Your thoughts on Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI)

[brentspeak]

Liberal Republican, good for the American people?

Phony moderate, good only to the Republicans?

Political independent, hard to get a grasp on ?

[Bumblebee]

1. My thought is I will start fully respecting him -- and Snowe --

only when they stop being GOP and go Jeffords' way.

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. The certainly do anger the extreme RW clowns within the party

and the RW blabbermouths like O'Lielly, HalfNutty, and Limpballs

[ticapnews]

3. Any member of Congress who casts a vote for

a Republican to be Majority Leader or Speaker of the House is a bad one. Other votes are pretty much irrelevant. It's the first vote every two years that matters the most. Ben Nelson has a more conservative record than most Republicans, but he didn't vote for Bill Frist; Lincoln Chafee did.

[Bumblebee]

5. I am actually not sure Chafee did either -- did he?

[brentspeak]

6. However, in the case of Bush in 2004

Chafee did something really out of the ordinary: He wrote in George H.W. Bush as a protest against Bush, Jr.

I don't know if it was a genuine gesture of protest, or a political stunt.

[safi0]

7. I think it was as

A form of protest, but also keep in mind that this is a state where Bush was running 30 pts behind for much of the campaign so its not like Chaffee's vote really mattered.

As for my opinion of him, my first thought is ex. Sen because in 11 months he will be defeated.

[brentspeak]

8. There's two Dems who'll be butting heads in the primary

Attorney Gen. Whitehouse, and some guy (forget his name) who's only 36 years old, but who's more conservative. Interesting to see what happens.

[safi0]

12. I don't know

Who's more conservative. Both seem to come from the Jack Reed mold. I don't think there's a lto of difference between them ideologically which is why I think Whitehouse will win the primary. Because there's little difference between the two on the issues things lie fundraising and endorsements are going to be the decider and Whitehouse is outraising everyone in this race including Chaffee and he's been endorsed by both of RI's congressmen. Basically, I think the other guy, SOS Matt Brown, is a Reed endorsement of Whitehouse away from being dead.

[Tiggeroshii]

15. By who?

The Republicans or Dems? Which one will oust him first?

[safi0]

19. If Laffey ousts him

Well kick his ass in the GE, if he doesn't we'll kick Chaffee's ass in the GE

[Tiggeroshii]

28. Do you have a strong Dem that can do well against such a moderate

Republican?

[safi0]

30. We did, but

NARAL pushed him out of the race.

[SkiGuy]

31. Who are you referring to?

And one other question. Do you think Laffey's a nut case? I do.

[safi0]

40. US Rep.

Jim Langevin. He led Chaffee in a poll 46-27 and was probably going to run but NARAL made a big stink about it and he decided not to. He would've won.

As far as Laffey goes I don't know enough to form an opinion about the guy.

[ck4829]

4. I'd rather have them in charge instead of the Loonies and the Wackos

[Czolgosz]

9. For each moderate vote, he has 10 votes upholding the Bush regime.

He is nothing more that the Republican version of Lieberman. Reptilicans enjoy our frustration with Lieberman's disloyal votes, they'd still rather have a Reptilican in Lieberman's seat (if they could elect one, which they can't). Similarly, we may enjoy Chafee's votes and statements which show a lack of GOP unity, we're still far better off with a Democrat in Chafee's seat (and we can elect one).

[Nutmegger]

10. He's not one of the yahoos in DC

[Peachhead22]

11. He caucuses with the Republicans

End of story.

Allowing them to control committees, appoint shills like Frist and Roberts and control the agenda. He even votes with them often merely in the name of "party unity". He needs to change to Dem or Independent (even if he doesn't caucus with any party).

[SkiGuy]

13. I don't trust him

Chafee's just too flip floppy for me
I'm going to vote for and support Matt Brown. http://www.mattbrown.org/

[brentspeak]

17. Just checked his site out

His anti-lobbyist position is something I like.

[SkiGuy]

24. Matt appears to be a nice, unassuming guy

with BIG balls!!
He wants a debate among the candidates about the Iraq war but everyone backs down.

[Douglas Carpenter]

14. Chafee vs. Clinton vs. McCain -- here is their voting record based on

on interest group ratings:

This is courtesy of project vote smart - link:

http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm
_____________________

2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 33 percent in 2004.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 67 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 0 percent in 2004.
_________________________________

2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the Peace Action 13 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Peace Action 75 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Peace Action 13 percent in 2004.
______________________________________

2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the Friends Committee on National Legislation 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Friends Committee on National Legislation 50 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Friends Committee on National Legislation 0 percent in 2004.
____________________________________________________

2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League 100 percent in 2004

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League 100 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League 0 percent in 2004.
__________________

2003-2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 67 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 78 percent in 2003-200

2003-2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 22 percent in 2003-2004.
_____________________________

2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 55 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 95 percent in 2004

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 35 percent in 2004.
__________________________

2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 58 percent in 2004

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 100 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 33 percent in 2004.
_________________________

2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 36 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 110 percent in 2004

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 9 percent in 2004.
__________________________

2003-2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the National Education Association 60 percent in 2003-2004

2003-2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Education Association 85 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the National Education Association 35 percent in 2003-2004.
______________________

2003-2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 88 percent in 2003-2004

2003-2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 88 percent in 2003-2004

2003-2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 25 percent in 2003-2004.
_____________________________________

2003-2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 43 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 100 percent in 2003-2004

2003-2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 14 percent in 2003-2004.
_____________________________

2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the Arab American Institute 100 percent in 2004

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Arab American Institute 25 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Arab American Institute 0 percent in 2004.
__________________________

2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the Family Research Council 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Family Research Council 0 percent in
2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Family Research Council 67 percent in 2004.
____________________________

2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the Christian Coalition 50 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Christian Coalition 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Christian Coalition 83 percent in 2004.
_____________________________

2004 Senator Chafee supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 40 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 72 percent in 2004.

[noamnety]

18. Clinton supported the UAW 110% of the time?

wow. :)

[Czolgosz]

23. lol

[Douglas Carpenter]

29. this is how they explained 110% on the UAW website:

New York - 2 Senate Members
Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Wgt
Clinton, Hillary ( D ) + + + + + + + + + + 110 %
Schumer, Charles ( D ) + + + + + + + + + + 110 %

** Those Senators who supported or provided other assistance in connection with a UAW organizing drive are given an extra 10% bonus in their UAW Support Percentage.

* Issues #2 (Overtime Pay) is highlighted because it was a priority UAW issues. Because of its importance, this vote is given double weight in this Voting Record.

link:

http://www.uaw.org/cap/05/rollcall/vote01.cfm

[noamnety]

37. Thanks for the explanation!

I looked around on the votesmart site and didn't see anything.

[brentspeak]

21. Thanks for the info. How did you compute those percentages?

Is there a compare/contrast feature on the site?

[brentspeak]

26. Nevermind, I figured it out

[Douglas Carpenter]

27. first put in the name of the Senator or member of Congress

then click on their name.

That will take you to their bio. Then click on Interest Group Ratings.

Then you just go through the different interest group subjects such as abortion of civil liberties or labor. Then just look down the list/

Vote Smart is a REALLY valuable tool

Here is the one direct for Sen. Chafee:

http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=BRI43231

This direct for Sen. Clinton:

http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=WNY99268

This is direct for Sen. McCain:

http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=S0061103

[brentspeak]

33. I checked out the info on my House representative

Scott Garrett (R-NJ). I wasn't surprised to see this:

REPRESENTATIVE E. SCOTT GARRETT REPEATEDLY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY
RESPONSES TO CITIZENS ON ISSUES THROUGH THE 2004
NATIONAL POLITICAL AWARENESS TEST


REPRESENTATIVE E. SCOTT GARRETT REFUSED TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION WHEN ASKED TO DO SO BY:

Major News Organizations
and key national leaders of both parties including,

John McCain, Republican Senator
Geraldine Ferraro, Former Democratic Congresswoman
Michael Dukakis, Former Democratic Governor
Bill Frenzel, Former Republican Congressman
Richard Kimball, Project Vote Smart President

http://www.vote-smart.org/npat.php?can_id=BS022393

[Douglas Carpenter]

35. be sure and check his Interest Group ratings

he certainly looks like a REAL wingnut

link:

http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=BS022393&type=category&category=Abortion%2BIssues&go.x=5&go.y=10

2005 In 2005 Citizens for Global Solutions gave Representative Garrett a rating of F.

2003-2004 Representative Garrett supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 5 percent in 2003-2004

2004 Representative Garrett supported the interests of the Friends Committee on National Legislation 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Representative Garrett supported the interests of the Peace Action 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Representative Garrett supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 33 percent in 2004.

2004 Representative Garrett supported the interests of the National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League 0 percent in 2004.

2003-2004 Representative Garrett supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 11 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Representative Garrett supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 0 percent in 2003-2004.

[brentspeak]

38. He was a Club For Growth-sponsored candidate in 2002

Club For Growth = "Repeal the Estate Tax, but continue handing out corporate welfare checks, and send all jobs overseas" kind of organization.

It paid for anonymous attack ads telephone-spammed to all households of the 5th Congressional district for weeks -- ads attacking the Democratic candidate, featuring all kinds of phony allegations.

The harassing phone calls worked, and now we have a congressman who's way more RW than Republican Marge Roukema was during her 22 year term of service.

[NJ Democrats]

39. I know!

He is my congressman too, and he is an ass.

[LynneSin]

16. Time to be replaced with a democrat

Nuff said. Unless they are willing to vote for Harry Reid as the majority leader they server no purpose to me

[comradebillyboy]

20. you should pardon the expression but

he is a complete pussy. even more spineless than the average democrat

[kentuck]

22. He's a decent person....

but a Democrat would be better for us and the nation....unfortunately he's a Republican.

[jackpan1260]

25. He isn't better than a single current dem senator or congressman. eom

[QC]

32. He's a Republican and therefore part of the problem.

I used to be one of those "judge them individually" types, but since the GOP has become the single greatest threat to this nation, then any person who in any way supports the GOP is part of that threat.

That's why I think the so-called "moderate Republicans" do not deserve all the praise they get here. Are they better than, say, Santorum and Frist? Sure. But that's not saying much, is it?

[Stinky The Clown]

34. My opinion? His moldy ass is taking up a Democrat's seat.

Fuck moderate Republicans. We need Dems.

I'd take a Lieberman before a Chafee. And I am the last person who would be a fan of Holy Joementum.

[AX10]

36. Lincoln Chafee is wrongfully occupying a Democratic Senate Seat.

Yes, I'd vote for Lieberman over Chaffee, no question.
Defeat Lincoln Chafee next year.

[DaveinMD]

41. he's a Republican

that's all you need to know. He needs to be defeated.

[thatsrightimirish]

42. Get Rid of Him!

A liberal only when he wants to be Chafee or an always liberal Sheldon Whitehouse? Hmmmmmmmmmm

[Blue_Tires]

43. I've actually met him a couple of times professionally

during non photo-op, candid moments--there are a few plusses for him, since he has to serve such a liberal state:

1. He can't come out and say it directly, but he HATES W (wrote in Bush I in the 04 election)

2. His environmental record is unmatched while in the Environment and Public Works Committee, and he is greener than many 'green' dems

3. Despite being GOP, he ain't Zell or Joe-mentum

[thatsrightimirish]

44. Sorry but

I would much rather see Reid be the leader and not Frist and getting rid of Chafee is a huge step of accomplishing that. If he hated W that much he should have left the GOP.

[SkiGuy]

46. Exactly

If he switches parties, I'll vote for him. He's done many good things for my state. But on a national level, I just can't trust him. He never answered 2 emails I sent asking if he would support an impeachment. If he does, I'll let you know if you're interested.

[Blue_Tires]

47. we'll see what happens

because he IS vulnerable, and has lived too long on his father's name

sadly, he still has some kind of romantic notion of a more moderate, socially liberal/fiscally conservative GOP, and he wants to remain loyal to that image...I do remember him saying publicly that he would switch if it made the dems the majority, or if the dems already became the majority, but so far that has not happened

[Chemical Bill]

49. I don't remember hearing him say he'd switch.

I think it's long overdue.

Bill

[Chemical Bill]

45. He has an R after his name. I hate that.

He may win again next year. The RNC is giving him money because Laffey will lose in November if he is the repug. Whitehouse was AG for RI, and the first thing he tried was to open all medical records to law enforcement. He didn't win that one, but I haven't liked him since. Matt Brown isn't too bad, but he is weak in the polling and fundraising. I think it will be Chafee vs Whitehouse, with Chafee favored unless something really big happens, bigger than impeachment of *. Chafee is old money, but his wife is old much more money. Oh, and Chafee was a blacksmith for a while, and has admitted to snorting coke. Where's cokemon?

Bill

[obreaslan]

48. Lose the "R" and we'll talk. n/t.

[Captain Hilts]

50. My office worked on his last campaign.

He's just not that interested in the job. His wife wanted him to run.