Republicans eat their own in R.I. !

[rpgamerd00d]

By M.L. JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer 11 minutes ago

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Republican Senate candidate Stephen Laffey once told a newspaper columnist that God wanted him to run for mayor of Cranston.

He spent $2,000 to soundproof his mayoral office because of fears people were eavesdropping.

And when journalists noticed he had digitally erased a former friend from photographs on his campaign Web site, he suggested aliens were to blame.

Jokes and funny stories about Laffey abound among Rhode Island's political insiders. But now he is mounting what could be a serious primary challenge to Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee (news, bio, voting record).

Many Republican leaders, trying to protect their five-seat majority in the Senate, are supporting the politically moderate Chafee. They worry that the more conservative Laffey could win the primary, only to lose the general election in this heavily Democratic state.

But other Republicans are angry with Chafee for refusing to back President Bush on the war in Iraq, tax cuts and the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. And they have begun lining up behind Laffey.

more ... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060323/ap_on_el_se/rhode_island_senate

[AllieB]

1. Chafee is a good guy, BUT a strong Dem state like RI

should have TWO Democratic Senators and not one.

[MadMaddie]

3. Their shows are so entertaining....

:popcorn: :rofl:

[m_welby]

9. RI doesn't work that way.

We're fiercely independant and tend to vote regardless of party affiliation.

It may be the bluest of the blue sates, and the state senate barely has enough republicans to fill a table at Georges, but we vote for people, not parties (especially nationally).

RI has had a split delegation to the senate since before I was born (Pell and Chafee Sr.), and for quite a while we had two republicans in the house (Claudine Schneider and Fernand St. Germaine).

The only people I know who don't like chafee are a few nutjob republicans, and I know quite a few liberals who will cross over on primary day just so he doesn't lose to loony laffey.

I am torn myself. Certainly Linc is the best man in the race, (though if Carl Sheeler could get the Dem nomination Sen. Chafee would have a race on his hands). As it is, Whitehouse or Brown barely have a chance, and though i really feel that I need to vote dem on this race, it won't be easy.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

2. Laffey is a clown

I don't think he has a chance against Chafee, but it will be a fun race. Laffey will most likely pull some crazy stuff that will embarass everyone involved.

Sadly, I don't know if any Dem has a shot against Chafee. I like Whitehouse but he may come off as more stiff than Lincoln, which is bad. And Matt Brown....forget it. The definition of a political ladder climber who's been looking to his next job since he first ran for student council.

[merbex]

4. Only the Repug Party or its members would cover up for a looney

tune like Laffey

Because if it is a Repug with that R next to it's name it is never time to be held accountable for anything, even pyschosis or for forgetting to take their meds

[Arkansas Granny]

5. So here's another one claiming that God wants him to run. Do

the Republicans have a direct line or something? Has God really chosen to advance a political party?

[queenbdem87]

6. Go laffey go!!!

it just keeps getting better and better!

[LondonReign2]

7. Does R.I. have open voting in the primaries?

Can you vote for any party in the primary regardless of how you are registered? If so, a whole lot of Dems need to vote for Laffey in the primary to unseat Linc.

[m_welby]

8. You can vote in either primary, and

you can 'unnaffiliate' after you vote. I do it all the time because I don't want to be permanantly listed as in either party.

[Nutmegger]

10. Let 'em eat their own!

It'll work out for us in the end.