Posted on 11/10/2006 5:29:10 AM PST by NYC Republican
Two days after losing a bid for a second term, Sen. Lincoln Chafee said he was unsure whether he would remain a Republican.
Two days after failing to secure another term, Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee considers leaving the Republican Party.
Chafee lost to Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse in a race seen as a referendum on President Bush and the GOP. On Thursday, he was asked whether he would stick with the Republican Party or become an independent or Democrat.
"I haven't made any decisions. I just haven't even thought about where my place is," Chafee said at a news conference. When pressed on whether his comments indicated he might leave the GOP, he replied: "That's fair."
Chafee, 53, is a lifelong Republican who has represented Rhode Island for seven years. His father held the same seat for 23 years before that.
He is the most liberal Republican in the Senate and was the sole Senate Republican to vote against the war in Iraq. But that was not enough to prevail against Whitehouse, who shared many of Chafee's views but was a Democrat in a heavily Democratic state.
Chafee said his loss may have helped the country by switching control of Congress.
"The people have spoken all across America. They want the Democrats and Republicans to work together," he said. "I think the president now is going to have to talk to the Democrats. I think that's going to be good for America."
Chafee said he waged a lonely campaign to bring the party to the middle. He described attending weekly lunches with fellow GOP senators and standing up to argue his point of view, often alone.
"There were times walking into my caucus room where it wasn't fun," he said, adding that he stayed with the GOP largely because it allowed him to bring federal dollars home to Rhode Island.
Why is he acting like he won re election??
Kick his fat butt out of the party NOW!
This Chaffee will leave the GOP for shoeing horses out in the stix. One of his previous jobs
He feels that that seat belongs to him by birthright.
See ya, loser!
And that's what it's all about, isn't it chump?
Bringin' da loot home.
Damn pigs at the trough.
Lincoln was the ultimate RINO, I'm glad to see him go. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
The GOP should know by now that it shriveled away like a frightened turtle years ago....
A potential name change from Lincoln to Red?
He was never in it.
Surprise of all surprises!!
Hate to see you go, Lincoln!
Nancee
None whatsoever. I am so happy he got beat. He should not have the option of "leaving" the Republican Party. What a joke! Furthermore, he should be stripped of every committee seat he holds -- today!
Yeah... he'll resurface as a communist.
REMAIN A REPUBLICAN? When was he ever a Republican?
At this point, Chafee's departure from the Republican Party would be as relevant as Abraham Lincoln's departure from the GOP.
If he resigns from the Republican Party, then the Republicans get to X him from the committee in which he is holding up Bolton's nomination.
So he is the son of a former senator. We definitely need to get away from these bums who think they are "entitled" because of name recognition. The only thing they inherited from dear ol dad was the gift of gab as I haven't seen a statesman in any of the off springs.
A few years back Dick Armey tried to run his son for his seat. I think some corruption stopped it but I can't remember exactly.
It is one thing to become a doctor or lawyler after dear ol dad, but it is another thing to become a congressman after dear ol dad. These seats of power are not to be inherited.
Gee, when Chafee leaves the Republican party I will miss him as much as I miss an infected boil on my a$$ ! Good riddence to a festering sore on our party.
the wimp needs to make a relevancy check to see if anybody really gives a damn.
No Loss
Yeah, don't let the screen door hit ya Linc
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