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.”

[Redcloak]

Sen. Chafee Not Ruling Out Changing Parties

Does that mean that he'll become a Republican?

[MarkL]

Get the hell out, and don't let the door hit you on the ass.

I never cared for his father either, who was one of the top anti-gunners in the senate. I never understood how a Marine could be so anti-gun.

Both Chaffees are serious RINOs, and extremely liberal.

Mark

[deaconjim]

Do I get a vote? Hit the road, toad!

[F16Fighter]

U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said the Democrats would welcome Chafee with open arms...

More like "open" heiney cheeks.

[mlocher]

giver our best to jim jeffords when you get there.

[Paperdoll]

What Republicans voted HIM into office? For shame!

(Sometimes a conservative Democrat may be better for the country than a liberal "Red-publican").

[McGavin999]

Will somebody please tell me why Rhode Island is a state? I mean, there are cities that are bigger.