craigfarmer
Member
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2004
- Messages
- 175
- Reaction score
- 6
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...e=3&u=/ap/20050326/ap_on_el_se/kennedy_senate
We all know that desperate times demand desperate measures, and for Democrats the immediate future potential of capturing power in Washington D.C. certainly qualifies. Yet, the true visionaries among us will implore that we always retain a long-term view and agenda. In that light, the Democratic Party needs to relinquish any desire to defeat Republican Lincoln Chafee of R.I. in the 2006 election season. As a party, we should not support any major opposition because ultimately it would be counterproductive.
First, what would the issues be? On every major issue facing this country, and Rhode Island in particular, Senator Chafee votes the same way a Democrat would. Not only that, he votes as a left-wing Democrat would on the very important issues. He's not even a reliable procedural vote for the Republicans when it matters. He is their Zell Miller, albeit with a smile and nice deameanor.
He refused to vote for the President's re-election. Everyone knows if the Senate was truly 50-50, he'd switch to independent and caucus with the Democrats.
We should be loyal to someone, who has been loyal to us.
Where the Senators from Maine, often talk moderate and liberal on many issues; A quick check of the Roll Call often shows they are very often voting to support their party's position when it really matters.
Lincoln Chafee has supported Democratic positions when he could have easily went along to get along with the Republican majority.
We as Democrats should encourage a liberal wing of the Republican Party. Just as we should encourage a right-wing in our own party. At the end of the day, its' about who controls the agenda, and which coalition has the votes to win.
The best and most forthright way of doing that is to not challenge members of the other party who are doing a great job.
President George Bush had this same decision in 2002. There were many Democrats who worked with him on key issues, yet he used his power to defeat them. Republicans, I'm sure were delighted: They won policy battles with these democrats' support, and still banished them in the next election cycle. Worse, many of the races were bitter, and the voting records were distorted to make moderate Democrats appear as extreme left-wingers.
The end result is that President Bush has alienated a potential swing vote in the Democratic fold, and lost the ability to govern on many issues.
As Democrats plot a path back to power, it is important we remember who our friends are.
Lincoln Chafee deserves re-election. With our help.
Craig Farmer
making the word "liberal" safe again!
We all know that desperate times demand desperate measures, and for Democrats the immediate future potential of capturing power in Washington D.C. certainly qualifies. Yet, the true visionaries among us will implore that we always retain a long-term view and agenda. In that light, the Democratic Party needs to relinquish any desire to defeat Republican Lincoln Chafee of R.I. in the 2006 election season. As a party, we should not support any major opposition because ultimately it would be counterproductive.
First, what would the issues be? On every major issue facing this country, and Rhode Island in particular, Senator Chafee votes the same way a Democrat would. Not only that, he votes as a left-wing Democrat would on the very important issues. He's not even a reliable procedural vote for the Republicans when it matters. He is their Zell Miller, albeit with a smile and nice deameanor.
He refused to vote for the President's re-election. Everyone knows if the Senate was truly 50-50, he'd switch to independent and caucus with the Democrats.
We should be loyal to someone, who has been loyal to us.
Where the Senators from Maine, often talk moderate and liberal on many issues; A quick check of the Roll Call often shows they are very often voting to support their party's position when it really matters.
Lincoln Chafee has supported Democratic positions when he could have easily went along to get along with the Republican majority.
We as Democrats should encourage a liberal wing of the Republican Party. Just as we should encourage a right-wing in our own party. At the end of the day, its' about who controls the agenda, and which coalition has the votes to win.
The best and most forthright way of doing that is to not challenge members of the other party who are doing a great job.
President George Bush had this same decision in 2002. There were many Democrats who worked with him on key issues, yet he used his power to defeat them. Republicans, I'm sure were delighted: They won policy battles with these democrats' support, and still banished them in the next election cycle. Worse, many of the races were bitter, and the voting records were distorted to make moderate Democrats appear as extreme left-wingers.
The end result is that President Bush has alienated a potential swing vote in the Democratic fold, and lost the ability to govern on many issues.
As Democrats plot a path back to power, it is important we remember who our friends are.
Lincoln Chafee deserves re-election. With our help.
Craig Farmer
making the word "liberal" safe again!