Thursday, February 14, 2008

Chafee on Obama: anything he wants, I'm there

Speaking from his post at Brown University, Chafee said he will vote for Obama in Rhode Island's March 4 presidential primary. "I urge other Rhode Islanders to do likewise," he said.

Chafee described serving with Obama on the Senate Environment and Public Works and Senate Foreign Relations committees, and called him "very smart, very eloquent, and [possessed of] excellent judgment." He called Obama "the best candidate to restore American credibility," and "to bring people together."

WPRO's Robert Kennedy noted how McCain had campaigned on Chafee's behalf during the then-Republican's 2006 campaign against Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse. In response, Chafee himself cited how Obama came to Rhode Island twice to campaign for Whitehouse, who won the Senate seat formerly held by Chafee and his late father, John Chafee. "That's just the way the system works," Chafee said.

Asked by Politico's Ben Smith to comment on the dynamic of how Whitehouse backs Hillary Clinton, Chafee responded by talking up Obama's chances in Rhode Island.

Jill Lawrence from USA Today asked about how the Ted Kennedy endorsement didn't seem to help Obama much in Massachusetts. Chafee says he thinks Rhode Island is different, since independents can vote in the Democratic primary here.

WJAR's Bill Rappleye asked about Obama's committee work. Chafee said he was impressed by Obama's reaction to John Bolton's UN nomination. "I saw him being thoughtful and outspoken on that issue, a complex issue," Chafee said.

Michelle Smith from the Providence office of the Associated Press, asked whether Chafee had spoken with Obama about his endorsement and what they discussed. Chafee said he shared his intentions earlier this week, during the three-state primary, and kept the conversation short because he knows Obama is busy. Chafee said he told the Democrat, "Anything he wanted, I would do for him."

2008 presidential race | Obama