Club's Toomey Explains Laffey Loss

Primary Night In America

In a 10:30 p.m. conference call, Club for Growth pres. Pat Toomey conceded Laffey had probably lost in RI, but said he was pleased that Club-backed candidates had done so well in other races this year, mentioning MI-07 twice. He admitted that the Club was 0 for 2 in Senate primaries against incumbents, but that both he (in PA) and Laffey came very close to winning. Asked about the role of national Republicans in Chafee's win, Toomey said he was very disappointed, and that the NRSC's attacks against a conservative challenger were certain to dishearten conservatives everywhere. He also said they wasted "money they don't have." [QUINN MCCORD]