Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics
Friday, June 03, 2011
Each week you get the insider take on who is cooking and who's cooling down on the often fast-changing Rhode Island political scene.
Who's Hot
Jack Reed -> You want to know why Senator Reed (at right) is always among the most popular politicians in the state? Because Rhode Islanders love a man with money. Once again, Reed has come through with over $25 million in grant money for the state. There's a reason his only opponent come reelection time will be a guy who carries around a Virgin Mary statue.
Ken Block -> Finally, The Block is coming back to the State House. Maybe. It's nice to know Governor Chafee is ready to allow his former (and future?) gubernatorial opponent help the state rid itself from food stamp fraud. It will be nice to see some of these sleazy businesses that essentially act as check-cashing shops get shut down.
Peter Kilmartin -> Yes, the man you elected Attorney General is, in fact, alive. Kilmartin came out swinging this week against the I-195 redevelopment bill. He's right. That land is incredibly important to the future of both the state and the City of Providence, and we can't afford to allow more sweetheart deals going to friends of friends on Smith Hill.
David Segal -> Sounds like one of the state's leading progressives is leaning toward another run at Congress. He managed to grab 20 percent last time, and if the races looks similar to the way they looked last fall, Segal is the one that stands to benefit most from the folks currently fleeing the Cicilline camp. He's got a shot to sneak up and win this thing.
Governor Chafee -> Some may say pushing for more DMV staffers is a waste of money, but if wait times decrease exponentially, we will look back fondly on Governor Chafee. And if he can get those people to smile when they tell you you've been in the wrong line for three hours, why not reelect him?
Barry Hinckley -> Nobody benefits more from former governor Carcieri saying he won't run for Senate than Barry Hinckley. With no other candidates in sight, Hinckley suddenly looks like the one to oppose Senator Whitehouse in the general election. Hinckley's a smart, charming guy who becomes more credible every day. It remains to be seen whether Rhode Islanders will elect a man that wants to get rid of the income tax and would have supported the Ryan budget, however.
David Salvatore and Michael Correia -> Kudos to two Providence councilmen looking out for the best interests of their constituents. Salvatore is pushing for an outside investigation into those bogus disability pensions, and Correia is correctly pointing out that the way to find cuts in the police department is at the top, not with the rank-and-file.
Mitt Romney -> A somewhat credible Republican presidential candidate has popped up. He might be the GOP's best chance at defeating President Obama at this point. Of course, he's going to struggle mightily to even make it out of the primary.
Who's Not
Brendan Doherty -> Reason numbers 10,293 and 10,294 why announcing so early could prove to be Col. Doherty's (at left) fatal flaw: He can't figure out where he stands on the squishy issues, and he could have chosen to run for Senate and faced a significantly less difficult primary. Doherty had a spark early, but his spotlight fades every day.
Providence FOP -> After threatening U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder last week, the FOP dropped the ball this week by attempting to negotiate via the radio. Even the mayor's biggest critics know he wouldn't be cutting 80 jobs if anyone else had a realistic alternative.
Providence Fire Bosses -> It's not quite as disgusting as the phony disability stories, but the idea that leadership in the fire department wants to form a union when the city is going through such a difficult time comes close. Get over yourselves.
Civil Unions Bill -> Just as the civil unions bill heads to the Senate, we learn that the bill in its current form would allow religious organizations to ignore the rights of gay couples. These kind of loopholes are the reason why so many folks in the marriage equality community were opposed to this bill.
Charter Schools -> Let's be clear. Achievement First should be coming to Rhode Island. But if supporters don't get their act together, the folks opposed to AF are going to win this battle. Because right now, that's exactly what's happening.
Providence Public Library -> Because the Providence Public Library has failed to live up to its promise to transfer community libraries to the city, 65 people are at risk of losing their jobs. This is appalling, and the PPL should be ashamed of itself.GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
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- Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?
- Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?
- Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?
- Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?
- Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Rhode Island Politics
- Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?
