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Chafee's critics
The Chicago Sun-Times ^ | November 29, 2004 | Robert Novak

Posted on 11/28/2004 6:31:45 PM PST by BillyBoy

RINO Chafee to face primary challenge in 2006?

Chafee's critics

by Robert Novak, Chicago Sun-Times columnist

Sen. Lincoln Chafee, who declared he was not voting for George W. Bush's re-election and considered leaving the Republican Party, may face trouble in Rhode Island's 2006 GOP primary.

Chafee's conduct upset Rhode Island Republicans, who may support Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey in a possible Senate bid. Laffey, who describes himself as a populist and is more conservative than Chafee, won re-election by a landslide in heavily Democratic Cranston after cleaning up its finances.

Independent voters, comprising about half of Rhode Island's electorate, can vote in the Republican primary to save Chafee. But many will be attracted to a multicandidate Democratic contest to oppose conservative Republican Gov. Donald Carcieri.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; US: Rhode Island
KEYWORDS: 2006; chafee; gopprimary; laffey; novak; republicanprimary; rhodeisland; rino; stephenlaffey
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It's about time someone took on that smug little twirp, Linc "I hold this senate seat thanks to daddy's name" Chafee. Daddy was probably the most liberal member of the Senate and little Linc is doing well to continue the "legacy"

I'm sure the RINO apologists on this board will be quick to hurl their rhetoric about how we have to support scumbag Chaffee because how only he can "win" in Rhode Island and all the "purists" around here will "put the Senate in Democrat hands" if Chafee loses, blah blah blah.

Fortunately, we now know these flimsy pro-RINO arguments are easily ignored, since one of those evil "unelectable" right-wing conservatives was recently elected Governor of Rhode Island (see Novak's above point), plus we know from 2002 and 2000 that supporting sleaze like Specter and Jeffords only "delivered" more power to the Democrats. Had Specter lost, the worse case scenario would be a 54-45 Senate with Jon Kyl chairing the Judiciary committee. Best case scenario would be Senator Toomey. Oh, the humanity!

We have two years in advance to prepare for a campaign to oust Linc "I won't vote for Bush" Chafee. We can make up for Specter by purging Chafee AND Jumpin Jim Jeffords in 2006!

The Senate will be in GOP hands for a long time to come. NO MORE EXCUSES! The "weak sisters" need to sent a message:


1 posted on 11/28/2004 6:31:46 PM PST by BillyBoy
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To: BillyBoy

It's time for him to lose his seat.


2 posted on 11/28/2004 6:35:29 PM PST by bjcoop
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To: BillyBoy

Susan is pretty tough sometimes, I kind of like her, Arlen is half and half but it is Olympia and Chafee who are the worse....those two make Spector and Collins look like Fascists.....


3 posted on 11/28/2004 6:37:05 PM PST by NorCalRepub
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To: BillyBoy

Add John McCain and Chuck Hagel to that list. Two more RINOs who need to enjoy the fruits of the private sector.


4 posted on 11/28/2004 6:37:56 PM PST by IronJack (R)
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To: BillyBoy
VS.

"Go ahead RINO, make my day"

5 posted on 11/28/2004 6:39:52 PM PST by BillyBoy (George Ryan deserves a long term...without parole.)
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To: BillyBoy

Snowe and Collins stand with us on the important party votes, particularly with regard to judges. They're the best we're going to get out of Maine.


6 posted on 11/28/2004 6:43:56 PM PST by HostileTerritory
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To: BillyBoy

Chaffee's probably safe on account of the family name. His family's like the Kennedy's in Massachusetts. As long as he wants the job, he could have it for the rest of his life. I don't see him retiring and for all his complaints about the GOP he won't pull a Jeffords. There's not much one can do as a minority party Senator.


7 posted on 11/28/2004 6:43:59 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: BillyBoy

The RNC needs to spend a little extra on this one and get this testosterone free, lib wannabe OUT.


8 posted on 11/28/2004 6:45:23 PM PST by digger48
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To: BillyBoy
I wholeheartedly agree.

A Democrat-especially if he's a pro-life Dem like Langevin-would be a heck of an improvement over the dope that's currently occupying that seat.

Even the worst case scenario-a victory by Ted Kennedy's debauched, ignoramus fils-wouldn't have that much of a negative impact as far as the overall composition of the U.S. Senate is concerned.

I many not have agreed with many of the things John Chaffee did while he was in office, but at the very least, I had a modicum of respect for the man's character.

His nincompoop of a son, however...

9 posted on 11/28/2004 6:46:06 PM PST by Do not dub me shapka broham
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To: BillyBoy

As a MA. Native, couldn't agree with you more! These little twerps just need a little "push" outdedoor. I supported Thune in '02. and again this year. The RNC doesn't deserve my money!
I gave to Toomey and will always give GWB/Santorum negative points for Specter's election

I will gladly give dollars to ANY R who runs against Chafee, Snowe or Collins!!
Any time... Any where... give me a candidate
Especially Chafee, I want his defeat in the worst way!


10 posted on 11/28/2004 6:50:49 PM PST by acapesket (never had a vote count in all my years here)
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To: BillyBoy

The man has this position ONLY because of his father, a life long republican, and the fact that the governor when his father died was a republican. The GOP guv appointed the son. And the son acts like this?? The ingratitude.


11 posted on 11/28/2004 6:53:32 PM PST by Captain Jack Aubrey
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To: nutmeg

ping

If a serious GOP candidate ran for congress/senate in RI they can win. problem is they need deeper pockets to convince voters to leave the democrat's plantation.


12 posted on 11/28/2004 6:58:27 PM PST by atari
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To: atari
It's a shame that "Buddy" Cianci is in the fed. pen.

Think of the possibilities...

13 posted on 11/28/2004 7:15:25 PM PST by Do not dub me shapka broham
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To: BillyBoy
It can be done in New England. We did it a few years ago here in NH with Bob Smith. They just need a STRONG candidate against him in the primary. Don't just pick the first person with a "R" after his name and try to run that person.
14 posted on 11/28/2004 7:17:38 PM PST by Conservative Infidel
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To: BillyBoy
Ahh the beauty of 55 is we can start to get aggressive.

So I hope Laffey runs against Chaffee.

Also: Are the Dems running anyone against Jeffords? A three way race would mean we could run a conservative and win the Vermont seat. Of course Judas Jeffords could retire or run for governor. I understand that they have 2 year terms there, I could be mistaken.

15 posted on 11/28/2004 7:21:49 PM PST by NeoCaveman (http://route-82.blogspot.com)
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To: BillyBoy
After the 2002 elections Laffy said "My first priority will be to pay our police, fire, teachers and city employees and to ensure them a decent pension, and to help the citizens of Cranston. The city's core services must and will be protected over and above the interests of Wall Street and they will be."

here's a quote from his website Welcome To ElectLaffey.com!
"Before I embarked on this road of public service, I reread one of my favorite books, Profiles in Courage, written by then U.S. Sen. John F. Kennedy while he was recuperating from back surgery."

and from his announcement for mayor in 2002Welcome To ElectLaffey.com!
"President Kennedy once said that he did not come to curse the darkness, but rather to light a candle. I tell you now that I want to help lead Cranston out of the darkness. Today a candle will not be enough; this city needs a blowtorch!"

"My father worked as a union toolmaker when we were growing up in Cranston. He worked hard to support a family of seven."

"...I realize that caring allows us to do our jobs a little better. A sense of community allows us to make better decisions. Our love for this city allows us to work hard, knowing that we are building a better future, a more secure future, for our children and ourselves."

"...There is nothing more important to our social fabric than our senior citizens." he then goes on to explain he will not cut a senior center and save 1.3 million dollars.

...Let me tell you, until our politicians live up to the vision of our founding fathers and stand for equality of educational opportunity, there will not be a shining city of Cranston in our beautiful Ocean State. Education is the great equalizer, the great stabilizer, and the great unifier.

"...When businesses pay their fair share, citizens pay less."

"Third, I am going to call on the people to help save Cranston. President Kennedy once told this great nation “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” The spirit of volunteerism is strong in Cranston."

This guy is good. In his speech he says he will hire the best and brightest 3 time and he points to the former mayor because the former mayor hired cheap state workers and they were incompetent and cost money but just 3 paraghraphs later he says
"...Fourth, when city services can be provided at lower cost, we need to consider these alternate methods for the effective operation of our city."

He finishes his speech by reminding us that he's not a power hunger opportunist...he does it for the CHILDREN.
"... My biggest worry is that there is some young teacher over at the Stadium School, Horton Elementary, or my Alma Mater Edgewood Highlands, and that young teacher is like my Miss Walsh, a teacher who literally changed my life. Right now, that person may be interviewing for a job in another school district. She may not be there next year when a little Steve Laffey gets to the classroom. Moreover, a little Steve Laffey will not get as interested in books and his life may not be changed. I run for that little kid."

I think he looks fine as a candidate. He might be more conservative than Chaffee but doesn't sound like a kook and he is reaching out to the overwhelminlgy liberal state. So far so good. Unlike Toomey the right fringe maybe corect about a good chance of replacing Chaffee with another RINO.

16 posted on 11/28/2004 7:58:58 PM PST by Once-Ler (God Blessed America Again!)
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To: atari
If a serious GOP candidate ran for congress/senate in RI they can win.

A serious GOP candidate would fail as badly as Keyes did in IL. RI is a liberal state. That is why liberal Chaffee and his liberal father got elected. That is why the other senator and both congressmen are rats. You can elect a RINO or a rat in RI. Many right fringers want rats elected.

17 posted on 11/28/2004 8:09:44 PM PST by Once-Ler (God Blessed America Again!)
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To: goldstategop
Not really, Chafee is despised by the rank and file republicans in RI. If there were not open primaries, Chafee wouldn't stand a chance.

As it is, I don't think he can beat Laffey. Laffey is a much more impressive man with crossover appeal. Laffey will beat him if he runs.

18 posted on 11/28/2004 8:16:22 PM PST by jwalsh07
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To: Once-Ler

"A serious GOP candidate would fail as badly as Keyes did in IL."

Apparently Laffey was "a serious GOP candidate" because he is reported to have won in a landslide in a heavily 'rat city.

We should have more such failures. He sounds pretty moderate but a distinct improvement over Chafee. Besides, Chafee's an arrogant snot-nose and deserves to be dumped for cause.

Every step counts. Laffey has shown he can win in the state, and if he's one step to the right of chafee, that's progress.


19 posted on 11/28/2004 8:23:33 PM PST by hinckley buzzard
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To: BillyBoy

Chaffee's father may have been liberal, but he was a gentleman who played by the rules, and he voted with the party when it was absolutely necessary.

Lincoln Chaffee is a spoiled troublemaker who constantly goes into tantrums and can't be counted on for anything. Snowe and Collins are saints by comparison.

I agree; Chaffee should go. Let him go over to the Democrats if he wants, and if the RI voters elect him from that party, that's their business. But the Republicans should not let him run again.


20 posted on 11/28/2004 8:35:17 PM PST by Cicero (Nil illegitemus carborundum est)
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