Seeding the Grass Roots

East Providence GOP Fall Fundraiser, Part 1

By Justin Katz | November 9, 2009 |

Herewith, the first YouTube clips from Thursday night’s GOP fundraiser in East Providence. In the extended entry: RIGOP Chairman Gio Cicione, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, and Congressional Candidate Mark Zaccaria.

Rhode Island Voter Coalition Meet the Candidates Forum Video: Q&A 3

By Justin Katz | October 18, 2009 |

By way of a reminder: Any of these posts that have a “Continue reading” link at the bottom include additional videos in the extended entry.

Rhode Island Voter Coalition Meet the Candidates Forum Video: Q&A 1

By Justin Katz | October 18, 2009 |

The question and answer section of the Rhode Island Voter Coalition Meet the Candidates Forum pretty much began with what sounded like a withdrawal from the governor’s race by Joe Trillo and the introduction of probable candidate Rory Smith and only got more interesting from there. Be sure to click the “continue reading” link for…

Rhode Island Voter Coalition Meet the Candidates Forum Video: Opening Remarks

By Justin Katz | October 17, 2009 |

Herewith, video of the opening remarks and initial speakers from the four invited candidates at last night’s forum:

Tea Parties and Rhode Island

By Justin Katz | October 17, 2009 |

As illustrated in a recent National Review print edition piece, Mark Steyn gets the tea party movement more than most: … The signs on display get the underlying principles of the Obama era: “LET THE FAILURES FAIL!” Teenager: “STOP SPENDING MY FUTURE!” Senior: “THIS GRANDMA ISN’T SHOVEL-READY.” Just as importantly, the demonstrators understand the essentials…

Meeting Candidates You’ve Met

By Justin Katz | October 16, 2009 |

Hey, is it just me or is Rhode Island a difficult place to find your way around? I don’t think I’ve ever seen, before, the letters used on exit numbers (6A and 6) when the roads are entirely different. But I’ve made it to the Elks in West Greenwich for the Rhode Island Voter Coalition…

Republican Northeast Conference, Day 2 Afternoon, Video: Young Republicans

By Justin Katz | October 9, 2009 |

Concluding the Saturday session of the Republican Northeast Conference was a trio of Young Republicans: Rhode Island’s Ryan Neil Lund, Massachusetts’ Matthew Boucher, and Britny McKinney, in from D.C.

Republican Northeast Conference, Day 2, Video: John Sununu

By Justin Katz | October 5, 2009 |

The speech by former New Hampshire Governor John Sununu certainly increased the enthusiasm of the audience, and a great many laudatory comments could be heard in the halls on the way to lunch. (Based on viewing trends, I get the impression that it would be worthwhile to clarify that clicking the “Continue reading” line at…

Republican Northeast Conference, Day 2, Video: Thaddeus McCotter

By Justin Katz | October 4, 2009 |

He surely benefited from contrast with our Congressional delegation, here in Rhode Island, and perhaps his dry mid-country humor and his intellectual phrasing appeals uniquely to me, but the Q&A speech with Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R, MI) was probably the highlight of the conference, from my perspective.

Republican Northeast Conference, Day 2, Video: Congressional Candidate Panel

By Justin Katz | October 4, 2009 |

Of local interest, RI House Minority Whip and Congressional Candidate John Loughlin is clearly increasing his comfort on the campaign trail. One pleasant surprise, though, came with the short speech of Charles Lollar from Maryland. (Both candidates’ clips are in the extended entry.) Lollar exudes that articulate-northeast-southerner confidence in conservative values and principles and is…