Rhode Island GOP

Will Angry Voters Merely Want a Change of Party, or Will They Want a Change of Philosophy?

By Justin Katz | January 12, 2010 |

As today’s entry into the Republican wars, I offer a quotation from Carcieri communications adviser and apparent gubernatorial candidate John Robitaille, from Ed Fitzpatrick’s Sunday profile thereof: … he said he opposes closing the GOP primary “because I think this year is going to be a year for us to build the party. Why should…

Will Ricci: Re: Closing the Primary

By Engaged Citizen | January 11, 2010 |

To respond to RIGOP Chairman Gio Cicione’s commentary about closing the Republican primary in this election cycle: The Executive Committee meeting was held, and with little or no debate on the merits of a closed primary, a 26 to 10 vote was cast to recommend holding a special meeting on January 19th. This is technically…

A GOP-Heavy Beginning

By Justin Katz | January 11, 2010 |

On the first Anchor Rising call of the year to the Matt Allen Show, last Wednesday night, Marc took up the topics of legislators’ letter to the governor and the possibility of a closed Republican primary. Stream by clicking here, or download it.

Gio Cicione: Closing the Primary – Not in Haste, Not During an Election Year

By Engaged Citizen | January 11, 2010 |

Dear Members of the Republican State Central Committee: I am writing to you today to discuss the recent debate arising from a request last week by the Executive Committee of our organization to schedule a special state Central Committee meeting. This debate has, unfortunately, become something of a public spectacle, and in my opinion has…

Extremity Doesn’t Necessitate Impracticality in Politics

By Justin Katz | January 10, 2010 |

Matt Allen’s Violent Roundtable on last Friday night is worth a listen even if only for the encouragement that there are such folks as Joe Trillo (R, Warwick) and Jon Brien (D, Woonsocket) in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, and there are multiple specific statements worthy of thought. One suggestion that merits targeted comment,…

Inclusiveness Shouldn’t Require Us to Let You Govern by Your Principles in Our Name

By Justin Katz | January 10, 2010 |

Even apart from the much-deserved attention to Rhode Island Republican Assembly President Ray McKay, Ed Fitzpatrick’s recent column on intra-party debates is worth consideration: … I’m reminded of a documentary that debuted at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in August. HouseQuake documented the Democratic Party’s takeover of the House in the 2006 midterm elections,…

Perhaps There Should Be a Pal Party

By Justin Katz | January 9, 2010 |

I take it that Monique is responding to later segments of Dan Yorke’s Thursday interview with Warwick’s Republican mayor, Scott Avedisian (audio here). This is the very first exchange in the interview: Dan Yorke: What is your position on the governor’s race, what are you going to be doing with your friend, Linc Chafee, and…

Open Forum on Closing the RIGOP Primary

By Marc Comtois | January 7, 2010 |

The RIGOP Executive Committee voted to have a meeting to vote on closing their primary (roll call and more info provided by Will Ricci in the extended entry). Chairmain Gio Cicione has stated that he won’t call the meeting until after the 2010 elections and the rank and file are upset, arguing that he’s abusing…

Will the Real Christine Ferguson Please Stand Up

By Carroll Andrew Morse | November 24, 2009 |

Over at RI Future, they have a post up advertising a fundraiser for Rhode Island First District Congressman Patrick Kennedy. In the middle of the list of hosts, an interesting name appears……Maria Montanaro, Dianne Harrington, Tim DelGiudice, Jim Harrington, Christine Ferguson, Gregory Mercurio, Bill Fischer, Frank McMahon, Terry Fracassa…Christine Ferguson, you may recall, was also…

Gio Cicione on the RI Republican Platform

By Carroll Andrew Morse | November 19, 2009 |

Using the medium that all enlightened political leaders of the new millennium realize is a indispensable means for reaching the people and fostering necessary debate, i.e. the comments section of AR, State Republican Chairman Gio Cicione has weighed in on the subject of the draft of the Republican platform posted on this site this past…