The RNC and the RSCC have always had a rule: In the event of a primary, always stand with the incumbent.
I'm not surprised they did so.
Truth be told, I'm not sure that Laffey could have won the general election. In a battle for an open seat, I'd give him a chance. But this is Rhode Island where EVERYONE is liberal.
As much as I try to think in terms of a big GOP tent, losing Chaffee wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen.
Any money spent by the RNC on Chafee could have been spent elsewhere far more productively. If the Senate outside that seat is anything other than 50 Democrats and 49 Republicans, it won't matter whether the seat is occupied by Chafee or someone honest enough to call herself a Democrat. And if the Senate outside the seat is 50-49 Democrat, the Republicans won't have a majority regardless of whether Chafee or the Democrat is elected. So why spend any money on Chafee?