Chafee Credits Obama with Helping Him Win

Chafee Credits Obama with Helping Him Win

Governor-elect Lincoln Chafee credited President Obama with helping him to achieve his historic win in a press conference with reporters today.

Chafee said Obama’s refusal to endorse a candidate in the race—and Democratic opponent Frank Caprio’s controversial response—was a significant factor in why he had won the race. He said he would be speaking with President Obama this afternoon about the election. In 2008, Chafee endorsed Obama over Republican John McCain for president.

Chafee admitted that his proposal for a one-percent sales tax was one of the major reasons people did not vote for him. He said he was open to “better ideas” that would help reduce the property tax burden—but he gave no hint that he was dropping his proposal.

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Chafee said he hadn’t thought ahead as to what his transition team or governor’s staff might be and his campaign made no announcements about who would be heading up the transition team.

He also reacted to news that bonds for the $75 million state deal with Curt Schilling’s video game company had been sold. Chafee opposed the deal.

“Having closed the financial package, it may be that we have no choice but to proceed,” Chafee said in a statement. “I will continue to carefully monitor further steps taken by the EDC. It is my intent to ensure that the state fulfills any and all commitments made by the EDC. I will, however, ensure that 38 Studios fully and completely comply with each and every commitment that it has made to the taxpayers of Rhode Island.”

Chafee said he was still getting used to the idea that he is governor—an office that his father, John Chafee, held and loved.