Chafee: Laffey unelectable as governor in RI

Lincoln Chafee, part of a group of present and former Republicans who rallied behind Barack Obama, will be among the Obama supporters camped out in Chicago this evening.

Chafee, of course, has been theorized about as a member of an Obama administration. Yet the former senator, when I spent some time with him in his office at Brown's Watson Institute yesterday, said he has not had discussion with Obama or his supporters about serving in his possible administration.

During a Q+A for this week's Phoenix, Chafee demurred when asked about his next move, although a number of Rhode Islanders, he says, have encouraged him to run for governor -- a possibility that I wrote about earlier this year.

As I wrote last week, Rhode Island's 2010 gubernatorial race will become a growing focus as we move past Election Day -- and there are already skirmishes. The office of General Treasurer Frank Caprio requested time for him to appear on WPRI/WNAC-TV's Newsmakers this week after Steve Laffey criticized Caprio during an appearance last week. (The lineup for this week's show is yet to be confirmed. Caprio will join us this week.)

Meanwhile, I asked Chafee whether his old opponent could win a gubernatorial election in Rhode Island. Here's his answer.

I can’t see that. It would take some exceptional circumstances of splitting up the electorate. I just can’t see a right-wing candidate doing well in Rhode Island in a general [election].