Chafee unsure of staying with GOP after losing election

Boston.com/AP ^ | November 9, 2006 | Michelle R. Smith

[youthgonewild]

PROVIDENCE, R.I. --Two days after losing a bid for a second term in an election seen as a referendum on President Bush and the Republican Party, Sen. Lincoln Chafee said he was unsure whether he'd remain a Republican.

"I haven't made any decisions. I just haven't even thought about where my place is," Chafee said at a news conference when asked whether he would stick with the Republican Party or switch to be an independent or Democrat.

When asked if his comments meant he thought he might not belong in the Republican Party, he replied: "That's fair."

Chafee, 53, is the most liberal Republican in the Senate and was the sole Senate Republican to vote against the war in Iraq. That was not enough to save his seat against the winner, Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse, who shared many of Chafee's views but was a member of the dominant party in a state where Democrats far outnumber Republicans.

When asked whether he felt that his loss may have helped the country by switching control of power in Congress, he replied: "To be honest, yes."

[Hendrix]

The conservative democrats will not get to vote conservative. The democrats will vote together as a caucus. That will mean they will probably not last unless they are very good liars at home (they will get voted out). A lot of the election is the same fraud the democrats have been pulling for years: talk conservative and vote liberal. Daschel did it for years and so did lots of other democrats.

[xzins]

Is he planning on running again???

[LibLieSlayer]

I am not sorry to to see this liberal hack go. He is a bitter loser and classless politician... the consummate dim! He would have stayed Republican if he had won, because it would benefit him most. As with all dims, self interest trumps everything else.

LLS

[trisham]

Hey! You don't like this?

[rawcatslyentist]

At least they wouldn't accuse him of being a DINO!

[LibLieSlayer]

The State Republican Party is where your anger should be directed... mostly.

LLS

[Puppage]

LOL!

You're killing independant Puppage

[sgtbono2002]

He will not be sorely missed.

Theres a half dozen more Rino's that should pack their bags and move on too.

[Redcloak]

Chafee is a Republican?

[MadIvan]

My guess is that he'll switch to the Democrats and run against Carcieri for governor some time in the future.

Regards, Ivan

[LibLieSlayer]

Now why would you want to abuse a poor doorknob like that. What did doorknobs ever do to you? ;-)

LLS

[Prime Choice]

Reason #65,535 why it is repulsively stupid to ever vote for a RINO and think they'll magically support conservative causes.

[gotribe]

I learned my RINO lesson this election. And they keep coming at us.

[mass55th]

"I haven't made any decisions. I just haven't even thought about where my place is..."

Why don't you come out of the closet too while you're at it Linc.

[badgerlandjim]

Yeehaw! Chafee shall chafe my a$$ no more.

[Finalapproach29er]

Let's throw his a** out before he can quit.

What a sorry excuse for a Rep.

[darkangel82]

Says it all. The only bright spot I can see in this is that we're rid of him and DeWine.

Now you have Sherrod Brown.

[PhiKapMom]

He lost who cares what he is after this.

[Boston Tea Party]

I have always thought he looked like a complete moron. Thanks for posting the picture -- it validates my opinion.

[Gay State Conservative]

I don't think the Dems need him in RI since they dominate in the state so who is gonna support him? Stick a fork in him.

Where's your humanity? Without gainful employment,he'll have to live off his $150K/yr Congressional pension and mommy and daddy's trust fund.

If I ever see him on the street,I'll be sure to drop a quarter into his cup,that's for sure!