R.I. Gov. Chafee to become Democrat, run for 2nd term
Source: USA Today
Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, an independent who used to be a Republican, intends to run for a second term next year -- but as a Democrat.
A Democratic source with knowledge of Chafee's decision confirmed the news to USA TODAY. The source requested anonymity because the source was not authorized to speak ahead of Chafee.
Chafee, elected in 2010, has insisted he would seek a second term despite low job-approval ratings in public opinion polls. He previously served as a U.S. senator from 1999 to 2007, but as a Republican who bucked the party on the Iraq War and declined to support President George W. Bush for a second term.
Chafee bolted from the Republican Party in 2007, after losing re-election to the Senate to Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse. The following year, Chafee endorsed Barack Obama for president.
Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/05/29/lincoln-chafee-governor-rhode-island-democrat/2369503/
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Arkana
(24,347 posts)You'll find it's a lot more fun.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)The Democratic party has drifted so far right that former republican senators are joining our party, and endorsing out presidential candidates. Heck, much of the party is to the right of Eisenhower these days.
cali
(114,904 posts)
tblue
(16,350 posts)I guess I'd rather have a liberal ex-Republican than a conservadem. The Dem party is to the right of the party I declared.
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)As noted in Wikipedia,
CreekDog
(46,192 posts)
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)We now define "liberal" as some moderate republican.
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)cali
(114,904 posts)gad. do some frickin' research before you comment.
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)and probably wants to have a committee chairmanship.
In fact, I don't implicitly accept any belief that any or all Senators with a "
D)" after their names represent America as a whole instead of the rich and super-rich.
As noted in Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Chafee
Do you have something other than insults ("do some frickin' research before you comment."
to support any belief that he is ready to support ordinary Americans instead of the super-rich?
1. The super-rich have benefited while our country has been harmed by the let's-send-manufacturing-jobs-to-foreign-countries "free-trade" agreements.
2. The super-rich have benefited while our country has been harmed by the Bankruptcy Reform Act which now precludes crushing student-loan debts from being discharged in bankruptcy even when former students are unemployed through no fault of their own.
3. The super-rich will benefit while our country will be harmed by a privatization or partial privatization of Social Security.
4. I can see no way in which the Patriot Act benefits our country while taking away Constitutionally protected rights.
cali
(114,904 posts)from the same fucking article, hon:
Abortion
Chafee is pro-choice.[26] In 2003, Chafee was one of the three Republican Senators to oppose the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. His 2005 senatorial re-election bid was endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice America.
While Senator, Chafee was a member of the Republican Majority for Choice and Republicans for Choice.
Church and state
On December 20, 2010, Chafee's spokesman Michael Trainor told Providence Journal that Chafee would skip Episcopalian services on January 4, 2011, to be at home with his family. Trainor elaborated, saying: "His point of view is that his Inauguration Day needs to respect the separation of church and state. Separation of church and state is an important constitutional principle."
Death penalty
Chafee opposes the death penalty, and has consistently voted against limiting death penalty appeals in federal cases. He has also favored including racial statistics in death penalty appeals, and making DNA analysis a prerequisite for any federal-level, criminal executions.
In May 2011, Chafee resisted turning over a case to the U.S. Supreme Court due to his views on the death penalty. In regards to the case, which would likely result in a capital punishment ruling, Chafee said: "The State of Rhode Island must seek to protect both the strong states' rights issues at stake, and the legitimacy of its longstanding public policy against the death penalty."[27]
Education
Chafee opposes charter schools, saying, "I am wary of charter schools undermining and cherry picking and skimming off the top of our public school system."[28]
Chafee is "wary" of Race to the Top, "because Race to the Top includes money for charter schools".[28] He says he would ask federal officials "what kind of flexibility we might have" to alter Race to the Top, were he elected Governor.[29]
On "education reform" in general, Chafee does not believe the politically and publicly popular presumption that America's schools are failing, saying:
This notion of all these failing schools, if this were true, how did America get to be at the status where we are in the world if it were that bad? So I don’t buy into the trashing of our public school system. Somehow Brown University, and University of Rhode Island and Bryant University, Providence College are full of public school students that are doing very, very well and leading America in many fields. Yes, there's room for improvement, I don't deny that and I want to be part of the improvement. But the notion that our public school systems are in disarray and failing, I don't buy that.[28]
Chafee easily won the endorsements of all major public school teachers unions, including the Rhode Island affiliates of the National Education Association[30] and American Federation of Teachers[31] in his 2010 gubernatorial campaign.
Environment
Chafee was one of the few Republicans to vote against allowing drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and was a member of the Republicans for Environmental Protection. He has been endorsed throughout his career by the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters.
Gay rights
Chafee is a supporter and was one of three Republican senators to come out for same-sex marriage. On May 1, 2013, Chafee signed a bill that legalized same-sex marriage in Rhode Island.[32]
Iraq War
Chafee was the only Republican in the Senate to have voted against authorization of the use of force in Iraq. On June 22, 2006, he was the only Republican to vote for the Levin amendment calling for a nonbinding timetable for a withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.[33]
Chafee voted against the Kerry-Feingold amendment calling for a binding timetable.
Israel
Chafee is now involved in the J Street project, a liberal Jewish group that calls for Israel to withdraw from all occupied territories and advocates for a "two state" solution to the Israeli-Arab conflict.
Tax policy
Chafee opposes eliminating the federal estate tax. Chafee also voted against both the 2001 and 2003 congressional budget bills that cut and/or rebated individuals' federal income taxes. He pointed out that tax cuts reduce revenue to the federal government, thereby worsening the federal budget deficit and increasing the amount of money it has to borrow in order to operate.
On November 17, 2005, he was the only Republican to vote in favor of reinstating the top federal income tax rate of 39.6% (which last existed under President Bill Clinton in the 1990s) on the highest-income taxpayers.
A 2012 Poll showed that some of Chafee's proposed tax increases, intended to move the state from budget deficit to surplus status, had received negative feedback from Rhode Island residents. The majority of constituents opposed Chafee's proposed increase in driver's license and registration fees (67.5 percent), restoring tolls on the Sakonnet River bridge (57 percent), and raising the restaurant meals-and-beverage tax by two cents (80.3 percent).[34]
2006 John Bolton renomination
In November 2006, immediately following the midterm elections, Chafee joined key Democrats in opposing President Bush's renomination of John Bolton as United States Ambassador to the United Nations. On December 4, 2006, the White House announced that Bolton would no longer seek the appointment, and would resign within a matter of weeks.
Other issues
Chafee has shown some willingness to deviate from strict "War on Drugs" policies, in favor of alternative approaches to America's drug-crime problem.[35]
Chafee was a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership, and supports federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
Chafee favors increased federal funding for health care, and supports an increase in the federal minimum wage. He supports affirmative action and gun control, and was one of only two Republicans to vote against the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (which prevents firearms manufacturers and dealers from being held liable for crimes committed with their products. On June 27, 2006, Chafee was one of only three Republicans to vote against the proposed Flag Desecration Amendment.
Some Chafee's positions considered to be within the mainstream of the current Republican Party include his support of free trade agreements (e.g., North American Free Trade Agreement and Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA);[36] Bankruptcy Reform; the partial privatization of Social Security;[37] and, the USA Patriot Act.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Good grief, at least read the darn OP. You come off as uninformed when you make rash pronouncements like "he probably wants to have a committee chairmanship." You might as well bellow to all assembled that you aren't up on the topic with that kind of comment.
And that's not an "insult"--that is an attempt to inform you of a few basic facts before you rail ineffectually against a guy who is--and has always been-- a real New England LIBERAL.
RI had an embarrassment of riches when Whitehouse went up against Chaffee. He's a good guy and he hasn't shifted his views--the GOP just decided they no longer had a place for their own liberals and moderates.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)virtually all of the other things that person had issues with are things that Chafee wouldn't get to vote on as a Governor.
Iggo
(47,558 posts)Is it because he finds that the Republican party is so far right that he doesn't qualify anymore, and he may as well be a Democrat?
Or is it that he's afraid he'll be defeated as a Republican, and he thinks he has a better chance to keep his job if he switches parties?
harmonicon
(12,008 posts)He left the Republican party years ago for that reason. It just pisses me off that the Democratic party is becoming a catch-all for anyone that isn't a bat-shit crazy Republican. Having a broad base is one thing, but being so amazingly diluted that there is no clear agenda is another.
ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)....and will likely be more liberal than his main opponent in the primary.
He's actually quite progressive. I found it frustrating that my father, who brags about what a bleeding heart liberal he is, voted for the Democrat last time out because he put party over progress. A Democrat, who said Obama could "shove it". by the by.
harmonicon
(12,008 posts)When he was a Republican, did Chaffee go along with all of the crazy Republican leadership shit? Most of the time, he sure did. He's in no small part responsible for fucking up US party politics. He doesn't get a pass in my book because he now wants to distance himself from the situation he helped create. "Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos" isn't sound reasoning.
ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)Or better yet, if you aren't from RI, don't trouble yourself. We got this.
harmonicon
(12,008 posts)No problem.
ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)....and thinks teacher's unions have too much say at the bargaining table, met with Michael Steele and a former adviser to Karl Rove, and said gay marriage "is not a real issue" that's for sure. Or maybe you like that line of thinking, who knows?
cali
(114,904 posts)He's a liberal. He's always been a liberal. He has a liberal record. He's far more liberal than the majority of dems. Think Jim Jeffords. No, never mind, you probably are unaware that Jim Jeffords was very liberal- as a repub.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Chafee#Political_positions
liberal from boston
(856 posts)Thank you Cali!!! This is great news. Lincoln Chafee is wonderful--he is a Liberal. I live in Massachusetts & the voters in Rhode Island (which is Democratic) keep on re-electing him. Look at his record.
harmonicon
(12,008 posts)I guess it was just a bunch of suckers who voted for Whitehouse over Chafee, because Chafee is just SO FUCKING AWESOME. You realize this man's entire political career is recent history and... oh, what's this?! We've got the fucking internet.
"Known for often disagreeing with the Republican Party leadership, Chafee says he did not cast his ballot for President George W. Bush in the 2004 election, instead choosing to write in former president George H. W. Bush as a nod to the Republican Party of his father."
That's a dyed-in-the-wool fucking liberal right there!! What liberal wouldn't rather have a president George H.W. Bush over John Kerry?! I can't think of any. I remember in that election thinking to myself, "I don't want to vote for W, but Kerry just isn't as awesome and liberal as George H.W. Bush. I'll just write that name in there." That was the general feeling among liberals at that time, wasn't it?
That's just how good ol' liberal Chaffee does it. He's that type of traditional liberal that has run in every single election he's ever been in in his life as a Republican. That last one he ran in as a Republican, he finally lost to a Democrat, so he left the party so that he could run against a Democrat again in the next one.
cali
(114,904 posts)You do realize that Elizabeth Warren also voted for bush senior and reagan, right? No? well, she did
Futhermore, Chafee himself said it was a good thing that Whitehouse won.
Abortion
Chafee is pro-choice.[26] In 2003, Chafee was one of the three Republican Senators to oppose the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. His 2005 senatorial re-election bid was endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice America.
While Senator, Chafee was a member of the Republican Majority for Choice and Republicans for Choice.
Church and state
On December 20, 2010, Chafee's spokesman Michael Trainor told Providence Journal that Chafee would skip Episcopalian services on January 4, 2011, to be at home with his family. Trainor elaborated, saying: "His point of view is that his Inauguration Day needs to respect the separation of church and state. Separation of church and state is an important constitutional principle."
Death penalty
Chafee opposes the death penalty, and has consistently voted against limiting death penalty appeals in federal cases. He has also favored including racial statistics in death penalty appeals, and making DNA analysis a prerequisite for any federal-level, criminal executions.
In May 2011, Chafee resisted turning over a case to the U.S. Supreme Court due to his views on the death penalty. In regards to the case, which would likely result in a capital punishment ruling, Chafee said: "The State of Rhode Island must seek to protect both the strong states' rights issues at stake, and the legitimacy of its longstanding public policy against the death penalty."[27]
Education
Chafee opposes charter schools, saying, "I am wary of charter schools undermining and cherry picking and skimming off the top of our public school system."[28]
Chafee is "wary" of Race to the Top, "because Race to the Top includes money for charter schools".[28] He says he would ask federal officials "what kind of flexibility we might have" to alter Race to the Top, were he elected Governor.[29]
On "education reform" in general, Chafee does not believe the politically and publicly popular presumption that America's schools are failing, saying:
This notion of all these failing schools, if this were true, how did America get to be at the status where we are in the world if it were that bad? So I don’t buy into the trashing of our public school system. Somehow Brown University, and University of Rhode Island and Bryant University, Providence College are full of public school students that are doing very, very well and leading America in many fields. Yes, there's room for improvement, I don't deny that and I want to be part of the improvement. But the notion that our public school systems are in disarray and failing, I don't buy that.[28]
Chafee easily won the endorsements of all major public school teachers unions, including the Rhode Island affiliates of the National Education Association[30] and American Federation of Teachers[31] in his 2010 gubernatorial campaign.
Environment
Chafee was one of the few Republicans to vote against allowing drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and was a member of the Republicans for Environmental Protection. He has been endorsed throughout his career by the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters.
Gay rights
Chafee is a supporter and was one of three Republican senators to come out for same-sex marriage. On May 1, 2013, Chafee signed a bill that legalized same-sex marriage in Rhode Island.[32]
Iraq War
Chafee was the only Republican in the Senate to have voted against authorization of the use of force in Iraq. On June 22, 2006, he was the only Republican to vote for the Levin amendment calling for a nonbinding timetable for a withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.[33]
Chafee voted against the Kerry-Feingold amendment calling for a binding timetable.
Israel
Chafee is now involved in the J Street project, a liberal Jewish group that calls for Israel to withdraw from all occupied territories and advocates for a "two state" solution to the Israeli-Arab conflict.
Tax policy
Chafee opposes eliminating the federal estate tax. Chafee also voted against both the 2001 and 2003 congressional budget bills that cut and/or rebated individuals' federal income taxes. He pointed out that tax cuts reduce revenue to the federal government, thereby worsening the federal budget deficit and increasing the amount of money it has to borrow in order to operate.
On November 17, 2005, he was the only Republican to vote in favor of reinstating the top federal income tax rate of 39.6% (which last existed under President Bill Clinton in the 1990s) on the highest-income taxpayers.
A 2012 Poll showed that some of Chafee's proposed tax increases, intended to move the state from budget deficit to surplus status, had received negative feedback from Rhode Island residents. The majority of constituents opposed Chafee's proposed increase in driver's license and registration fees (67.5 percent), restoring tolls on the Sakonnet River bridge (57 percent), and raising the restaurant meals-and-beverage tax by two cents (80.3 percent).[34]
2006 John Bolton renomination
In November 2006, immediately following the midterm elections, Chafee joined key Democrats in opposing President Bush's renomination of John Bolton as United States Ambassador to the United Nations. On December 4, 2006, the White House announced that Bolton would no longer seek the appointment, and would resign within a matter of weeks.
Other issues
Chafee has shown some willingness to deviate from strict "War on Drugs" policies, in favor of alternative approaches to America's drug-crime problem.[35]
Chafee was a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership, and supports federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
Chafee favors increased federal funding for health care, and supports an increase in the federal minimum wage. He supports affirmative action and gun control, and was one of only two Republicans to vote against the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (which prevents firearms manufacturers and dealers from being held liable for crimes committed with their products. On June 27, 2006, Chafee was one of only three Republicans to vote against the proposed Flag Desecration Amendment.
harmonicon
(12,008 posts)Enough to post a lot of copy pasta. Impressive. Does it make up for the lack of critical thinking in terms of delivering you happiness in your life? Do you also avoid discussions in your personal life by ignoring the issue at hand and just spouting off trivia instead of actually engaging in critique? You must be a joy to have at parties.
Sheepshank
(12,504 posts)When the same response meets the requirements of questions posed by two different people, you want someone to re-do the research? Wow...sound like Issa there.
When your ciritical thinking devolves to the level of crtisizing someone for not reinventing the wheel, your statement is so much more a reflection on your ability to debate rather than any one elses ability to put forth facts.
harmonicon
(12,008 posts)It's not your fault. I know you voted for Kodos.
Sheepshank
(12,504 posts)...or an ass.
harmonicon
(12,008 posts)I'm also adamant that it's a very negative thing to have a Republican politician join the Democratic party, not because of any change in his positions, but because both parties have been pushed do far to the right that Someone elected as a Republican 13 years ago (and beat Democrats in elections before and after that) now wants to run as a Dem.
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)discharged in bankruptcy, privatize Social Security (even partly), and override Constitutionally-protected rights.
As noted in Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Chafee
His pro-Republican positions in these areas reminds me of a question asked before, "Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?"
If there is a reason to disregard his pro-Republican postions, and his representation of the super-rich, I don't see it.
MADem
(135,425 posts)harmonicon
(12,008 posts)ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)Linc Chafee is pretty much trying to run the state as a liberal, and he's being crucified for it.
Robbins
(5,066 posts)When he was a Republican he was Liberal Republican.
He was only Republican to vote against giving Bush authority to go to war In Iraq
He voted against one of Bush's supreme court picks.
In 2007 he said voters In RI were right to vote him out In 2006 since It allowed a Democratic takeover,such ai Is,of the senate.
He endorsed Obama In 2008
He not only endorsed Obama again In 2012 but activly worked for his reelection In 2012
He runs RI as liberaly as he can.
Liberals should hope he wins In 2014,and this time liberals can openly support him since now he will be a democrat.
ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)The tea baggers who infect the AM dial here despise him. They can't go a minute without bashing whatever he does. Granted, I disagree with him on a lot of things, and his public demeanor gives off the impression he has no backbone, but I believe he is trying to do what he can with the cards dealt him and the fact he has no party base of support. Combine that with a useless "Democratic controlled" legislature, and it's a bad mix.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Love the knee jerk WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! from people who don't know what they're talking about.
Linc Chafee is a good guy.
Fearless
(18,421 posts)But have a better chance of being elected. Well we'll see how that goes. Primary him!
Initech
(100,081 posts)Most people in the tea party had never heard that song.
SunSeeker
(51,574 posts)Sorry. Couldn't resist.
JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)
brooklynite
(94,603 posts)Sure Chafee will meet the exacting specifications of "real" Democrats.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)byeya
(2,842 posts)AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)
Cha
(297,323 posts)Lincoln Chaffee!
thanks Redfairen
MADem
(135,425 posts)than plenty who had been Dems all along. There was just no room for sanity in the party of crazy.
Interesting how his move came right after Dole's interview.
Cha
(297,323 posts)right.. good timing!
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)He comes from a long line of what were, once upon a time, "honorable" Republicans--those "rock rib" guys, unyielding in principle, the ones who were abolitionists...not the Party of Nutjobs that they are today.
Cha
(297,323 posts)
ReRe
(10,597 posts)...which party they belong in. Everyone one needs to do it, if you really aren't sure. Ask yourself: "Am I really a Republican? Or am I really a Democrat?" or vice versa. Do some research. Figure it out on your own. Listen to both sides. Write down what issues you believe in. Go to the library and hit the stacks.
Even though I am a knee-jerk progressively liberal Democrat, Lincoln Chafee is one Republican I always liked. He wasn't one to follow his party over the cliff. He really was bi-partisan. I always wondered why he was in the Republican Party.
So, welcome to the Democratic Party, Lincoln Chafee!
Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)
tavalon
(27,985 posts)He is welcome into our big tent.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)Go Dems!
RILib
(862 posts)I am astonished at the ignorance and bigotry displayed in this thread by non-Rhode Islanders. Chafee is a Liberal. Deal with it.
MADem
(135,425 posts)and I agree with your remarks. This thread is FULL of ignorance and bigotry--and it's coming from non-New Englanders who wouldn't know Governor Chafee if he ran them over in a Prius!
Chafee is a liberal, he's a good guy, and he puts people first.
PFunk
(876 posts)The current democratic party becoming the home of fleeing moderate repugs. Only now that trickle is quickly becoming a flood. With the growing number of DINO you wonder why the dems are becoming more right leaning?
cali
(114,904 posts)He supports raising the income tax rates on the wealthy. He opposes getting rid of the Estate Tax. He opposes charter schools. He is strongly pro-choice. He pro marriage equality. He opposed Alito when he was in the Senate.
I guarantee you that Linc Chafee is more liberal than all but a few elected dems. Always was.
silvershadow
(10,336 posts)blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)
sofa king
(10,857 posts)He's got about the same cred with me right now as a "Paperclip Nazi" would have had with me in 1953.
I tracked that guy's Senate voting record for years. He facilitated everything that Republicans tried to do to the American people, and we are far worse off for it now.
Chafee's dissenting votes--his "liberal padding"--were carefully and only occasionally allowed by his keepers, usually in votes where Republicans weren't going to be able to muster the total votes needed to obstruct and delay. But just like Olympia Snowe, he was always there for the quorum calls Republicans needed to delay, and with the majority votes needed to put the evil Republican plans over the top. The world today is my fucking citation for that.
Those of you out there who wish to welcome or defend him had better damned well remember that Lincoln Chafee the Senator was a far different person from Lincoln Chafee the Senatorial Candidate. He will have to change an awful lot just to meet the minimal qualifications that a real Democrat would already have ingrained, and he can never be forgiven for what he has already done.
question everything
(47,487 posts)forestpath
(3,102 posts)
bucolic_frolic
(43,196 posts)Where did his Republican Party go?
Nixon was a liberal!
Senator Heinz was an environmentalist.
Maybe Governor Chaffee can reignite liberalism in the Democratic Party.
Here's to ya!
