Projo Politics Blog

PROVIDENCE -- Three-time Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Myrth York endorsed U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee today, telling a horde of media gathered at an afternoon press conference that Chafee would be the first Republican she voted for in a federal election in 40 years.

The last one was former President Richard Nixon.

"I cannot imagine voting for any other Republican than Lincoln Chafee," she said today. "What I know is I want Lincoln Chafee in Washington for the next six years representing me...Senator Chafee brings a unique perspective on how to solve problems and work together."

York is the second political figure with strong ties to the Democratic Party to endorse Chafee in recent weeks. The first was former U.S. Attorney Margaret Curran, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton. Curran sat next to Chafee at a recent press conference similar to today's in the same downtown restaurant, Federal Reserve.

Chafee today echoed themes from one of his recent television advertisements, saying that voters like York face a "real conflict" in deciding between the candidate or the party when voting next Tuesday. Chafee's opponent, Sheldon Whitehouse, argues that Rhode Island must elect a Democratic senator to help shift the balance of power in Washington.

"In this political debate we've gotten away from character, and I think character is important," Chafee said.

York was asked whether her endorsement of Chafee might be attributed to "sour grapes" over the 2002 gubernatorial election, when she and Whitehouse were competitors. York won the primary, but lost the election to incumbent GOP Governor Carcieri.

"It has nothing to do with what happened four years ago," York said.

A Zogby International poll released today shows Chafee trailing his Democratic challenger Whitehouse by 14 points.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Comments

Charlotte Black said:

I'm so disappointed in Myrth York. I voted for her every single time her name appeared on the ballot, all the way back to 1994 in the primary. But this is just - despite what she says - sour grapes. I can't think of any other reason for doing this. I just can't believe she wants a Senator who is going to vote for a Republican Majority leader more than she wants Whitehouse? I really thought she was a better than this. This IS a national election, despite Chafee, York and Curran's protests to the contrary. So long as Lincoln Chafee will vote to make a right-wing Senator from Kentucky the next Majority Leader, he's implicitly supporting the Bush agenda, lock, stock and barrel. And now York and Curran are doing the same.

Link | November 2, 2006 11:19 PM
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Bob Brinkman said:

Getting rid of a psuedo republican won't be of any harm. He voted against his own party on a regular basis. Even if republicans only maintain a majority only through the Vice President's vote, his seniority is gone and an ultra conservative can assume his positions on committees. It's amazing how short sighted some liberal voters can be. Chafee's defeat only moves the Senate more toward the right.

Link | November 7, 2006 11:03 PM
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