Read today's Providence Journal for a front page above the fold headline: Chafee refuses to rule out voting to censure Bush.
http://www.projo.com/...
Rhode Island's only Republican senator did not commit to censure, but -significantly- agreed with Feingold that the President acted "illegally when he launched an antiterrorism program of warrantless wiretaps of some U.S. citizens."
Chafee seems to want a process to play out with extended debate and is puzzled over the relative apathy of the public on the subject.:
"As I travel around Rhode Island, I am surprised by the lack of discussion on the proper balance between civil liberties and national security. While I do not agree with Senator Feingold's motion to censure the president, I believe in the need for a vigorous dialogue about this proper balance."
The Wisconsin newspaper said its tape recording of Chafee's remarks Monday went as follows:
"At least it's accomplishing getting it into the public awareness. Because nobody, in Rhode Island anyway, is talking about the issue. And I think that's positive. The American public -- if they're going to make a decision to allow illegal activity because we're in a war on terror, then I think that's an important debate we should be having," said Chafee in reference to the Bush administration.
Chaffee faces a double edge sword. As many here at dKos know, Chafee is facing a difficult primary in RI; his Republican challenger immediately took the Republican line, calling the NSA domestic spying scandal a policy dispute. However, Chafee also faces a difficult general election against either of his two Democratic challengers, Sheldon Whitehouse and Matt Brown.
Typically, Chafee's current position on NSA spying/censure fits his Hamlet-esque style: Agonizing in public over the right thing to do. If only the Democrats nationally and in RI (Jack Reed, where are you?) would stop playing Hamlet themselves, unite and stand up for censure.