CNN/AP: Chafee race in Rhode Island closely watched in Tuesday primaries

[DeepModem Mom]

Chafee race closely watched in Tuesday primaries
September 12, 2006


Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee faces tough opposition from Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey in Tuesday's primary.

(AP) -- Notoriously independent-minded Rhode Island Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee faces stiff opposition Tuesday in his bid for a second term, the latest race where a moderate is targeted by his own party's hard-line critics.

While a total of nine states and Washington, D.C., were holding primary elections, Chafee's race is drawing the most attention as another test of the depth of anti-incumbent sentiment and the erosion of the political middle ground.

Chafee has drawn a remarkable amount of support from national Republicans, especially for a senator who has often been at odds with the party, bucking the administration on tax cuts, civil liberties and the Iraq war. He faces Steve Laffey, a former investment banker and mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island....

***

Chafee has also been targeted by the Club for Growth, a Washington-based group that has tried, not always successfully, to force candidates to vote against taxes. Polls showed Chafee and Laffey running even.

The battle comes amid a national fight for Congress, with Democrats hoping national dismay with the Bush administration and the GOP-led Congress could boost their efforts to win majorities in the House and Senate. Democrats would need to win six Senate seats -- and Rhode Island's is one of the more vulnerable, with polls showing Laffey would lose to Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse, a former state attorney general, in the general election....

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/09/12/primary.elections.ap/index.html

[TlalocW]

1. I hope he goes down

Yes, he's been an unexpected ally and sometimes more of a democrat than what Lieberman has been, but if he goes down, Laffey will lose the general, and the dems pick up another seat.

I just wish there was a Taffy running as an independent so we could have Chafee, Laffey, and Taffy.

TlalocW

[bdamomma]

2. it would be nice to have two dems in the Senate from RI.

[brentspeak]

3. Lincoln should have declared himself Independent a few years ago

Unchained himself from GOP obligations.

[bluestateguy]

4. I want to encourage all the R.I. conservatives lurking on this board

To go out today and vote your conscience. Vote with your hearts and (giggle)stand up for your convictions. Do the right th--

Oh I just can't hold it anymore... :rofl: