R.I. Gov. Chafee, an independent who was a Republican, plans to become a Democrat Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, an independent, has notified senior Democratic officials that he intends to switch his registration to the Democratic Party before an expected tough re-election fight in 2014. The Democratic National Committee released a statement from President Barack Obama praising Chafee as “an independent thinker and leader who’s unafraid to reach across party lines to get things done.” Obama added, “I’m thrilled to welcome Linc to the party of Jefferson and Jackson, Roosevelt and Kennedy, and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead." Chafee, who served in the Senate as a Republican from 1999 to 2006, switched his party affiliation to independent in 2007 and was elected to the Rhode Island governor’s office in 2010. He won a three-way race that year with just 36 percent of the vote. Chafee has openly considered making the switch to the Democratic Party since 2011. He had a distinctly liberal voting record as a Republican in the Senate and was the only member of the GOP to vote against the Iraq War. He also campaigned for Obama in 2008 and 2012. link
So the trade was a 60+ year old black democrat from Louisiana to the GOP for the governor of RI. Is this right? Will there be a player to be named later? Cash consideration?
So one of the most unpopular governors in the US figured out that the only way to win re-election is going through the Democratic primary since as it stands now he's about to get trounced by pretty much anyone who wins the Democratic nomination. Color me shocked. That said, I like Lincoln Chaffee. He just turned out to be a terrible governor. He shouldve done a party switch in 2006. He probably wouldve kept his US Senate seat if he did.
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He doesn't balance out the loss of Lautenberg, but the gentleman is certainly welcome to join the Party.
