Posted on 09/17/2007 10:52:26 AM PDT by RightWingConspirator
Former Sen. Lincoln Chafee said he has left the Republican Party because the national GOP has drifted too far from him on critical issues, including the war in Iraq, the economy and the environment.
"It's not my party anymore," Chafee, who represented Rhode Island from 1999 until 2007, told The Providence Journal in an article published Saturday.
Chafee said he is now an unaffiliated voter after leaving the GOP "in June or July."
He said he made the move because "I want my affiliation to accurately reflect my status."
Chafee was appointed in 1999 after his father, Sen. John Chafee, R-R.I., died suddenly, but lost last November's election to Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse.
During that campaign, Chafee made an issue of his differences with the national party. He was the only Republican senator to oppose the resolution supporting the invasion of Iraq and was also critical of the "permanent deficits" caused by Republican tax cuts.
He also noted that he opposed other Republican stances, including drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
He told the newspaper that although the bipartisan Iraq Study Group recommended in December a gradual pullback of American forces, the advice has been largely ignored.
He also criticized Republican leaders for abandoning fiscal conservatism, once a mainstay of the GOP's platform, by passing tax cuts without spending cuts to balance the resulting loss of revenue.
The strategy, he said, has undermined social programs that bolster the American middle class. He specifically mentioned Pell grants, which help students attend college, and Head Start programs, which support the education of low-income children.
What a jackass! It never was ‘his’ party - he’s a liberal who slipped into an office inherited from his father. He’s a vicious and dishonest mealy-mouthed fraud who undermined our nation in a critical time of our history. His spineless devotion to anti-American haters and terrorists will be his only legacy.....
Gives the “Winners of Lifes Lottery” a bad name.
No Loss.
He left long ago.
Where are all the folks that said we could trust this ex-RINO to remain a “RINO” if re-elected? Laffey got screwed, and so did everyone that donated to the GOP and had their funds used to support this idiot in the primary fight.
A job well done GOP.
You alienated your base, diverted funds to save his butt that could have been used in races like Allen’s to fend off the WAPO attacks, and what did you get for the effort? Chaffee’s race wasn’t even close and he leaves the Party.
I’m thrilled the loser is gone, but disgusted your effort was spent on him when it could have been better used elsewhere.
What’s that RINO wearing?
RightWingConspirator: MurryMom is a leftie working on her 11th banishment from FreeRep. Don’t respond and maybe she will self-destruct before she’s ZOTTED.
The RNC gave money to this guy ... which is why I don’t give money to the RNC anymore.
Paging Arlen Spector, Paging Ms Snow
blow away with the north wind Lincoln... just blow away.
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