November 6, 2006
What a Friend of the Editor of The New Republic Heard During a Rally in Rhode Island
As is conveyed in the title of this post, what follows is hearsay, but hearsay that comes from Franklin Foer, editor of The New Republic, who stands to lose a good deal of professional credibility if it is discovered that he is just making things up about a candidate in a close race on the night before an election. Here is what Mr. Foer posted to “The Plank”, TNR's group blog…
LINC BATS HIS EYELASHES:If I have missed some statement by Senator Chafee during this campaign where he has pledged not to leave the Republican party, please post a reference in the comments or send me an e-mail and I will place it in the main body of this post right away.I have a friend in Rhode Island--a Democrat torn between his affections for Lincoln Chafee and his desire to make Harry Reid majority leader. Over the weekend, my friend attended a Chafee event and cornered the senator. Now, my friend doesn't have a personal relationship with Chafee, but he put the question bluntly to him: Why should I stick with you in a race with so many national implications? Chafee pulled my friend aside, lowered his voice, and told him that he might not be a Republican for much longer.
This is just one report. Take it for whatever its worth.
--Franklin Foer
UPDATE:
Senator Chafee was pretty clear in an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos earlier this year…
George Stephanopoulos: “Are you committed, though, to voting for a Republican for majority leader, to voting for Republican committee chairmen?”
Senator Lincoln Chafee: “Yes, running as a Republican, I’m not going to have it both ways. I’m running as a Republican and that’s the party I’ll support.”
Very observant, Andrew. Senator Chafee has been asked on multiple occassions by a number of people, whether he will PROMISE to remain a Republican for the remainder of his term, should he manage to be reelected. There has been no pledge, suggestion, inference -- nothing. Thusfar, he has not done that, in either public (or to my knowledge in private). I need more loyalty, not only to the party, but especially to its principles, before I make that vote. He has given people like myself no reason to vote FOR him. I do think this race is technically "winnable" for Chafee, but that doesn't necessarily mean that translates into a victory for him. It will all come down to turnout. I just don't know if "anti-Whitehouse" sentiment will be enough to push him over the finish line.
Although, I have no qualms about believing that Linc could ditch the party, if reelected (actually, it would serve the national party right), I don't know the veracity of what was perported to have been said, to believe it 100%. Another way you might read that remark about not being a Republican much longer, could also be in the event he loses, he might choose to disassociate himself from the party. Anyway, it's not something that keeps me awake at night. If Chafee is reelected, get ready for six more years of being jerked around with "will he leave" or "won't he leave" questions.
I'm feeling more confident that the GOP will retain control of the Senate, regardless of the outcome of the race in RI. That makes me feel a lot better about how I plan to vote tomorrow. Of course, it is secret ballot.
Posted by: Will at November 7, 2006 12:49 AMWell, that cements it for me at a time when I was considering holding my nose and voting for Linc...
Posted by: Greg at November 7, 2006 3:01 AMWhatever!! (yawning)
Posted by: Tim at November 7, 2006 6:28 AMThis is TOTAL BS. {Comment deleted, for being a bad combination of anonymousness, unconfirmedness, and crudeness}.
Posted by: Mike at November 7, 2006 7:57 AM"Yes, running as a Republican, I’m not going to have it both ways. I’m running as a Republican and that’s the party I’ll support."
Yep. Right up until it becomes more advantageous of him to support the Democrats. He never said he wouldn't flip as soon as he was elected, just that he's RUNNING has a Republican.
I live by the simple rule that you can tell when a politician is lying when you see his lips move.
Posted by: Greg at November 7, 2006 8:38 AMI heard this on Fox News at about 6:00 AM today (11/7):
{Comment will be restored if the infomation can be confirmed.}
Flush Chafee!
Posted by: George at November 7, 2006 11:28 AMHey Mike, are you going to post the same third party hearsay crap every three hours?
Posted by: Greg at November 7, 2006 11:59 AMTom,
My favorite part is:
"...I know firsthand...
...It was put to me by a family member..."
Yeah, umm. Hey Mr. "You're all a******s", unless Linc said it to you, it aint 'firsthand'.
(Moderator's note. Greg is providing some insight into why a previous comment was deleted).
Andrew:
I wish I could have provided more info on what I heard this morning. I searched the web because I was very curious who the Fox News guest would be.
I appreciate your desire to be credible, but I'm telling you, that is what one of the co-hosts said!
Posted by: George at November 7, 2006 3:14 PM