By Kim Kalunian, WPRO News
It’s official: former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee is running for President in 2016.
“If we as leaders show good judgment and make good decisions, we can fix much of what is ailing us,” said Chafee in his announcement speech. “We must deliberately and carefully extricate ourselves from expensive wars. Just think about how better this money could be spent.”
The Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat made the official announcement during a speech at the George Mason Center for Politics & Foreign Relations in Arlington, Virginia Wednesday to a small crowd of fewer than 200 people.
Chafee first announced he was considering a run in April, surprising many. Chafee’s approval rating while in office in Rhode Island was consistently low – he didn’t even seek a second term in the State House – but when he announced his exploratory phase, he told WPRO News, “I’m sometimes more popular outside of the state.”
- Read Chafee’s full presidential announcement speech here
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Chafee has been highly critical of Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, chastising the former Senator for voting in favor of the war in Iraq. (Chafee was the only Republican to vote against the proposal at the time.)
Chafee will face Clinton, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley in a Democratic presidential primary.
His speech in Virginia on Wednesday focused on education, infrastructure, health care, and environmental issues, as well as foreign policies.
“As part of our efforts to wage peace in this New American Century let’s be bold,” said Chafee. “Some of our bravest and most patriotic Americans are our professional diplomats stationed all over the world. This isn’t an easy career and they deserve the very best in support and respect. As President I would institute a ban on ambassadorships for sale. That means no more of these posts going to big political donors.”
But the former governor also threw out a curve ball of an idea when he suggested the U.S. begin to utilize the metric system.
“Here’s a bold embrace of internationalism: let’s join the rest of the world and go metric,” said Chafee. “I happened to live in Canada as they completed the process. Believe me it is easy. It doesn’t take long before 34 degrees is hot. Only Myanmar, Liberia and the United States aren’t metric and it will help our economy!”
Chafee also said the U.S. should join other countries who have banned capital punishment, and said it’s time to let Edward Snowden return to America.
DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz called Chafee a “welcome addition to the race.”
“As a former Republican, Lincoln Chafee can help make the case that his old party no longer represents the best interests of the American people,” said Schultz in a statement. “The Democratic Party is the natural home for those of us who share the values and priorities of middle class families. I look forward to Governor Chafee sharing the stage with Secretary Clinton, Senator Sanders, Governor O’Malley and each of the candidates who will help Democrats make that argument for the American people.”
