Don Roach: Vote Republican in 2012
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
First, it feels good to be back. I broke my hand a few weeks back and have been on the shelf since. Still in rehab, but quips and insights from Don Roach are back!
In the last year and a half Republicans have won a number of special election races throughout the state – Carl Madson (Town Council) in Coventry and Chris Ramsden (School Committee) in Barrington two name just two.
These election victories illustrate that Rhode Islanders are (finally) giving Republicans a chance as 70+ years of Democratic dominance has led us to where we are today. And where is that? Look at Providence where Mayor Tavares has had to publicly ignore the atrocities committed by former mayor David Cicilline while introducing measures more in line with a Republican than a Democrat. Take former Republican Lincoln Chafee and current Democratic Treasurer Gina Raimondo. All Chafee did was reverse course from his election promises (shocker!) when faced with the deplorable state of affairs that is the Rhode Island pension system.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTWe’re seeing a trend amongst non-Republican officials implementing Republican-backed ideals and Rhode Islanders are starting to feel that instead of electing Democrats who promise one thing and do another, elect Republicans who are suggesting progressive (capital “P” progressives don’t have the patent on the word) changes to our governmental system and if given the opportunity will be able to bring that kind of change to the state.
In 2012, Republicans have a great opportunity to make significant gains throughout the state. And that’s where you come in.
You don’t trust Republicans? Me either.
Look, I’ve never shied away from some of my critical commentary regarding the RI GOP. In 2006, when I ran for state senate, I was promised a lot of things and received nothing in return other than calls to volunteer for the Chafee campaign. Seriously?! Further back in 2000, I asked the state GOP how I could help. It took a couple of months just to get a response and then afterwards there was silence.
Watching 2010’s ill-advised Clean Slate campaign (you remember the RIPTA bus signs) was awful as I believe 2010 was another amazing opportunity for Republicans to make a dent into the stranglehold which is Democratic dominance.
So I can understand if you’re reading this and having a difficult time trusting Republicans. Yet, the 2011/12 version of the RI GOP is a far cry to our former incarnations. First we have leadership in Ken McKay that has a proven track record of fundraising success. And believe me, the RIGOP has never been a party bursting with dollars. Next, you have young leadership in the form of Pat Sweeney, Ryan Lund, and Brian (ugh, I’m going to spell this wrong) Buongiovanni. The leadership/vision change is no small matter and in 2012 the RI GOP is going to present to you something new and radically different than what Democrats are able to offer.
Obviously, my post here isn’t and shouldn’t have you running to your local Republican town chairman asking where to sign. The proof is in the pudding but next year as you see the change I’m talking about remember reading it here first.
Still there are two issues I’d like to address regarding the RI GOP before closing.
Minorities?
The RI GOP is currently missing something(s) and that is a bit of melanin amongst their ranks comparable to the state’s demographics. I attended the recent state central meeting where closing of the primaries was thankfully defeated. As I looked around the room I could count the number of people of color on one hand.
Yes, one hand.
That’s a problem for the GOP as Hispanic voters are increased from 8.7 to 12.4 percent of the total population. That number is only going to increase over the next decade and it behooves Rhode Island Republicans to reach out to Hispanics many of whom hold conservative values.
The unfortunate thing is that in Rhode Island there is a stigma attached to being a minority and a Republican. When I lived in Providence in 2006 and ran against Senator Pichardo, many residents in the South Providence neighborhood told me how much they liked me but couldn’t vote for a Republican. It seems that the GOP is for white males only but myself, Mayor Allan Fung, Sandy Rojas, and a handful of others are signaling the bell that this simply is not the case. The GOP needs stronger representation of minorities.
Think of it this way, if John Robitaille had made any kind of dent in the Providence Hispanic community last fall, he’d be governor today. Period, end of story. Even more poignant, if any statewide Republican candidate wishes to turn the tide in future elections, do as Cicilline and other Dems have done before – take a walk down Broad Street. Republicans don’t have to win Providence they nearly need to make a decent showing. Any Republican candidate that shows that they are going into inner city neighborhoods will strike fear into Democrats because we’ve been relatively absent.
Clear messaging
Even more important than minority representation is clear messaging. As I mentioned earlier, RI Clean Slate was a complete and utter disaster for Republicans. D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R. It’s no offense to the sincere folks who came up with the campaign but the RI GOP, collectively, has never really been good with conveying messages and presenting messengers who connect with rank and file Rhode Islanders. The thing about successful Republicans such as Don Carcieri and even Lincoln Chafee when he had the R next to his name is that they presented themselves as people and not stuffed suits.
Republicans in 2010 made strides in this area with the array of candidates that were campaigning but in 2012 they need to go further – present Rhode Islanders with a mission statement identifying concrete changes that will happen if you elect them and oust our Democratic counterparts.
The state is pleading for change but also not so trusting of either party; you can see that with the passion in both the Tea Party and Occupy movements.
Will Rhode Islanders finally give Republicans the opportunity to right the state’s ship? I’m confident that they will and I’m confident we will do a better job as your public servants than Democrats have over the last 7 decades.
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