Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?
Friday, October 24, 2014
Every Friday, Russ Moore breaks down who's rising and who's falling in the world of Rhode Island politics. Here's who made the list this week.
Hot
Sky Chiefs: Rhode Island is home to a new professional basketball team, the Sky Chiefs, which will be part of the 70 team American Basketball Association (ABA) hoop league. The team will play their home games at Rhode Island College, and begin on November 2. Expect the team to provide excellent play at budget-friendly prices.
Linda McDonald, UNAP President: At a time when state leaders, including Governor Lincoln Chafee, were downplaying the Ebola threat to the state and saying the state was sufficiently prepared, Linda McDonald, the President of the Rhode Island United Nurses and Allied Professionals—the state’s nurse’s union—came forward and pointed out that the state’s nurses do not feel adequately prepared. Thankfully, this seems to have prodded Chafee and Health Department Director Dr. Michael Fine to take the threat more seriously.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTVincent “Buddy” Cianci: Love him or hate him—and it seems like more love than hate him—Buddy is the talk of the state. Without a doubt, there’s far more buzz around the race for Mayor of Providence than there is for even the race for Governor, and it’s all because of the charismatic and controversial former mayor.
Allan Fung: It was a hugely positive sign for the Republican Gubernatorial candidate and Cranston Mayor that the Republican Governor’s Association (RGA) and their allies have stepped up with a massive media buy worth more than $550,000 meant to buttress his candidacy. Make no mistake about it: The RGA would not be wasting resources on a race they in which they didn’t have polling data that showed them it was winnable.
RI Building and Trades Council: The organization will host its 26 annual Walk-A-Thon on October 25 at Rhode Island College to benefit the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Rhode Island, which provides mentorship to underprivileged youth. There will be free activities such as face painting, a best Halloween costume contest, and a photo booth. Tony the Dancing Cop will even be in attendance!
11,000: That’s how many votes will likely be cast in Rhode Island’s second most important election. Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed is facing a spirited challenge from Republican Mike Smith, and many political observers say the race could be a potential upset victory for Smith given the controversial casino issue at Newport Grand being on the ballot.
NOT
The Squirrel: The downtown section of Providence was without power for over an hour on Wednesday morning, and all that inconvenience was due to the actions of a single squirrel who knocked out a power reactor. I’ve personally never had problems with squirrels before until Tuesday, and it’s too bad this squirrel’s actions have unfortunately cast a negative light on whole lot of them.
Daniel Harrop: Harrop has become nothing but a sideshow and a distraction in the race for Mayor of Providence after having actually maxed out with a $1,000 donation to one of his opponents, Democrat Jorge Elorza. It’s become clear that Harrop hates former Mayor Vincent “Buddy” Cianci much more than he loves Providence, and he’s making a mockery of the electoral process with his “should I stay or should I go” routine.
Hospital Wait Times: GoLocalProv.com’s Stephen Beale reports that hospital wait times in Rhode Island are among the third highest in the nation. That’s not good for patients who display symptoms that don’t appear to serious, (which increases their wait times) but are actually at serious risk.
The Rhode Island Progressive Democrats: The Rhode Island progressive Democrats declined to make an endorsement in the race for Governor this year citing their dislike for positions taken by both Cranston Mayor Allan Fung and General Treasurer Gina Raimodo. How the progressive Democrats didn't endorse Gina Raimondo, when she’s progressive on 99 percent of the issues—from driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants to constitutional convention, to same sex marriage (and the list goes on and on) is simply mind boggling.
Planned Parenthood of RI: Thank God we didn't hold our breath waiting for Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island to hold Gina Raimondo accountable for that flip flop on abortion during the WPRI/Providence Journal debate on Tuesday evening. Raimondo, who just a few weeks ago received the endorsement of Planned Parenthood at a much discussed press conference at their headquarters, said she was pro-life in her own personal life.
Myrth York: The three times failed Gubernatorial candidate, failed to file the necessary paperwork on time to form her SuperPac that is hell bent on keeping former Mayor Vincent “Buddy” Cianci from returning to office once again. This is the same woman who signed a document opposing the Citizen’s United Supreme Court decision that allowed outside spending in politics. Remember: do as she says, not as she does.
Related Slideshow: 10 Factors - Cianci or Elorza
It is down to the final days of the race for Mayor of Providence - read the analysis of who may have the advantage to win the race.
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- Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?