Lincoln Chafee launches presidential exploratory committee

[Vega]

Chafee has the potential to challenge Hillary, especially in New Hampshire. It's fantasy, probably, though to say he could win the nomination.

He certainly has more potential then Webb or O'Malley.

[Mister Mets]

If candidates with the resumes of Chafee, Webb and O'Malley had been running against Gore in 2000, it would have been considered a serious fight. It does speak to Hillary's strengths, and perhaps an element of identity politics among Democratic primary voters, that none of these guys are considered competitive.

[The Free North]

But does he have money?

[IceSpear]

If candidates with the resumes of Chafee, Webb and O'Malley had been running against Gore in 2000, it would have been considered a serious fight. It does speak to Hillary's strengths, and perhaps an element of identity politics among Democratic primary voters, that none of these guys are considered competitive.

Eh, I disagree with you there.

Webb - Served one term in the Senate, then seemingly left politics for good, thus losing a lot of relevance in the process. Served as Ronald Reagan's Navy secretary, not exactly a great selling point in a Democratic primary.

Chafee - R turned I turned D who had such horrible approval ratings that he didn't run for re-election? He would've been considered a joke against Gore as well.

O'Malley - He has no real problems, but as Pawlenty showed us, a bland persona alone can kill you. Though this would've been neutralized by Gore's blandness.

[Lincoln Republican]

Well, his first name is the name of a president, maybe that will help- ahaha no. He's got no chance. Still funny.

Not to mention he is the son of one of the most respected Senators of all time, the long serving John Chafee.

I can just see another political dynasty coming on.

[Mr. Morden]

If candidates with the resumes of Chafee, Webb and O'Malley had been running against Gore in 2000, it would have been considered a serious fight.

Bradley had a higher national profile going into 2000 than any of those three do going into 2016.  And I expect that none of those three will do as well in 2016 as Bradley did in 2000.

[Lambsbread]

Now THIS is hilarious.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Chafee wastes no time going after Clinton:

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/lincoln-chafee-2016-president-exploratory-committee-116810.html?hp=rc3_4

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Despite having been a Republican more recently, he's certainly more of a Democrat than Clinton. If O'Malley or Sanders don't work out, Chafee is a good backup candidate, since his positions on the issues are better than Webb's.

[King]

Despite having been a Republican more recently, he's certainly more of a Democrat than Clinton. If O'Malley or Sanders don't work out, Chafee is a good backup candidate, since his positions on the issues are better than Webb's.

Lincoln Chaffee, who voted for the Bush Tax Cuts and wanted to privatize Social Security, is more of a Democrat than Hillary Clinton and a good candidate for jfern. What a principled a progressive!

[DS0816]

Dismissed.

Along with the likes of Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, and so many others.

[Mechaman]

Well why not.  We already got a Rockefeller Republican leading the pack, no harm letting another one join the pack.  Hell, at this point why don't we all just cut with the courtesies and rename the Democratic Party the "Liberal Republican Party".

"Just as elitist, now with 25% less racism!"

[badgate]

Waste of time for everyone on said committee.

[IceSpear]

Despite having been a Republican more recently, he's certainly more of a Democrat than Clinton. If O'Malley or Sanders don't work out, Chafee is a good backup candidate, since his positions on the issues are better than Webb's.

Lincoln Chaffee, who voted for the Bush Tax Cuts and wanted to privatize Social Security, is more of a Democrat than Hillary Clinton and a good candidate for jfern. What a principled a progressive!

Don't forget his vote for Trent Lott as Senate Majority Leader.

[Maxwell]

Despite having been a Republican more recently, he's certainly more of a Democrat than Clinton. If O'Malley or Sanders don't work out, Chafee is a good backup candidate, since his positions on the issues are better than Webb's.

Lincoln Chaffee, who voted for the Bush Tax Cuts and wanted to privatize Social Security, is more of a Democrat than Hillary Clinton and a good candidate for jfern. What a principled a progressive!

Don't forget his vote for Trent Lott as Senate Majority Leader.

He didn't even vote for the Bush Tax Cuts though.

[King]

Despite having been a Republican more recently, he's certainly more of a Democrat than Clinton. If O'Malley or Sanders don't work out, Chafee is a good backup candidate, since his positions on the issues are better than Webb's.

Lincoln Chaffee, who voted for the Bush Tax Cuts and wanted to privatize Social Security, is more of a Democrat than Hillary Clinton and a good candidate for jfern. What a principled a progressive!

Don't forget his vote for Trent Lott as Senate Majority Leader.

He didn't even vote for the Bush Tax Cuts though.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=1&vote=00165

He always claims to have been against them and nobody in the liberal media has bothered to fact check this wonderful puff piece story of a "sensible Republican" but it's a straight up lie.

[Blue3]

I will say this...

While a GOP Senator he was the only one to vote against the Iraq War, supported gay marriage, and was an environmentalist advocate. As Independent Governor he signed gay marriage into law, passed a controversial pension reform law, and decided not to run for a second term and changed his affiliation to Democrat (the really only specific instance people gave of why he was unpopular was because he called the state Christmas tree a Holiday tree... Which actually started under his Republican predecessor). He's also good friends with Obama.

But he doesn't even stand a chance in RI.

[An American Tail: Fubart Goes West]

I will say this...

While a GOP Senator he was the only one to vote against the Iraq War, supported gay marriage, and was an environmentalist advocate. As Independent Governor he signed gay marriage into law, passed a controversial pension reform law, and decided not to run for a second term and changed his affiliation to Democrat (the really only specific instance people gave of why he was unpopular was because he called the state Christmas tree a Holiday tree... Which actually started under his Republican predecessor). He's also good friends with Obama.

But he doesn't even stand a chance in RI.

As much as its fun to make fun of Chafee, his record really isn't bad. It's just that he has no name recognition, is unpopular at home, and faces the Hillary Steamroller. Being an older white guy doesn't give him any pizazz either. Sanders is at least Jewish.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Despite having been a Republican more recently, he's certainly more of a Democrat than Clinton. If O'Malley or Sanders don't work out, Chafee is a good backup candidate, since his positions on the issues are better than Webb's.

Lincoln Chaffee, who voted for the Bush Tax Cuts and wanted to privatize Social Security, is more of a Democrat than Hillary Clinton and a good candidate for jfern. What a principled a progressive!

Don't forget his vote for Trent Lott as Senate Majority Leader.

He didn't even vote for the Bush Tax Cuts though.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=1&vote=00165

He always claims to have been against them and nobody in the liberal media has bothered to fact check this wonderful puff piece story of a "sensible Republican" but it's a straight up lie.

He voted for the 2001 tax cuts but not the increased 2003 tax cuts.

[Simfan34]

If candidates with the resumes of Chafee, Webb and O'Malley had been running against Gore in 2000, it would have been considered a serious fight. It does speak to Hillary's strengths, and perhaps an element of identity politics among Democratic primary voters, that none of these guys are considered competitive.

Eh, I disagree with you there.

Webb - Served one term in the Senate, then seemingly left politics for good, thus losing a lot of relevance in the process. Served as Ronald Reagan's Navy secretary, not exactly a great selling point in a Democratic primary.

Chafee - R turned I turned D who had such horrible approval ratings that he didn't run for re-election? He would've been considered a joke against Gore as well.

O'Malley - He has no real problems, but as Pawlenty showed us, a bland persona alone can kill you. Though this would've been neutralized by Gore's blandness.

Why bother disagreeing?

[Eraserhead]

I can potentially see myself voting for him, especially if he runs against Clinton on the Iraq War.

Of course, he won't carry a single state in the primaries (including his own) but whatever.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Despite having been a Republican more recently, he's certainly more of a Democrat than Clinton. If O'Malley or Sanders don't work out, Chafee is a good backup candidate, since his positions on the issues are better than Webb's.

Lincoln Chaffee, who voted for the Bush Tax Cuts and wanted to privatize Social Security, is more of a Democrat than Hillary Clinton and a good candidate for jfern. What a principled a progressive!

Don't forget his vote for Trent Lott as Senate Majority Leader.

Criticizing him for that?  Talk about nitpicking...

[Tender Branson]

I can potentially see myself voting for him, especially if he runs against Clinton on the Iraq War.

Of course, he won't carry a single state in the primaries (including his own) but whatever.

I'd easily vote for Sanders or Chafee over Hillary.

[Ebowed]

Chafee has at least been consistent about this, even saying in 2008 that the President couldn't be someone who had cast a vote for the war, leading him to endorse Obama.

[IceSpear]

Despite having been a Republican more recently, he's certainly more of a Democrat than Clinton. If O'Malley or Sanders don't work out, Chafee is a good backup candidate, since his positions on the issues are better than Webb's.

Lincoln Chaffee, who voted for the Bush Tax Cuts and wanted to privatize Social Security, is more of a Democrat than Hillary Clinton and a good candidate for jfern. What a principled a progressive!

Don't forget his vote for Trent Lott as Senate Majority Leader.

Criticizing him for that?  Talk about nitpicking...

The anti-Hillary squad should be the last people to talk about nitpicking.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

Chafee has the potential to challenge Hillary, especially in New Hampshire. It's fantasy, probably, though to say he could win the nomination.

He certainly has more potential then Webb or O'Malley.

I agree that Chafee could successfully challenge Hillary in New England but the idea that he has more potential than O'Malley or Webb is absurd. O'Malley is a terrible candidate but he was an accomplished progressive governor, which gives him some credibility. Webb is also a terrible candidate but he has a "natural" base among Demosaurs.

Chafee? He was a disastrous governor. He's also a former Republican. Strangely enough, I think he'll complicate things for Sanders in New Hampshire. Affluent "latte liberals" love insurgent candidates and have the tendency to support both firebrand leftists and meek social liberals/doves.