Politics in RI - Experience Does Not Equate to Success for Rhode Islanders - Watson

Politics in RI - Experience Does Not Equate to Success for Rhode Islanders - Watson

The 2022 political season is upon us. What an exhilarating time to be a part of the Rhode Island community.  This year’s season is looking particularly lively given that there are races for Governor of the State and Mayor of the City of Providence, among others. Then you must throw into the mix the fact that Congressman Langevin announced last week that he will not seek re-election in 2022. Democrats don’t quite know how to respond, the Republicans don’t know how to take advantage of the situation, and this is Rhode Island so third parties don’t even get a say.

In the midst of this political turmoil, you can bet your bottom dollar that there’s one thing above all else that both parties will want the Rhode Island voters to know—it’s all the fault of Republicans/Democrats/the liberals/the conservatives/black lives matter/all lives matter/critical race theory/anti-vaxxers/corrupt politicians/big business/social justice warriors/right wing extremists/racism/elites/teachers/parents/gangs/the police/the economy/the Government/President Biden/President Trump/(insert another target)—and that is exactly why you should vote for their candidate.

I’ve been around this block a few times. For those who may not know, I had the distinct honor and privilege of serving as the Executive Director of the Mount Hope Community Center in Providence from 2006 until 2016. Commitment to the community is a fundamental element that any political candidate must demonstrate to be taken seriously, so it was inevitable that every two years, as election time drew near, connecting with the local community center Director was at the top of most candidate’s to-do list.

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The incumbents would come around to tell me about their new plans, the challengers would come around to tell me about their new plans, I would find out that most of them were not properly informed about the challenges or interests of the community that the Center served, and because I was community center Director, I had a moral obligated to have the conversation with all of them. I kid you not; like clockwork, every two years.

Mercifully, these experiences enabled me to identify a few unofficial best practices for sifting through the onslaught of political speeches, appearances, and promises that Rhode Island voters are going to be bombarded with over the next few months. Looking ahead, I think they may be of some benefit to share.

Best Practice 1: in assessing incumbents, believe what the incumbent did, not what the incumbent says; especially in Rhode Island. At the risk of sounding jaded, let’s be real; it’s political season and these Rhode Islanders are trying to get elected. In most instances that means you’re going to hear what the incumbent thinks you want to hear, which in many cases may run completely contrary to what the incumbent has been doing for the past two years. Don’t worry though. The incumbent will be sure to let you know that the reason why is because of (insert another target). Of course, one must consider that maybe, just maybe, there is some merit to what the incumbent is saying. That consideration, however, must always be tempered with a fair assessment of the incumbent’s political record. To paraphrase an adage, leopards don’t often change their spots; especially not if they happen to be from Rhode Island. Talk is cheap, so when it comes to incumbents believe what they did, not what they say.

Best Practice 2: in assessing challengers, when appropriate, ask some iteration of the question “Why haven’t we met before now?” I like this question because it commands the candidate to respond in a more authentic and thoughtful manner. It is unlikely that the challenger has a scripted response to explain why they don’t know you. Further, the challenger will have to explain why they haven’t engaged with you or your community previously—in which case you should strongly consider applying Best Practice 1; believe what they did, not what they say. Conversely, the question also allows the challenger to inform you of what initiatives or activities they have engaged that you may simply be unaware of. Either way, you will be able to assess a more authentic response from the challenger, which can be informative and beneficial in determining which candidate to support.

Best Practice 3: keep in mind that in the world of Rhode Island political experience does not equate to success for the State as a whole. I repeat, experience does not equate to success for the State as a whole. One might argue that given Rhode Island’s political history, experience has served to be the archenemy of success for the State as a whole. Indeed, some of Rhode Island’s most experienced politicians have ended their political careers handcuffed and prosecuted. All too often, in Rhode Island politics, experience simply implies that a candidate has played their position, has fit into the system, and has helped to move the political agenda forward… the same system and agenda that most Rhode Islanders agree needs to change. The truth of the matter is, regardless of what one’s political persuasion is, to achieve different results in and for Rhode Island, Rhode Islanders are going to have to elect different people to lead Rhode Island; plain and simple. I’m not the smartest cookie to ever crumble, but I’ve got a solid hunch that this goal won’t be achieved if Rhode Islanders keep choosing experience in Rhode Island politics as the determining factor for choosing political leadership.

2022 is an important year for all Rhode Islanders. Despite the uncertainty of contemporary times, Rhode Islanders once again can direct their future by electing political leadership that will steer the State in a new and better direction. Let’s hope that 2022 is the year that Rhode Islanders choose to set a new course.

Not that you asked, but that’s my three cents, in case you were wondering.

 

Raymond Two Hawks Watson