Matt Fecteau: Is RI Dem Chair McNamara Captain of the Titanic?

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Matt Fecteau, GoLocalProv Guest MINDSETTER™

 

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State Rep. Joseph McNamara

Growing up, my father constantly used the master lever, and always voted for the Rhode Island Democratic Party State Committee endorsed candidate. He believed the Democratic Party couldn’t steer him wrong. My father passed away years ago, but if he were still alive, I sure would like to see what he thinks about the Rhode Island Democratic Party today.  

First, let me declare, I am a Democrat and a proud Democrat at that. I see Democrats as the more realistic of the two political parties.  Democrats are not perfect, but many seek to rein in corporate malfeasance, protect workers, protect social security and Medicare, save our environment, and fight for a living wage. 

Though lately, the Rhode Island Democratic Party State Committee is looking more like the Titanic, and the Chairman, state Rep. Joseph McNamara, is looking like Captain Edward Smith. How can the Democratic state committee stay afloat when everyone is turning their back on anything it has to say?  

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Let’s be clear, Rhode Island is a not a Democratic state. Predominantly, independents and unaffiliated voters make up the majority of the voting pool. Though, Rhode Island has a history of electing Democratic legislators merely for the D next to their name. 

While Rhode Island became increasingly more Democratic over the years, there is a vast disparity as far as what makes a Democrat, a Democrat.  In Rhode Island, its legislature is predominantly made up of conservative Democrats that are less progressive. In fact, if Rhode Island were Mississippi, many of the state reps would be considered Republicans. 

There is a massive difference between the national-level Democrats, and state-level Democrats.  Because the Rhode Island Democratic Party has a monopoly on power, we have few options, and as a result, corruption runs rampant. 

The Rhode Island Democratic Party holds the endorsement valve, though voters are starting to smarten up.  Political philosophy is not a concern so long as they are a part of the Democratic machine. 

This upcoming special election being held foolishly on June 9th 2015, a Tuesday, for state Rep. Donald J. Lally’s vacant seat, encompassing South Kingstown and Narragansett, will not include a Democratic Party State Committee endorsed candidate. 

Despite raising over ten thousand dollars, the Rhode Island Democratic Party State Committee’s endorsed candidate and political scion Susan Cicilline Buonann lost to a meagerly funded South Kingstown town councilor Carol Hagan McEntee.  

Apparently, a garbage truck full of money and name recognition doesn’t mean you are entitled to an office – life’s a bitch for millionaires, huh?  

Last Democratic primary, all three of the Rhode Island Democratic Party committee’s endorsed statewide candidates –  Ralph Mollis, Frank Caprio, and Guillaume De Ramel -- lost except for my congressional opponent and Cicilline Buonanno’s brother, US Rep. David Cicilline.  Mr. Cicilline had a campaign war chest worth $1.2 million dollars and lots of name recognition.  

The Rhode Island Democratic Party strangely refused to endorse a gubernatorial candidate (Dear state committee, you do know that is your purpose, right?). 

With Cicilline Buonanno’s loss, this passed special election primary must feel a little like déjà vu.  Going forward, the Rhode Island Democratic State Committee should take the hint: your endorsement is an albatross around a candidate’s neck.  In the future, do me a favor, please endorse the other candidate as soon as possible.  

Looking back at my run for Congress, I can understand why the Rhode Island Democratic State Committee became so despised.  

Because I wasn’t a member of their exclusive, affluent club -- I was away fighting for my country, sorry – I was treated like dirt. I was thrown out of their events. My speeches were cut short.  Their endorsed congressional candidate, Mr. Cicilline, refused to debate me.  

At the Democratic Unity dinner, we surely didn’t sing Kumbaya as was planned.  Crusty state Rep., and RI Dem chair Joseph M. McNamara let the attendees know Cicilline would “wipe the floor” with me. Pretty ugly, petty stuff. 

How did the party devolve to this point? 

US Rep. David Cicilline has a lot to do with it. The Cicilline clan spent decades cementing and building alliances across the political spectrum in Rhode Island.  Using the Cicilline family’s millions amassed by defending mob bosses and other criminals, the family patriarch, John F. Cicilline, ensured his spoiled son, David, had everything needed to run for office (John, tell those rejects from the cast of A Bronx Tale I said hello). 

However, with controversy after controversy, the Cicilline name that is so deeply rooted in the Democratic establishment became a serious liability.  Cicilline may have support in Providence, but the suburban voters despise him for good reason: he is mostly known for his serial deception, exaggerations, than anything substantive. 

Any candidate who attempts to challenge the equilibrium is mowed down including democratic city committees (e.g. Cumberland Rhode Island Democrats). Just ask President of the Rhode Island Association of Democratic City and Towns Chairpersons (strange name by the way), former state Senator Bud Cicilline. Yup, another Cicilline scion. 

Under the Cicilline influence, the Rhode Island Democratic Party becomes less relevant with each passing day. The party can debate, endorse candidates, and pretend to fight for the middle class, but they are diluting themselves because no one is listening. A lot of credit goes to Mr. David Cicilline  – congrats Congressman, you have achieved something after all. 

If the Rhode Island Democratic State Committee is the Titanic and state Rep. and chair McNamara is Captain Smith, maybe Mr. David Cicilline is the iceberg? 

In the end, what is the bigger tragedy?  The fact the Rhode Island Democratic State Committee doesn’t realize it is irrelevant or the fact it still thinks it is? 

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Matt Fecteau ([email protected]), of Pawtucket, lost to U.S. Rep. David Cicilline in last year’s Democratic primary. He is a former White House national security intern and captain in the Army Reserve with two tours to Iraq

 

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