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August 10, 2006

Update: Chafee, Laffey civil but not shy in first debate

PROVIDENCE -- The tone was relatively civil, but Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey and U.S.Sen. Lincoln Chafee weren't shy about confronting each other in their first head-to-head debate.

The two Republicans will face each other in the Sept. 12 primary for Chafee's Senate seat. Tonight, they brought their campaigns to live radio.

"If you don't bring up my family, I won't bring up yours, Mayor Laffey," Chafee said to his opponent, who suggested Chafee didn't support school vouchers because he could afford to send his children to private school.

The hour-long debate, moderated by former state attorney general Arlene Violet, ranged from school vouchers to Iraq to leadership style.

The usually unassuming Chafee went on the offensive early and often. When discussing leadership style and the ability to compromise, Chafee brought up Laffey's Web site, in which a picture of a political foe was intentionally distorted last year.

If Laffey has a problem with a U.S. senator, Chafee asked, "Are they going to be pixelated out?"

In his opening and closing statements, Chafee asked voters to focus on which Republican candidate has the best chance of winning in November -- a reference to polls that show Laffey well behind Democratic candidate Sheldon Whitehouse. And Chafee asked listeners to "look at people's character over the long term" in choosing a candidate.

"This is a six-year term, you're electing somebody to serve until January of 2013," he said.

Laffey's message was less focused as he listed a variety of issues -- taxes, government spending, prescription drugs, and energy policy -- as his priorities. In his closing statement, Laffey drew upon his personal hardships and accomplishments, an attempt to differentiate himself from his opponent, whose personal wealth comes largely from his family.

"Growing up, life wasn't always easy," Laffey said, noting that he worked hard to become the head of a company worth about a half-billion dollars.

Tonight's debate was the first in a series of four debates, two of which will be televised.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 7:04 PM | Permalink

Comments

Kirk Johnson | August 10, 2006 8:05 PM link

Bob Tingle | August 10, 2006 9:19 PM link

Richard Laferriere | August 10, 2006 9:45 PM link

George | August 10, 2006 10:47 PM link

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