[nospinzone]

Would you say the RI GOP is in good enough shape to help Rogers give Kennedy a challenge? I'm not sure how to judge the strength of the RI GOP, given more recent officeholders (The two Chafees and Lincoln Almond) were liberal Republicans, and Carcieri being conservative.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Would you say the RI GOP is in good enough shape to help Rogers give Kennedy a challenge?"

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No, Rogers will not be able to benefit from a strong RI GOP, since the party has been left in tatters following years of RINO rule (fieldmarshaldj could tell you more about that). But Rogers can mount a challenge by making Patrick Kennedy the issue. Kennedy is a buffoon, and if he doesn't step down and let a plain-vanilla Democrat run he will be vulnerable to a strong campaigner. Rogers will also benefit from President Bush's national campaign, which will emphasize national security and which will improve the GOP's standing in Rhode Island.