Lincoln Chafee, A Luxury We Can No Longer Afford

[louis c]

I have a good friend from Rhode Island who is on the inside of Sheldon Whitehouse's Senatorial campaign in that state. I am from Massachusetts. My friend and I have worked on many labor causes together. I actually had a telephone conversation with Mr. Whitehouse about a year ago. I have tried to put a little suggestion into my friend's ear on how I would approach the general election. Remember, Whitehouse is a forgone conclusion in the Democratic Primary, whereas Chafee has a right-wing opponent in his primary. For those of you who may not know (and I'm sure 90% of you do know) Rhode Island is the bluest state in the union, even bluer than my beloved Massachusetts.

Anyway, here's my suggestion and I would like DU input and constructive criticism. Lincoln Chafee is one of these Republican New England "Liberal" Senators, much like Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins from Maine. He is cut from the Saltanstall mold and votes like the ex-Senator Ed Brooke. By the way, my father was Ed Brooke's Administrative Assistant in the early 70's. I, myself, cut my political teeth for McGovern, but that's a story for another day. I have suggested the caption that I posted here, "Lincoln Chafee is a luxury we can no longer afford". You see, even if Chafee votes and speaks against Bush more than any other Republican, he's still a Republican. He votes with them in the caucus by virtue of the dreaded (R) next to his name. A vote for chafee is a vote to put Frist in charge of the Senate, to leave committee chairs in the hands of Right-Wing Republican zealots who turn back the clock on worker's rights, women's rights, civil rights, and have left the Bush administration free to conduct foreign wars with no oversight from Congress. In bygone days, when Democrats routinely held 60-40 Majorities in the Senate and 70 vote majorities in the House, Senators like Lincoln Chafee were harmless anomalies. Today, that all has changed. That (R) next to Chafee's name empowers Ted Stevens to control our environment, Rick Santorum to control women's rights and Bill Frist to control the Senate. Lincoln Chafee is a luxury we can no longer afford. Sheldon Whitehouse is a Democrat for U.S. Senate and that (D) will put the right peple in charge.

How do you like it as a targeted mailing?

By the way, Whitehouse is leading Chafee by 5 points as of this writing.

link:
http://www.projo.com/extra/election/content/projo_20060715_poll15.176df81.html

[BillZBubb]

1. I think that's a good approach.

I'm not sure what the dynamics are in RI, but it's true and it's not heavy handed.

Many in RI may feel Chafee is OK, but they need to be reminded that with Chafee comes Repug control of government. They aren't just voting for one guy, they are literally voting for who runs the country.

[MadMaddie]

2. I like the following

"Lincoln Chafee is a luxury we can no longer afford"!

It's simple...we Dems have to remember that America is the sound bite nation....so you are on the right track.

You can put this on a bumper sticker....it's catchy....

" A vote for chafee is a vote to put Frist in charge of the Senate"

" A vote for Chafee is a vote for Rick Santorum to control women's rights"

I think you have great stuff here....but most people don't read like we do and most people won't take the time to read anything longer than a couple of sentences...

Anyhoo...just my two cents...Good Luck!

[louis c]

3. Thanks

[Nite Owl]

4. I recall reading that Chafee's

voting record is nothing for him to be proud of for Rhode Islanders. He breaks with the party when it won't be decisive in the outcome. I'm sorry I don't have the link but if I recall correctly he does vote with his party most of the time. So maybe something like:

Lincoln Chaffee is a Republican and he votes like one too, is that what Rhode Island wants to represent them?

[louis c]

10. kick in the evening

[bluedeminredstate]

5. Very good.

Make them see a vote for Chaffee is a vote for a republican Senate. Chaffee equals no accountability. Chaffee equals no oversight. Chaffee equals more of the same. Chaffee equals internet "tubes."

Anything to let them know that a vote for Chaffee is a vote for an imperial presidency and committees who answer to Bush.

:kick:

[louis c]

6. kick in the evening

[skipos]

7. I agree with everything you said.

Further, I would encourage anyone voting in the Republican primary to vote for Laffey. If Laffey wins the nomination, which some feel is just as likely as Lamont winning the primary in CT, Whitehouse will clobber him in the general election.

Whitehouse would be better for progressives, better for Rhode Island and better for the country.

[louis c]

8. You said it. Whitehouse for Senate.

[opihimoimoi]

9. White House gonna kick ass in his primary and in the General

[KamaAina]

11. Frist is not running for re-election to the Senate

A vote for chafee is a vote to put Frist in charge of the Senate

The cat killer is going to plot and scheme to get the repuke pResidential nomination for '08 instead.

Therefore, a vote for Chafee is a vote to put someone even worse than Frist in charge of the Senate. Since Santorectum is going to lose, that probably means Sam "Talking Embryo" Brownback. :puke:

[louis c]

12. You're correct

The Frist thing is current. I should have known better. Thanks for the heads up, but the point is still the same.

[Mz Pip]

13. I always liked Chafee

based on what I've seen of him on TV but I totally agree that as long as he has that R next to his name he is complicit in the crimes of BushCo.

He could switch like Jeffords did, but he didn't. So sad as it may be, there are consequences to who who choose to align yourself with.

He has to go.

When my kid was in high school he was very loyal to some less than honorable friends. The friends were going down the wrong path and my kid was in danger of losing his good name by virtue of guilt by association. I told him loyalty was great. Up to a point. The point was long gone and it was time to get some new friends. He took my advice and saved himself a whole lot of grief.

Chafee needs a mom like me.

Mz Pip
:dem: