What kind of Republicans do Rhode Islanders want? Pugnacious, anti-internationalists who despise global institutions of all sorts? That sounds like Lincoln Chafee’s primary challenger in the Rhode Island Republican primary — Steve Laffey.
I’m hoping that Lincoln Chafee is disgusted enough by Bolton’s views and antics that have undermined American diplomatic objectives that he does vote firmly no when given that opportunity finally. However, I respect a thoughtful, deliberative person who — from his perch in the legislative branch — expects that his questions be answered by the executive branch.
Steve Laffey just sent out this criticism of Chafee:
Mayor Laffey Takes Chafee to Task for Vacillation on Bolton
According to the Associated Press today, Senator Chafee “pulled the plug” on John Bolton’s confirmation as UN ambassador, “saying he had more questions that needed to be answered.” Once again, Senator Chafee has demonstrated how indecisive he is on the critical issues. Whether it is his vote on Justice Alito, or his vote in the 2004 Presidential election, or his vote on Bolton, Senator Chafee clearly lacks the decision-making skills required of a US Senator.
Over the past year, John Bolton has demonstrated that he is a capable and effective representative of America’s interests in the United Nations. It is because of him that the U.S. has achieved unanimous Security Council resolutions condemning North Korea’s missile tests and ending the Israeli-Lebanese war, as well as a near-unanimous resolution setting a deadline for Iran to suspend its nuclear program. Even previous critics of Ambassador Bolton have admitted that the Ambassador has proven himself over the past year as an effective leader and defender of U.S. interests.
“All the other Senators have made up their minds on how to vote except Lincoln Chafee, who, like always, can’t figure out where he stands,” said U.S. Senate candidate and Mayor Steve Laffey. “It is outrageous that a vote had to be postponed because Senator Chafee can’t make up his mind. Rhode Island and America deserve better.”
Well, Laffey doesn’t get it — and if he wants to criticize a guy for thinking things through, asking for more material that he needs to make a decision — then I support the guy with a mind rather the one that wants to follow blindly, which is what Steve Laffey would have done in that position.
Besides — Laffey needs to be told by someone quickly that LINCOLN CHAFEE WOULD HAVE VOTED “NO” TODAY AGAINST BOLTON if Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar had not postponed the vote.
That would have been decisiveness and independence that Steve Laffey doesn’t come close to exhibiting.
— Steve Clemons
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