Posted on 02/16/2005 11:41:49 AM PST by LdSentinal
PROVIDENCE -- Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee could face a serious challenge if Democratic Rep. James Langevin enters the 2006 race for his seat, according to a Brown University poll released Wednesday.
The poll conducted Feb. 12-13 found Langevin leading Chafee 41 percent to 27 percent if the race were held now.
Langevin has not entered the race but plans to make an announcement by the end of next month. Chafee hasn't said whether he would run again, but has begun raising money for a campaign.
The poll indicated that Chafee would have an easier time against Secretary of State Matt Brown, who has said he will run. In that matchup, Chafee leads 39 percent to Brown's 25 percent.
The Taubman Center Public Opinion Survey polled 384 registered voters statewide, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.
In the governor's race, Republican Gov. Don Carcieri led two possible Democratic opponents, Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty and former Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse.
Carcieri led 44 percent against Fogarty, with 33 percent, according to the poll. He led 46 percent to 30 percent in the poll's matchup against Whitehouse.
Fifty-seven percent of respondents said they feel Carcieri is doing a good or excellent job, down from 60 percent last year.
Attorney General Patrick Lynch's job approval jumped, with 50 percent of respondents saying he was doing a good or excellent job, up from 40 percent last year.
The poll also found that Rhode Islanders consider themselves part of Red Sox Nation.
Sixty-six percent of respondents said they were Red Sox fans. Eleven percent said they rooted for the New York Yankees.
Wow, those are pretty good numbers for Carcieri. He and Douglas should survive 2006 -- we'll have to see about Romney and Rell.
I would always be willing to vote for a RINO from a very liberal state if he supported the party in the crunch. For instance, if there was a critical bill and the vote was tied, I would expect the RINO to vote for the party. If it's a minor bill, I wouldn't care that much. If the bill can win without his vote, then let him vote the other way if it will please his constituents and keep him in office for one of those important close votes.
Lincoln Chaffee simply can't be trusted to vote the right way in the clinch.
For instance, apparently the plan to make the tax cuts permanent has been given up on, because he refuses to come on board. That is a MAJOR, MAJOR bill, and his vote is critical. What's more, if the bill isn't brought up, Chaffee doesn't even get credit with his constituents for voting against it. So it's sheer obstructionism and bad will.
As far as I'm concerned, that makes him worse than worthless. Better to have a Democrat and open things up for a more cooperative RINO in six years.
Yes, it's pleasing to see Carcieri running pretty well. It goes to that running away from the Republican label does not equal success even in liberal Rhode Island -- Cocaine Chafee's numbers as indicative to that.
Chafee also voted to ban the .30-30 (As did Langevin). He also threatened to switch parties several times.
If I lived in RI, I'd vote libertarian in this one.
I don't expect Chafee to lose. The loony left may raise money and support Chafee to give President Bush heartburn. After all, Lincoln Chafee is the MSM's favorite Republican.
Lincoln Chafee sticks up for Hugo Chavez. They're bothing friggin nuts.
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