RI 2014 Governor’s Race Weekly Scorecard - March 12
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Each week GoLocal's reporters, editors and MINDSETTERS™ review and grade the candidates, policy statements, their media, and the campaign activities for each of the five major likely candidates for Governor of Rhode Island: Gina Raimondo (D), Angel Taveras (D), Allan Fung (R), Ken Block (R) and Clay Pell (D).
Allan Fung
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Call quiet on the Western Cranston front. Fung may be waiting for the other proverbial shoe to drop regarding the State Police investigation into the Cranston Police Department. If Ticketgate just proves to be incompetence, then Fung continues to be viable for the GOP Governor's race. But, if the State Police come back and tie Fung to the illegal tickets, then say good night.
GRADE: C+
Gina Raimondo
Raimondo presented her jobs program this week. A clear departure from her recent ongoing imitation of Giada De Laurentiis - the Food Network Queen.
Her focus on job creation matched Ken Block's efforts to focus the campaign on economic recovery and job creation. Raimondo scores points for shifting the debate from the frivolous to the substantive. Hopefully, we will never have to see another pathetic recipe or twitter photo of a night out bowling.
The pathetic consultant-driven effort to reposition a Rhode Scholar to "a Mommy" seems demeaning to Raimondo's track record and tone deaf to Rhode Islanders who seek someone smart with ideas on how to rebuild the Rhode Island economy. Moms are great. Raimondo can clearly be a mother and a leader - fire the consultant and define leadership.
GRADE: B+
Ken Block
Block fired back at the Raimondo and Taveras job programs for their lack of substance. "The only way to fix Rhode Island’s economy is to address our terrible economic climate. Treasurer Raimondo’s and Mayor Taveras’ plans are more big government business as usual – they include repackaged ideas that grow government, but do nothing to address the most significant barriers to job creation in Rhode Island." Block continues to work to differentiate his campaign as the only one with the independence and expertise to create jobs.
GRADE: B
Angel Taveras
Another rough week for the Providence Mayor. The Mayor of the Capital City continues to raise questions about his leadership - for every pothole their is a question about his ability to execute as a chief executive - "If you can't fill a pothole can you run a state?"
Raimondo has an advantage in money and now a growing lead in competence.
GRADE: C
Clay Pell
The 32-year-old millionaire's slide continues. His inability to find his car in December raises serious questions about whether he should be let out alone, let alone be Governor of a state. The two-time missing Prius has become the butt of all jokes in Rhode Island.
Pell needs to turn this campaign around quickly or he will be marginalized. This could get ugly.
He has a million dollars and a great wife.
He forgot to vote (a lot) and can't find his car.
GRADE: D
Related Slideshow: Taveras’ Staff Revolving Door
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