Can anybody explain to me what Chuck Todd's tidbits regarding Chafee's chance really means? I'm getting confused...
RACE RANKINGS: 2006 SENATE
The fact that the Chafee camp was able to shift more than 14,000 Democrats to unaffiliated or GOP ranks for the upcoming September primary tells us that the Chafee's campaign team is as good as advertised. Apparently, the same team that pulled Specter's butt out of the primary fire in 2004 is working its magic in Rhode Island. Remember, a great GOP primary turnout is 50,000 voters, so the 14,000 figure is VERY significant...
Does that mean some RI democrats were willing to switch party temporarily just in order to help Chafee to win his tough primary battle??
This does not make any sense. People who participate in the primary are generally diehard partisan. Why do they care about Chafee's fate instead of Whitehouse' prospect? If his opponent can defeat Chafee, it's going to be an excellent pick-up opportunity for RI democrats according to most polls.
It only makes sense that RI democrats participate in GOP's primary to defeat Chafee for a smooth Whitehouse victory in the general.
I'm getting really confused, can somebody explain this to me? Time for RI democratic party to act and act now.