U.S. Senator Lincoln Chafee complained that President George W. Bush misled the public in regard to possible Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, but said he still plans to support Bush's re-election bid in 2004. The Senator made his comments today on the WJAR-TV show "10 News Conference" with Jim Taricani. When asked whether Bush had misled the public, Chafee relied, "certainly, I didn't see the evidence of weapons of mas destruction....It was rhetoric....The evidence just wasn't there."
However, when questioned by Taricani whether he would support Bush's re-election bid, Chafee said that "Republicans stick together" and noted that his father, Senator John Chafee, had supported Barry Goldwater in 1964 despite having philosophical differences with him. "I have got to be true to the philosophy I believe in ... and be a loyal Republican."
Chafee indicated he saw little evidence any of the Democratic presidential contenders were mounting a strong challenge against Bush. "It doesn't appear that any one is gaining any momentum," he said.
