In Setback for Democrats, Incumbent Wins Republican Senate Primary

[rodeodance]

well, if nothing else, it is a depressing headline!

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/13/us/politics/13elect.html?_r=1&th=&oref=slogin&emc=th&pagewanted=print

September 13, 2006
In Setback for Democrats, Incumbent Wins Republican Senate Primary
By KATE ZERNIKE

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 — Senator Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island won the Republican primary there on Tuesday, fending off a bid from a populist challenger that the national Republican Party had feared would cost it a seat it had held since 1976 in an overwhelmingly Democratic state.

The race was the most closely watched contest in the nine primaries across the country on Tuesday, in a year when Democrats are hoping to capitalize on anti-incumbent sentiment to take control of one or both houses of Congress.

Mr. Chafee’s victory, with 53 percent of the vote, dealt the Democrats a big setback in their bid for control of the Senate. The state is crucial to their goal of winning six seats. Polls had shown Mr. Chafee’s challenger, Stephen Laffey, running far behind Sheldon Whitehouse, who won the Democratic nomination on Tuesday, and the national Republican Party said it would cede hopes of keeping the seat if Mr. Laffey won.

Mr. Chafee’s nomination keeps the race alive until November, with polls showing him and Mr. Whitehouse running even, and guarantees that the national parties will continue to pour money into what has already been a nasty and expensive contest.........

[eccles12]

1. I love that headline. This is almost a neutral for Dems except of #s. n

[liberal N proud]

2. How is this a set back?

A repuke holds onto his bid for reelection?

LIBERAL MEDIA! MY ASS!

[bigscott]

4. i am not making much of this particular race

chaffee is popular - and he is a moderate - (compared to some). My take on this is that conservatives (pro-war, pro GWOT, pro-*) cannot win - i think this bodes well for the general election across the country

[rodeodance]

5. lots of advertizing companies to make lots of $$ in RI next few months.

[artfan]

3. not a setback at all

chaffe is hated by most wingers. The party backed chaffee but the nuts were all for laffey.

[William769]

7. Well even though he is a Moderate

He is still a Republican. that pretty much assures GOP control of the Senate. If the nut case had won (Laffey) in a Democratic leaning State that would have been a pickup for the Dems. See the difference?

[ProSense]

6. The candidate who

wingnuts perceived as being against Iraq beats a RW candidate and the GOP wants us to believe this is good for the GOP, but bad for Democrats? Few week ago they were attacking the NRSC for supporting Chaffee, even called for Dole to be fired immediately. I see danger for Chaffee and encouraging signs for the Democrats.

[mmonk]

8. Setback?

Horse hockey.

[opihimoimoi]

9. About 8% plus of Laffeys votes gonna go blue in Nov.

WhiteHouse gonna sweep um...Peeps are tired of Pub Control and want America Back...its that simple...GOP is Bad ..Dems are better.