What lesson did we learn tonight from the Rhode Island U.S. Senate race? With incumbent Sen. Lincoln Chafee's (R.) winning 54%-46% over Steve Laffey, the more than $1.2 million spent by the National Republican Senatorial Committee and surrogates could turn out to be the worst use of campaign resources this cycle.

Republican incumbents are struggling in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Montana and other states. However, Sen. Liddy Dole (R.-N.C.) chose to devote the NRSC's resources to Rhode Island -- a race that Chafee might not even win. In the meantime, Dole managed to alienate conservatives across the country by supporting a liberal Republican -- leaving the NRSC well behind the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in fundraising. Meanwhile, just last week Chafee thwarted the confirmation of John Bolton as UN ambassador, earlier this year he opposed Samuel Alito's confirmation to the Supreme Court and he has consistently stood in the way of President Bush's policy goals.

Yet, despite these sins, establishment Republicans poured everything they had into this race, in terms of both money and manpower. It's a sad state of affairs when a Republican can be as disloyal as Chafee and still command the type of support Liddy Dole was willing to give him.

UPDATE -- 11:19 p.m.: Just to prove that Liddy Dole is out of touch, have a look at her statement tonight on the Rhode Island race.

I'd like to congratulate Lincoln Chafee on a hard-earned victory. Senator Chafee's independent, honest leadership drove a historic turnout and clearly shows he is in a great position to win in November.

UPDATE -- 12:17 p.m.: Counter that with Sen. Chuck Schumer's statement on the race. (Hat tip to Hotline On Call.)

When Lincoln Chafee -- an incumbent Republican Senator -- can barely win his own primary, you know he'll have touble in the general election. Rhode Islanders, more than voters in any other state, know we need a new direction and real change in this country which is why Sheldon Whitehouse will be the next U.S. Senator from Rhode Island.