Requiem For Moderate Republicans?

Political Struggle Of Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee Mirrors Woes Of GOP Centrists Nationwide

(CBS)  By CBSNews.com's Amy Sara Clark.

---

The war in Iraq has cost Sen. Lincoln Chafee dearly — twice.

First, the Rhode Island Republican infuriated his party's conservative base by voting against the war. This led to a bitter primary fight against Stephen Laffey, the conservative mayor of Cranston. The primary forced Chafee to trumpet his Republican credentials in what is perhaps the bluest of blue states. It also cost him badly needed campaign cash and resources.

Now, in the general election, the Iraq war is slamming Chafee again.

Democratic challenger Sheldon Whitehouse has managed to effectively harness anti-war sentiment against Chafee despite a painful irony: Chafee opposed it.

Whitehouse has delivered one major message, and he's stuck to it for dear life: Chafee's voting record doesn't matter because the most important vote he'll cast will help to decide which party controls the Senate.

"Chafee's first vote will be for a Republican Congress," one ad runs. "Bush needs Chafee in the Senate. Doesn't that tell us everything we need to know?"

"He's had a consistent theme and it's a simple theme: 'I'm a Democrat and it's a time for change,'" says Wendy Schiller, who teaches political science at Brown University in Providence. "He's been doing it since June. Candidates usually shift messages, but he hasn't and it's worked for him."

It sure has.

With Rhode Island's approval rating for Mr. Bush hovering around 22 percent — the lowest of any state — Whitehouse's campaign has been surging ahead. Less than a week before the election, some polls show Whitehouse with a double-digit lead. A new Reuters/Zogby poll, for example, shows Whitehouse with a comfortable 53-39 percent lead over Chafee.

A Dying Breed?

A Chafee loss could sound the death knell for an increasingly rare creature: the moderate Republican.

Chafee has a well-deserved reputation for being most liberal Republican in the Senate. Not only was he the only GOP senator to oppose the war, he also opposed President Bush's tax cuts, supports abortion rights and favors the legalization of gay marriage. He didn't even vote for Mr. Bush, casting his ballot instead for the president's father.

In fact, Chafee's platform is so similar to Whitehouse's that Laffey ran an ad in the primary entitled "Two peas in a pod."

"Lincoln Chafee's major offense is that he has an 'R' next to his name. That's about it, but it may be enough to beat him," says Larry Sabato, who directs University of Virginia's Center for Politics.

It's not just Chafee. Moderate Republicans are struggling across the country, especially in the Northeast: Longtime Republican House moderates Chris Shays, Nancy Johnson and Rob Simmons are facing tough challengers in Connecticut; five-term Republican Rep. Sue Kelly is facing a tough challenge from Democrat John Hall in New York; and Democrats have been waging a tight race against moderate GOP Rep. Curt Weldon in Pennsylvania, to name just a few.

The era of the so-called Rockefeller Republican could be coming to a close, says Democratic pollster Mark Mellman. "There was a time when you could look all up and down the East Coast — Jacob Javits in New York, Mack Mathias in Maryland — and see a variety of moderate and even liberal Republicans. That is a disappearing breed."

[oleander8]

It's a shame. We need more moderates on both sides of the aisle - so they can work together for the good of the country and not a partisan agenda.

[houser123]

It is truly sad that we as a nation have come to this. Chaffee is a RINO and has championed the causes of democrats during his career. If anyone is to blame for his loss it is George W. Bush. This president has set the tone of our nation and it is one of divide and conquer. He has turned the two parties into a kind of ball game that one side will always win. No compromises. We cannot continue along this line unless we break out into another civil war. He is the most polarizing president during my lifetime. IF YOU ARE AN ELEGIBLE VOTER PLEASE DO SO ON NOV.7th.

[peterbaldwin-2009]

Linclon Chafee is loved and respected by Rhode Islanders as was his dad John. This was a decent guy trashed by an obesient New York Times (NY times Magazine)after voting against the war. This thoughtful intellectual was portrayed as a dumb goofball in comparison to our smart new president (the NY Times was in Judith Miller mode and at the neocons beck and call in those days).

Over time, though, the Republicans wore him down and he started to cave in. He backed the appointment of John "bull in a china shop" Bolton, publicly stating that he had to support his Republican president, although it posed to him a personal dilemma. His dad got away with being a liberal maverick, but not so for the son, who had to show fealty or die. Quite simply he chose fealty to the child fuhrer and must now pay the price.

No matter how much we love and admire our honest-as-the-day-is-long Senator, he still gets up every morning and puts on his Nazi uniform. Rhode Islanders, uber-liberal to the max, are not going to put back into office someone in the Nazi Party. To the credit of Rhode Islanders, Linclon Chafee is history.

[angryliberal-2009]

lol, you, CBS, are defining moderate???? Tell me this CBS what is a moderate democrat....Joe Lieberman?

WOW, CBS HAS GONE OFF THE DEEP END.

[angryliberal-2009]

Lieberman is one of the few "Moderate" democrats....he got booted by his party...CBS has no right to use the word moderate, They are more left than most dems.

[angryliberal-2009]

CBS is no longer hiding their bias...lol

[angryliberal-2009]

A new study came of all the major networks that said they cover democrats in a positive light 72% of the time and Republicans are covered positivley 12% of the time....All I wonder is where is the 12%...I havent seen it.

[clarkalex]

The unfortunate thing is most of the country doesn't get how hard core sticking to party line votes is killing us. I'm registered as a Democrat and I WILL vote for Chafee because he votes consistently with his conscience and the will of the citizens of the state, NOT according to some party agenda. Mr. Whitehouse, on the other hand, hasn't given me one good reason to vote for him other than "Chafee's a Republican and we need to stop Bush." Well, gee Whitehouse, you aren't running against Bush, you are running against Chafee. Your entire "I'm not a Republican so that's a good enough reason" is exactly the kind of political party swill that we are being forced to swallow and what is choking this country to death.

[angryliberal-2009]

Why doesnt CBS do a story about how Lieberman's party kicked him out? Heck, Leiberman is no conservative either.

[angryliberal-2009]

Lincoln Chafee should not even be considered a republican.

[wadyaknow]

Chaffee has struck me as a most decent man. His father (a war hero - read THE COLDEST WAR)was the same way. As a gay man I've written to thank Sen. Chaffee for his courageous stand against the hate-mongering in his own party. Unfortunately I hope voters in Rhode Island turn him out of office for one reason - we need to get the control of the Senate out of the hands of the Republicans. Please Mr. Chaffee change your affiliation to anything else. The Republican Party today is not the same as the Republican Party of Lincoln, T.R. and Goldwater. They were honorable men and so are you. We need the likes of you in government. Mr. Chaffee, when a fraternity becomes a gang you leave it with no regrests.

[marcelde]

B USH AND R USH BOTH LOVE TO G USH

THEY PREACH AND SCOLD
THEIR LIES ARE OLD

THEIR NAMES THE SAME
WE SPELL IT %u201CLAME%u201D

ITS UP TO USH
TO MAKE THEM SHUSH

CAUSE WHAT THEY GUSH
SHOULD MAKE THEM BLUSH

BUT LET%u2019S NOT HUSH
THAT ONE%u2019S A LUSH

THEY MAKE A FUSH
AND TALK PURE MUSH

SO KISH MY TUSH,
PILL POPPIN RUSH!

[edjohn66]

The Republicans have done it to themselves.

Anyone remember Jim Jeffords back in 2001? The Republicans have no tolerance for dissent or deviation from the party line. While Chafee refused to give in, his party has nonetheless jumped off the deep end. His opposition is right: the most important vote Chafee would make is to vote for a Republican Senate. While the RI voters can support Chafee as a representative, they cannot support a Repubican Senate. It is a smart move on the part of voters in RI.

Chafee could have declared himself an independent or a democrat. His character, wisdom, and personal integrity will be missed in the Senate, but his chosen party affiliation will NOT.

[one_american]

Cut the cr@p, Democrats.

What is the Democrat's plan to secure the peace in Iraq and help them establish a Democracy?

What is the Democrat's plan to fight terrorism in the world today?

What is the Democrat's plan to deal with North Korean nuclear ambitions?

What is the Democrat's plan to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions?

I have not heard even ONE Democrat explain how they would accomplish any of these goals.

You only have a few days to come up with something besides Bush-bashing propaganda.

Show America you really have a leg to stand on; or you will be voted down and cast as bad-mouthing, do-nothing, troop-bashing liberals and relegated to the trash-heap of history.

[shingles1]

As I said in another comment section, that "study" is a joke. Its ONE page with no hard data to back it up. Read it yourself at www.cmpa.com.

CMPA: "We have a scientific study"
A doubter: "Why is it scientific?"
CMPA: "Because I say so"

Not only that, but the group receives its funding from conservatives. No bias there.

[peterbaldwin-2009]

Chafee told the Prov Journal in 2004 that "he cast a write-in vote for Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, in Tuesday's election. He said it was a "symbolic protest." He also said he might switch parties if the younger Bush got elected.

Chafee then got cold feet, and now it's too late. He still puts on that Nazi uniform every morning, while Whitehouse looks like "Mr. Clean".

[shingles1]

Speaking of moderate Republicans feeling abandoned by their increasingly deranged Party, John Cole had a nice post up a couple days ago:

(http://www.balloon-juice.com/?p=7551)

I suppose ANGRYliberal or One_American will tell me that John Cole must be anti-American, is really a liberal, or must has a book to sell.

[one_american]

Cut the cr@p, Democrats.

What is the Democrat's plan to secure the peace in Iraq and help them establish a Democracy?

What is the Democrat's plan to fight terrorism in the world today?

What is the Democrat's plan to deal with North Korean nuclear ambitions?

What is the Democrat's plan to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions?

I have not heard even ONE Democrat explain how they would accomplish any of these goals.

You only have a few days to come up with something besides Bush-bashing propaganda.

Show America you really have a leg to stand on; or you will be voted down and cast as bad-mouthing, do-nothing, troop-bashing liberals and relegated to the trash-heap of history.

[webdepot]

I always liked Lincoln Chafee, one of the very few Republicans left with a brain...
Unfortunately, any repairs to the damage done by this administration, both domestically and international, has to start with relieving the Republicans of control of congress. Chafee has become a victim of his corrupt party.
If the democrats do take control of congress, you can rest assured the bush vetoes will be flying... then we will have, what the repubs like to call, an "obstructionist" president...

One_American... I still have a great deal of pity for you and your blind hate...

[one_american]

webdepot:

You would know about blind hate more than me.

You didn't answer any of my questions, did you?

I'm giving you an opportunity to state what the DEMOCRAT'S PLAN IS.

There must be a plan, right?

[one_american]

Cut the cr@p, Democrats.

What is the Democrat's plan to secure the peace in Iraq and help them establish a Democracy?

What is the Democrat's plan to fight terrorism in the world today?

What is the Democrat's plan to deal with North Korean nuclear ambitions?

What is the Democrat's plan to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions?

I have not heard even ONE Democrat explain how they would accomplish any of these goals.

You only have a few days to come up with something besides Bush-bashing propaganda.

Show America you really have a leg to stand on; or you will be voted down and cast as bad-mouthing, do-nothing, troop-bashing liberals and relegated to the trash-heap of history.

[wadyaknow]

I WILL TRY TO RESPOND

What is the Democrat's plan to secure the peace in Iraq...?

WIN BACK THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO RESTORE PEACE AND A STABLE GOVERNMENT. BUSH HAS ALIENATED THE WORLD. HOPEFULLY WE CAN IMPEACH HIM AND CHENEY.

Democrat's plan to fight terrorism?

GET BUSH FAMILY BUSINESS PARTNER - OSAMA BIN LADEN. REMEMBER HIM? HOLD THE SAUDIS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING FANATICS - STOP CREATING NEW TERRORISTS LIKE WE HAVE IN IRAQ. 1,000 IRAQUIS KILLED IN IRAQ LAST MONTH. NO INFRASTRUCTURE.
NOW WONDER THEY HATE US!

North Korean nukes?

GEE - TOO LATE - TOO BUSY WITH IRAQ'S WMDs.

Iran?

DITTO AS RUSH WOULD SAY

..."not heard even ONE Democrat" ...

CHECK HEARING. BUSH RESPONDS TO IRAQ - "PROTECT MARRIAGE" - AGAINST WHAT? THAT IS HIS HATE-MONGERING DISTRACTION LINE. I GUESS WE MUST PROTECT MARRIAGE AGAINST RUSH AND NEWT - BOTH MULTIPLE DIVORCEES

...something besides Bush-bashing propaganda.

MAKE WALMART PAY FOR HEALTH INS.SO STATES DON'T, SUPPORT SCIENCE - STEM CELLS - DARWIN... GIVE OUR TROOPS WHAT THEY NEED BEFORE GOING TO WAR, END TAX BREAKS FOR THE TOP 1/2 OF 1 PERCENT AND FOR BIG OIL - SEND THE TWINS AND GEORGE P. BUSH TO IRAQ. IF WE ARE IN SUCH DIRE STRAIGHTS THEY SHOULD BE GLAD TO VOLUNTEER. STOP THE BUSH-BUDDY DIEBOLD CORRUPT ELECTION MACHINES. STOP NO-BID CONTRACTS. RESPOND TO NATIONAL EMERGENCIES RIGHT AWAY.....AND MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS ABOUT WHO I SLEEP WITH!!!!

[one_american]

WADYAKNOW:

Is this really the OFFICIAL DEMOCRAT'S PLAN?

It sound more like liberal Bush-bashing to me.

I want to know what the Democrat's seeking power want to do.

I'll keep posting the questions until we get a serious response.

[one_american]

Cut the cr@p, Democrats.

What is the Democrat's plan to secure the peace in Iraq and help them establish a Democracy?

What is the Democrat's plan to fight terrorism in the world today?

What is the Democrat's plan to deal with North Korean nuclear ambitions?

What is the Democrat's plan to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions?

I have not heard even ONE Democrat explain how they would accomplish any of these goals.

You only have a few days to come up with something besides Bush-bashing propaganda.

Show America you really have a leg to stand on; or you will be voted down and cast as bad-mouthing, do-nothing, troop-bashing liberals and relegated to the trash-heap of history.

[webdepot]

Well One_American, I did notice that you did NOT list the Republican solutions to these problems either... maybe because there are none that are viable or workable.. From what has appeared in the papers, the Republican solution to:
Iraq, "Stay the Course";
Terrorism, "Invade an innocent country"
Korea, threaten(with implied bombing and invading)
Iran, see Korea...

Some solutions... and if you buy into them... then you really are to be pitied...

Oh... and I'm not a democrat, just one very disillusioned and disgusted Republican... enough to change my affiliation away from the Republican party until all the wackos are no longer a part of the party.

[one_american]

webdepot:

Nice try.

Maybe you haven't visited the White House website.

The information is spelled out in black and white within many documents.

It is highly detailed, and written in plain English.

I highly suggest it.

But still, no one has given me the Democrat's plan.

[shingles1]

I think One_American is an automated spam delivery system.

There's no sentient thought there.

[one_american]

Cut the cr@p, Democrats.

What is the Democrat's plan to secure the peace in Iraq and help them establish a Democracy?

What is the Democrat's plan to fight terrorism in the world today?

What is the Democrat's plan to deal with North Korean nuclear ambitions?

What is the Democrat's plan to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions?

I have not heard even ONE Democrat explain how they would accomplish any of these goals.

You only have a few days to come up with something besides Bush-bashing propaganda.

Show America you really have a leg to stand on; or you will be voted down and cast as bad-mouthing, do-nothing, troop-bashing liberals and relegated to the trash-heap of history.

[one_american]

shingles1:

You sound like a 9-11 conspiracy theorist.

C'mon Democrats! I know you can do better than this!

[one_american]

Cut the cr@p, Democrats.

What is the Democrat's plan to secure the peace in Iraq and help them establish a Democracy?

What is the Democrat's plan to fight terrorism in the world today?

What is the Democrat's plan to deal with North Korean nuclear ambitions?

What is the Democrat's plan to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions?

I have not heard even ONE Democrat explain how they would accomplish any of these goals.

You only have a few days to come up with something besides Bush-bashing propaganda.

Show America you really have a leg to stand on; or you will be voted down and cast as bad-mouthing, do-nothing, troop-bashing liberals and relegated to the trash-heap of history.

[shingles1]

"It is highly detailed, and written in plain English."

And also in Spanish.

[shingles1]

"It is highly detailed, and written in plain English."

And also in Spanish.

But don't tell One_American, that might make him vewwy vewwy angwwy.

[sirrichard42]

@One_American:

Who knows what the Democrat's plan will be, but let's put them in power and find out. Any plan has got to be better than what we've been getting from the current administration:
1. Largest national debt in history?
2. Hundreds of billions thrown away in a war of unprovoked aggression?
3. Creating more and more terrorists by killing innocents?
4. Failing to reform health care costs?
5. Failing to take action on illegal immigration?
6. Violation of constitutional rights?

Come on, all this has happened with the same party controlling the executive and legislative branches. They're plans are not working. Even no plan at all would be better.

[one_american]

ozilot: Those are not the real issues!

Those are DISTRACTIONS FROM THE REAL ISSUES. WITHOUT NATIONAL SECURITY, ALL THE OTHER ISSUES ARE MOOT.

I'll come back later and post my questions again. Must not be any people who can answer the questions here.

[one_american]

SirRichard42:

Hmmmmm.... in other words, lets risk our lives and put the untested Democrats in power?

Not a sensible plan. Sorry.

[one_american]

Cut the cr@p, Democrats.

What is the Democrat's plan to secure the peace in Iraq and help them establish a Democracy?

What is the Democrat's plan to fight terrorism in the world today?

What is the Democrat's plan to deal with North Korean nuclear ambitions?

What is the Democrat's plan to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions?

I have not heard even ONE Democrat explain how they would accomplish any of these goals.

You only have a few days to come up with something besides Bush-bashing propaganda.

Show America you really have a leg to stand on; or you will be voted down and cast as bad-mouthing, do-nothing, troop-bashing liberals and relegated to the trash-heap of history.

[shingles1]

One_American's taking his ball and leaving.

[one_american]

shingles1:

Oh, but don't worry. I'll be back.

I'll give you plenty of time to research your Dem leaders, to come up with what their plan is.

You might want to get started now.

See you all later!

[teddly45]

You can't ride two horses with one derrier. RINO's like Chaffee are getting their due. Now it's time for Snowe and Collins to get their due. This is the year to clean out RINO's.

[wadyaknow]

Stop spamming One American - here are the answers.

What is the Democrat's plan to secure the peace in Iraq...?

WIN BACK THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO RESTORE PEACE AND A STABLE GOVERNMENT. BUSH HAS ALIENATED THE WORLD. HOPEFULLY WE CAN IMPEACH HIM AND CHENEY.

Democrat's plan to fight terrorism?

GET BUSH FAMILY BUSINESS PARTNER - OSAMA BIN LADEN. REMEMBER HIM? HOLD THE SAUDIS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING FANATICS - STOP CREATING NEW TERRORISTS LIKE WE HAVE IN IRAQ. 1,000 IRAQUIS KILLED IN IRAQ LAST MONTH. NO INFRASTRUCTURE.
NOW WONDER THEY HATE US!

North Korean nukes?

GEE - TOO LATE - TOO BUSY WITH IRAQ'S WMDs.

Iran?

DITTO AS RUSH WOULD SAY

..."not heard even ONE Democrat" ...

CHECK HEARING. BUSH RESPONDS TO IRAQ - "PROTECT MARRIAGE" - AGAINST WHAT? THAT IS HIS HATE-MONGERING DISTRACTION LINE. I GUESS WE MUST PROTECT MARRIAGE AGAINST RUSH AND NEWT - BOTH MULTIPLE DIVORCEES

...something besides Bush-bashing propaganda.

MAKE WALMART PAY FOR HEALTH INS.SO STATES DON'T, SUPPORT SCIENCE - STEM CELLS - DARWIN... GIVE OUR TROOPS WHAT THEY NEED BEFORE GOING TO WAR, END TAX BREAKS FOR THE TOP 1/2 OF 1 PERCENT AND FOR BIG OIL - SEND THE TWINS AND GEORGE P. BUSH TO IRAQ. IF WE ARE IN SUCH DIRE STRAIGHTS THEY SHOULD BE GLAD TO VOLUNTEER. STOP THE BUSH-BUDDY DIEBOLD CORRUPT ELECTION MACHINES. STOP NO-BID CONTRACTS. RESPOND TO NATIONAL EMERGENCIES RIGHT AWAY.....AND MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS ABOUT WHO I SLEEP WITH!!!!

[webdepot]

One_American---
I layed a challenge at your feet the other day on another article... you conveniently failed to respond... so I will reiterate my challenge:

Go to this web-site:
http://capwiz.com/dav/keyvotes.xc/?lvl=C

Scroll to the bottom, then select the sessions of congress and come back here and report one... JUST ONE, republican that has consistently voted favorably 100% of the time on legislation that had a direct impact on veterans and disabled veterans... I discount those several that were only recently appointed to fill vacant seats and voted on only one or two bills of the twenty some odd over the past 6 years... hardly enough to claim a voting record.
I counted over 150 Democrats that have voted 100% in favor of the vets... Now.. you tell me what party REALLY supports our vets..
The Republicans support the vets only to the extent that they can provide monetary profit to their friends... otherwise, the are just cannon fodder..

Oh.. and since you like to read so much... look up pnac on google and read how the conservatives PLANNED the overthrow of Iraq, by force if necessary, back in the fall of 2000.... before 9-11... They were so proud of their "paper", they published it... then look at who the founding fathers of pnac were...

God is forgiving, and I'm sure He will forgive you too...

[vwchick]

To One_American:

Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) has been talking strategy for months. Together with Leslie Gelb, President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, he's formed a specific, detailed plan to form regional governments in Iraq as part of a larger federal government. Read about it at: http://www.planforiraq.com

Sen. Biden is the only elected official who is talking, let alone drafting, real solutions to the quagmire in Iraq. David Yepsen, of the Des Moines Register highlighted the plan and Biden's speech in today's column:

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061102/OPINION01/611020343/1035/opinion

So, I contest your point that there are no Democrats addressing Iraq or National Security. Take a look at Biden, a moderate, SENSIBLE Democrat. I think you'll find that he's taking a bipartisan perspective to our national security and foreign policy.

[vwchick]

To Singles1 and One_American:

Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) has been talking strategy for months. Together with Leslie Gelb, President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, he's formed a specific, detailed plan to form regional governments in Iraq as part of a larger federal government. Read about it at: http://www.planforiraq.com

Sen. Biden is the only elected official who is talking, let alone drafting, real solutions to the quagmire in Iraq. David Yepsen, of the Des Moines Register highlighted the plan and Biden's speech in today's column:

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061102/OPINION01/611020343/1035/opinion

So, I contest your point that there are no Democrats addressing Iraq or National Security. Take a look at Biden, a moderate, SENSIBLE Democrat. I think you'll find that he's taking a bipartisan perspective to our national security and foreign policy.

[vwchick]

To One_American:

Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) has been talking strategy for months. Together with Leslie Gelb, President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, he's formed a specific, detailed plan to form regional governments in Iraq as part of a larger federal government. Read about it at: http://www.planforiraq.com

Sen. Biden is the only elected official who is talking, let alone drafting, real solutions to the quagmire in Iraq. David Yepsen, of the Des Moines Register highlighted the plan and Biden's speech in today's column:

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061102/OPINION01/611020343/1035/opinion

So, I contest your point that there are no Democrats addressing Iraq or National Security. Take a look at Biden, a moderate, SENSIBLE Democrat. I think you'll find that he's taking a bipartisan perspective to our national security and foreign policy.

[shingles1]

anomly, thanks.
I guess.
However, I didn't say the Democrats didn't have any plans. That would be One_American who said that.
Repeatedly.

You wouldn't happen to be a member of Biden's staff would you?

[one_american]

anomly:

Thanks for making an honest attempt.

Tell us all how Biden's plan is different than the one we are already working.

[bluestardad]

DON'T GO AWAY MAD JUST GO AWAY. CAN'T STAY THE COURSE ANYMORE.

[shingles1]

Biden's plan envisions partitioning Iraq into three quasi-states w/oil revenue shared between them:

http://uniteourstates.com/documents/
iraq_a_way_forward.pdf

[one_american]

shingles1:

Well that is different.

However, the Iraqis voted to keep the country unified, not break them into separate regions.

That might be a tough sell to the Iraqi Government.

This is good, people! Now were really getting to the real issues.

Any others?

[one_american]

I do agree with the concept of sharing oil wealth, though.

I think that if the Iraqi Government set up a program where all registered voters in the country would receive oil profit money, then they would act in their own self-interest to protect their resource and make sure their country becomes stable and peaceful. Their standard of living would improve, as long as they work for peace and stablity.

When the oil profits go up, the individual check amounts increase.

But then again, I think these are issues for the Iraqi Government.