NEW: Cicilline Campaign Questions Gemma After Political Flip-Flip
Saturday, July 14, 2012
A day after Congressional candidate Anthony Gemma changed his mind and offered support for fellow Democrats Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and James Langevin, Congressman David Cicilline’s campaign wants to know what took so long.
"It is outrageous that Mr. Gemma would need to even think about whether or not he is supporting Senator Whitehouse and Congressman Langevin,” said Cicilline campaign manager Eric Hyers. “It shouldn't have had to take former Congressman Patrick Kennedy publicly expressing his disappointment for Mr. Gemma to recognize that these two should be re-elected. And his unwillingness to support the Democratic nominee for Congress if it is not himself is very telling."
During an interview with a local radio host this week, Gemma refused to endorse either Whitehouse or Langevin and said that he would write his own name on name on the ballot if he loses to Cicilline in the Democratic primary.
After Congressman Patrick Kennedy then issued a statement ripping the candidate, the Gemma campaign chose to endorse both Democrats.
Comments:
Oberon Sexton
3:45pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
Gemma 2012 - Standing for what I believe until someone tells me I'm wrong.
Oberon Sexton
3:47pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
Gemma 2012 - I was against Senator Whitehouse and Congressman Langevin before I was for them.
Oberon Sexton
3:53pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
Gemma 2012 - Our strategy was prepared by the underpants gnomes of South Park, Colorado...
Step 1: Book talk radio interviews
Step 2: ?
Step 3: Profit
Joseph Davis
4:00pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
David Cicilline the master of spin has done it again.
Go to the tapes...Gemma never said he didn't support Whitehouse or Langevin. The transcript is in the Providence Journal.
He did say he was focused on his own race. It's all a moot issue if the people of CD-1 vote the lying, cheating, manipulating disgrace of congressman out.
Oberon Sexton
4:31pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
Joseph, last Wednesday, Buddy asked Gemma three separate times whether he would be supporting Whitehouse and Langevin. Each time he was asked, Gemma declined to say he would support them. Instead, he said, "I'm not taking a stand in anybody else's race."
Here's the audio if you want to try and refute it - http://630wpro.com/Article.asp?id=2491511&spid=18073
John Locke
8:55pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
I did listen to the audio, he never said he was against anyone accept his two opponents!!!
Keep trying to spin guys!
Edward Smith
10:03pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
This ultimately isn't about what he said or didn't say or what he meant to imply by what he said or didn't say. This is about the fact that it is becoming increasingly clear that Gemma - who is a very smart + nice guy - does not have what it takes to be an effective candidate. He is all over the map on messaging, he gets unhinged easily and he doubles back all the time. Now he is refusing to say how much of the money he is reporting comes from a personal loan, when this will all become public soon. Gemma should have run for state rep or senate, worked out the kinks in his presentation, then thought about higher office. He is WAY out of his league here and he will not win.
Joseph Davis
10:15pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
Hey Oberon,
OK, I heard the original interview, read the transcript in the paper and listened to the link you provided.
Gemma was smart to say he wasn't getting involved in any other race. Good for him. Concentrate on beating Cicilline so that we don't lose the seat to the Republicans.
Oberon Sexton
12:16am on Sunday, July 15, 2012
Edward, not only is he out of his league as a candidate, can you imagine Gemma serving in Congress?
This is a guy who said publicly that we should allow Iran to have a bomb because "they're a sovereign nation."
This is a guy who declined to endorse Sheldon Whitehouse because "he didn't do right by me."
This is a guy who, in 2010, told Tim White he support privatizing Social Security and then reversed his position at the first televised debate.
Nice guy? Sure, but Gemma is clearly not ready for primetime.
Congress has to vote on the most urgent public policy issues - it's not a place for on-the-job training.
tom brady
7:43am on Sunday, July 15, 2012
Whew Obe! Thank god we have that great congressman Davis Sissy to steer the ship! LOLOLOL
Todd B
9:58am on Sunday, July 15, 2012
Gemma issued the following statement: "I reserve the right to change my mind on various things....endorsements, issues like abortion and social security, who I should marry and so forth.."
Seriously, this election has seen two of the oddest candidates in recent RI history.
The first is Gemma. He can't seem to explain where he stands on any issue and, like Cicilline, appears willing to say anything to get elected (as Charles Drago would say, 'two peas in a pod'). This may be because Gemma is instinctively a moderate, but is allowing his "advisors" to pull him left, which makes him appear unstable.
The other odd guy is Hinckley. If he doesn't win the Senate race, he can go on the road as a ventriloquist team with his son....I still can't get over the clip of him mouthing the answers to questions posed to his son on national TV.
Edward Smith
12:05pm on Sunday, July 15, 2012
"This may be because Gemma is instinctively a moderate, but is allowing his 'advisors' to pull him left, which makes him appear unstable." Reinforces my point.
Dan Wilson
12:21am on Monday, July 16, 2012
How anyone could support David Cicilline is a complete and utter mystery and embarrassment. I swear, these people would support Cicilline if he were running against Washington.
Pathetic.
Charles Drago
5:19pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
"Oberon Sexton," another moral and intellectual coward hiding behind a pseudonym, must be getting paid by the word.
Or is that by the lie?
Blais Hazelwood
12:59pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
@ Todd B Gemma has no advisors. He surrounds himself with yes sir men/women. ZERO real campaigners on staff. Hence, the lack of any strategy at all. If he continues this DC only won with 37% in a four way we are cetain to win this time mentallity, he will lose again. If you're going to blow your bank account spend it on staffers who can actually help you win. Learn that you're out of your element and hire people who know the element and can lead you to victory. Napolean complex at work...
Blais Hazelwood
12:39am on Saturday, July 21, 2012
oops typo but point well taken!
Charles Drago
1:00am on Saturday, July 21, 2012
"Blais Hazelwood," are you another foolish, cowardly liar hiding behind a pseudonym?
The "liar" part cannot be denied insofar as you falsely imply that you have the slightest idea about how the Gemma campaign is being run.
Also, demand a refund from your ESL instructor.
Blais Hazelwood
1:26am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Drago find some new material. Every time someone says anything negative about your Mighty Mouse candidate you act like he does when someone tells him he is wrong. Can't wait till Tim White hits him with the tough responses during the debate, we are all awaiting the Howard Dean type melt down. Food for thought, every other campaign manager is heard on the air waves discussing the issues. Where is Gemma's??? Oh that's right he has nobody who manages the campaign other than himself. A managers job is to lead the candidate not follow him. A field directors job isn't to go with the candidate and snap photos at Charlies Burger hut lol. I could name the paid staff if you wish. Oh wait, that would be mean because they may want to help Stewie Griffin get elected class president in the future. LOL!