Ousted Republican US senator criticizes Bush on Israel

[Judi Lynn]

Ousted Republican US senator criticizes Bush on Israel
The Associated Press
Published: February 12, 2007

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island: Ousted Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee criticized President George W. Bush's handling of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, saying the president was bowing to a faction of evangelical Christians who oppose a Palestinian state.

"The religious thing is driving the foreign policy here," Chafee said following a speech at Brown University in which he questioned whether the president's past comments pushing for peace were sincere.

Chafee, who served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, lost his seat in November as Democrats swept into power in Congress. He landed a job at Brown's Watson Institute for International Studies following his loss to Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse.

During his speech Monday evening, Chafee described what he called Bush's unfulfilled promise of a plan for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, the so-called "road map," which calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
(snip/...)

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/13/america/NA-GEN-US-Former-Senator-Israel.php

[Contrite]

1. Interesting how the truth comes out after they leave DC

Isn't it?

[Vidar]

2. Lincoln Chafee stood up to Bush while he was in office as well,

one of the only Republicans to do so.

[Contrite]

3. Yes, I know

I liked Linc--but did he talk about the fundies and Palestine before?

[Hardrada]

4. I don't think so. I wish more of them did while in office.

[Idioteque]

9. He spoke out against the attack on Lebanon

He was the second one to do so, Hagel was the first.

[rodeodance]

5. I agree with the content of his speech.

[Bjorn Against]

6. Chafee could turn out to be a good ally now that he is out of office

He was no help as a person who gave the GOP an extra seat in the Senate, but now that he is free to say what he wants I think he could do some good. I don't always agree with the guy, but he is one of the only Republicans who actually has an ounce of sanity.

[texpatriot2004]

7. I respect Chafee and regret he lost because of * and Co. nt

[Doondoo]

8. K&R