Chafee may leave Republican Party

[Herman Munster]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061110/ap_on_el_se/rhode_island_senate

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Two days after losing a bid for a second term, Sen. Lincoln Chafee (news, bio, voting record) said he was unsure whether he would remain a Republican.

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.

[KingFlorez]

1. Now you think about that?

If you had thought about this awhile back, you'd still have a job now.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

2. No kidding! What an idjit....

[emulatorloo]

3. maybe he'll run as a Dem someday. . .n/t

[tozion]

4. I met Mrs. Chafee last week....

While I was doing some grocery shopping for my grandmother in Johnston RI. She was outside of the supermarket. She said "I hope you'll support my husband next week." I said "I would if he was a democrat." She then said "you shouldn't vote for the party, but the person" ... or something like that. Then the guy with her tried to give me some literature. I just walked away.

I felt bad for her really. She's a great person and so is her family. Heck, I've even been swimming at their pool on their farm here in RI :P

[Cha]

10. "Voting for the person" is a luxury

Rhode Islanders knew they didn't have because they were thinking of the whole Country and Planet. I'm really proud of Rhode Islanders! :patriot: :loveya: :patriot:

[Iris]

12. I don't get the "vote for the person not the party" idea.

I mean, if someone chooses to affiliate himself with a party that I fundamentally disagree with, why would I vote for him just because he's a nice guy/

But what do I know. I pretty much refuse to associate with known Republicans - even if they aren't politicians.

[mondo joe]

15. Party doesn't tell you everything. There are some dems who are more

conservative than some repubs.

Of course with the house and senate control in question, that is not a consideration.

[Iris]

18. not around here there aren't.

But I live in the South, so you can just imagine!

Although, in most parts of the state, Dems are too conservative for my liking but still way more liberal than the Republicans. Where I live, Dems are Dems! And progressive.

[mondo joe]

23. It's a big country and we need a big coalition. n/t

[dansolo]

20. If only her husband was as principled

How many times did Chafee meekly vote for something that everyone knew that he was against?

[Herman Munster]

5. well

In all fairness to Chafee, he did VOTE AGAINST the iraq war resolution. You can't say that about half the democrats in the senate, including our last presidential nominee.

He is definitely more liberal than a lot of democrats with a D behind their names.

He would still have had a job if he switched to D a year ago. Bad bad miscalculation on his part.

[davidinalameda]

7. if he had switched or even gone indy

he would have had the seat

[Kahuna]

6. Now???! Too bad he didn't do that years ago. Seems like a

really nice man. Too bad.

[greatauntoftriplets]

I almost feel badly for Chafee....because he has voted with us so often.

Why he didn't make the switch sooner is a mystery. Now he is suffering the consequences. And his loss just shows how big the backlash against Republicans was this year...especially in a state as blue as Rhode Island.

[tlsmith1963]

21. I Do, Too

I don't think it was anything personal against people like him that he lost, at least from our side. We had to get a majority to shut Bushco down. If the Republicans had kept control of Congress, they would've forced moderates like Chafee to do their bidding. I hope he does switch parties. He would be welcome here.

[deadparrot]

8. Maybe he'll do it before January...

THAT would be fun. :D

[Perky]

9. Shame he could not move next door to connecticut and run

against leiberman in umm oh rats six years.

[Joe for Clark]

11. I think he is a very good man - and I am so sorry he was a

casualty of this war.

Joe

[Herman Munster]

13. he's happy he lost

When asked whether he felt that his loss may have helped the country by switching control of power in Congress, he replied: "To be honest, yes."

[madfloridian]

14. I heard him say he just couldn't overcome the hatred for the president.

It was kind of sad, he is a good man.

[Jacklyn75]

16. I really wish he would have done it sooner as I feel he is a good man

I wish him all the best. If only he would have switched to the Dems or even become an Independent.

[Karenca]

17. So do I---I would have liked him to switch to the

Dems-
My brother lives in RI, and being a Dem, he voted for
blue across the board.
But he told me he felt so bad having to vote against Chafee.

Chafee is really much more liberal than most of the Dems---it's too bad.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

19. why the hell didn't he do that earlier-or at least pledge to caucus with our side?!?

i think most of us would have backed him
it's a shame. he seems like a good guy, but his stubborn insistance on keeping his dad's affiliation cost him the seat when we had control of congress to think about.

he needs to come back and run as a dem for some other office.

[Herman Munster]

22. blind loyalty

probably to his father. He probably didn't want to dishonor his father's memory.

[Benhurst]

24. In these times particularly, we should honor good men and women.

Chafee is a good man. I'm sorry he didn't switch parties. If I had been in R.I I would have voted against him. Nevertheless, he is an honorable man.