We all know that if Linc Chafee loses his Senate seat, it'll be a long, long, long time before a Repub wins ANYTHING in Rhode Island again.
But somebody forgot to tell Governor Don Carcieri ...
Gov. Don Carcieri (R) recently told a local television station that he would stay out of the fray and remain neutral if Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey decides to challenge Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R) in next year's Senate primary.
"We've got a sitting Senator, Republican Senator, and if he chooses to run against Linc Chafee I can't take sides in that," the governor told News Channel 10 in Providence.
... and the state GOP chairwoman.
"He enjoys the strong support of the White House, the Republican Senatorial [Campaign] Committee at the national level and of our party," Rhode Island Republican Party Chairwoman Patricia Morgan told the television station. "So right now, I think we're supporting him. He's the only declared candidate."
Let's see--we've got the Repub governor and state party chairwoman refusing to endorse the Repub senator from a perma-blue state. Is it too early to say hello to Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) or Senator Matt Brown (D-RI)?