March 24, 2011
Candidate Hinckley Staffs Up
Scott McKay of WRNI (1290AM) reports that Benjamin "Barry" Hinckley, who has filed the paperwork to begin a run for Senate against incumbent Sheldon Whitehouse, has attracted some experienced political operatives to his campaign staff...
[Darcie Johnston] is a Montpelier, Vermont-based fund raising consultant who worked on then-Republican U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee’s 2006 Senate race. [Paul Hatch], who is based in Washington, D.C. is a former executive director of the Republican Governors Association. Both Johnston and Hatch were consultants on the unsuccessful GOP attempt to defeat Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Barney Frank in 2010.At least in its early stages, this is appearing to be a serious and not idiosyncratic campaign attempt.
I'm sorry, but when does someone come out of nowhere in this state to take such a high profile seat against an incumbent? I see this all the time where someone wants to jump to the big leagues from the equivalent of a high school roster.
I understand that the time to knock out Whitehouse is during his first re-election bid, but really, people do need to work their way up the chain. To go from a local business owner to knocking out an incumbent democrat Senator? Good luck.
I'm guessing that there will either be a Republican primary or Hinckley doesn't make it all the way to even that finish line.
Posted by: Patrick at March 24, 2011 12:30 PMMaybe we should wait for the message before we judge the guy. Who knows, maybe he will rocket up the ladder like our President.
Posted by: Max Diesel at March 24, 2011 4:10 PMHi!
Since I do not know him I cannot comment. Getting political professionals to work for you is one way to impress party activists. However last Saturday the R.I. GOP had a state central committee meeting and he did not show up to greet people. In fact I only saw Loughlin there.
One real question is this at this point: What interest does the Republican Senatorial Committee have in this race presently? It appears a highly probably fact the GOP will win control of the U.S. Senate as Democrats have more seats to defend. While it may be possible a Republican or two GOP seats may be lost? It is conjecture at this point certainly.
The issue at this point is any of these seriously looking at a run as a Republican for Senate from R.I., in 2012: Donald Carcieri, Brendan Doherty, or John Loughlin? Any of these would seem to get the endorsement over Mr. Hinckley.
Regards,
Scott
Is Bob Tingle or Jack Potter not available?
Posted by: Tommy Cranston at March 24, 2011 8:05 PMJudging from Democratic retirements, it certainly seems on the surface that a GOP takeover is likely. However, you also have to wonder about sure pickups the Tea Party willblow for the GOP (Delaware, Nevada, Colorado; I wonder about Maine and Massachusetts this time).
Posted by: bella at March 24, 2011 10:31 PMBella, I had no idea you were such an astute political prognosticator. When will your new show on CNN begin airing?
Posted by: BobN at March 25, 2011 6:59 AMBobN
You have no idea about most things. Not surprising that you had no idea about Bella.
OldTimeLefty
Once again, Lefty proves he has nothing worthwhile to say about the topic under consideration, but indulges his Tourette syndrome at every opportunity.
Posted by: BobN at March 27, 2011 3:33 PM