David Cicilline — Watchdog or Attack Dog? Experts Weigh In

Thursday, September 19, 2019

GoLocalProv Political Team

 

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Congressman David Cicilline - partisan watchdog or political opportunist

In normal times, the vicious exchange between Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline and former campaign manager to Donald Trump Corey Lewandowski would be considered epic, but these are not normal times and Tuesday’s exchange was just another full volume, attack-style questioning by Cicilline.

Cicilline over the past two-plus years of the Trump administration has become a TV-reality show-like political pitbull, taking on almost every member of the GOP and almost every member of the Trump administration.

He has called for dozens of members of the Trump administration to resign including sitting Attorney General William Barr.

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“Cicilline is representing the prevailing view among his Rhode Island constituents that Trump advisors are stonewalling Congress and thumbing their noses at legislative oversight. The Trump administration is doing so many unusual things it is stimulating strong pushback from Democratic members. They are frustrated at many administrative policies and feel they have to speak out on pressing issues,” says Darrell West, vice president and director of Governance Studies at Brookings Institution in D.C.

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Cicilline and Rosenstein

But others are not so sure. Rhode Island GOP Chair Sue Cienki says Cicilline’s behavior is self-serving and not to the benefit of Rhode Island.

“When Congressmen Cicilline engages in these theatrics, he does so to benefit David Cicilline, the DNC, and Rhode Island in that order. Rhode Island may gain table scraps from these actions, but the more likely outcome and motivating factor for him is his opportunity for personal advancement in his party,” says Cienki.

“Congressman Cicilline is all bark and no bite as a watchdog for his constituents. If Congressman Cicilline was a watchdog for his constituents, then he would make himself available to Rhode Island's local media outlets, which has not been the case,” said Washington-based GOP consultant Spencer Sullivan. 

“He goes on national networks frequently as that platform allows him to be a partisan attack dog because that is what their viewers crave. If Congressman Cicilline wanted to use his position in House Leadership to benefit Rhode Islanders, why has he not used his leadership position to push for the committees that he serves on to help with the opioid crisis, school shootings, or work to secure more funding to stem the violence in his own supposed backyard of Federal Hill in Providence,” said Sullivan, who grew up in Rhode Island in Cumberland, and is now with the peer-to-peer text platform RumbleUp.

 

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Cicilline and Fox's Carlson

He ‘Thrives in Confrontation’

Cicilline’s battles seem to be endless. They range from a series of battles with Fox commentator Tucker Carlson to nearly every top-ranking member of the Trump administration. His tone is combative and sometimes bordering on shrill.

“Congressman Cicilline has always been known as a skilled debater and seems to thrive in confrontation. He’s brought those skills to the national stage and has garnered attention well beyond Rhode Island’s borders.  But this success can all come with a price. Political attacks work, and officeholders, as well as candidates, know this,” said Communication Professor Val Endress.

“But what they may not realize is that those who level attacks or merely respond in kind also suffer damage to their reputation. Former Senator Bob Dole learned this the hard way. While he was known as a man of substance, he also expanded his visibility by assuming the role of his party’s attack dog.  When he ran for president, many felt he was simply too mean, too abrasive for the White House. That’s the calculated risk,” said Endless.

 

The Decline of the Republic

John Loughlin, who lost to Cicilline in 2010 for the open 1st District Congressional seat, says there is enough blame to go around. “I was raised to be gracious in defeat, and humble in victory. That said, the shrill angry shouting voices on both sides of the partisan divide are contributing to the decline of the republic,” said Loughlin who today hosts a weekend talk show on WPRO AM.

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Cicilline and Flynn

“There’s another factor that figures prominently as well. During the Trump era, hearings have become contentious as a matter of routine. Witness the past several hearings, in which nearly every participant was quick to anger and fully engaged. In this kind of atmosphere, the people who stand out are the ones who dial it back,” says Endless.

“For example, during Tuesday’s Lewandowski hearing, it was actually the House Judiciary Committee consultant, Barry Berke, who calmly and deliberately cut through the chaos to achieve more productive results.  And, ironically Berke received more air time than those who participated in the theatrics of the moment.  Notice, too, how we pay a great deal of attention to Senator Jack Reed when he publicly criticizes the administration. It doesn’t happen often, but when he does, his constituents are more apt to listen,” Endress added.

 

National Fundraising Base

Professor Jennifer Lawless of the University of Virginia political science department says there is a method to Cicilline’s strategy, “Cicilline can be a watchdog for the voter and a partisan attack dog at the same time. He represents a heavily Democratic district, so he’s well-positioned to hold Republicans accountable for bad behavior without having to worry about suffering at the polls," said Lawless. 

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Cicilline and Lewandowski

“And in doing so, he’s building a national reputation and acquiring leadership positions in the House of Representatives. There’s no downside for Rhode Islanders and if Rhode Island loses a congressional seat in the next census, then Cicilline is well-positioned, regardless of his opposition, to run a competitive campaign in which he can attract national donors who have heard of him,” says Lawless, who previously taught at Brown University and ran for Congress in Rhode Island in the 2nd Congressional District.

 

Time to Change His Style?

“It could be that Congressman Cicilline is approaching the tipping point.  While his confrontational style has served him well, he will begin to pay a price.  He may be better served by dialing it back and rounding out his reputation by focusing more on the issues.  People admire and trust policy wonks.  Congressman Cicilline belongs to some powerful committees beyond House Judiciary and it may be time for him to build his reputation by changing his style," says Endress.

 

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