Former GOP Senator (Lincoln Chaffee) to Endorse Obama

[brooklynite]

Source: AP

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Former Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee is endorsing Democratic Sen. Barack Obama.

The Rhode Islander told The Associated Press he is endorsing Obama in a conference call Thursday. Chafee left the Republican Party last year and became an independent.

He was one of the Senate's most liberal Republicans before he lost his seat in 2006 to Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse.

But despite losing, he remains popular in the Ocean State. His approval ratings on election day were 63 percent.

Rhode Island holds its primary March 4.


Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jvzT8keHzVS3YjP8BJDDrf64A_AwD8UQ66GG0

[TwilightGardener]

1. Thanks, Mr. Chafee! You've always been an honorable guy!

[Captain Hilts]

12. For a guy who's campaigning against 'dynasties' he's sure using a lot of Kennedys and Chafees. nt

[Binka]

22. They Are Endorsing Him Idiot

He isn't using anybody. Jesus what a fool you are.

[babylonsister]

2. Wonderful! nt

[napi21]

3. I'm glad he did, but it's no more than an offset to Leiberman endorsing

McCain. The Pubs don't like Link and more than we like Joe!

[catgirl]

9. Except Rhode Island has yet to vote

and Chafee is well liked.

[Winterblues]

4. IMO when Republicans endorse our candidate we are doing something wrong

Why would we want our candidate to be endorsed by Republicans? It may indicate more votes for him but doesn't bode well for how he will govern if Republicans support him...

[mkultra]

5. depends on wether you still want to hang em high or not

I think that bringing GOP support to liberal issues is not a bad idea.

[TwilightGardener]

6. Why? What is wrong with it? Is Obama a conservative, that I'm not aware of? Because

his Senate record is very Progressive, and so is his agenda as a candidate. He is who he is.

[lisa58]

7. He left the Republican Party - give him some credit

[catgirl]

8. Chafee is an Independent

He's from RI, to boot. This is a key endorsement as Chafee is
popular with democrats!

[bdamomma]

15. exactly, we may be small but we know how to kick a$$.

[VenusRising]

13. Lincoln Chaffee voted with Democrats more times than the DLC

voted with the Democrats. His endorsement is not your typical Republican endorsement.

[ps1074]

16. exactly

He's more of a democrat than some democrats in the Senate.

[SallyMander]

29. Word

I lobbied him about ANWR when i was living in RI -- he was one of the first senators to come out against drilling. He is a good guy -- Rhode Island Republicans are a different animal than red state Republicans! :)

[denverbill]

17. I'd rather have Chafee's endorsement than Zell Miller's. Or the DLC's for that matter. n/t

[ingac70]

26. Chafee was the only Repub to vote against the IWR. n/t.

[RiverStone]

27. And he is exactly why Obama has the best chance to win!

Obama reaches across party lines - Hillary does not.

The writing is so obviously on the wall - but we will need to wait till March 4th to confirm the outcome.

Chafee's endorsement is appreciated - in fact, I expect more moderate disaffected rethugs to follow.

[JanusAscending]

32. Go back and read the post again.

There actually are some(few) decent Repubs. Notice though, he's always been on the liberal side, and he is now an INDEPENDANT.

[Hepburn]

10. Great news! Thanks for posting this! n/t

[Captain Hilts]

11. He's a lazy idiot. Read Sports Illustrated during City Council meetings as Mayor of Warwick.

I worked with his campaign. A total lazy ass.

SPEAKING of dynastic incompetents - this is one.

[Binka]

23. You Sure Are Angry Mookie

Is it because Hillary is going down the shitter? Poor baby. Take a nap.

[L. Coyote]

14. Good headline! "GOP Senator endorses Dem for President" MORE. Pleeeeze

[TalkAgain]

18. Wow.............nt

[LSK]

19. Lincoln Chaffee voted with the Dems more times than with the GOP it seemed

He was their Liebermann, a true RINO.

[Hawaii Hiker]

20. Remember, Lincoln Chaffee was the only Republican to vote NO

to Sam "hirohito" Ailito's Supreme Court confirmation...(4 Democrats voted for Ailito)...I wish we could trade Joe Libermann for Lincoln Chafee...

Nice to hear of Chafee's endorsement of Obama :woohoo:

[slipslidingaway]

21. Only Republican to vote against the Iraq War Resolution...

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00237

[rch35]

24. Lincoln Chafee is a very honorable man

He was the only Repub I was sad to see go when he was booted out by the Dems. I think the only reason he wasn't re-elected is because he had an R next to his name.

[ingac70]

25. That is exactly why he wasn't re-elected...

His having that R by his name gave Repubs that bit of power, and the people of RI, who like Chafee well enough, voted him out as a way of saying it wasn't worth it.

He had to be sacrificed to wrest control from the GOP.

[rch35]

33. I don't like that he let Bush campaign for him in the primaries.

but the amount of times in the debate where i heard phrases along the lines of "I agree with my opponents statement" was mind-boggling, haha.

[Deep13]

28. Welcome aboard, fellow New England Yankee!

I grew up in MA even though I live in OH now. Granted, I would rather he support HC, but still this is a good step away from bat-shit-insanity.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

30. What a great Valentine's Day present ! Come on officials in OH and PA !

[trashcanistanista]

31. Good for him.

Chaffe is a decent guy.