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February 14, 2008
Update: R.I.'s Chafee backs Obama
Former Republican U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee today endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president, citing the Illinois senator’s longstanding opposition to the war in Iraq.
Chafee, who lost a run for reelection in 2006, was the only Republican in the Senate to vote against giving President Bush the authority to attack Iraq. Chafee left the Republican Party last year and changed his registration to unaffiliated.
Chafee hinted several days ago that he was considering a vote for Obama. In his upcoming book, Chafee criticizes Democrats who supported the resolution to authorize the war, saying a vote for the war should be a career-ending lapse of judgment.
In backing Obama, the former senator said the nation cannot afford another presidential election with two candidates who supported the war.
In a conversation this morning with The Journal, Chafee emphasized that was a major factor in his decison.
Obama was not in the Senate in 2002; he announced his opposition to the war that October in a speech in Chicago.
During a conference call with reporters late this morning, Chafee said he called Obama personally this past Tuesday to offer his support and told him that he was "at his disposal."
The other top contenders, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, a Democrat, and Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain, voted for the authorization.
McCain, who campaigned for Chafee in 2006, is in Rhode Island today for a campaign event. He is the likely Republican nominee.
-- Journal staff writer Mark Arsenault
Posted by Jack Perry
at 11:58 AM | Permalink
A. Douglas | February 14, 2008 11:30 AM link
GRAIG W SMITH | February 14, 2008 12:51 PM link
Grace | February 14, 2008 1:09 PM link
EMT | February 14, 2008 3:59 PM link
Rip | February 14, 2008 4:52 PM link
TREVOR MERCHANT | February 14, 2008 5:38 PM link
Joyce Rigby | February 14, 2008 8:19 PM link
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Yes, Lincoln has seen the light, and is leaning towards the Democrats.