Republicans Champing at the Bit

While Democrats have been slugging it out in several hard-fought primaries, Republicans have been waiting in the wings, counting on large gains in the general election in what they say is their year.

Nationwide, Republicans believe that the ongoing recession and low approval ratings for President Obama and U.S. Congress will translate into big wins in the November elections. State Republicans are hoping for a similar turnaround in Rhode Island.

“This will be one of the most successful years in Rhode Island Republican politics since the 1930s,” said state GOP Chairman Giovanni Cicione.

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One political scientist, however, suggested that state Republicans might be overly optimistic. “National conditions will not necessarily provide much of an advantage to Republicans in Rhode Island,” said Tony Affigne, a professor at Providence College. “It may have an effect, but it’s hard to quantify. Their optimism may not be justified.”

Wallin and Loughlin Seen as Strongest GOP Candidates

Most party insiders interviewed by GoLocalProv agreed that the two strongest statewide and federal candidates the GOP is fielding this year are Erik Wallin for Attorney General (pictured right) and John Loughlin for the First Congressional District (pictured left). “I would agree that John Loughlin and Erik Wallin have been out there working the hardest, making the strongest cases,” said House Minority Leader Bob Watson.

He said Wallin is likely to face a Democratic opponent who is a career politician—which will be to his benefit. “When you look at the Attorney General, Rhode Islanders have typically embraced non-politicians,” Watson told GoLocalProv. “You look at Arlene Violet. You look at Jeff Pine. There’s clear opportunities there for non-politicians.”

Watson said he believes Loughlin will be the next Congressman from the First District—especially if his opponent is Democrat David Cicilline. He said Loughlin can draw contrasts between his fiscally conservative record and Cicilline’s tendency to back funding for social programs.

Cicione agreed that Wallin and Loughlin are among the strongest candidates. But he also said Catherine Taylor, who is running for Secretary of State, shouldn’t be counted out. He said she has been quietly fundraising while Ralph Mollis and Lou Raptakis duke it out in the Democratic primary. “I think as soon as she starts the public phase of her campaign, people are going to be blown away,” Cicione said.

Another Four More Years of a GOP Governor?

Mike Napolitano, a spokesman for Republican gubernatorial candidate John Robitaille, agreed that Wallin and Loughlin are among the strongest candidates in the Republican field. “They’re excellent candidates, but I do believe my candidate is an excellent candidate,” Napolitano said. “We have an excellent slate of candidates all around and this is our year.”

Watson, however, was not as optimistic that either John Robitaille or Victor Moffitt could win the race, especially since the party has held that office for the last 15 years. “It wouldn’t surprise me if the public wants to go in a different direction,” Watson said. “It’s too bad. I think that John Robitaille and Victor Moffitt could go out and make a case just as compelling as the other pretenders to the governorship.”

One party insider said Robitaille could pull it out because of the large number of undecided voters. "But right now it's not looking good," he conceded.

Cicione said Robitaille, who is the party endorsed candidate, had been hard at work fundraising, and, with matching funds, would have enough money to run a credible campaign. In a three way race with Democrat Frank Caprio and independent Lincoln Chafee, he said Robitaille had a path to victory, even if both of those candidates out-spend him. 

Moffitt could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Prospects for Other Candidates Unclear

That leaves Kerry King for General Treasurer, Heidi Rogers for lieutenant governor, and the Second Congressional District, where there is a primary among three Republican candidates.

In the general election, King will face Democrat Gina Raimondo, who has a huge fundraising advantage, and has been keeping a busier schedule than some of the other Democrats who do have primaries. Cicione said King has yet to really launch his campaign.

Rogers is a newcomer to the state political scene. Cicione said the party is still waiting to see what kind of a campaign she will run.

Cicione said Republican prospects in the Second District depend on how incumbent Jim Langevin does in the Democratic primary. But one party insider didn’t see much hope. “I don’t see anything happening there,” he told GoLocalProv. “I don’t see anyone really beating Jim in that race. As much as I would really like it to occur, I’m realistic.”
 

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