Sen. Lincoln Chafee is considering switching parties (to DEM)

[wicket]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=3&u=/ap/20041103/ap_on_el_se/eln_senate_9

Democrats hoped for a defection to ease the pain. Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee said he would consider switching parties if President Bush was re-elected.

"I'm not ruling it out," Chafee told The Providence Journal. Known for moderate views that often run counter to the Bush administration, Chafee said he cast a write-in vote for Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, in Tuesday's election, calling it a "symbolic protest."

[slinkerwink]

1. I hope he switches!

[wicket]

3. me too!

I'm writing a letter to him right now :D

[cjbuchanan]

2. This would be some good news

Let's hope it happens.

Maybe he could be minority leader.

Um, that was meant as a joke.

[Ducks In A Row]

4. Good! Now we need 5 more.

it's time some of those RINOs came to their senses

[Gloria]

5. I was wondering what would become of him...also people like

Snowe and Collins. How the hell can they stand what is going on?

[wicket]

7. I would love to see them all switch

Or even just go Independent, anything to chip away at their stranglehold in the Senate.

[LuminousX]

9. They will be pressured even harder to stick to Bush's agenda

It will be a difficult 4 years for them. But unless they can change control of the Senate, switching won't do much for them. If they stay where they are, they will be able to at least get Democratic items considered.

[lukasahero]

6. His father was a hero

So far he's followed in his father's footsteps - RI should be proud to have him.

[LuminousX]

8. He needs to stay

We need people on the inside of the GOP to help promote our agenda.

[calico1]

12. I agree. And I think the reason why

people like Snowe and Collins stay with the GOP is they believe that THEY represent the true Republican Party and don't want to feel like they are being run out. One of them said something to that effect a few months back. They hope to bring the Party back to its Moderate roots. Of course, that will be harder now with the win by the right. I would like to see them all go Independent and caucus with the Democrats like Jeffords does.

[wicket]

13. good points

n/t

[noonwitch]

20. Well, at least they'll help block some court nominees

I fear Bush putting Ken Starr or some other odious toady on the USSC.

[TahitiNut]

14. It's not "GOP" ... it's "GIP"

Backwards pigs. :puke:

[9119495]

19. I agree as well. Keep him where he is until we need him to shift the

balance of power completely.

[Julien Sorel]

23. The more people like him leave,

the more extremist the Republicans look.

The Democratic Party today is the most liberal it has ever been. You know why? Because the vast majority of the conservative Democrats jumped ship to the Republicans long ago. If the "liberal" Republicans begin switching, the Republicans will become a more blatantly extremist party. Right now, those people serve as figleafs and dampening rods. Take them out, and the Republicans will truly become the bible thumping party -- and America will reject them.

[wryter2000]

10. Please, Chafee

I'll be your fan for life.

[amazona]

11. let's see if he actually does it

I hope he's serious about this.

[wicket]

15. kick

:kick:

[skrunch]

16. C'mon in Senator...the water's fine...

The party of Lincoln is no more :(

[Maddy McCall]

17. He might not be the only one...

have to wait and see.

[elperromagico]

18. Senators Chafee and Snowe, I ask you to stand with us.

:D

[GreenPartyVoter]

22. Doubt Olympia would do it. :^(

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[GreenPartyVoter]

21. That would be great!

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[wicket]

24. I hope he does it SOON!

:D

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

25. Since he will no doubt be severely punished by the Bushpublicans

for his stance during the election, this may help his decision along.

This could be, like, the only ray of sunshine in this mess.