Healey: Voters Getting What They Deserve

Healey: Voters Getting What They Deserve

Bob Healey—the independent candidate for lieutenant governor who promised to abolish the office if elected—tells GoLocalProv he is probably done with politics, but will continue to advocate for the issues he ran on. He also encourages his former opponent, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, to run for Rhode Island Congressman Jim Langevin’s seat.

1. What have you been up to since the election? I have been taking time to consider whether my birthright as a Rhode Islander is worth an endless future of incompetence, short-sighted political behaviors, ignorance and inability, all accompanied by exorbitant taxation, a poor education system that everyone says they are fixing but sadly stays the same, a government that is constantly struggling with corruption, insider-trading and reliant on Ponzi schemes, and an electorate that is unable to get out of its own way.

For now, I will be writing various pieces for local publications, working to establish a few non-profit for public causes, continue to practice law, get more involved with my import business, seek the license for a liquor store in Barrington, and work out details for four or five other future projects. After all, I am freed from the extensive duties of having to be the Lt. Governor. Roll away the stone. Forgive them father for they are Rhode Island voters.

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2. What did you learn from your campaign that you didn't know before? I always heard that money buys elections. I honestly thought that the message could beat money. The negative ads and a half million dollar campaign by Lt. Governor Roberts proved me wrong. I spent about $5,000 of my own money on this election. My opponent spent over $500,000 of campaign contributions from health care, insurance interests, doctors, and lawyer. Hmmmm. Yes, it sounds impossible to grow even more cynical about Rhode Island politics, but then again, someone once intoned that no one should ever underestimate the stupidity of the public.

I guess the biggest surprise was the Liz Roberts attack ad, but at that point I had her on the run and her campaign flunkies (who were more interested in keeping their employment than keeping her integrity) knew that she could run the attack ad with no retaliation because I hadn't fooled anyone into giving me campaign donations. It was the first time anyone spent a quarter of a million dollars on me. I was flattered. Who says elections are won by "a pretty face"?

3. What advice do you have for Lt. Gov. Roberts? It would probably help if you had read the health care law (Obamacare) before you were assigned to a committee to consider its implementation - or, for that matter, run for Lt. Governor on a health care platform (but hell, this is Rhode Island after all). Keep your eye on the prize (Langevin’s seat in 2012). A challenge to Chafee in four years is unlikely—especially after he threw you a bone by attempting to make your office appear relevant. Continue to fundraise from special interests who are giving you money for your campaign because they know you will not act in their best interests but in the best interests of the people. I love that line. And, as I tell so many Rhode Islanders these days, keep searching, you will eventually find a job. Just look at Charlie Fogarty.

4. What do you think will be the biggest issue the state—and Roberts—will face in 2011? Education, economy, crime, welfare, over-population at the corrections institutions, Legislative appointment of “magistrates,” public-sector control of the government, pension reform, bonding problems based on near insolvency, and thousands more come to mind, but I fear the biggest issue for legislation this year will be more like whether the "blue bug" will become the state's official icon. In Rhode Island, there are too many problems to consider and so little elected brain-power (or political will) that it is far easier to supply bread and circuses via tabloid Journal reporting (How about that WaterFire? Can Newport get the America's Cup? This year we will get the much needed primary seat-belt law. Who cares?)

5. Will you run again? I have run three times for Governor and three times for Lt. Governor. Although you never say never, I think another run is not likely. I never had, nor see a desire for any legislative position (I am not so great at ass-kissing), nor do I ever want to be in Washington. My forte is in executive branch politics.

I probably could win a legislative seat and I had a magistrate position “suggested” if I dropped out of one of my races. I think if I had sought either I would be doing a disservice to the people.
In my three decades of politics, I really only wanted to make Rhode Island a better place. If the electorate of Rhode Island sees fit to stay in the rain, they deserve to get hosed.

I intend to stay active in cause based politics such as working for voter initiative, elimination of the master lever in voting, holding a constitutional convention to amend Rhode Island's Constitution (role of the Lt. Governor, election process reform - instant run-off, education reform - statewide teacher contract and districting, THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!!!!) and other such matters.

If I retire from politics, I can at least say that I received more independent votes than the Governor and I remain the largest vote getting independent candidate in Rhode Island history. While some folks out there think before voting, far too many did not. Give them Barabbas.

Democrat Jeremy Kapstein and Independent Bob Venturini declined to respond to the survey.