PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- This was the Rhode Island Republican Party's response Thursday to Governor Chafee's latest evolution from "independent'' to registered Democrat:
"Scared of losing the Governor's race in 2014, and at the prospect of facing a skilled executive and leader on the Republican ticket, Rhode Island's tax-and-spend limousine liberal, independent-in-name-only, Governor made official what we knew all along,'' the state GOP's executive director wrote in a fundraising appeal to "fellow Republicans.''
"Chafee's job killing, tax raising, big government, anti-freedom agenda makes him a perfect candidate to run for reelection on the Democratic ticket,'' wrote executive director Matt Fabisch.
"How long will we allow the democrats job killing agenda to chase our children and grandchildren out of Rhode Island simply so that they can find a job? How long will we tolerate policies that force our elderly to abandon their homes for Republican run states with lower taxes and affordable costs of living? The conclusion could not be clearer, Linc Chafee is so busy trying to save his job, he forgot to do his job.''
The e-mail blast seeks donations to finance a campaign to "replace him and his allies in the General Assembly with experienced, pro-growth, Republican leaders.''
There was no response from Chafee spokeswoman Christine Hunsinger.