The skinny on Chaffee: He's NOT a moderate.

[MoonRiver]

His position on Bolton proves it once and for all. Buzzflash debunks the popular notion that Chaffee is really just another Jeffords. Truth is he is running scared that Rove will promote a "right wing freak" in the next R.I. primary, and Chaffee will lose his job. To solidify *'s support and prevent that from happening, he's kissing his Repuke comrades' butts all the way to 2006. Chaffee MUST GO.

http://www.gophypocrites.com/2005/04/hyp05017.html

[iamjoy]

1. So He's A Coward...?(eom)

[MoonRiver]

2. He a Republican. nuff said.

[w4rma]

5. Chafee is a rubber-stamp Republican. (nt)

[mitchum]

3. Kick for the truth

I am weary of those who live on the false hope of "He's gonna jump over to our party anyday" It's not gonna happen. Same for Snowe.

[rumpel]

4. on Chafee as per LA Times 4/23

snip

As the controversy over Bolton continued into the weekend, there were indications Friday that Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.), an undecided member of the committee, might be leaning against Bush's nominee.

A spokesman for Chafee, Stephen Hourahan, said the politically moderate senator had spoken several times with former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell about Bolton's fitness for the job, adding that Chafee gave great weight to Powell's view. Hourahan would not disclose Powell's advice, but Powell and Bolton are known to have many policy differences.

In addition, Chafee has had several conversations with Thomas Hubbard, who was U.S. ambassador to South Korea between 2001 and 2004 and who has publicly criticized Bolton's testimony about a provocative speech Bolton gave in 2003.

Hubbard has said he disapproved of the tone of Bolton's speech, contradicting Bolton's assertion that Hubbard had supported it.

Chafee's concerns about Bolton weren't allayed by the conversation with Hubbard, Hourahan said.

Along with Chafee, committee member Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) is thought to be undecided on the nomination. Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) forced Tuesday's confirmation vote postponement when he said he was concerned about allegations against Bolton.

A fourth Republican member of the committee, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), indicated reservations about Bolton. Murkowski said she believed the committee "did the right thing by delaying the vote," said Kristin Pugh, Murkowski's communications director.

full article:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bolton23apr23,1,5281127.story?coll=la-headlines-nation

[shance]

6. In order to eliminate bad leadership, our vote must count.

Thats why informing citizens of the election 'hijacking' and/or privatization by private companies must be citizen's top priority right now.

There is no bigger issue because the legitimacy of our vote cuts to the core of our rights and our power to eliminate bad leadership. We have no power if our vote does not count. That is why if Rhode Islanders want Chafee out, they better be looking at this issue and what voting methods (electronic voting/optical scan or paper ballots)are being used and WHO is counting those votes so they can effectively vote out those leaders who are not representing them. The same can be said for every state. This is a bipartisan issue because everyone stands to lose if their vote isn't being counted.

Evidence and continuous questionable/fraudulent outcomes of elections, especially within the last four years, continues to reveal that for now, we need to eliminate the usage of electronic voting machines because they eliminate transparency of the accurate counting of votes and they simplify and create an easier implementation of fraud by leaving little or no trace of fraud being done.

In addition recounts have proven to be more of a farce than anything because 1.) both presidential elections have proven that recounts have been used as stalling tactics and further smoke and mirrors in which NO LEGITIMATE recount has been accomplished! In other words everyone cries recount and no recount is accomplished because the Secretary of States in both Ohio and Florida deliberately blocked legitimate recounts. We have to look at suing the Secretary of States' offices that are not adhering to the laws and doing their job which is to see that a fair election and accurate outcome is accomplished. Recounts should be what the used to be, a very rare if ever used procedure. Recounts are merely a bandaid that does nothing to protect or remedy the original wound or problem(s). One of the main problems needing to be confronted is many in charge have little interest, or a larger conflict of interest in detering and even eliminating an accurate voting tabulation. Citizens need to look at ways in which they can legally address such blatant abusese of power by their Secretarys of State.

We need to get to the root of the problem and that will take us addressing the core problems, which are the privitization of our vote, and the removal of citizen involvement by state and Federal organizations from our own voting process. The private companies like Diebold, ES&S and Sequoia essentially own most of our ballot data. That is WRONG and should not be legal. Because they have been able to essentially purchase our ballot information and voting results, these companies do not have to release ANY ballot data or information without someone filing a court order to force them to release the data. Needless to say, by that time the ballot data could have been manipulated and or eliminated all together, warranting it essentially obsolete.

Its really imperitive now we knock on neighbors' doors, inform our friends and family and build neighborhood coalitions to fight against what is happening. Time is of the essence because the more they continue to take over the less power we have and the more difficult and/or impossible it will be to have fair elections.

We may need to sue our governing bodies in order to do it. Either way, it's citizen involvement, visiting/lobbying our state and local leaders and educating voters about the issues we face that is so important.

The issue of electronic voting and the elimination of a transparent election is the biggest issue we face. If we cannot vote bad leadership out, then we stand to lose on every other issue facing us because we have no power in eliminating those individuals who are promoting bad and harmful policies.

[ClassWarrior]

7. Of course not. He's a criminial. Didn't you see the (R) behind his name?

Either a criminal or a whore.

NGU.

[Leilani]

15. He voted against the Iraq War

which is more than I can say about some Dems.

And I think the IWR was the MOST important vote of Bush's first term.

[ClassWarrior]

20. So that absolves him of all the rest of his criminal behavior?

NGU.

[ClassWarrior]

21. Hello??

NGU.

[paulk]

8. He's a moderate Republican

if you're interested in a more balanced account of his career, you might read this.

http://asp.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/CandidateProfile.aspx?ci=1753&oi=

Chafee has voted against the Bush Admin. numerous times.

And what is his position on the Bolton nomination? As far as I know, there has yet to be a vote.

[ClassWarrior]

11. A moderate criminal is still a criminal.

NGU.

[paulk]

13. that's an absurd thing to say

unless you include all politicians

who make choices you disagree with

[ClassWarrior]

18. The Republicon Party policy is institutionalized crime.

Therefore all Republicons are either criminals or whores for criminals.

NGU.

[ClassWarrior]

19. By the way, I'm trying to figure out your logic.

It follows that "The Republicon Party = criminals," ergo "Lincoln Chaffee = criminal."

But it does not follow that "The Republicon Party = criminals," ergo "Lyndon LaRouche = criminal."

NGU.

[NewJeffCT]

9. I'd love to see him challenged from the right...

But, I don't think there are many that radically Right Wing in Rhode Island, are there? And, then are there any Dems in RI that could challenge Chaffee or a RW winner? I think Kennedy already said "no" and he was the leading one.

[Rowdyboy]

10. Former state Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse has already

announced and will likely be the next senator from Rhode Island...

http://www.riqi.org/sheldon.htm

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/4/5/1327/87424

[ArtVandaley]

12. Good, he's got my support

This is a top race to watch. If Chaf votes for Bolton, he's finished.

[paineinthearse]

14. I respectfully disagree, believe he is moderate/old time GOP like his dad

As an elector, he cast his vote for GHW Bush, now W. And he has floated the idea of crossing over to the Dems.

Before giving up hope, all RI DU members to meet Senator Chafee in person this Wednesday at 7PM.

We need to convince him that he is in a no-win situation.

If he votes for Bolton, he loses the 80% of the RI voters who oppose the nomination of John Bolton for US Ambassador to UN.

If he votes against Bolton, the rethugs will run and fund the most onerous opponent they can muster.

His best course of action is to vote AGAINST Bolton and bolt parties.

===============================

Copied from the RI Forum - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=176x231

According to a recent Zogby poll, 80% OF ALL RHODE ISLANDERS OPPOSE THE APPOINTMENT OF JOHN BOLTON AS UN AMBASSADOR TO THE UN.*

Here is your opportunity to meet Sen. Lincoln Chafee and ask he follow his constituents in voting against Bolton. Free event and hot hors d'oeuvres, too!!!

http://www.rigop.org/RIGOP/Events/444.aspx

Wednesday, May 04, 2005 (EST) - SKGOP May Meeting
Honorable Senator Lincoln Chafee will be the keynote speaker.
Wednesday, May 4, 2005
7:00 p.m.
Private Room at Casey's Restaurant
191 Old Tower Hill Road
Wakefield
Hot Hors d'Oeuvres will be served.
The event is free and open to anyone however donations are always appreciated to support our events and future candidates.

p.s. While you're at it, invite him to come over from the dark side!


*New Poll Released: Rhode Islanders Oppose John Bolton; Senator Chafee Should Do The Same

Over 80 percent of Rhode Islanders oppose the nomination of John Bolton for US Ambassador to UN, according to a recent survey taken by Zogby. The survey shows a growing disconnect between Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), who continues to express support for the Bolton nomination, and his constituents, the majority of whom are opposed to the appointment. In addition, 55.6 percent of those polled said that should Senator Chafee vote for the John Bolton nomination, they would be less likely to support his reelection bid.

http://www.zogby.com/Soundbites/ReadClips.dbm?ID=11248

[DaveinMD]

16. Chaffee votes for the Republican leadership in the Senate

that is all anyone should need to know. That is the vote that matters. The leadership controls the agenda.

[kentuck]

17. He plays the same game Lieberman plays...

Only from the other side of the fence...

[ClassWarrior]

22. Parcheesi? Wouldn't he hurt his armpits on the pickets?

NGU.

[saltpoint]

23. I wish Chafee had reared up and told * to cram it --

-- but he seemed to cave, especially on Bolton.

I think it's a lost opportunity for him to make history.

If I were in RI I would make a point to contribute time and bucks to a Democrat -- especially a liberal Democrat -- to replace Chafee.

Not personal, but political. A liberal needs to be in that seat.

[ClassWarrior]

24. Criminal is as criminal does.

NGU.