Chafee takes GOP maverick role, again

[Kire]

Chafee takes GOP maverick role, again

By Andrew Miga, Associated Press Writer | January 31, 2006

WASHINGTON --Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee, the lone Republican to vote against Samuel Alito's Supreme Court confirmation, has a history of bucking his party on major issues including Iraq, abortion rights and taxes.

Chafee's independence is a matter of political survival in a Democratic-leaning state that tends to favor moderate Republicans.

"Just being independent and honest and willing to show some guts is what they like about me," Chafee said in a telephone interview Tuesday after his Alito vote.

Chafee's tough re-election fight is already one of the nation's marquee 2006 Senate races.

"Everybody's targeting Rhode Island and Chafee is a Republican in a Democratic state," said Brown University political science professor Darrell West. "The Rhode Island Senate race will be about the most competitive race in the country."

More: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/01/31/chafee_takes_gop_maverick_role_again/?rss_id=Boston.com+%2F+News

[Halliburton]

1. maverick my ass

it's easy to vote no when your vote doesn't matter. if he was a real maverick he would've supported the fillibuster

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

2. Nothing against Chafee, but it's even easier to make a decision like this

when you know the opposition party is going to roll over and not filibuster, hence your vote won't be responsible for denying the King his nominee.

[bahrbearian]

3. "But it looks cool to my constiutes, makes me look like a fighter"

[zalinda]

4. I'd have to ask, is he running for the presidency?