I watched the two give speeches on CSPAN last night. Chafee is very soft spoken and made several mistakes in his speech. Laffey did a much better job. I think both of them will be defeated in the general though. Is it possible that if Chafee loses this primary he will come back and run as an Independent?

mannnnn if dems were smart, theyd cross over and vote for Laffey in the primary, then beat him easily in november!

As an aside, is there a protocol for what kind of polls we use in primaries? I've noticed that of the two Brown University polls above: one is likely Republican Primary voters, and one is just Republicans. I would think that the latter is unnecessary and confusing, and should not be added.

I'm not sure but I don't see a problem with having polls of just Republicans or just Democrats as long as in the description of the poll (and perhaps in the thread) the poster of the poll indicates who was being polled. All Republicans in the state should be considered possibilities to vote in the primary.

Ah, sorry, let me reprhase. Aren't the polls about who will win this primary? Thus, only the polls that ask people who plan to vote in the primary are relevant. (And independents and Democrats are allowed to vote in Rhode Islands's Republican primary.) The polls asking only Republicans who they'd like to see as the nominee are interesting (especially since Republicans favor Laffey by a wide margin), but not relevant to who will win this race.

Oh that's right, this isn't a closed primary. Hmm, I see your point. There may already be a site policy on this, admittedly I'm not certain. I can bring it up with Randy though if you like.

I'd say to only post polls in the Matchup Polls site functionality that are relevant to a race. You can post other polls in the Discussion area.

That's what I'd say too.

I cant tell you how much I want Laffey to win this.

Yeah. I used to want Chafee to win because I don't have any negative view of him, but the GOP has shown itself willing to unmercifully target and attack any Democrat that might be vulnerable, irrespective of whether that Democrat had a record of compromising with them on important issues in the past. The only way to counter that is to be just as unforgiving. This is a vulnerable seat, and the GOP needs to be hit with everything we've got here. Period. If Laffey knocking Chafee out ensures that we take this seat, terrific.

A Laffey win would be a staggering blow.

The national GOP would not invest is Laffey and either with the national GOP. Whitehouse would have a lock on it.

lets goooo laffey!!!

I know Rhode Island has its own media market, but it also picks up stations in Boston, I believe.

YES! This seat is as good as ours.

I want to see one more poll of Laffey leading before I say that, but this is certainly the best Senate news of the day (possibly of the week).

O god yes

Moron Rhode Island Republicans. Go Chafee !!

Moron Rhode Island Republicans. All 9 of them should be beaten with sticks!

it would really be a shame if they got rid of lincoln chafee... altho i believe the senate is more of a team sport so im not going to endorse the opposing team. he truely is a respectable person in washington and he's not running up the deficit...

"it would really be a shame if they got rid of lincoln chafee... " If he were one of the thoughtful moderates like Snowe or Collins or Specter, I'd agree. But he's not. He's an idiot, and a prince.

Yeah, I agree. I like most of his political views but I think he's, well, dumb. I like most moderate/liberal Republicans and I think it's unfortunate that there are so few these days but Chafee is one that I won't miss.

Susan Collins has offered to campaign for Senator Lieberman

Neither will I-I'd be a little more leery if this were happening to Snowe this cycle (as she is a stand-up senator, and though I want 51 as much as any Democrat, I'd rather reach the majority with Snowe still in office), but Chafee is a real moron who should have switched parties years ago and is only in office because of his father-no real poltical skill in his corner.

kinda like another Republican I know...and before the GOP swoops in if Dubya's name was John Smith and not George Bush he would be pumping gas and living in a van down by the river