To Hold Senate, G.O.P. Bolsters Its Most Liberal

NYTimes ^ | 9/10/2006 | Adam Nagourney

[RustMartialis]

To Hold Senate, G.O.P. Bolsters Its Most Liberal
By ADAM NAGOURNEY
Published: September 10, 2006

WARWICK, R.I., Sept. 9 -- With a barrage of television advertisements and the mobilization of its get-out-the-vote machine, the national Republican Party has lined up to beat back a conservative primary challenge to the most liberal Republican in the Senate, Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island. The outcome on Tuesday could help determine whether Democrats have a shot at taking back the Senate.

In an extraordinary pre-emptive announcement, the National Republican Senatorial Committee has said it will concede Rhode Island to the Democrats should Stephen Laffey, the mayor of Cranston, defeat Mr. Chafee in the primary.

[RustMartialis]

Words fail me here, really, this is insane.

[MNJohnnie]

Some bodies in DC need to be fired. This is the stupidest move I can imagine.

[msnimje]

Why is it Laffey can't win? I know he has some pretty embarrassing remarks and a red hot temper in his background but is that it?

[Suzy Quzy]

I want to hear from Ken Mehlman!!! Laffey is a FABULOUS candidate!!! Chafe was AWFUL in the debates and Laffey was Great!! NO MONEY TO THE RNC!!

[mewzilla]

And the GOP isn't just doing this in RI....

[cardinal4]

WTF?? A few years ago, I would have said there will be a back rom deal with Chaffee to kee him in line. I know today this is not true. What the hell are they thinking?

[GunsareOK]

The problem is acute RINO-itis.

[upchuck]

People need to stop contributing to the national Republican organizations and instead contribute directly to the candidates of their choice.

Then all of this foolishness would end.

Here's another example of this madness.

[Paladin2]

Run Steve, Run!

[JayHawk Phrenzie]

With the House and the Senate in play in this years election we need the RINOs.

Chaffee has his head up his ARSE, but we can't afford to lose his seat to the Demos.

RINO > MOONBAT

[Jackknife]

The wussification of the GOP. SAD.

[Gay State Conservative]

Why is it Laffey can't win?

Because RI is just about the bluest state in the country.It's *that* simple.

[Cold Heat]

Not insane, they simply back the incumbant always....Not just some of the time.

[drc43]

It gives us control of the Senate. That is all he is needed for. The dem does not even give us that. Calculus is that Laffey will not win.

[goldfinch]

It is really quite simple. The GOP wants to hold a majority in the Senate. Laffey has no chance of being elected. The only stunning thing is that so many on this board would rather see the Democats in control than the Republicans.

[RustMartialis]

If the people pick the guy, even if he's unelectable or not (no idea, not from RI)... where do the (censored) RNC people sitting in DC get the *balls* to stick up a middle finger to every GOP voter in RI and say 'stick it'?????

I could see the RNSC telling him he wasn't getting any cash, but to CONCEDE a *Senate* seat?

I can't find any confirmation of this yet, but I can't imagine it's a false story.

--R.

[onyx]

Sausage.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

That'sa what I'm doing. I stopped giving $1,000 to the RNC, and am now giving it to several candidates. Screw RNC!

[DuxFan4ever]

I'm ok with them conceding Rhode Island if it means getting rid of Chafee. Let Laffey have the nomination then see what he can do. Chafee doesn't deserve a dime of RNC money. The only good thing he does is he doesn't engage in Democratic filibusters.

[jveritas]

The price is the "Bolton Nomination". RNC supports Chaffee and he in turn drops his opposition to Bolton as UN ambassador.