Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chafee continues to express his support for the re-election of President George W. Bush. Appearing on the WPRI-TV show "Newsmakers" with Jack White, Chafee said "I may be a bad boy to the Republican party, but I am not a traitor." Even though he has had well-publicized policy differences with Bush on tax policy and foreign policy, Chafee indicated that "I look for areas where I can be supportive". He named free trade and brownsfields as topics where he can work with the Bush administration. When asked about Bush's re-election prospects, Chafee said, "I think he can turn the tide. The poll numbers are going in the wrong direction ....The country is very polarized and divided.
Chafee said he plans to run for re-election in 2006. If there is a primary challenge, "I'll be ready", he indicated.
On the question of the need for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to resign, Chafee answered by saying "it is the president's call." The secretary has been under fire for his handling of the prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq.
The Senator continued to express his concern about the Iraq war. "War is hell," he said. "It turns human being into animals....You don't want to get into that unless you absolutely have to."
