Guest MINDSETTER™ Samuel Bell Responds to Russ Moore

Guest MINDSETTER™ Samuel Bell Responds to Russ Moore

I noticed a column about our organization, the Rhode Island Progressive Democrats, in GoLocalProv this morning.  I am concerned that the column may give the misimpression that we are supporting Brett Smiley in the race for Mayor of Providence.  After spending the first half of the column attacking us, the author, Russell Moore, switched to Brett Smiley's refusal to sign the People's Pledge when a supporter of his is rumored to be considering spending a lot of outside money on his behalf.  The point of this, I believe, was to imply that we were being hypocritical by tying us to Smiley. 

This is deeply misleading.  Brett Smiley is not our candidate in this race.  In fact, we have endorsed Jorge Elorza.  We believe Jorge best embodies progressive values, and we believe he will be the most viable Democrat to defeat Cianci in the general.

We believe in the People's Pledge, and we encourage Smiley to sign it.  In fact, before reading Russell Moore's column this morning, I posted this on Facebook: "Brett Smiley should sign the People's Pledge."

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Sam Bell is the State Coordinator of the Rhode Island Progressive Democrats.  He lives in Providence.