Mr. Rove and company flattened him with the force of a tsunami.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

http://www.projo.com/opinion/columnists/content/projo_20060919_clacho.31e760d.html

Edward Achorn: Karl Rove wins one in R.I.

01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, September 19, 2006


YOU'VE GOT to hand it to Karl Rove, the White House political guru. The man is one shrewd operator.

Capping a campaign that was steeped in irony, he and his associates last week managed to essentially wrench the Republican primary away from Rhode Island Republicans -- or, at least the party's base -- and turn it over to thousands of Democrats and independents.

He did it in hopes of re-electing incumbent Lincoln Chafee. Though Mr. Chafee has actively opposed President Bush in the key areas of taxes, the courts, and the war on terrorism, Mr. Rove concluded that Mr. Chafee was the only Republican who stood a chance of winning in November in Rhode Island. And the GOP may need that seat to retain control of the Senate.

In essence, Mr. Rove betrayed Republicans here for the greater "good" of a GOP-run Senate.

It was a cunning, and stunning, act of realpolitik. I thought the odds were against him, but he pulled it off brilliantly.

The numbers made it look like it wasn't that close: Mr. Chafee beat Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey, 54 to 46 percent.

But think about it: Mr. Laffey, who slaved day and night traversing the state, holding signs and greeting voters, ran a remarkable grassroots campaign.


Edward Achorn is The Journal's deputy editorial-pages editor. His e-mail address is [e-mail].

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[Clark2008]

1. This guy almost sounds delusional

Battle of the Blueblood Liberals? :wtf:

Chafee is a liberal? Since when?

[warrens]

4. Chafee is pretty much a liberal

Who votes with the Repukes because his daddy told him to. SO fuck him. I hope Whitehouse wipes the floor with his traitor ass. Much as I personally like the guy.

[Supersedeas]

2. exploiting a quirk in election law -- exploiting the quirk -- exploit the

quirk KKKarl

[bdamomma]

3. I hope Whitehouse beats the hell out of Chafee!!!!!!!!!!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

5. yes. makes me want to move to RI temporarily. Watch out = election fraud!