Aside from comedy writers and late-night television hosts, it can be argued the biggest beneficiary of Lincoln Chafee’s now-abandoned bid for the Democratic presidential nomination was the word “quixotic.”

Defined as meaning “exceedingly idealistic, impractical and unrealistic,” it became among the most used – and somehow, even given its connotation, least derogatory – adjectives to describe the former governor’s campaign in headlines and news stories around the country. Its origins are traced to the classic novel “Don Quixote,” and the image of Chafee as adrift and tilting at windmills became the source of much comic fodder.

Surely, many previously unfamiliar with “quixotic” have now added it to their lexicon. As far as we can see, that may be the only real silver lining.

Chafee did neither himself nor his state any favors with his campaign, which always faced enormous odds. We recall that the spring announcement of his entry into the presidential contest prompted a mixture of shock, contempt and amusement locally, with many questioning whether it was merely a late April Fools’ joke. He was but a few months removed from the governor’s office, in which he had opted not to seek another term in light of dismal approval numbers and the prospect of a near certain defeat.

Despite the dismissals and derision, Chafee presented himself as being completely serious about his bid for the highest office in the land. He rightly touted his vote against authorizing the war in Iraq, and the precarious political position he faced as the lone Republican U.S. senator to oppose the conflict. His motivation, it seemed, stemmed from a desire to throw a wrench into the coronation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee, and from a deep-seated belief in his own record and judgment. And his deep pockets gave him the ability to proceed despite his anemic fundraising potential.

At the time, we defended Chafee, writing: “Many candidates with little guiding them but their own thinly veiled ambition have launched presidential bids with far less substantive rationales. Often, those deeply flawed hopefuls have been taken far more seriously.”

Of course, Chafee went on to under-perform even the most miniscule of expectations. His campaign went completely off the rails during, and following, the first televised Democratic presidential debate.

It was expected he would be marginalized, given his virtually non-existent support in public surveys. But when he did receive camera time, his complete lack of preparedness was painfully evident. Such a disaster was the performance that on social media and television news, pundits incredulously noted that Chafee had, in fact, served as both governor and senator.

We do not begrudge Chafee’s decision to run. Now that he has left the race, we would echo the public statements from Gov. Gina Raimondo and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed thanking Chafee for lengthy commitment to public service and wishing him well.

But we are disappointed that a rare opportunity to shine a positive, national spotlight on the Ocean State became a fleeting punch line. When, and if, Rhode Island can boast another candidate for national office – Raimondo, perhaps? – we hope it reflects more positively on the place we call home.