Anyone watching the RI Senate debate?

Laffey vs. Chafee. Chafee sounds like a middle of the road Democrat. Laffey sounds like a very Moderate Republican. I can only pick out one major thing I disagree with him on, and that is a total belief in the Laffer Curve and wanting to cut taxes no matter what the consequences.

* Please note they haven't talked about the war or all of the other issues yet.

...because I want to support him. He voted against the war. He is 100% pro choice and he supports gay marriage.

On economics he is a moderate, not too far in either direction. He voted against the tax cuts and every year he has cosponsored the PAYGO amendment with Sen. Feingold.

And people keep arguing with me //g//

He's an environmentalist, and not one who just talks about it, but drives a hybrid car, started Warwick on the Geothermal heating/Cooling path, consistantly votes against his stupid party on environmental issues...

He's, socially, a typical New Englander. IE, your business (including who you sleep with, what your religion is, etc) is your business and not the business of the government.

He's, fiscally, to the right of me, but at least he's consistant and ethical. I disagree with him on most points and agree with him on a few. Very few, but he's not an "I have mine, too bad for you peons," kind of guy.

My biggest problems with Chafee are his vote for the absolutely *criminal* bankruptcy bill, his not filibustering Alito (though that may have been asking a bit too much,) and his support of the patriot act.

Overall, I like his record. I like Jack Reed's much better, but that's because he agrees with me about 95% of the time.

Chafee is also a very likeable guy. For a member of the Oligarchy, he's surprisingly down to earth.

I saw him maybe two/three weeks ago and I told him I can't vote for him because anyone with a conscience cannot vote for a republican right now. I suggested he run for governor in about, oh, two years. Since he'll need a job and all.

I've heard that 14,000 unafiliated voters have afiliated R for the primary. I can't decide if they are going to vote for Chafee or if they are dems trying to get the R nomination to Laffey, who will be landslided by Whitehouse.

all the bad things that come with it.

He had his chance to flip and didn't. I hope Laffey wins the primary so Whitehouse can destroy him in the general election.

That was the last debate, taped last night.

I thought Chafee won handily, really putting Laffey on the defensive a few times. Then I check out a Rhode Island blog and they had it a wipeout for Laffey.

The primary is on September 12.

especially considering he's running in a REPUBLICAN primary.

CSPAN

Chafee sounded more like Ralph Nader and Dennis Kucinich on the issues, and Laffey sounds more like Ben Nelson or John McCain.

Like you I disagree with Laffey on taxcuts, but with our huge deficits..that's not a minor difference of opinion! Chafee, IMO..was right on Iraq, right on the environment, right on separation of church and state. Both were right on abortion and both were wrong on the death penalty. But at least Chafee gave a clear answer on why he opposed the death penalty. Laffey made it sound like only terrorists should be executed, but all the other murderers should be allowed to live, pandering at its very worst! :puke:

Something that really disappointed me about the debate, neither candidate was asked what should be done to reform healthcare and whether or not every citizen should be covered. :shrug:

is that he sounds like a moderate repub. He's actualy a power hungry bully who'll say or do anything to get elected. He certainly is not a moderate and is thoroughly misrepresenting himself in order to win the primary. The man's cheif financial support (and endorsments) are from the 'club for growth' for cripes sake.

Personally, I'd rather have chafee win the primary and lose the general than give laffey an ounce (more) of credibility in this state.