Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?
Friday, July 09, 2010
WHO'S HOT
Lincoln Chafee -> Chafee may be getting whacked from the left and the right about his sales tax plan, but he's winning national plaudits - this time, the cover of the USA Today - for being one of a handful of viable Independent candidates seeking statewide office. His fundraising numbers may be less than impressive, but Chafee doesn't need to buy media when he's getting such good free media.
Joe Fernandez -> This democratic candidate for Attorney had a successful second quarter of fundraising - distancing himself from his rivals Peter Kilmartin and Steve Archambault. Fernandez brought in $102k to Kilmartin's $60k and Archambault's $50k. This race could very well be the most exciting race of the entire Primary
Steve Stycos -> In a victory for the little guy, the Cranston Councilman who stood by while a Stop and Shop was permitted to do a run-around around zoning requirements and public hearing requirements had decided to not seek re-election. Instead, his main critic on this project, current school committee member Steve Stycos, will be seeking the Ward 1 Council seat in Cranston. Stycos is a huge community and environmental leader in eastern Cranston who has led the Farmers Market, Friends of the Pawtuxet and many other important neighborhood issues.
Chris Bizzacco -> This former chief of staff of Providence Mayor David Cicilline will soon be running one of the biggest Mayor's races in the 2010 election cycle. Bizzacco will be running the campaign of Greg Fischer, the Democratic nominee for Mayor of Louisville. This is Bizzacco's first entrance back into the political arena since leaving Providence City Hall to attend Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and thereafter being interviewd by the State Police for the check-cashing scandal involving the Mayor's brother.
Sheldon Whitehouse -> I was not a big fan of Sheldon's when he ran for Governor in 2002. But, let me tell you, I am super-impressed with his performance as a United States Senator. And, this week, his unveiling of bipartisan legislation to create a National Endowment for the Oceans was a timely and historic effort to create a reliable stream of revenue to fund projects aimed at protecting and preserving our oceans and coastal areas. Great work from Rhody's junior Senator.
Right-Wing Rags -> I would like to thank two right-wing rags - Anchor Rising and Motif Magazine - for promoting this column! Not only did they give this column front page coverage, but, in doing so, they also proved my point that Hummel is part of a larger right-wing network in Rhode Island (Hummel's board includes top Rhody conservatives Bill Felkner, Nick Gorham and Roland Benjamin). I would also like to reiterate to the Motif editor that - despite all of his many entreaties (he must be playing bad cop now) - I have no desire to write for his rag.
Ian Donnis -> Kudos to the WRNI political reporter for his astute analysis of the two "Yankees" in the gubernatorial campaign: Lincoln Chafee and Frank Caprio. Chafee, the Yankee by virtue of his birthright and Caprio, a Yankee by virtue of his well-disciplined and swagger-filled campaign.
Deb Markowitz -> This Vermont democratic gubernatorial candidate will be in Providence next Wednesday, July 14th at 830AM at Tazza in downtown for a fundraising reception. The event is being organized by her campaign manager, Paul Tencher, a Rhody native and the former chief of staff to Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts.
Providence City Council Candidates -> While 5 current Council members are retiring, the real story is that there will be 10 competitive democratic primaries, ensuring the largest incoming class of new Council members in recent history. Ward 11 alone has 10 candidates duking it out to replace retiring Councilwoman Balbina Young.
WHO'S NOT
John Robitaille -> Out of all of the outrageous policies pushed by Republican Gov. Don Carcieri, Robitaille had to come out and attack the only policy of his former boss that makes sense: an offshore wind farm. Despite the legitimate questions raised about circumventing the PUC regulatory process, we have a very limited window to become a national leader in renewable energy production and the green economy. Let's not get stuck in partisan bickering. Up with the turbines!
Jan Brewer -> This Republican Governor of Arizona will be in Boston this Saturday for the annual National Governors’ Conference. Thankfully, a huge entourage of Rhode Islanders will be heading up to Copley Square for a 12pm rally against Brewer's anti-immigrant policies. In Providence, vans will be leaving the office of DARE at 340 Lockwood Ave. Saturday at 9.30 a.m. and returning mid-afternoon that same day.
Thomas Tobin -> This Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Providence or his auxiliary bishop is slated to speak at a rally against marriage equality at the State House. The rally is being organized by a national organization touring the country opposing marriage equality. Tobin's prior statement that "Homosexual activity is unnatural and gravely immoral. It's offensive to Almighty God. It can never be condoned, under any circumstances" seems terribly hypocritical in light of (1) the church's preachings on love and equality and the (2) church's silence and pro-active cover-up of the sexual abuse committed by the church's leaders upon children.
Anthony Gemma -> Many people were interested to hear what this blank-slate Congressional candidate had to say at Drinking Liberally this past week about important democratic issues. The democratic crowd left unimpressed after Gemma said that he would have voted for the anti-choice Stupak amendment and would have supported tax breaks for the rich. Then, inexplicably, after spending a good part of his presentation discussing Coral Springs, Florida as the model government of America he could not even name the Congressman of Coral Springs - even though that is the office that he is seeking.
Stanton Shifman -> There is a terrible double-standard in the State of Rhode Island regarding felons. Most convicted felons can't access public housing, get a good job or catch a break, but certain convicted felons must know the right people. In this instance, Shifman, who was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for his role in a loansharking enterprise run by members of an organized crime syndicate in Boston, is looking to win City Council approval to take over Pat Conley's failed condo-mania project on Allens Ave. and build a $400-million hospital and hotel complex. But, like Conley, this isn't about strategic and meaningful job creation. The plans for the property - in the middle of an industrial complex - call for a long-term care hospital, an extended-stay hotel, a marina, a marine terminal for ferries and cruise ships and, get this, a monorail. As they say on ESPN, "c'mon man!!!" The City Council should wake up and get to business creating jobs in the maritime sector and leave the monorail to Disney World.
Brazil, Germany & Argentina -> These primadonnas of the World Cup disappointed their fans and the world by losing critical games and missing out on the finals of the World Cup. Their prestige and pizzazz ended in surprising losses in the past week. On Sunday starting at 130PM, Spain and the Netherlands will take to the pitch to find out which of these teams will win their first Cup in their nation's history.
Politifact -> Both RIFuture and On Politics took this new political truth-o-meter task for, well, not always being truthful. While I encourage increased transparency and honesty in political campaigns, watch dogs - especially well-respected and talented reporters - need to be sure that they are indeed setting the record straight.
Email me at mjerzyk at gmail dot com with your hot/not ideas.
Comments:
ed curtis
7:11am on Friday, July 09, 2010
"Jan Brewer -> This Republican Governor of Arizona will be in Boston this Saturday for the annual National Governors’ Conference. Thankfully, a huge entourage of Rhode Islanders will be heading up to Copley Square for a 12pm rally against Brewer's anti-immigrant policies. In Providence, vans will be leaving the office of DARE at 340 Lockwood Ave. Saturday at 9.30 a.m. and returning mid-afternoon that same day."
GO JAN!
What part of ILLEGAL aliens do you not understand Obamabot Matt?
After reviewing your list of "Hot" politicians (Whitehouse and Chafee) you surely are a left-wing loon. Maybe you can write for Pravda now.
Matthew Jerzyk
9:57am on Friday, July 09, 2010
Dear Ed Curtis -
I recently was in Chicago for my grandmother's 90th birthday. The event was held in the middle of the Polish community. I was reminded of how many people in this nation forget that their relatives were once "illegal" too -- but, at that time, America opened their arms and invited them to participate in the American Dream. Now, we have shut our borders and our opportunities and we kept 12 million people who work hard, pay taxes and wash your dishes at your local restaurant from achieving the American Dream.
Rhode Island's first "illegal" immigrant?
Roger Williams.
-Matt
ed curtis
10:23am on Friday, July 09, 2010
You speak talking points Matt. Nothing but more lies known as Obama talking points. You've got that Chicago breed socialism agenda shining through.
My family came to the US from Italy and did it PROPERLY and LEGALLY. They waited in line like all LEGAL immigrants must do.
My in-laws also did the same thing. My wife came to the US when she was 15 and did the proper "green card" process and then became a LEGALIZED citizen.
What part of the LEGAL SYSTEM of immigration do liberals like you not understand?
Breaking the law is not a gray area. Being in this country ILLEGALLY is breaking the law. Just stop the Obama propaganda use your bull pulpit to tell the Feds to enforce the laws on the books, including Rhode Island's.
Unless of course it's true that the only reason for the progressive's pursue of a "comprehensive immigration" mandate (code for amnesty) is to provide the liberals with more ACORN style voters?
If you prefer a country with lawlessness, move to Mexico. You'll fit right in. Until you try to speak out against their Mexican immigration laws and you'll be put in jail. Breaking the law *there* has consequences. Research is your friend.
.
Russell Conway
2:22pm on Friday, July 09, 2010
A monorail! You mean like they have in those fancy big cities? Gosh, we could be the Huntsville, Alabama of the East!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntsville_Hospital_Tram_System
I take it you also think a criminal conviction should be a life sentence, or at least a convenient way for oil industry lobbyists to tar opponents!
http://www.rifuture.org/polluting-waterfront-lobby-dredges-up-mud-to-sling.html
What's clear is that the real concern is not that developments like these will fail, but rather that in succeeding they may eventually lead to (gasp) more investment!
Matthew Jerzyk
2:24pm on Friday, July 09, 2010
Russell -
Here's the problem with your argument. For the last 12 years, the city has refused to seek maritime investors and to create maritime jobs. Instead, they have pursued this mixed-use vision. What's happened in the meantime? What will happen in the future? Nothing. And who does that help?
Russell Conway
2:42pm on Friday, July 09, 2010
What's happened? Zero industrial or maritime development of any kind and as near as I can tell, and that's exactly what we should expect in the future if the zoning change doesn't pass. That cloud (of rezoning) will never be lifted given the proximity of that stretch of Allens to the burgeoning biotech and healthcare industries.
If the polluters have some competing $400 million dollar proposal, I suggest they put it forward for consideration. Otherwise I say let the hospital and related businesses expand.
Matthew Jerzyk
2:48pm on Friday, July 09, 2010
The reason that "zero" development happened is because - for 12 years - the city's planning department and the city's political leadership have publicly stated that they will zone out these industries.
Who will invest there in such a climate?
The city should make a good faith effort to create good-paying, blue collar jobs in the maritime sector along the waterfront.
You know, to address that 25% unemployment rate in South Providence.
Russell Conway
3:06pm on Friday, July 09, 2010
OK, jobs. PBN reported the claim that "the development would create 2,000 permanent jobs" (http://www.pbn.com/detail.html?sub_id=b39f088eb4). The entire working waterfront combined adds up to like a tenth of that! Plus, the proposed zoning change wouldn't force out any of the firms there currently or prevent any maritime business from opening if they chose. No matter what you hear from the Chicken Little lobbyists, the sky is not really falling.
ron mahagen
10:41pm on Friday, July 09, 2010
since when is the Catholic Bishop a) apolitician; b) on a what's HOT list
If the writer>using the term most liberally> WANTS TO AMBUSH THE BISHOP...JUST DO IT..DON'T HIDE BEHIND a list
Roy Parsons
10:52am on Sunday, July 11, 2010
___________________
Go Local Prov loves a scoop, right?
With my compliments:
Know who else is hot? Former Providence mayoral candidate David Igliozzi, who -- if Steven Costantino is elected mayor and keeps his promise -- will, with House Speaker Gordon Fox, make certain that Rhode Island gets "Superior Court Judge David Igliozzi."
Costantino will stop at nothing to buy and bribe his way to City Hall, where he promises to do for Providence's economy what he's done for Rhode Island's economy.
Expect to see Councilman John Igliozzi and his dad working their tails off for Costantino to deliver Silver Lake to his unbalanced column.
Hey, they don't call it "Providence" for nuthin'.