Monique Chartier

Patrick Kennedy to be Primary-ed?

By Monique Chartier | January 19, 2010 |

Rep Jon Brien (D-Woonsocket) has been on the Dan Yorke Show since 2 pm. Ya knew something was up when he asked Dan and his listeners whether they are satisfied with their representation in Washington. After a couple of point blank questions, Brien confirmed that he is giving serious consideration to running against Congressman Patrick…

And Let’s Not Move Too Quickly Past the (Previously) Absurd Proposition that the Race for Ted Kennedy’s Seat Should Even be Competitive

By Monique Chartier | January 17, 2010 |

Mark Steyn didn’t make that mistake in his column yesterday. … If you were at the Hopeychange inaugural ball on Jan. 20, 2009, when Barney Frank dived into the mosh pit, and you chanced to be underneath when he landed, and you’ve spent the last year in a coma until suddenly coming to in time…

Another Learning Lesson from Brown – This One for Democrats –

By Monique Chartier | January 17, 2010 |

may be developing out of the Mass senatorial race. [Marc’s “lesson” pertained to Republicans.] If Coakley defies certain polls and pulls out a win this Tuesday, the margin will almost certainly not be the thirty point gap she started with two months ago. At that point, a proportionality exercise will, inexorably, flash into the minds…

Are We All in the Same Boat, Here?

By Monique Chartier | January 15, 2010 |

As though anticipating former Senator Chafee’s answer to WPRO’s Matt Allen, Matt just asked about whether the unions will have to give more concessions. Seeming to ignore the public/private sector distinction, Chafee said — unbelievably — “Everybody’s in the same boat, here.” in his column Tuesday, Ed Achorn enumerates the ways that we are not.…

Massachusetts Senatorial Race: The Taliban May or May not Still Be in Afghanistan

By Monique Chartier | January 13, 2010 |

… according to the Democrat candidate, but they clearly have a presence on her campaign. On a slightly more serious note, is the mood in Coakley’s campaign so pessimistic that they feel they must resort to stonewalling very reasonable questions and physical intimidation?

Legal Basis for the Teachers’ Health Care Board: Solid as Fissured Bedrock

By Monique Chartier | January 11, 2010 | Comments Off on Legal Basis for the Teachers’ Health Care Board: Solid as Fissured Bedrock

Under Marc’s post, Roland observes anyone in office will and can make mistakes but it’s important to catch them before they’re carved in stone such as [Rep John] Loughlin catching himself Indeed. This is an approach that needs to be extended to the newly legislated teachers’ health insurance board. Every legislator who voted to override…

Bait & Switch? Shovel Ready Stimulus Dollars Not Evident in “Shovel” Related Employment Figures

By Monique Chartier | January 11, 2010 |

Rush pointed out today that while the hype was about stimulus dollars going to shovel ready jobs, much of the money went instead to budget deficits of states and municipalities, as evidenced in part by an unemployment rate in the construction industry of 22.7%. Never to be outdone in Rhode Island, we went them one…

Friendship and Politics: Avedisian @ Chafee

By Monique Chartier | January 8, 2010 |

All this week, WPRO’s Dan Yorke has heavily questioned the party loyalty of Mayor Scott Avedisian (R-Warwick) for attending A Certain Gubernatorial Announcement, going so far as to call for the RIGOP to throw him out of the party. This culminated yesterday in an extensive and frank interview with the Mayor [podcast not yet available].…

Mr. Sweetheart Mortgage Will not Seek Reelection

By Monique Chartier | January 6, 2010 |

From the Wall Street Journal today. The departure of [Senator Chris] Dodd, first elected to the Senate in 1980, carried the most symbolic value because of his seniority and his close association with the financial system bailout and other economic policies. He has drawn criticism for backing a measure that allowed the embattled insurance giant…

Really? Health Care is an Inalienable Right?

By Monique Chartier | January 4, 2010 |

Glenn Beck this morning dissected remarks that Senator Tom Harkin made following upon the passage of a health care reform bill in the Senate. [Emphasis added in both quotes.] What this bill does is we finally take that step. As our leader said earlier, we take that step from healthcare as a privilege to healthcare…