What happened to the Block Party? By John DePetro
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
John DePetro can be heard weekday mornings 6-10A, on GoLocalProv media partner 630WPRO & 99.7 FM, and podcasts of show highlights are found at 630wpro.com.
When it comes to business and politics, there is an old expression that “a fool and his money are welcomed everywhere.” In the past, there has been no shortage of wealthy businessmen “candidates” (Bruce Sundlun), who were willing to pay top dollar to see their face on TV and name on a lawn sign. Nothing reeks of “success” like an expensive political campaign. This brings us to the current race for Governor in Rhode Island.
The latest Brown University poll for Governor of Rhode Island had Democrat Frank Caprio in a dead heat with Independent Linc Chafee at 27%. Ken Block of the Moderate party came in at a mere 3% of the vote, which is below the 5% the “Block Party” needs to remain on the ballot going forward.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTSo who is Ken Block and why is he the Moderate party candidate for governor? The short answer is Block is a businessman from Barrington who formed his own political party. The more interesting question is how Block became the candidate.
Lincoln Chafee bolted the Republican Party and seemed ready to run for Governor with the Moderate party. The problem for Chafee, (according to Chafee) was the founder of the Moderate party, Ken Block, who seemed to treat his new upstart party as his own toy and invention.
Steve Laffey, former mayor, had several meetings with Block about running for Governor as “the Moderate,” but Laffey said he was “blocked” by Block. The names Arlene Violet and former U.S. Attorney Robert Corrente were mentioned as possible Moderate candidates for governor, but their names also never materialized. Ken Block, the founder, finally announced it made “the most sense” for him to run for Governor, despite the fact he could have had a major name like Chafee or Laffey. So the unknown party ended up with an unknown candidate, in the form of the unknown founder.
Is Rhode Island ready for a new party? The answer is yes, but it is the Tea Party, not the Moderate party, that has shown great energy, passion, and ability to attract new members. In a recent Brown University poll, more people in little Rhody identified themselves as Tea Party members than identified themselves as Republicans. So what does Block do now? Block has spent hundreds of thousands of personal money on the campaign, yet the election in November is a long way off. Does Block continue to spend his own money and struggle to get 5%? Would you spend $400 hundred grand or $500 grand of your own money to get 5 % of the vote and not win the race?
Ken Block deserves credit for getting involved in the process, and has made good contributions during recent debates. However, many people in business find it is sometimes better to have 50% of something, then 100% of nothing.
John DePetro can be heard weekday mornings 6-10A, on GoLocalProv media partner 630WPRO & 99.7 FM, and podcasts of show highlights are found at 630wpro.com.
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