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.”

[AmishDude]

For the record, the only R seat up in 2006 that has any chance of changing hands is Snowe's in Maine. The Democrats are in trouble for 4 seats and a strong candidate could make 4 more D seats competitive.

[HitmanLV]

Jim Jeffords? I think he was rewarded by his gutsy move after the 2002 election, where he went from being a bigshot with the majority dems, to the offical mens washroom attendant of the US Senate.

We need to punish people severely who do that kind of stuff. Jeffors can't suffer enough.

As I said at the time, "I hope he likes his new friends."

[mabelkitty]

$10 says Frist is receiving phone calls looking to swap places and get those perks. Nelson of Nebraska or Landrieu of Lousiana, who, by the way, just found out that Hell actually does freeze over.

[RXSalesman]

MSNBC would love to have him as a political analyst for their evening telecasts. Having Lincoln & a Reagan on the same show blasting President Bush would really please them.

[AmishDude]

I predict that the pubbies will net 1-2 seats in 2006. If Chafee switches and Snowe goes down, it'll be even.

What Chafee could do is become an I but still caucus with the Republicans. The question is, with the attention that gets him, will the Pubbies just cut him loose? (I.e., give him zero seniority.)

[Busywhiskers]

Is this a great week or what!!!

[floozy22]

This putz used to be John Chafee. A little full of himself now...?

He'll be a perfect Dem - northeastern liberal elitist. Ho hum

[AmishDude]

I don't know about NE Nelson, but it would be fine if Landrieu were to vote with Frist 100% of the time, but if she changes parties, she's in deep trouble. She's from a Dem family from way back.

[ebiskit]

Don't let the door hit you on your 'Collectivist' arse.

tru peace...D

[TXBSAFH]

Yes true, but swapping parties is the death blow for any bipartisanship. he will get nothing for the repubs if he does.

[JimWforBush]

I so hope Laffey kicks his @ss in 2006

[drc43]

I was reinforcing the reasons for him to stay.

[NeoCaveman]

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

LOL. Those too.

[NeoCaveman]

When is this a-hole's term up? Got to get rid of him.

2006 and the question is who will challenge him in the (R) primary because someone will.

[Catie]

Not quite that many, we still want the majority! Although with their giant-sized egos, I sometimes honestly wonder if it's worth it.

[Pagey]

Gee, does anybody even remember the last persons name that did this, in order to help Billy Jeff??? For the life of me I don't remember and whoever he is, he's beyond being a relatively minor footnote in History. LOL Don't leave sadly Chafee, just leave.

[ampat]

Give them all low level cabinet positions so that Bush can say he put democrats in his cabinet.

[BlueMondaySkipper]

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

Plus, if he jumps to the dims, the average IQ of both parties will go up.

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Rhode Island ping list.

[JohnD9207]

Don't let the screen door hit you on the way out comrade


Not much chance of that...the only doors on his house, that have screens, are on the servants quarters.

BYE BYE SWISH.