Politics

Gov. Candidate Chafee Blames McCain for Woes

This week  it was revealed that President Obama would not endorse  Rhode Island’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate, instead opting to pay back the race’s Independent candidate (and former GOP Senator) Lincoln Chafee for endorsing Obama in 2008. Now Chafee has given some insight into his 2-year-old decision: He blames McCain for sinking his Senate re-election bid.

In an interview with WPRO radio, reported by The Hill, the anti-Iraq War Chafee recounted how when McCain campaigned for him in 2006, he spoke about “more troops needed in Iraq.” Equally frustrating for Chafee, at an event with a group of environmentalists, McCain called for more nuclear energy.

“You talk about cold, calculating political opportunism — that’s the way I felt at the time,” he told WPRO Radio. “At the time, it certainly wasn’t helpful … Those words were used against me.”

“This was when my whole campaign was based in opposition to the war in Iraq and my opponent, Sheldon Whitehouse, used those comments against me in a debate: ‘Linc Chafee, you stood shoulder to shoulder with John McCain [while] he called for more troops in Iraq,’” he said.

“I could see [me] losing those environmental votes in front of my eyes, and I said to myself … John McCain’s coming here for John McCain 2008 presidential campaign.”

On Monday, the White House admitted that Obama would not endorse Chafee’s Democratic opponent Frank Caprio out of “respect” for Chafee.

That decision led to Caprio telling Obama he can take his endorsement and “shove it.” Caprio is currently polling ahead of Chafee by about 2 points.

Comments (28)

  • EXdemocratNEWrepublican
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 11:29pm

    How do you think I feel – BARNEY FRANK Is my congressman ! Talk about ground zero for blame.
    We’re working hard to replace him but we need help – Anyone reading these post who have freinds
    and relitives in other parts of the Country and my case Ma. give them a call and get the word out.
    Honest, some of these Liberals around here have never heard of Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac
    Making phone calls today for Sean Beilat (running against Frank) a woman told me she doesn’t need to know the issues that she was a Democrat ! That‘s what we’re up against folks!

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  • JohnDoe
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 9:45pm

    Our great country was founded by and for the citizens of the thirteen colonies. It was designed to insure that a central government was controlled and limited by representatives of those citizens. It was given a limited amount of power, with many checks and balances, to secure the rights and freedoms for its citizens. They were making sure that an American Government would and could not become as Britian had. England enacted laws and taxes on their American subjects, but without allowing the colonies a say in their government. Ignoring the will of the people of America, they bullied and took away what limited rights they had and tried to force them to comply. Sound familiar? Yes, we don’t have to look far across the Atlantic at a despotic leader, we have only to look at the Oval Office in Washington, D. C. and to those whom we had entrusted the liberties of the people and the country. Our representatives, Senate and the House, are there to represent the will of the people. Instead, they have consistently lied to their constituents, both during campaigns and when in office. They have consistently robbed the American people, not only of their money, but also by stealing their liberties, little by little. The incumbent office holders allow themselves to be above the law, they allow themselves to steal by back-room corrupt deals and the like. They ignore the very people who put them in office, they even resort to passing laws, under cover of darkness. They hide laws and corrupt deals in the midst of thousand of pages of laws. This has always been a trick of unethical lawyers. Their mindset is to bog down any opposition by inudating them with mountains of paperwork. Then, they laugh and call the people stupid and ignorant, or worse! No doubt, I could go on and on. Their lack of character, morals and ethics makes them unfit to be employed anywhere, let alone entrusted with the security, freedom, and economic growth of this great country. They have taken your freedom to worship, especially targeting Christianity. They have tried to rewrite the American history, to further their agendas, just like the Moslems continue to do with Israel.

    Soon after deciding what sort of Government America was to become, that very question was asked of Benjamin Franklin. In reply Franklin said, “A Republic….if we can keep it”. This is a question that should be upon the lips of all true American patriots. If we can’t or more correctly, if we won’t, then we don’t deserve it. The choice is up to us, the American people, and the answer should be and must be yes we will!

    You’re probably asking how do we insure that we will keep this nation a free Republic. Oh, we voted for only those who promised no more taxes, no more spending, etc., etc. Of course they all were proven to be liars again (or should I have said they were just not quite forthcoming or perhaps they were a little disingenuious?). Then we did the “best of the two evils” choice. This was no different than the “Magician’s Choice” trick! We now know that there is no difference between Republicans and the Democrats when it comes to which is telling the truth. Neither has the best interest of America at heart, probably not even in mind! Their goal is simply to acquire power, money, more power and more money while doing and saying anything to remain in office.

    So what is the answer? They don’t listen when the people, overwhelmingly, protest and tries to voice their opposition. So the American people need to get their UNDIVIDED attention. How? WE THE PEOPLE, must vote any and all incumbents out of office. It doesn’t matter if they are better than most. If they haven’t been part of the solution, then they are part of the problem. THEY MUST KNOW AND WE MUST LET THEM KNOW THAT GOVERNMENT WILL NO LONGER BE RUN BY ROUGUE LAWYERS AND OPPORTUNISTS, PROGRESSIVES (AKA SOCIALISTS), ETC. THEY ARE NOTHING MORE THAN MODERN-DAY CARPETBAGGERS OR WANNA-BE DICTATORS. THEY MUST BE EDUCATED TO THE FACT THAT THEY WILL BE VOTED OUT AGAIN AND AGAIN, UNTIL THEY LEARN THAT OUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO RUN THEIR OWN VERISON OF CRIME, INC.
    AND THOSE THAT ARE ELECTED TO OFFICE, BUT CONTINUE TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT WILL SOON LEARN THEY WILL HAVE ONLY ONE TERM IN OFFICE.

    We, the people, need to lobby our newly elected representatives to enact new laws to insure ALL our freedoms, our security, etc. Enact laws that ethical or criminal behavior of representatives will be prosecuted swiftly and severly, with no possibility of any pardon…not by a state Governor nor by a President! Enact laws or amendments to limit a President to one term only, ensuring that any damage to our country will not be as damaging as is obvious with this Government. Further limit the terms of our Representatives, both in the Senate and the House. Imperative to limit the term of all Supreme Court Justices to no more than an eight year term and make an amendment that the justices can no longer re-interpret the Constitution, but uphold the laws as it was written and intended by the original framers.

    So, the bottom line is this: unless the American people get the undivided attention of those in government…when you and your family members are homeless and hungry or at the very least jobless…remember, you have only yourselves to blame.

    THE ONLY WAY TO INSURE THAT YOUR FUTURE REPRESENTATIVES WILL LISTEN TO ITS CONSTITUENTS IS VOTE OUT ALL INCUMBENTS!!! FROM THAT POINT ON, EACH REPRESENTATIVE MUST KNOW WE WILL VOTE THEM OUT AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL WE HAVE RESPONSIBLE REPRESENTATIVES THAT UNDERSTAND THEY ARE THERE FOR THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

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  • Florida Steve
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 4:18pm

    Chaffee, like most independents, has no moral compass to guide him. He will say or do anything to get elected. His views change with whatever group he is talking to. He will lose just like Charlie Crist will in Florida. People are fed up with the same old same old.

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  • NY Constitutionalist
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 2:47pm

    Lincoln Chafee obviously has no idea how things work. Last time I checked Rhode Island isn’t exactly a political kingmaker in presidential primaries, seeing as how it is not an early primary and has very few delegates. But as always in politics, these guys will just say anything to get elected, regardless or truth or sensibility. Best of luck to his opponent, at least if the Democrat wins they won’t have someone who hides their progressivism behind the title of “Independent.” He and Charlie Crist can hang out on November 3rd.

    Report Post » NY Constitutionalist  
  • pajamash
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 2:42pm

    What a tool! Chafee, you know what McCain’s views were. It should have been no surprise he would talk about nuclear energy, which, by the way, some environmental activists are supporting. You, Mr. Chafee, have to realize that the sun doesn‘t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow so we need other forms of energy like nuclear, coal, gas, etc. You can’t power an 18 wheeler with electricity. There are some types of machinery that you just can’t get awy from gasoline to run. It should have been no surprise that McCain supported additional troops. He only talked about it all the time. If you had issues with these items it was up to you to A) Talk to McCain and or his people and ask them not to talk about those subjects or B) Not have him come to your state knowing his views. Sounds to me you wanted to have it both ways

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  • Inmyopinion
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 2:22pm

    Wow! Could we get MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, or NBC to hire the radio interviewer? Talk about holding someone’s feet to the fire. No feel good questions, only questions seeking the truth. Bravo!

    Report Post » Inmyopinion  
  • charles1540
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 1:05pm

    Do you have no shame sir. You are a weak phony who is blaming everyone else for your failures. You bring disgrace to your farther who was a very honorable U.S. Senator who severed the great state of Rhode Island. You are an embarrassment and you were a lousy RINO and will be an even lousier Independent. Hopefully the people in your state will send you packing. I am sure you are already working on who to blame next.

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  • NHABE64
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 1:02pm

    I am a Vietnam Veteran and although I absolutely felt terrible for these POWs. just the fact of being a POW does not necessarily a Senator make. John McCain just pushed the Vietnam thing a bit far and used it as a crutch to get votes. This is now what we need. I personally think he is a snake in the grass who will go in any direction to get the votes. He was pro-amnesty so why the sudden switch. I am I am glad he switched but he did just because a pro-amnesty plan is not as popular as before. He is part of Washingtons problem, he is a RINO or Republican in name Only. He leans a bit too far to the left for me and his weak attempt to change our thoughts of him is not working. He was the worst possible choice for the Republican Presidential nominee and I can’t help but wonder how the hell did he ever get selected by the Republican Party. Simply amazing John McCain needs to retire to his pasture, end of story.

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  • bookofwisdom
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 12:47pm

    The “Blame Game” again. What is with politicians today. Is there nobody in these United States who will step up and accept the fact that they may have made a mistake instead of always blaming someone else. In God We Trust. Do Not Re-Elect Anyone. May God Bless.

    Report Post » bookofwisdom  
  • VOTE4CHANGE
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 11:59am

    Let’s see if we got this correct,,,, worms like,,, Castle,,, Murkowski,,,,Christ,,,,,Chaffee,,,,,,and the rest of the ILK who have NO CORE values,,, are like Clinton was,,, they stick their finger somewhere, hold it up,, and see which way the political winds are blowing,, and go that way…. I’d rather have a full blown socialist than one in sheeps clothing,,, hey lefty’s,,,, be sure your sins will find you out,,, and WE COMING IN JUST 6 DAYS to send you packin,,,,

    America is tired of the Rhinos who think the seats BELONG to them. They side with the socialist when the chips are down,,, so,, like the socialist motto,, in other words the Chicago Pledge,,,,

    VOTE EARLY,,, VOTE OFTEN TUESDAY

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  • 60yroldfemale
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 11:16am

    A great reason to elect Republicans, they continue to affect even after they are out of office.
    Why bother to elect Dems. when they can’t make what the Repubs did any better?
    Just ask Obama.

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  • Ana Romanik
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 11:12am

    Chaffee now has an ad running showing how “close” he is with Obama… Chaffee going after McCain is nothing more than Chaffee trying to peel off Dem votes from Caprio.

    Chaffee has been a pretty poor candidate since the passing of his famous father. Most believe the reason he was elected to his ONLY term as Senator was due to the sympathy vote resulting from his fathers passing. Chaffee’s McCain comments once again demonstrates how “loosing” his elections weren’t “his” fault but were someone elses. Come to think of it, Chaffee really does seem more like a Democrat than republican doesn’t he???

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    • rocsam
      Posted on October 27, 2010 at 3:04pm

      Chaffee was not elected to the Senate, he was appointed by our Governor. When he ran for re-election he was defeated by Shelly Whitehouse, another “Elitest”

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  • tess q
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 10:36am

    obama would not endorse caprio out of respect for chafee. and that is not a endorsement? chafee’s thank you to obama is to go after mccain, maybe. who is thinking of mccain this election?? is that to remind everyone of the hope and change that left stars in so many people’s eyes and lead to the bucket of kool-aid? this one is weird, very weird!!

    Report Post » tess q  
  • Ana Romanik
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 10:33am

    Let’s not forget that Rhode Island where I live actually has 4 candidates for Governor. The last Rasmussen poll taken on 10/21/10 showed the following… Chaffee (Independent) 35%; Caprio (Dem) 28%; Robitaille (Rep) 25%; I don’t recall what Block (independent) recieved. According to Real Clear POlitics yesterday the Rasmussen poll was the most recent.

    Our friends are only talking seriously about the opssible election of either Robiaille or Block. Chaffee is ALWAYS at the bottom of the list.

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  • neverending
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 10:27am

    Oh the joys of being a sleezeball!!!

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  • OBAMAWORSHIOER
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 10:22am

    Remember we have psychological profiles and knew that Chafee would sell out with promises of power and our support. Just wait to find out how many RINO and moderate Republicans are coming on board after the elections.

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  • Windsong
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 9:57am

    Mr. Chaffee is a detriment to the Republican party. He needs to drop out of the race because having him as a representative is no different than having a Democratic Progressive.

    America is in too much trouble right now for any candidate to play ‘payback’ at the expense of the party. Also, if Mr. Chaffee is going to blame John McCain for his woes, what does one suppose he will do if he’s elected? No thank you, Mr. Chaffee.

    Mr. McCain repeated the Republican values when he campaigned. If you don’t have those values, then join the opposing party…if you haven’t already. Either stand for something or get out of the way.

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    • Rose
      Posted on October 27, 2010 at 11:28am

      I have no respect for people like Chaffee who change their parties when things don’t go their way, it proves they have no loyalty and that its all about power. But, I feel the same way about Sen. McCain. He has always been a progressive, slightly to the right, and is the reason why he was a complete bust as the republican presidential nominee in 08. He’s also another man who continually changes his view depending on the time and who he is pandering to. A lot of conservatives dislike McCain because of his stance on Amnesty, now that he’s trying to hold on to his seat, he’s all about protecting the borders. It’s a crock! For years I’ve watched this man diss his own party to side with the democrats. Again, no loyalty. I have no respect for him, either.

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  • LSX
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 9:47am

    Linc Chafee is just like Patty Kennedy in terms of absolute uselessness. The only thing this RINO has is his last name to live off. Just another limo liberal. Too bad the typical “master lever” Democrats in this state think he’s like his dad.

    The only hope for the Ocean state is vote for John Robitaille in November. PLEASE donate to John and bring sanity to Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

    http://www.robitailleforgovernor.com

    Report Post » LSX  
    • rocsam
      Posted on October 27, 2010 at 3:08pm

      Chaffee never earned a dime in his life, besides his fathers fortune, his mother was a “Colt” you know the gun folks, lots of cash there, not to mention he married an heiress to the only major newspaper in RI, the Providence Journal. His claim to fame is raising property taxes 4 times when he was the mayor of Warwick, a real buffoon IMHO

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  • BobtheMoronsp
    Posted on October 27, 2010 at 9:37am

    Chafee was always a democrat. I hope the scumbag loses BIG.

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    • john seven eighteen
      Posted on October 27, 2010 at 9:43am

      It’s a clear case of “whatever I need to say to get elected” syndrome. What a sleeze ball!

      Report Post » john seven eighteen  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 27, 2010 at 10:46am

      @John 7:18

      As if anything else is really new, like an old, old joke of “How do you know the politician is lying to you? He is still breathing.”

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • drbage
      Posted on October 27, 2010 at 10:51am

      Just a couple of questions for the people of RI to contemplate: When a candidate changes his party affiliation because he can’t win under the one from which he was originally elected, what does that tell you of the candidates’ priorities? What are his priorities: his election, his benefactors, or the people?

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    • john seven eighteen
      Posted on October 27, 2010 at 10:55am

      @Snowleopard -

      So true. I could go on all day with the politican jokes but there’s no challenge in that. They make it too easy!

      Report Post » john seven eighteen  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on October 27, 2010 at 12:51pm

      What?? I thought it was Bushes fault! Has the world gone mad?

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • thepatriotdave
      Posted on October 27, 2010 at 12:52pm

      Amen to that!

      PatriotShops.com

      Report Post » thepatriotdave  

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