Lincoln Chafee launches presidential exploratory committee

[Simfan34]

Oh lord.

I voted for him in 2010 but he's such an awkward man and terrible orator. Anyone would wipe the floor with him.

Chafee's problem is he's never really had to work his ass off to get elected the way most politicians do. He inherited his Senate seat from his father and then he used that name recognition to get a plurality victory in a governor's race. He's not willing to play dirty or gladhand or make a hard sell. If he had been born in 19th century Britain and were inheriting a seat in the House of Lords, he'd be fine.

Supposedly, when he was running for reelection in 2006, he would get up and deliver his canned speech at an event and then just hide in the back of the room and avoid talking to anyone at all cost.

So an honest politican? Sounds like the person we need more of.

[Simfan34]

It's great that someone who voted against the Iraq War is running.

Maybe he can run on that.

[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?