auf Weidersehen, goodbye
(Kurt)
I leave and heave
A sigh and say goodbye
Goodbye

(Brigitta)
I'm glad to go
I cannot tell a lie
(Louisa)
I flit, I float
I fleetly flee, I fly

(Gretel)
The sun has gone
To bed and so must I

(Children)So long, farewell
Auf Weidersehen, goodbye

Goodbye
Goodbye
Goodbye

(guests)
Goodbye

[MHT]

Without him in the composite photo, the Republican Senators will improve their appearance.

[rjmeagle]

Good Riddance!!!

[escapefromboston]

Bush is too far right???

[nightdriver]

He looks like an addle-brained poli-sci professor to me.

Unencumbered by the thought process.

[Prime Choice]

Chafee, who is part of the state's better known Republican families but often votes with the Democrats...

Yet another RINO to boot out of the "big tent."

[animoveritas]

Buh bye commie.

[stockpirate]

Do not tease us, just get the hell out.

[olrtex]

Oh please won't somebody notice me. Pretty please, pretty please. I'm not irrelevant.

[TXBSAFH]

He want jump. He may not like it but he knows he would be totally out of power if he does. His chances of bringing home the pork would be nil.

[SF Republican]

see ya

[PISANO]

Losers should be in the party of LOSERS. Goodbye you leftist twit.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Sen. Chafee Not Ruling Out Changing Parties

I need new glasses.

I thought the headline said "Sen. Chafee Not Ruling Out Changing Panties"

[Buzwardo]

Dimes to dollars he's waiting for the Republican leadership to sweeten the pot. If he does cross the aisle he loses a lot of majority perqs. His bluff should be called, he'll hold his breath and turn blue before gasping for a committee chair.