Chafee's Political (Ahem) Wisdom
Justin Katz
This is just too much, coming from a man who drove me to vote for an opponent who is now the second most liberal Senator in Congress:
As a matter of campaign politics, Chafee challenged the conventional wisdom that Palin's selection will rouse GOP conservatives who had not been enthusiastic about McCain. He said Palin appears to be a gesture to a part of the Republican electorate that does not need shoring up.
"I always thought that the base wouldn't have anywhere to go," Chafee said. Having lost control of the House and Senate, the conservative base should be "sufficiently motivated" by the prospect of losing the White House, he said.
He don't know us very well, do he?
Ok, so Obama has Chafee in his corner.
And McCain has Lieberman in his corner.
If I were McCain, that's exactly the way I'd want it.
In the "former member of the other party endorsing me" contest, Obama is losing due to a "gravitas gap."
Chafee was, is, and will always be a lightweight.
Chafee is Patrick Kennedy minus the substance abuse and mental health problems.
Chafee is merely a member of the lucky sperm club. Nothing more going on there.
Without a mind, I find it hard to imagine who's mind he would be in a position to change. He's the head of "Former RINOs for Obama" I take it, right?
FORMER Senator Chafee isn't worth expending the electrons to comment further. Obama can keep him.
Justin,
I still question the judgement of those individuals who were willing to vote for a liberal Democrat over a Republican, but I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree.
Yes, McCain has Joe Lieberman and Obama has Linc Chafee, but compare Lieberman's words of support for McCain at the convention with Chafee's words after endorsing Obama a few months ago:
"Pennsylvania is going to be tough for the Obama campaign," warned the Republican turned independent. "They have to come up with a good crisp message for the voters there. The message here in Rhode Island resulted in a staggering defeat, almost twenty points [he lost by 18]. And I know my state pretty well. Obama carried the educated community but couldn't win the bellwether."
"I went to his speech here in Rhode Island, and the people say, it sounds great, but how are you going to pay for it? He needs to get into those details."
I find it interesting that even avowed supporters of Obama recognize that the substance doesn't match the rhetoric. Maybe there is some political wisdom....
"I still question the judgement of those individuals who were willing to vote for a liberal Democrat over a Republican"
The answer, Anthony, is "to get rid of him".
Secondly...he was never a Republican!
Take a very close look at Gov. Palin, her beliefs and accomplishments. Contrast that to former Sen. Stupid. She is clearly a Republican. Chafee doesn't even come close.
Compare former Sen. Stupid to current Sen. Stupid. Do you really see any difference (other than the current senator's slight IQ advantage)?
George,
You replaced someone who 1.) voted for the Republican majority leader; 2.) had a voting record that placed him in the center of the Senate; and 3.) worked in a bipartisan fashion with someone who 1.) votes for a Democrat majority leader; 2.) has the second most liberal voting record in the Senate; and 3.) is one of the most partisan Senators.
All that was done when 1 seat determined the majoriity.
On top of all of that, Whitehouse will be in the Senate for years.
As Grover Norquist once stated, having a Republican Senate seat from Rhode Island was a "gift from the gods".
That's the difference.
But Chafee is no longer an influence in the RIGOP (though he lives on through Scott Avedesian); but to purge the RIGOP of having a RINO at the top is well worth it.
If the national GOP had to rely on Lincoln Chafee to hold a Republican lead, then the real GOP problems lay elsewhere.
Plus Chafee showed his petulant nature, and absolutely stunning lack of class, by endorsing Obama on the very day that McCain came to RI for a rally ... his first visit to RI since he had come here to campaign for "his friend" Lincoln Chafee.
Good riddance. Let him live out his days in obscurity, counting his trust fund dollars on the family farm.
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Ok, so Obama has Chafee in his corner.
And McCain has Lieberman in his corner.
If I were McCain, that's exactly the way I'd want it.
In the "former member of the other party endorsing me" contest, Obama is losing due to a "gravitas gap."
Chafee was, is, and will always be a lightweight.
Posted by: Tom W at September 3, 2008 9:52 PMChafee is Patrick Kennedy minus the substance abuse and mental health problems.
Posted by: joe bernstein at September 3, 2008 10:02 PMChafee is merely a member of the lucky sperm club. Nothing more going on there.
Posted by: Mike Cappelli at September 4, 2008 12:00 AMWithout a mind, I find it hard to imagine who's mind he would be in a position to change. He's the head of "Former RINOs for Obama" I take it, right?
FORMER Senator Chafee isn't worth expending the electrons to comment further. Obama can keep him.
Posted by: Will at September 4, 2008 12:51 AMJustin,
I still question the judgement of those individuals who were willing to vote for a liberal Democrat over a Republican, but I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree.
Yes, McCain has Joe Lieberman and Obama has Linc Chafee, but compare Lieberman's words of support for McCain at the convention with Chafee's words after endorsing Obama a few months ago:
"Pennsylvania is going to be tough for the Obama campaign," warned the Republican turned independent. "They have to come up with a good crisp message for the voters there. The message here in Rhode Island resulted in a staggering defeat, almost twenty points [he lost by 18]. And I know my state pretty well. Obama carried the educated community but couldn't win the bellwether."
"I went to his speech here in Rhode Island, and the people say, it sounds great, but how are you going to pay for it? He needs to get into those details."
I find it interesting that even avowed supporters of Obama recognize that the substance doesn't match the rhetoric. Maybe there is some political wisdom....
Posted by: Anthony at September 4, 2008 1:00 AM"I still question the judgement of those individuals who were willing to vote for a liberal Democrat over a Republican"
The answer, Anthony, is "to get rid of him".
Secondly...he was never a Republican!
Take a very close look at Gov. Palin, her beliefs and accomplishments. Contrast that to former Sen. Stupid. She is clearly a Republican. Chafee doesn't even come close.
Compare former Sen. Stupid to current Sen. Stupid. Do you really see any difference (other than the current senator's slight IQ advantage)?
Posted by: George at September 4, 2008 8:15 AMGeorge,
You replaced someone who 1.) voted for the Republican majority leader; 2.) had a voting record that placed him in the center of the Senate; and 3.) worked in a bipartisan fashion with someone who 1.) votes for a Democrat majority leader; 2.) has the second most liberal voting record in the Senate; and 3.) is one of the most partisan Senators.
All that was done when 1 seat determined the majoriity.
On top of all of that, Whitehouse will be in the Senate for years.
As Grover Norquist once stated, having a Republican Senate seat from Rhode Island was a "gift from the gods".
That's the difference.
Posted by: Anthony at September 4, 2008 8:32 PMBut Chafee is no longer an influence in the RIGOP (though he lives on through Scott Avedesian); but to purge the RIGOP of having a RINO at the top is well worth it.
If the national GOP had to rely on Lincoln Chafee to hold a Republican lead, then the real GOP problems lay elsewhere.
Plus Chafee showed his petulant nature, and absolutely stunning lack of class, by endorsing Obama on the very day that McCain came to RI for a rally ... his first visit to RI since he had come here to campaign for "his friend" Lincoln Chafee.
Good riddance. Let him live out his days in obscurity, counting his trust fund dollars on the family farm.
Posted by: Tom W at September 5, 2008 9:40 AM