The Great Debate: A Sneak Peak
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The cameras will be rolling and Rhode Island will be watching as six gubernatorial candidates meet for their first televised debate tonight.
The six candidates have a total of one hour on live TV, or 10 minutes each total, if the time were split evenly in the debate, hosted by WPRI at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston.
Candidates took different approaches to getting in shape for the debate, honing their messages, and fine-tuning sound bites. Here is some of what they told us about how they had been preparing—and what viewers can expect to see on TV tomorrow.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIndependent Lincoln Chafee: Passed the ‘Russert Primary’
Chafee is the only candidate who has been in debates since 1990 and the only one who’s gone toe to toe with Tim Russert on “Meet the Press,” according to campaign manager J.R. Pagliarini. “Be assured that he’s prepared to explain to the people of Rhode Island why he's the candidate best equipped to become our next governor,” Pagliarini said.
But Chafee isn’t taking anything for granted—he held a debate prep session with his media and policy advisors on Tuesday. No last minute cramming for this candidate, who will be spending this morning giving a ride to his mother. “He’s spending tomorrow morning helping his mom who needs a ride so I think that speaks volumes about how he’s able to stay focused on business while keeping real priorities in order,” Pagliarini told GoLocalProv last night.
Candidates Say Athletic Backgrounds Will Help
Both Democratic gubernatorial candidates—Frank Caprio and Patrick Lynch—are tested athletics who are ready for some political boxing, according to campaign spokesman. “He’s an athlete. He played professional ball,” said Lynch campaign manager Joel Coon. “Patrick Lynch is always ready for forums like this.”
“Frank Caprio is as athletic as they come—he was an all-Ivy League football player,” said spokesman Nick Hemond. “He thrives in this kind of an environment.”
Well in advance of the Lynch campaign got in some early punches. “There’s not a dime’s worth of difference between the economic policies of Frank Caprio and the economic policies of Don Carcieri,” Coon said. “They’re two peas in a pod.”
“We’re focused on small businesses—putting wind at the backs of small businesses,” Hemond responded. “For the past eight years, Rhode Island has not had a governor who put wind behind the backs of small businesses.”
Ken Block Going Through Fitness Boot Camp
Moderate Party candidate Ken Block has been getting in shape—literally—for today’s debate.
“Months ago, Ken signed up for a fitness boot camp not realizing that there would be a debate this week,” said campaign director Christine Hunsinger. “So, in preparation for the debate he's accidentally given up sugar, caffeine and any kind of food that resembles food and he's doing the workout from the movie Rocky every morning. If he lives until Thursday, we're confident he’ll do well.”
On a more serious note, Hunsinger said Block had been running through questions and practicing keeping his answers short. “He doesn't have to go through too much because Ken isn't a politician and when someone asks a question, he answers the question--a unique and refreshing thing in this day and age,” Hunsinger added.
Republican John Robitaille: Too Much Preparation Can Hurt
“I am ready for the debate,” Robitaille told GoLocalProv. “I believe too much debate preparation can actually hurt a person by causing them to be too self-conscious and unnatural on stage. I intend to be myself, but be prepared to talk about key issues – jobs, economy, taxes, education and government reform.”
First an Aquarium, Now a Science Museum
Republican Victor Moffitt made a splash with his proposal for an aquarium at a previous gubernatorial forum. Tomorrow he will announce his plan to include a science museum in the project. He also will discuss his idea for taking money from the state “rainy day” fund—which is reserved for unexpected deficits and other budget emergencies—and use it to fund loans to businesses. “That money is there for the future,” Moffitt said. “Well, I think the future is here now, we could use some of that money to help our small businesses.”
