The New York Times appears to have buried the lede today in its story about Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.). The Times emphasizes what we already know: he won’t vote for Bush on Election Day. The story, however, included a lot of interesting information about Chafee’s future.
For example, Chafee has been talking about his options with Sen. Jim Jeffords (I-Vt.), who left the GOP in 2001.
Mr. Chafee insists he has no intention of defecting. But it is no secret that Democrats would welcome him, and already, Mr. Jeffords is offering him counsel.
“I understand the feelings that he has,” Mr. Jeffords said. “I’m going to be talking to him, so I’m not going to say any more. I probably shouldn’t have even told you that.”
Oh, Jim, sure you should have! It raises an important point — Chafee doesn’t have to literally become a Dem. He could follow in Jeffords footsteps, leave the GOP, declare himself an Independent, and caucus with the Dems. Jeffords seems to enjoy his independent status; I suspect Chafee would, too.
Regardless, this is a man who is clearly facing a conflict of conscience.
He says he is waiting for the moderate wing of the party to rise again; in the meantime, he was asked if he went to bed at night wondering how he could remain a Republican.
“Yes,” he said, “I don’t deny that.”
A man who lies awake at night wondering how he can stay a Republican is a man unlikely to stay a Republican.