NEW: Dem. Party Chair Blasts Doherty
Thursday, January 05, 2012
State Democratic Party Chairman Ed Pacheco ripped Republican candidate for Congress Brendan Doherty’s endorsement of Mitt Romney Thursday, saying that it raises questions regarding Doherty’s stance on issues facing Rhode Islanders.
“Romney left the Hawkeye State with three-quarters of Republicans doubting him,” Pacheco said. “He doubled-down on his position to ‘let Detroit go bankrupt’ while President Obama’s auto industry rescue saved over a million jobs. Romney would rather watch the foreclosure crisis hit rock bottom and he dismissed the President’s $1000 payroll tax cut as a little Band-Aid while his own plan offered a paltry $54 to middle-class families.
In a three paragraph statement, Pacheco criticized Doherty for aligning himself with a candidate who “will do anything to win – including sacrifice principles to kowtow to the far, extreme Tea Party right. Judging from his poor performance in Iowa, Romney enters New Hampshire with GOP moderates and conservatives unsure of where he stands because he shifts positions on anything and everything to suit his political needs.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe statement did not reference John Loughlin, another potential Republican candidate for Congress, who is also supporting Romney.
“Is this what we can expect from Doherty as he tries to win a Congressional seat? Does he support Romney’s position on repealing the DREAM Act and denying young immigrants, who are here through no fault of their own and want to serve America, a chance at citizenship? Does he think the middle class should bear the brunt of the economic burden in our country? Should we go back to the days of letting Wall Street write its own rules? Does Doherty believe corporations are people too?” added Pacheco.
UPDATE:
Doherty spokesman Robert Coupe issued the following statement in response to Pacheco's comments:
"It is no surprise that Chairman Pacheco and the Rhode Island Democrats have disagreements with the Republican frontrunner in the election for President. This is a crucial time for our Nation and for Rhode Island and what matters most right now is the character of the officials we will elect this year. Brendan Doherty has the strength of character to rise above constant partisan bickering to find consensus whenever possible and to achieve real, common sense solutions to the challenges facing Rhode Island families.
Rhode Islanders are subjected to enough finger pointing and circular blame coming from Washington, DC -- we do not need to generate more here in Rhode Island. Brendan Doherty will offer his own leadership and experience as Rhode Island’s Representative from the first Congressional district and will work cooperatively with those who wish to restore hope through economic opportunity and to get Rhode Islanders back to work."
