Chafee is in a real pickle on Alito

[WI_DEM]

"Moderate" Rhode Island Senator Chafee is, I feel, in a real pickle regarding Alito. He is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. First, he is facing a competitive challenge within his party in the primary. He may feel he needs to shore up his position with his states Republican voters and "reluctantly" vote for Alito. On the other hand, he was endorsed by pro-choice groups for re-election (a huge mistake on their part I feel) and if he votes for Alito--a man who all pro-choice groups have been fighting--he risks losing their support--and the support of Independents in the general election against whichever Democrat is nominated.

So what does he do?

[ProfessorPlum]

1. He should switch parties

and continue to vote his conscience.

[WI_DEM]

2. True, but he has had the opportunity over and over

and stays with the Republicans.

[Sammy Pepys]

3. I think he's said a couple of times...

...that he's not switching parties.

I think he'll end up voting for confirmation.

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. The reason he won't switch parties is because

he promised his father, on his death bed, that he would carry on the "Chaffee Republican legacy" :eyes:. That's from an article I read YEARS ago and I don't have a link, but you may be able to find it on Google.:)

[ProfessorPlum]

14. If he's worrying about his f*ing legacy

may I suggest that he stands up to dictatorship, and dedicates his fight to Papa?

What the hell.

[in_cog_ni_to]

25. Yes he is. Sad, I know.

as stated below/above?...his dad wouldn't recognize the repuke party he left behind. I agree he would be honoring his father if he fought these rat bastards with everything he has, but that's what he said...he stays in the party because his dad asked him to. SUCKS.

[Horse with no Name]

18. His Dad wouldn't recognize the Republican party these days

Perhaps that is how he should reconcile the difference.

[FreedomAngel82]

22. Or at least be an indie

He might not agree with everything the democrats do so he could be an indie.

[flyarm]

4. he will cower to *...and rw groups! n/t

[pinto]

5. I've often wondered why he hasn't switched to Independent. It would seem

a better fit, 'though I know his family goes way back in the NE Rep party.

[EST]

6. Should go, with his oily buddy, Bush, and jump

into another dry hole. ANY republican, who chooses to keep that fatal "r' after his name, given this horrid crap shoot, deserves all the bad karma, luck, shitstorm, whatever, that is coming. Piss on 'em!

[jackstraw45]

7. Chafee is TOAST after last year....

TOAST.

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. Could you elaborate a bit, please? Why is he toast and do you live

in his state?

[tularetom]

8. does his state have an open primary?

If so, dems can vote for his opponent who would then be easy for a dem to defeat in the general election. He's one of the gutless "moderate" repubs that needs to go.

[WI_DEM]

15. That would be something to look into, except that the Dems also

have a competitive Senate primary.

[kentuck]

9. He votes against the filibuster which would be the real vote...

and then he could still safely vote against Alito once it went to the floor. So he would win both ways.

[WI_DEM]

11. That's a good observation

That could be his cover.

[in_cog_ni_to]

10. This will be a LITMUS test on how much to trust those so-called moderates

and their promises about abortion. pro-"life" :eyes: Dems say they are pro-"life" :eyes:, BUT support a woman's right to CHOOSE. If Chaffee says he's pro-choice, Then why is he in a pickle? He either promised he would fight for Roe or he didn't. HE DID. There's no pickle here. He should just tell his party to go to hell and become a Dem. Spector. He's SUPPOSEDLY pro-choice. It's quite clear Alito WILL overturn Roe. There's nothing to think about here. This is MY litmus test on how much I trust these people when they say they are pro-"life":eyes:, BUT they support a woman's right to CHOOSE. We'll see. We'll see.

[FreedomAngel82]

23. Right

There's a group called Republican Majority or something like that and Specter is apart of the group. They're a group who's pro-choice and have come out against Alito. Specter says he wasn't apart of the group's decision and he hasn't made up his mind yet. Heh.

[Bumblebee]

16. He does have a "safe" option. I have no doubt he will vote against

Alito, which will be meaningless anyway since enough, including the Dems in red states, will vote for him, but he won't support the filibuster which is the only way to stop Alito. Snowe will do the same thing. Cynical and hypocritical but what else is new?

[kentuck]

20. Bingo.

Right on!

[theboss]

17. Chafee has to win the primary....

After that, it is clear sailing.
He is not going to buck the president on a judge.

[Wise Doubter]

19. He should go with his gut.....

based on facts.



more leaders should !!

[FreedomAngel82]

21. Hehe!

I love watching republicans squirm. :popcorn: I'm still surprised there are pro-choice republicans. Heh heh. But yes he is damned either way. Republicans like him we need to put pressure on.

[Armstead]

24. If Chaffee were smart, he'd run as a Democrat

As a moderate, somewhat libral Republican, Chaffee is in a losing position within his own party. Shunned and ignored by his party mates -- especilly when he actually acts on his beliefs.

But the Democratic Party would kiss his ass and roll out the red carpet to get him to switch parties and run as a Dem in his next campaign. The perks they might offer would compensate for the loss of perks as a Republican.

Not knowing enough about Rhode Island I'm not sure how it would affect his chances for re-election. he appears to be in a bit of trouble there anyway. But at least he wuld be in a different position that jeffords if he actually runs as a Democrat instead of switching mid-term.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

26. Congressmen always worry more about their re-election & the majority of vo

That's why we have to let them know they have constituents who don't want Alito, etc. However, if we are only a small number of their constituents - we're screwed.

It may be up to us and other groups to convince the rest of our fellow constiuents about issues. Pressure the media to report on this. The problem is is most people don't watch the news, read papers AND more often listen to Limpballs, Hannity, etc. What's the most popular cable show? O' freakin Reilly.

Or, maybe we need term limits so these people do what's right instead of act like puppets.

[mod mom]

27. It's time to put aside your career and do the right thing Mr. Chafee!