I would love to see GOP candidates skewered in November as part of a Democratic takeover of Congress. However there is one vulnerable GOP candidate, Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chafee, who I would be saddened to see defeated. He is one of those rare few GOP mavericks that’s often on the right side of the issues. He’s committed to stewardship of the environment, recently meriting an endorsement from the Sierra Club (which drew the outrage of liberals with charges that “centrism is for suckers.”) He opposes opening ANWR to oil drilling. He favors conservation, increased efficiency, and alternative fuels as part of a national energy policy. He supports increased education funding. He opposed the Iraq war and favors a phased troop withdrawal.
The Left’s gunning for Chafee is understandable in an election year where a switch to a Democratic Congress is in reach. Chafee is not just being attacked from the Left, though–the far Right also has it in for him. The conservative so-called “Club for Growth” is endorsing GOP challenger Stephen Laffey in his bid to unseat Chafee in Rhode Island’s GOP primary next month. They are angry he voted against Bush’s tax cuts and refused to vote for Bush’s re-election.
It’s tough to be a moderate these days. I disagree with my more liberal friends who believe that all Republicans must be defeated as the only acceptable condition for victory. Not only is this unrealistic in a relatively conservative nation, it also hampers the chances of succeeding at the important things we need to do. Rare open-minded individuals like Chafee should be valued, not derided.
If I lived in Rhode Island and had to choose between Chafee and Democratic control of Congress I’d reluctantly choose the latter because the national GOP leadership has completely lost its way and is steering the country on a ruinous course. If it weren’t for such pressing issues, though, he’d be the rare Republican who would tempt me to cross party lines (something I have yet to do, ever.)
No related posts.
{ 4 comments }
Yeah, Chafee isn’t bad, which is why most conservatives hate him. I think the best thing is to vote Democratic regardless because the most important thing is taking Congress but he makes a good argument the other way.
In my own homestate in Missouri, our former Republican Sen. Jack Danforth is one I’d have trouble voting against because he’s such a great and reasonable guy. Fortunately, he’s not running and I have no problem opposing either of the two empty suit Republican senators that are in there now.
Agreed on voting Democratic. By the way I really like your blog, I had previously found yours through Technorati and RSS’ed your feed. You’re very eloquent. Thanks for commenting and reading here.
I think it’s fair to say that I’m likely more liberal than you are, but even so I think your appraisal of GOP moderates is spot on. Would I prefer to see liberal Democrats in the majority? Of course. Do I think the body politic as it exists today will give me what I prefer? No.
While I tend to oppose Republicans automatically, there are people in that party who I think are reasonable, principled, and with whom those I want to see elected can work to make good things happen. I don’t know much about Chafee’s Democratic opponent, but my impulse is always to favor a Democrat over any Republican. However, should Chafee win re-election, I wouldn’t find that a terrible outcome.
The Democrats have bigger fish to fry.
I like Chafee as well. However, he has no real say in Republican power circles, so his moderation is ineffective. Also, as a Republican, he will vote for the right-wing leadership. At this time, I feel it is better to vote Democrat to get our leadership in Congress.
Nothing personal Chafee. Maybe you can serve again when the political climate isn’t so polarized.
Comments on this entry are closed.