Chafee accidental announcement
AFTER LINCOLN CHAFEE SAID “THAT’S WHY I’M RUNNING” DURING A CNN APPEARANCE, HIS SPOKESWOMAN CLARIFIED THAT HE WAS STILL IN THE EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE PHASE AND NOT YET A CANDIDATE Politico: Lincoln Chafee “Uttered The Words, ‘That’s Why I’m Running,’ During An Appearance On CNN,” Which “Set Off A Flurry On Social Media…Before A Spokeswoman Walked Back Chafee’s Comments, Saying No Decisions Had Been Made About Formally Entering The Democratic Race.” “Lincoln Chafee is officially running for president. Well, almost. The former Rhode Island governor, who just formed an exploratory committee last week, on Thursday morning uttered the words, ‘that’s why I’m running,’ during an appearance on CNN. It set off a flurry on social media and the cable news networks before a spokeswoman walked back Chafee’s comments, saying no decisions had been made about formally entering the Democratic race.” [Politico, 4/16/15] CNN: “Chafee Spokeswoman Debbie Rich Said Chafee Did Not Declare Himself As A Candidate For President Thursday, Despite Saying ‘That's Why I'm Running.’” [CNN, 4/16/15] Chafee Spokeswoman: “We Are Still In The Exploratory Committee Phase…We Will File The Proper Papers To Be An Official Candidate, But That Has Not Happened Yet.” “‘We are still in the exploratory committee phase,’ she told CNN in a phone interview, adding, ‘We will file the proper papers to be an official candidate, but that has not happened yet.’” [CNN, 4/16/15] CHAFEE DISCUSSED FUNDRAISING FOR HIS YET-TO-BE ANNOUNCED CAMPAIGN Chafee On Fundraising After Announcing His Exploratory Committee: “Right Now That’s Not The Top Priority.” “Chafee declined to seek reelection as governor last year in the face of a Democratic primary that many observers believed he could not have won. He has also said he does not believe he can raise the billion-plus dollars a winning presidential campaign is expected to take in. ‘Right now that’s not the top priority,’ he said on Thursday about fundraising. ‘I want to make sure people know I’m serious about my record, promoting the character I’ve displayed.’” [Politico, 4/16/15] Rhode Island Public Radio: “A Decision On Whether To Pursue A Campaign, Chafee Said, Will Hinge On The Level Of Support He Can Generate Over The Next Few Weeks And Months And On How Well A Web-Based Fund-Raising Effort Goes.” [Rhode Island Public Radio, 4/9/15] SCOTT WALKER REFERRED TO HIMSELF AS “A CANDIDATE” ON FOX NEWS IN MARCH Politico: “Chafee Is Not The Only 2016 Contender To Wander Over The Linguistic Line — Scott Walker Referred To Himself As ‘A Candidate’ On ‘Fox News Sunday’ In March.” “Chafee is not the only 2016 contender to wander over the linguistic line — Scott Walker referred to himself as ‘a candidate’ on ‘Fox News Sunday’ in March. Theoretically, anyone who says they’re running for president must register with the Federal Election Commission and is then subject to reporting and disclosure requirements.” [Politico, 4/16/15]