R.I. Senator May Leave Republican Party

Netscape News ^ | 11-09-06 | MICHELLE R. SMITH

[marc costanzo]

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Two days after losing a bid for a second term, Sen. Lincoln Chafee 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. He is the most liberal Republican in the Senate and was the sole Senate Republican to vote against the war in Iraq.

[marc costanzo]

>>But that was not enough to prevail against Whitehouse, who shared many of Chafee's views but was a Democrat in a heavily Democratic state. Chafee said he has not decided what to do after leaving office, but he hoped to stay involved in public life. He said his loss may have helped the country by switching control of Congress. ``The people have spoken all across America. They want the Democrats and Republicans to work together,'' he said. ``I think the president now is going to have to talk to the Democrats. I think that's going to be good for America.'' Chafee said he waged a lonely campaign to bring the party to the middle. He described attending weekly lunches with fellow GOP senators and standing up to argue his point of view, often alone. ``There were times walking into my caucus room where it wasn't fun,'' he said, adding that he stayed with the GOP largely because it helped him bring federal dollars home to Rhode Island. <<

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GOOD !

CHAFEE - - You were not a team player-

glad to get rid of you .

You are the one Republican that all of us Conservatives are glad lost re-election .

No more Dems in GOP clothing .

Too many interlopers in our party, just as there are too many Third World interlopers in our country .

We need to expel you both . .

[Darkwolf377]

He's a Republican?

[ElkGroveDan]

As if any of us cares one wit.

[tomnbeverly]

Bu BYE ... Don't let the door hit ya....

[BackInBlack]

good riddance

[JoanneSD]

He should just switch now, and perhaps Fat Teddy would drive him to a beach party celebration....

[West Coast Conservative]

Good riddance.

[DesScorp]

Good fscking riddance. As Ronaldus Maximus said...."let them go their way".

[tomnbeverly]

You know he could have at least did the right thing and confirmed Bolton..

[ClearCase_guy]

If he were to change parties -- how would anyone be able to tell?

[syriacus]

Typical.
A 'rat abandoning the ship.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

Oh no this is horrible news... LOL!

[NonValueAdded]

"You can't fire me, I quit!"

"You can't quit, you're fired!"

And Linc, looks like you got fired on Tuesday.

[Dog Gone]

Who in the hell cares?

If he'd been the lone GOP to winner to keep us in control of the Senate, it would be important.

Now he's just another voter in a solid Rat state.

[Tulsa Ramjet]

"I just haven't even thought about where my place is"

Right now it is on the bench, pal. Take a donut break and maybe do a few furniture commercials. I heard there is a county commissioner opening coming up. I heard roads are hell up there.

[ClaireSolt]

I am amazed at accusations that Bush didn't work with Dems. My memory is that it was Dem strategy to obstruct, beginning with Tom Daschle.

[windsorknot]

Stinkin' Lincoln left the GOP many moons ago.

[Brad from Tennessee]

Maybe he can get a job as a masseur at the Senate gymnasium.

[ErieGeno]

He said his loss may have helped the country by switching control of Congress.

Wow? With soldiers like this, how can the conservative movement lose??????????

[digger48]

If we had to lose....I'm glad this POS was one that got flushed