Chafee/Laffey senate debate from Rhode Island LIVE now on CSPAN

[Awsi Dooger]

This is a pivotal primary since Whitehouse would be almost certain to defeat Laffey, but Whitehouse vs. Chafee would be a virtual pick-em race, assuming Chafee would get a poll bump out of winning the primary.

Laffey is much more conservative than Chafee and is being pushed by Rhode Island Republicans, while the national party is backing Chafee to try to hold the seat.

[Greeby]

1. talking all nicey-nice

This is what passes for a debate amongst Repukes? :eyes:

[NJ Democrats]

2. Go Laffey!

There is also something on this race in this week's Time magizine.

[Renew Deal]

3. Laffey seems like an empty suit.

He's an obvious bullshitter.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

4. Then he sounds like the PERFECT republican candidate!

I hope he wins the debate! :evilgrin:

[Awsi Dooger]

8. I agree and I'm not thrilled

This is the guy who is supposed to knock out an incumbent in a primary? Laffey sounds like a simpleton boob. Plus he stumbles over the end of his response every time and runs into the clock warning. The only thing impressive is his accent.

Chafee is so much more polished and likable. Damn shame he couldn't shift a bit on some issues and become a Democrat.

[gaspee]

10. What accent?

Seriously... Laffey has an accent?

You can probably guess where I am *G*

And if Chafee was a dem or an independent, I would totally vote for him. He's a really good guy. And that's the problem with getting rid of him. If he wins the primary, Whitehouse is going to have a tough time.

I'm voting Sheeler in the dem primary and whichever dem wins the primary in the general.

I just want to make that clear. No matter how much I like Chafee, a vote for him is a vote for the crazy people. Bush, Rumsfeld, Cheney, Frist, Santorum and their ilk.

You would be surprised how well that talking point goes with anyone I talk politics to here in RI.

Up until about two months ago, I was concinved Chafee was unbeatable. Now, I'm quite confident that RI will be a dem pickup.

[Awsi Dooger]

12. That's what my relatives ask

Always with a dependable grin. They are mostly in Connecticut but some sprinkled throughout New England. Damn, I missed my trip there this summer. Normally I would be visiting my cousins in Norwich at this time, while based in Saratoga.

Well, Laffey improved toward the end of the debate and the audience definitely was on his side, based on the reaction to his closing statement. Chafee's closer was surprisingly weak.

I've been going back and forth on who will win this thing. If Chafee has the intensity level among the Republican primary voters that should be enough to offset the indies who participate. It would be such a relief to have Laffey take the primary. Like a cha-ching, that's one in the bank.

[slampoet]

15. I'm a Sheeler and then Dem voter too.

However I really don't consider Chafee to be anybody's idea of a good guy.

He completely sold RI and the rest of the coutry out on the Supreme court and John Bolton nominations. More or less he has the same record as Lieberman but people are giving him a pass because he is a GOP dope.

Also i really have to question why ANYONE would vote for someone who's father was also a high level politician and hasn't had a real job in their life. If you've never had to struggle how can you govern anyone in the post-katrina era? Rich kids of all parties get poor people killed everyday and New England has more than it's share of Legacy politicians who's campaign slogan ought to be "Thanks Dad!" Think about it, Chafee, Patrick Kennedy, Mit Romney, Both George Bushes are just Prescott's boys from Conneticut.

Some of these politicians i like on most of the issues but they still aren't looking out for the working man and woman and certainly aren't looking out for the children of anyone who can't afford a private school.

[gaspee]

16. And unfortunately

It's not just republicans. I wish I could vote for someone other than a member of the oligarchy. Whitehouse isn't much different than Chafee.

I actually do think Chafee is a good guy who is way out of his depth in Washington. He's a guppy among sharks. He was a good mayor but I think he's out of his league in the Senate.

[bluedeminredstate]

5. Where's all the talk

of "purging" a fine man from the party (and please, please don't fail to notice the Soviet reference)? I haven't heard the media wailing and moaning and gnashing their teeth over Chafee's primary challenge. Where's their collective outrage over such an affront to such a decent, moral repuke? I guess Kookie Roberts, David Brooks and the RNC blast faxes only concentrate on what's best for Democrats. How nice of them to be so concerned.:sarcasm:

[I_Make_Mistakes]

7. The Chaffe commercial they showed on C-Span today was

brutal, it ended with Laffy (saying all the seniors who opposed him were old and dying soon, something to that effect!).

[ncrainbowgrrl]

6. oooh, a rethug had to raise taxes....

bad boy. No pat on the head from KKKarl.

[Renew Deal]

9. Laffey stands for nothing.

He'll say anything. He's a contrarian who's desperate to win. Nothing more.

[AlCzervik]

11. Laffey is a clown, total buffoon with the same 3 talking points

and Chafee looked nervous and a bit sweaty, given that Chafee imo won that round.

[Awsi Dooger]

13. I love Laffey bragging that he fired the crossing guards

Apparently he thinks that's a great selling point to a senate seat. He mentioned it late in the debate tonight. He fired some old lady crossing guards while mayor of Cranston and touts it as a bold money saving tactic.

[m_welby]

17. WEll, the crossing guards were collecting city benefits for

a job that only required an hour a day of actual work.

Seriously, they worked 1/2 hour in the morning and 1/2 hour in the afternoon and were granted (fully paid) health benefits from the city.

Oh and they aren't all old ladies, most are 'friends' of people (formerly) in power in cranston. That's how you get jobs in RI.

Not that i like laffey, he's a grandstanding boob who'll say anything to get elected. Plus he's being financed and supported completely by people out of state, he wouldn't even attend the state republican convention. Not a good way to endear yourself to the party.

Don't know what's gonna happen in the primary, it'll be close. If Laffey can pull of this ousider routine, he'll have a shot at whitehouse.

Hopefully not, I detest that idiot (and pretty much everyone who has ever been mayor of Cranston in my lifetime).

[gaspee]

18. Don't believe the hype

If you'd actually talked to the crossing guards, you would know the truth.

And they were old ladies -- the youngest was 58 years old. The least amount of time any of them had on the job was 20 years. They had a contract. Even if you believe the Pro/Republian/Jo there's still the little problem of breaking contracts because he doesn't like them.

Add in the fact that he wanted to strip cops and firefighters of benefits...

[m_welby]

20. I did know one guard personally

when i lived in cranston, and she was certainly only in her early 40's with kids in the school system (and a good friend of mayor mike).

that being said, you are correct, they did have a contract, and many worked for the city for many years. Certainly, pretty much everyone knew the deal with the crossing guards long before laffey came on the scene, everyone in our neighborhood did anyway. He just used them to bolster his political fortunes.

I always thought many of the contracts in cranston were bad deals for the taxpayers, but then there were many many things in cranston that were bad deals for the taxpayers. Mostly rampant cronyism, unfunded pensions, and outright graft.

Laffey was always good at the making alot of noise, but (much like GW) could only throw tantrums, bully and demonize people instead of dealing with what were often valid issues in union contracts that needed to be negotiated for the good of the city (rather than as you say, breaking contract because he didn't like them).

I moved out of the city before laffey was elected and only barely followed what was going on at the time (though I could tell then laffey was an ass). So I can only voice my opinion. You seem to have been more closely involved with the issues, so I expect you have more insight than I.

[skipos]

14. I am rooting for LAFFEY

WHitehouse would destroy him in the GE.

[opihimoimoi]

19. Whitehouse is gonna KICK ASS. Sheeler at 8%....is a loser. a wannabe