The Relevance of Lincoln Chafee

Yesterday evening Lolita Baldor of the Associated Press released yet another profile of Senator Chafee, confirming his continued intentions to vote for John Bolton's confirmation, even while admitting Bolton is, in his words, "absolutely not" the best candidate for the job. "From the evidence we've heard, he's a difficult man to work for," Chafee said. "It's not my style. I don't endorse it, but that doesn't mean it can't be successful for some people."

The profile goes on to recount several instances of Chafee's "loneliness" as a moderate within the GOP Senate caucus, and includes a comment from him about his sometime centrist allies: "It's good when occasionally you get an ally like John McCain or Olympia Snowe to share some of the heat - that's a relief," Chafee said.

What is not a relief, and is something that should rile up us RINOs if nothing else will, is the comment from Chafee's Republican colleague, former Majority Leader Trent Lott. Asked about Chafee on Wednesday, the AP piece notes, Lott 'snapped' "He's irrelevant. In every way."

Who was the first elected Republican to call for Trent Lott's resignation as Majority Leader in late 2002? Chafee. Who was the Republican responsible for keeping Bush's disastrous "Clear Skies" bill from reaching the Senate floor? Chafee. Who, at this very moment, holds the key to John Bolton's confirmation as UN Ambassador? Chafee.

Irrelevant? I think not.

Moderates, we are only irrelevant if we cower in fear. When we stand up for ourselves and speak/vote our consciences, we can turn the tide. Senator Chafee, you know John Bolton isn't the right person to be our Ambassador at the UN. Get out there and show Trent Lott just how very relevant you are.