Side of the Rhode: Who’s hot and who’s not in RI politics?

Friday, October 15, 2010

by Matthew Jerzyk

 

Read Side of the Rhode - Who's Hot and Who's Not in RI Politics - every Friday only at GoLocalProv.com!

WHO'S HOT

Gina Raimondo and Peter Kilmartin  ->  These candidates for General Treasurer and Attorney General respectively are cruising to election in 18 days.  They smartly released a joint news release asserting that they would crack down on pension fraud. The two candidates outlined a joint plan that included everything from new rules on dealing with investment firms to a 24-hour hotline for the public to report abuse.

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Bob Healey ->  43% in the WJAR poll?  Wow!  Elizabeth Roberts better be gearing up her campaign!

The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence  ->  This amazing group puts Streetworkers on the streets to prevent crime and gang violence - addressing crime and violence at its roots.  This Monday, come down to 265 Oxford St. in Providence and check out the Grand Opening of our their new Headquarters: tours are from 9am-11am and the press conference and ribbon cutting is at 11am.

Michael Healey  ->  This AG spokesman became the center of pun-ery when he injured himself when he fell out of a tree while pruning.  "Gravity is the law?"  "He's got a knack for breaking news!"

Dan McGowan  -> This up and coming blogger mixes good observation/analysis with a fresh youthful voice.  Check him out here on the office of the LG, here on the branding of progressives, here on a governor's debate and here with his Daily Roundup.

Dino Autiello  ->  This young Democrat won the special election in North Providence and, since being sworn in, Councilman Autiello has proposed mandatory ethics training for all North Providence elected officials and employees. Dino has also proposed the establishment of a Financial Review Board to provide an additional layer of oversight on town finances. He is running November 2nd for a full 4 year term against the North Providence Tea Party endoresed independent candidate Steven Andreozzi who has a questionable past.

Ted Nesi  ->  This smart business/political observer has emerged as a sharp blogger at wpri.com in this rough and tumble political season.

Amy Rice  ->  This State Representative out of Aquidneck Island is kicking arse and taking names against her opponent: the Republican who has violated campaign finance laws and whose candidacy might even be illegal. Come out and support her efforts on Friday, October 22nd at Beacon Rock at 147 Harrison Avenue in Newport.

President Barack Obama  ->  The leader of the free world will be in Rhode Island this week raising money for the local Congressional campaigns of David Cicilline as well as the DCCC.  Get the scoop on the President's visit here.

Question #4  ->  Good people are supporting question #4 which will appear as a Referendum on the General Election ballot.  This "Save our Shore" effort would preserve a Public Waterfront along India Point Park and would also save Rocky Point.  Double the charm!

Carl Crawford  ->  Forget the gripes in Sox Nation about his throwing sucker punches at Coco Crisp!  If Crawford signs with Boston, which he should, there will be a potentially potent top of the batting order in 2011 with Ellsbury, Crawford, Pedroia and Youklis. 

Sheldon Whitehouse  ->  Another great essay by Rhode Island's junior US Senator.  This piece - penned for The Hill’s Congress Blog about the recent foreclosure scandal - rightly argues that “Since the major loan servicers have proven both heartless and incompetent in dealing with mortgages following the collapse of the housing bubble, the Federal Reserve, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should institute a nationwide foreclosure moratorium.” Absolutely. 

WHO'S NOT

Lincoln Chafee -> Last week it was connections to a Ukrainian billionaire with widely reported ties to organized crime and this week it is (1) Chafee's campaign manager resigns due to allegations that he took unemployment payments while on the campaign payroll and (2) the Chafee campaign failed to pay taxes on its campaign finance reports.  I can already see the ad: he wants to raise your taxes while he doesn't pay his own. 

Michael DeSimone  ->  Memo to candidates: don't drink and drive and especially don't drive and drive and rear-end a TV reporter!  This candidate for School Committee in Smithfield rear-ended Channel 10 reporter Barbara Morse Silva and then proceeded to fail three different field sobriety tests.  After getting charged with a DUI, DeSimone was smart in withdrawing his candidacy for elected office. 

John Loughlin -> When Loughlin states that "I thrive on being unpopular" he is absolutely correct.  He calls Social Security a Ponzi scheme and says that climate change doesn't exist by signing the David Koch/AFP pledge and is a signatory to the Glenn Beck 9/12 Pledge and supports abolishing the federal income tax.  Sorry, John.  Game over.  Maybe Schilling can hook you up with a job testing his video games.

New Hampshire  ->  The "live free or die" state went Democratic Blue in recent years and now it is turning blood Red Republican as Congressman Hodes is losing big in the Senate race and Democrats Congresswoman Carol Shea Porter and Ann McLane Kuster are losing in the polls for New Hampshire's 2 Congressional seats.

Leon Tejada  ->  This outgoing Providence city councilman - no matter how angry he is - should not be ripping up awards for journalists in protest of their coverage.

Larry Summers  ->  This typical DC bureaucrat, bloated with power, has been in charge of coordinating the administration’s economic policy.  Join the effort in asking President Obama to pick a real progressive economist.

Donald Fox  ->  This Republican candidate for state representative in house district 47 has a serious problem: he says “We should be the New Hampshire of southern New England."  Hmmm....  New Hampshire?  Really?!?  

Rhode Island Hospital  ->  Patient safety advocates in Rhode Island were terrified to learn that Rhode Island Hospital is being investigated by the Department of Health for leaving a drill bit in a patient's head.  This is not the kind of story that Rhode Island needs on CNN.

Catherine Graziano  ->  This 79-year old is trying unseat Sen. Frank Ciccone for the third time.  She put a letter out in The Breeze saying candidates are misleading voters when they put out elect, not re-elect. Curiously, she is the one mis-leading the voters, as is in her last two failed attempts (2008 and 2006) for the senate seat, she was using her old yard signs from the 90's that said "re-elect."

Send me your HOT and NOT tips to mjerzyk at gmail dot com.

 

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