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.
Is there ANY doubt this scum would have bolted if he had won, and it was 50/50?
If he would leave the GOP today, it might be possible to get the Bolton nomination out of committee.
The GOP shouldn't wait . . kick him out today.
I really find it difficult to give a rat's rear end what Chafing wants or does...........
Regards, Ivan
The haircut made him do it!
What the heck...at this point he might as well let his "inner Communist" shine.
Chaffee was GOP? Well, how 'bout that!
Don't let the door hit you on the @$$ on the way out.
What a joke!
Truth is, he never was a Republican.
Kick him out now before he can do more damage. He has already said that he will stop the Bolton nomination. He should no longer be on any committee as a Republican.
Is Whitehouse considered to be more conservative than Chafee? I thought he carried himself well in a debate on C-SPAN, with Chafee appearing as an annoying twit.
Ultra lib "republicans" deserve the ass kickings they get.
Since when is "RINO" a party?
Of course he's leaving. He's caused all the damage he can, now he's returning home to Karl Marx. Hey Linc, **** you.
Earth to Chafee: Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out, jerk!
This news is akin to Bernie admitting he is a Socialist.....Nuttin here, move on.
Don't let the door hit you on the backside.
Chafee is a Republican?
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