Rhode Island Politics

Trillo (R) Tried to Entice Block (M) Into Joining the (R)

By Monique Chartier | November 10, 2010 |

On the WPRO Matt Allen (scowling person at top of page) Show tonight, Republican House Rep Joe Trillo revealed that he had tried to persuade Moderate gubernatorial candidate Ken Block to convert to Republicanism, going so far as to offer Block a leadership role in the RIGOP. Mr. Block declined and went on to garner…

What a difference: Chafee versus Christie

By Donald B. Hawthorne | November 10, 2010 |

RI governor-elect Chafee. NJ governor Christie. Night and day. Prepare yourself for the next generation of Kremlin-style lies from the RI NEA and recall how Anchor Rising publicly destroyed their lies several years ago in East Greenwich – here and here. ADDENDUM #1: More Christie here, here, here, and here. You just have to watch…

The Transition to Reinvigorated Decline

By Justin Katz | November 10, 2010 |

Bob Walsh is on Governor-elect Lincoln Chafee’s transition team? National Education Association Rhode Island Executive Director Bob Walsh is preparing the way for Rhode Island’s next governor? Boy, they (you know whom I mean) aren’t even trying to hide it anymore. Two hyperbolic scenarios arise in my imagination. In the first, a simpering Chafee begs,…

Moderate, Like Bill Clinton

By Justin Katz | November 9, 2010 |

Isn’t this just too appropriate? In a story confirmed by both campaigns, Block said in his posting that the meeting came about after a debate Friday night, when Block approached Caprio and told him “in a different lifetime I’d beg him to get me in to see the president.” Caprio said he was happy to…

Steve Gerling: At the Trail’s End

By Engaged Citizen | November 9, 2010 |

I can’t say I wasn’t warned; Rhode Island is a tough place for a Republican to run for office. It just came out one day at an East Providence GOP meeting. Someone asked; “Do we have anyone running for Senate 18?” The next thing I knew, everyone was looking at me. Even my wife, who…

Take the Money and Run: Or, This here’s a Story about Ralphy-Pete and Gina-Liz…*

By Marc Comtois | November 9, 2010 |

I will give credit to Governor-elect Chafee for having the good political sense of declining his statutory raise and putting the funds towards government employee recognition awards. (Producer Kara on the Helen Glover Show likened it to the Dundies given by the boss on The Office, Michael Scott. The “Chafees”?). So far, he’s the only…

James Haldeman: the First Declared General Assembly Candidate for 2012

By Engaged Citizen | November 8, 2010 |

While all of us, candidates and voters alike, recover from our political hangover, I am eager to announce that the Haldeman Campaign 2012 for State Representative, District 35 has already begun its planning process! I am very grateful to all my supporters, and I’m inspired to push forward by virtue of the 48% who voted…

A Sense of Doom in Rhode Island

By Justin Katz | November 6, 2010 |

I’m still feeling optimistic about the ability of the still inchoate reform movement to make advances and gain converts over the next two years, but a sense of near-term doom is still appropriate: After meeting with the House speaker and the Senate president, Governor-elect Lincoln D. Chafee said Friday he was optimistic that he will…

On the Matter of Too Much “Fighting”

By Monique Chartier | November 4, 2010 |

A couple of posts ago, Justin cited the statement yesterday by Linc Chafee that One of our impediments has been too much fighting to which Justin responds “Too much fighting” means too much opposition to the position that he and his political supporters — mostly leftists and unionists — wish to impose on the state.…

Don’t Leave; Fight

By Justin Katz | November 4, 2010 |

Matt and Andrew are surely correct about Rhode Island’s pending efforts to work dig its own grave even more deeply. The thing is: There was no plausible outcome, for this election, that could have stopped that. So, go ahead and feel those feelings: I wish I’d never bought property in Rhode Island, because now it’s…