When looking at last night's Chafee victory, I have a few immediate thoughts...

1. Laffey's supporters and donors didn't fail. Incumbents aren't just afraid of losing an election -- they are also afraid of having to run a real campaign. Laffey's candidacy sends a message to every GOP incumbent in America. My hope is that they will now think twice before making a bad vote.

2. I have no doubt the establishment party insiders are celebrating today. They believe they have driven the barbarians from the gates. But is this cause for celebration? Incumbents are supposed to win. The fact that it was even close demonstrates the problem with Chafee.

3. Chafee's victory is a testament to the organizational power of the RNC's Get-Out-The-Vote mechanism. From an "on the ground" perspective, I have no doubt that Laffey was outmaneuvered. My guess is it was like the Yankees playing a minor league team. Many prognosticators may be tempted to say that this signals that the GOP can replicate this feat in November. But pulling off a single operation in a small state is one thing. I hope the GOP can replicate this in twenty states in November -- but that is a tall order.

At the end of the day, we get Linc Chafee for six more years. My bet is that a lot of Republicans will come to regret propping him up!