Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?

Friday, July 15, 2011

Dan McGowan, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™

 

Who’s Hot

Michael D’Amico -> It may be premature to say that Providence has officially survived its fiscal nightmare, but as one city official put it this week, the Director of Administration is going to be remembered as the guy who rescued the city from bankruptcy. It was unclear how a guy who hadn’t been in the city for two decades was going to handle things, but D’Amico has proven to be Mayor Taveras’ best hire yet.

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Angel Taveras & Michael Solomon -> The administration and the Council haven’t cooperated this much in decades and the two gentlemen at the top deserve much of the credit. Unlike his predecessor, the Mayor has been forthcoming about the city’s challenges and the fact that he supported changes to his proposed tax increases proves he was willing to compromise. Meanwhile, Solomon has kept a low profile in his first-term as Council President, opting to work side-by-side with the Mayor rather than battling him every step of the way.

Brendan Doherty -> In his first fundraising quarter, the former head of the state police had three major victories: 1) He proved that he’ll be able to raise the necessary dollars to be a serious candidate. 2) He got on the radar of Republicans nationally, establishing himself as the GOP frontrunner in Rhode Island. 3) Despite some early slipups (abortion, voting record), he didn’t do or say anything that will come back to bite him down the line.

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David Cicilline -> Still managed to raise over $360k despite all of the negative press. This isn’t something that will worry Doherty, but a lot of those fringe Democratic candidates that were thinking “this is my time” are probably reconsidering now. These numbers could very well clear the field with the exception of Anthony Gemma, who has showed a willingness to self-fund his campaign.

Sheldon Whitehouse -> For those thinking the junior Senator is at risk, an $800k haul and a reported $2.2 million in the bank will make him awfully difficult to beat in 2012. Republican candidate Barry Hinckley recently said he’d like to raise $10 million, almost double what many believe a Rhode Island Senate race costs. To that, Senator Whitehouse’s message is clear: Game on.

Patrick Kennedy -> Congrats to the former Congressman, who, rather than talking about fundraising and debt ceiling issues this week, is preparing for his wedding day. Here’s hoping everything goes well for Patrick and his wife this weekend and in the future.

Paul Jabour -> The State Senator from the Federal Hill area received well-deserved praise from the City Council at Thursday’s meeting. Sen. Jabour was instrumental in helping Providence get unprecedented support from the General Assembly this year.

Who’s Not

North Kingstown Town Council -> The decision to ban wind turbines in all parts of the town except Quonset makes no sense. It’s just another win for the NIMBY crowd. Because you know, oil and coal are the only way to go here.

John Loughlin -> Apparently it’s out of sight, out of mind for a lot Republicans when it comes to the former State Rep. and Congressional candidate. While Loughlin was in Iraq, his potential opponent in the GOP primary was raising $300k. And while it’s easy to say he wasn’t actively fundraising this quarter, the fact remains, he’ll be at a significant disadvantage when he returns home.

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Central Falls -> $700k going to three people who were there only to watch the city ease itself into bankruptcy while libraries and community centers close down. Why is that when the New York Times decides to write about Rhode Island, it has to be about this place?

President Obama -> Utter disdain for the President is something the left and the right can actually agree on right now. For different reasons, of course. Somehow the President has managed to get himself into a corner where Republicans hate him for being unwilling to cut more while liberals believe he’s already conceding too much.

RIPTA -> Pawtucket seems to be the city most likely to be affected by major cuts to public transportation, but plenty of other cities and towns will be inconvenienced as well. It’s time for Rhode Island to get serious about funding RIPTA. Maybe building a more efficient system will actually attract more riders. It might cost more money in the short-term, but it would be beneficial down the line.

Eleven Forty Nine restaurant -> Credit checks for waiters and waitresses? Really? This horrible idea is good reason to boycott this place.

Michelle Bachman -> The favorite in Iowa had her first major slip up this week with the whole praying away the gay controversy. Rep. Bachman has proved to be a viable candidate, but will ideology get in the way in the long run?
 

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