February 10, 2006

Conservatism

Bill Frist on Lincoln Chafee (and Running for President)

Carroll Andrew Morse

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Senate Republican Majority leader Bill Frist stopped by Blogger’s Alley this afternoon to answer a few questions. It was not I who asked the first question about Senator Chafee…

Q: Why should Republicans support Senator Chafee in his re-election after he would not even vote for President Bush in the last election?

Senator Bill Frist: Senator Chafee is a colleague. He is a Republican. It is a big tent, the Republican party. He is a principled man and a man of integrity. Senator Chafee being a Republican means that we, in part, are in majority control of the United States Senate and that our leadership is Republican in terms of the majority leader, the whip, the conference director and the policy chairman.

Q: Are there any issues you’d like to see Senator Chafee evolve on?

BF: I need all Republicans to recognize that we need to tighten our belts like all other Americans are doing and have to do. We need to cut out the wasteful Washington spending. It is something we are committed to do and something that we will do. I would ask that all Republicans, including Senator Chafee, help me voice that entitlement reform has got to be brought back out to our agenda, because young people today are going to pay a heavy price. Their future is being mortgaged on our entitlement programs. It doesn’t mean cut them, but slow the growth, and if we do that, we can guarantee a future of prosperity for all Americans.

Q: Are you running for President?

BF: I will fulfill my commitment on term limits. It’s rare for politicians to do what they say, I know, but after 12 years I’m going back to Nashville to live in the house I grew up in with same values that my family instilled in me, and then I’ll decide whether or not I’m going to go back to heart surgery or be a medical missionary…

(dramatic pause)

…or do something else in public service.

6:03 PM
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I admire Sen Frist, but I'm sorry. I can't see him as Prez. He is not a strong leader. We are really lucky to have Roberts on SCOTUS, but Frist let the Demoocrats first, then the gang of 1/2 RINOS-1/2 DINOS second, take the lead. That and his support of Chafee just show me he's not the kind of leader who will advance the conservative cause.

Posted by: warbucks at February 10, 2006 7:38 PM

"he's a colleague" ......
Notice how he didn't say "member of the team" ... that tells me a lot

Posted by: Stretch Cunningham at February 10, 2006 8:24 PM

"he's a colleague" ......
Notice how he didn't say "member of the team" ... that tells me a lot

Posted by: Stretch Cunningham at February 10, 2006 8:26 PM

This is why politcs suck and why people hate politicians. Sen Frist hates Sen Chafee. Hates him with a passion. Sen Frist is an accomplished person, a medical Dr... Mr. Chafee shoed horses.

Wouldn't it be great just once to hear a politician answer a question straight?

For example if he had, here's how the conversation would have went
"sen. Frist, what do you think of Sen Chafee?"
Sen Frist "He's a nut, a donut whole."

"what do you think of the upcoming primary in Rhode Island?"

Sen Frist "I hope Laffey wins, he's an accomplished person, did a lot for his city and I support him."

Instead we get the came drivel and lies and political answers...

Oh come to think of it we do have one guy who tells it like it is...Laffey.

Posted by: young sam at February 11, 2006 11:45 AM

To say that Sen. Frist was being kind regarding his description of Sen. Chafee would be the understatement of the century.

I had the opportunity to hear him speak several times here at CPAC. His words appeared to be very carefully selected, and not exactly expressed with a lot of passion or conviction. One can tell a lot by body language. I for one don't think he would be tremendously disappointed if Sen. Chafee were to go back to the farm shoeing horses, and be replaced by a real Republican who knows what he believes and isn't afraid to stand on principle.

Basically, I wouldn't have really expected any different comment to come out of Sen. Frist's mouth. Incumbents protect incumbents -- it's that simple.

Posted by: Will at February 11, 2006 12:46 PM

I heard a rumor that there were plans for a Laffey-Chafee debate on Phil Inez's radio show on WNRI. Does anyone know if this is true? And if not, are their any plans for a Laffey-Chafee debate in the near future??? Moreoever, who would win such a debate?

I personally think the Mayor would wipe the floor with the Senator...

Posted by: Leon_Berg at February 11, 2006 1:32 PM

Mayor Laffey has already challenged Sen. Chafee to debates, but thusfar, the Senator has ducked them. I assume that they will have to happen eventually, though knowing Sen. Chafee all too well, he will avoid them as long as he can get away with doing so.

Of course, I agree with you that Mayor Laffey would use Chafee like an old dustrag and wipe the floor with him.

Posted by: Will at February 11, 2006 2:46 PM