Lincoln Almond Was a Man of Unusual Integrity - Jim Murphy

Lincoln Almond Was a Man of Unusual Integrity - Jim Murphy

I’ll never forget meeting Lincoln Almond in person for the first time at his home in Lincoln in 1994.  As a native Rhode Islander, I was, like everyone else, aware of his long tenure as the state’s U.S. Attorney and his successful prosecution of leading crime figures over the years.

 

But on that day, he was about to launch a campaign for Governor, and as a campaign strategist and general consultant, I was there to see if we were a good fit and could work well together.  We spent several hours revising an announcement speech he had hand-written out on legal paper — our first collaboration of many over the years. Fortunately for me, he asked me to join his team that afternoon, and from that day on, we weathered two successful campaigns together as both colleagues and friends.

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Lincoln Almond was, first and foremost, a man of integrity and character.  As a candidate, this did not always serve him well.  He did not “play the game” with political insiders and major donors, avoiding any potential conversation that had even a hint of “quid pro quo.”  As Governor, it was policy considerations, not relationships or political IOUs, that drove decisions.

 

One classic Lincoln Almond initiative that illustrated these core values was the decision to allow any Rhode Islander to send in a postcard for a drawing whenever a low digit license plate became available.  No longer would they be handed out as favors to influential supporters wanting to boost their egos while valet parking their cars.

 

On the night of his upset primary win in 1994, I will forever remember him bellowing out, “And to all the insiders listening tonight, I have a message for you. Drink up; it’s last call; the party’s over!” 

 

Although lacking money and endorsements, Lincoln Almond’s core message resonated with the average Rhode Island voter who sensed his genuine independence and commitment.

 

I grew to see him as at once a simple yet complex man — with a seemingly easy way about him that disguised a dogged strength and determination.  Many misread his laid-back and low-energy style.  Beneath his calm and measured demeanor was a fierce competitor who knew what he wanted and fought to get his way. And his way was to serve the people of Rhode Island.

 

I remember during campaign season, he would quickly agree to go shake hands and talk with people at supermarkets — greeting people by name in town after town — seemingly personally knowing half the state’s population.  But wear a tuxedo and sit at a head table of a major dinner function attended by The Who’s who of Rhode Island? Forget about it!

 

As Governor, he embraced and promoted policy that boosted the economy, improved education and reduced taxes and streamlined state government.  But more significantly, you could trust what he said, and believe that his motivations were grounded in the spirit of genuine public service.  He was not a typical politician by any means, and although gifted with political instincts that were underestimated, he preferred a more plodding and direct approach to the more traditional flashy, self-promoting style of campaign.

 

Lincoln Almond was a public servant who provided steady, reliable, honest leadership.  And isn’t that something we could all use more of in government today.

 

Jim Murphy is a Warren native who was chief political strategist for Lincoln Almond’s 1994 and 1998 campaigns for Governor.