Rhode Island’s Electoral College Votes on Monday
The state’s remarkable year in presidential politics will come to an end this Monday at noon and you’re invited. Rhode Island’s Electoral College will convene at the State House to cast ballots for president and vice president . The historic ceremony will begin precisely at noon when the Kentish Guards in colonial military garb escort the state’s [...]
Speaking to the Speaker
Winners in political races have it easy. They thank everyone and move forward. The Silver Medalists analyze what went wrong and fade into the shadows. Is it possible to write a post-election column as the loser and not sound self-serving, shrill or sour? I’m going to do my best. From the beginning, this race was about [...]
I Endorse Rhode Island
I feel unjustified endorsing any particular candidate. But I will endorse a set of principles. I endorse the principle that the primary notion of government is to carry out tasks that people cannot accomplish on their own. That government success should be measured by the number of people it assists to success (whatever that may [...]
What’s at Stake Nov. 6: The General Assembly, RIPTA
It’s time to take a look as some of our General Assembly candidates. Rhode Island’s universal support for the environment keeps it out of the ProJo and off the 11 o’clock news during campaign season. That doesn’t mean the voters should forget our November 6th choices will chart Rhode Island’s path for the next two [...]
What’s at Stake Nov. 6: Our Shared Federal Lands
One of Clean Water Action’s core missions is to make democracy work. The cornerstone of this strategic focus is to hold our elected officials accountable to voters. A crucial problem underlying many pollution problems, we believe, is an imbalance of political power that distorts our political system and hampers good policy. The protection of the [...]
What’s at Stake Nov. 6th: Remember Climate Change
Today through Frday I’m going to put up a couple of posts about how our environment is going to be impacted by what happens on November 6th. With all the talk about jobs and the economy, I am continually surprised that so few are connecting these topics to the invaluable strides our nation has made [...]
15 Days Left: Volunteer for Progressive Wins for RI
With just 15 days left until election day we need your help! Whether you care about tax justice, marriage equality, women’s health, our environment, or all of the above one thing is certain – we need more progressive champions fighting for us up at Smith Hill. So step away from your laptop, and join Ocean [...]
Sunday Is Deadline to Register, Update Voter Registration
Planning on voting on Election Day? Rhode Islanders have until this Sunday to register to vote. Sunday’s deadline applies voters who have moved or changed their name since the last time they voted as well as to new voters. State law requires current voters to re-register under their new name or from their new address in [...]
Dems Say Doherty Fell Short on Pro-Women Bill
In light of congressional candidate Brendan Doherty’s Women for Doherty rally tonight, the Rhode Island Democratic Party today questioned Doherty for not supporting legislation that would expand and reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Specifically, the party questions Doherty’s unwillingness to expand and strengthen protections to Native American women, members of the LGBT community and [...]
Rethinking the Proper Role for the State Politician
There’s a “What can you do for me?” mentality about politics that I doubt anyone in Rhode Island will dispute. People say over and over again, “The legislature stinks, but my guy is ok.” And then they vote for the incumbent. Sitting legislators have the power of the budget to fund and disburse. Line items [...]
RI Small Businesses: Beware of ALEC’s Minions
Jon Brien recently announced that he would be running a write-in campaign to retain his seat in Rhode Island’s House of Representatives. At a press conference to announce the egotistical continuation of his campaign on September 20, Brien was surrounded by owners of local business including Pepin Lumber, The Burrito Company, and American Beauty Signworks. [...]
Clean Water Action Endorses Candidates
With September 11th just around the corner, it is time for RI Primary voters to make up their mind. I’m sure you have been sitting up half the night wondering which candidate has the strongest voice for our environment. Look no further. Clean Water Action is proud to announce that, after vetting the candidates who seek [...]
In Search of the Cleaner Campaign Contribution
Several years ago, when I ran my first political campaign against Patrick Kennedy, the first thing the reporter from the Providence Journal asked was, “How much money have you raised?” I asked him why he wanted to know, and he told me the truth: You can measure fundraising. You can count the dollars. It dates [...]
Doherty Was For Paul Ryan Before He Was Against Him
After pretty much declaring himself president of the local chapter of the Paul Ryan fan club, conservative congressional candidate Brendan Doherty is now trying to distance himself from Ryan’s plan to slash medical benefits for retirees. Democrats don’t buy it, though. “Paul Ryan may not be a household name to everyone in Rhode Island, but [...]
Your Autograph Will Be Popular
Rhode Islanders should not be surprised to find politicians asking for their autograph for the next week or so. The nearly 2,400 people who filed Declarations of Candidacy last week have until July 13 to collect the signatures of enough eligible voters to officially put them on the ballot. The thresholds range from 50 for [...]
Progressive vs. Old School
Bob Plain asked me to keep the focus of this blog on the progressive aspects of my campaign. (And thanks, Bob, for standing up for the rights of the free press — particularly in an election.) I’ll do my best, but the writer in me also thinks that the strange things you need to do as [...]
Anthony Gemma Should Stay In CD1 Race
I’m going to go out on a limb here and argue against our editor Bob Plain’s article that Anthony Gemma should drop out of the race for Democratic nominee for Congressional District 1. Now, obviously, it’s not because I have any particular love for Mr. Gemma. It’s because I’m a radical democrat. I believe in [...]
Go Online to See Who Is Officially Running
Rhode Islanders can use our website to see who filed to run for local, state and federal office on the first day candidates could make it official. The on-line Candidates Database includes the name and office of everyone who filed a formal Declaration of Candidacy on Monday. Rhode Islanders who are thinking about running for [...]
Anthony Gemma Should Drop Out of CD1 Race
The campaign to represent Rhode Island’s first congressional district in Washington DC will surely be the most interesting and scrutinized local race this year and, so far, there is only one thing that is certain: Anthony Gemma won’t win. He could, however, potentially damage David Cicilline enough in an ugly primary to leave the incumbent [...]
Former Chafee Staffer Seeks State House Seat
Sam Lovett, who worked for Gov. Chafee as a communications associate and before that on David Segal’s campaign, is running for a legislative seat in the State House to represent East Providence. He’s 24 years old and says politically he sees things from “a millennial point of view.” What does that mean? The Democrat says [...]
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