Chafee Says Raimondo is RI’s “Hillary Clinton”
Monday, June 12, 2017
Former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee is warning Democrats that sitting Governor Gina Raimondo is out of touch with Democratic values.
In comments to GoLocal, Chafee linked Raimondo to the failed campaign of Hillary Clinton. Chafee forewarned that Democrats choosing Raimondo in 2018 could mirror Secretary of State Clinton's failed campaign against the now sitting President, embattled Donald Trump.
Clinton was heavily favored in the Presidential election and had a large financial advantage over Trump, but Trump defeated Clinton in handily in electoral votes 306 to 232.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“There are similarities to the '16 Democratic primaries and what might happen in RI in '18 - the DNC elite going 'all in' on a flawed candidate with ties that are too close to corporate interests," said Chafee.
Raimondo Sides with Corporate Values, Says Chafee
In 2015, Raimondo strongly endorsed the proposed $700 million Invenergy power plant proposed for Burrillville. Now, Chafee is taking her to task for her ever changing positions.
Raimondo said when the project was announced, “Anything we can do to provide cleaner sources of energy and more energy to bring down costs for families and businesses is something I think is good for Rhode Island.”
“I’m a big proponent of wind and offshore wind, but the short term solution to bring down energy costs for businesses and families is natural gas,” said Raimondo. She actively worked to bring Invenergy to Rhode Island.
Two years later, Raimondo’s public support for Invenergy is much more muted.
“The Governor supports the health and safety of all Rhode Islanders and is committed to making Rhode Island a leader in clean energy. She attended a community forum in Burrillville to hear directly from the community on this important issue. The Energy Facility Siting Board is conducting a thorough and independent process, and if they conclude there are concerns that can’t be mitigated or addressed, the plant won’t move forward,” said David Ortiz, Press Secretary in an email to GoLocalProv.com.
Raimondo’s office refused to clarify if she now has a position for or against the project.
Chafee the Activist
“I was happy be in Charlestown (last) Sunday to support the bipartisan statewide opposition to the Invenergy proposal in Burrillville,” said Chafee last week, following his appearance at an event in Charlestown, where three hikers opposed to the power plant embarked on a three-day hike to raise awareness for the issue.
“I am disappointed that the Governor spread out the welcome mat for Invenergy before talking with the elected officials and neighbors in that area; and that she thinks it is ethical to take maximum campaign donations from the developers,” said Chafee.
Chafee Hitting Raimondo on Multiple Issues
This is not Chafee’s first swipe at Raimondo. In February, while appearing on GoLocal LIVE with GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle, Chafee said Raimondo’s transfer of taxpayers dollars to billion dollar companies such as General Electric and Johnson & Johnson was flawed.
“I have never liked corporate welfare. It's unfair to existing businesses…some out of state business comes in and you give them the candy store. I just don’t like it," said Chafee.
Chafee said the approach needs to be built on fundamentals. “I think a better way to build the economy is through investment and education and infrastructure. Then lower taxes -- under my approach, unemployment went from over 11 percent to under 6 percent. (And) we created more jobs than the candy store approach.”
Chafee said he was disappointed that millions of dollars “out the window to General Electric and J&J. I don’t like it.”
And, Chafee has criticized Raimondo on her investments in Hedge Funds while she served as Rhode Island's General Treasurer. Her investment strategy has been abandoned by Seth Magaziner.
Rhode Island’s pension system has recouped over $340 million since it has moved away from hedge funds, claimed Magaziner on May 4. His shift in strategy is a departure from Raimondo, who loaded up on hedge funds (alternative investments) while serving at Treasurer from 2011 to 2015.
"We are moving away from the high-cost hedge funds that have failed to meet expectations while charging unacceptably high fees. Our new Back to Basics strategy will improve performance and reduce risk, providing a more secure future for Rhode Island public employees and all taxpayers,” said Magaziner.
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