RI 2014 Governor's Race Weekly Scorecard - May 26
GoLocalProv Politics Team
RI 2014 Governor's Race Weekly Scorecard - May 26
Each week GoLocal's reporters, editors and MINDSETTERS™ review and grade the candidates, policy statements, their media, and the campaign activities for each of the five major likely candidates for Governor of Rhode Island: Gina Raimondo (D), Angel Taveras (D), Allan Fung (R), Ken Block (R) and Clay Pell (D).
Fung breaks out of the pack first with the first television ad of the season. His commercial focuses on his record as Mayor of Cranston and his ability to create jobs – 1,000 he claims.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe ad comes just days after a poll commissioned by his opponent Ken Block, that GoLocalProv was first to report, showed that Block had grown a 9-point lead over Fung in the GOP primary.
GRADE: C+
Raimondo’s campaign was on hiatus as her father passed away. She and her family were focused on family matters.
GRADE: INC
It was a big week for Block as he took the lead in the GOP race for Governor. Block who has been trailing Fung since the fall, overcame Fung’s popularity and Block’s legacy as a moderate to take the lead in the GOP race.
The downside for Block is he is now the front runner and will have to hold serve for the next four months.
GRADE: B+
Locally Taveras took his lumps.
The Taveras Administration got caught blocking access to public documents when GoLocal reporters attempted to review documents relating to Council President Michael Solomon’s restaurant.
Then, a GoLocalProv investigation uncovered that PEDP loans were being extended by the Taveras administration for companies that had gone out of business.
Nationally, Taveras got a big write up in the New York Times. The NYT featured the emerging power of Dominican candidates.
GRADE: C
Pell continued his road show of unveiling public policy positions on major issues. This week was Pell unveiling his plan for rebuilding Rhode Island’s infrastructure.
“Rhode Island’s natural strengths position us – if we so choose – to be a world leader in response to climate change. As an officer in the Coast Guard, I witnessed firsthand how our nation acts as an international leader in crisis response, disaster recovery and resiliency. Rhode Island must be at the forefront of developing technology, designing resilient infrastructure, and innovating networks to capitalize on the economic opportunities that our small size can achieve, allowing us to serve as a model for others," Pell said.
GRADE: B
2014 Political Ads and Videos
Anti-Cianci
The Anti-Cianci group has finally been established and launched their first TV ad.
The group is lead by former East Side State Senator and three-time failed candidate for Governor.
This is the second time the group tried to form.
Clay Pell
Hope
Democratic candidate for Governor Clay Pell has released a new political ad titled, "Hope".
The ad demonstrates Pell's decision to run a positive campaign, his plan for Rhode Island, and his pledge not to accept contributions from PACs or state lobbyists.
"I have a real plan to make Rhode Island ready for tomorrow: To invest in education, rebuild our infrastructure, create jobs, and ensure equality for all. I'll be a different kind of Governor. I'll never take a dime from PACs or state lobbyists," said Pell.
Nellie Gorbea
Deputy
Democratic candidate for Secretary of State Gorbea launched her first TV, "Deputy", three weeks prior to the primary.
The ad starts out by Rhode Islanders confusing Gorbea as the most recent Secretary of State -- with Gorbea correcting them.
"Nellie will hold lobbyists accountable...no more of that 83 Studios nonsense," says a hairdresser in the ad.
"38 Studios," replies Gorbea.
Guillaume De Ramel
Foundation
Democratic candidate for Secretary of State Guillaume De Ramel has released a new campaign video titled, "Foundation". The video highlights De Ramel's reform agenda.
"I’m not taking a penny from lobbyists. We'll build a Rhode Island that works for all of us," said De Ramel.
Guillaume De Ramel
Spelling Bee
Guillaume De Ramel, Democratic candidate for Secretary of State, has released his first television ad.
The ad illustrates De Ramel's reform policies.
“Rhode Islanders need a watchdog to ensure something like 38 Studios never happens again,” said Guillaume. “There is so much potential in our state and I know we can positively impact our economic climate by cutting red-tape, increasing openness and transparency, and creating a new way of doing business here in Rhode Island."
Pell
Ideas
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Clay Pell released a new campaign video titled "Ideas," responding to an attack ad from primary opponent Angel Taveras.
"I learned from my grandfather that campaigns shouldn't be about tearing people apart, but about ideas," Pell said. "Let's reject the old politics of attack and innuendo, and build a better future for Rhode Island."
Fung
Open for Business
Cranston Mayor and Republican gubernatorial candidate Allan Fung released a new campaign video titled "Open for Business."
"I became Mayor of Cranston, where I froze taxes for 3 years, saved millions reforming public pensions, and helped create 1,000 jobs," Fung said. "I'll do the same as Governor."
In the ad, Fung pledges to "challenge the old way of doing business" and make Rhode Island "open for business again."
Pell/Kwan Equality
Equality
The 30 second ad highlights Pell's women's equality agenda and is narrated by Michelle Kwan, former Olympic skater and wife of Democratic candidate for Governor Clay Pell.
"Clay is committed to a women's equality agenda that strengthens protection for women in areas like pay equity, sexual harassment and domestic violence,” Kwan says. "Clay knows Rhode Island can be ready fro tomorrow by making it one of the best places for women to live and work."
Taveras
Know Better
A new TV ad by Angel Taveras throws a counter punch at Democratic primary opponent Gina Raimondo for her ad criticizing his economic record as mayor of Providence.
"You've probably seen that ad where Treasurer Raimondo is blaming me for Rhode Island's economy," Taveras says. "We know better. The state was already struggling when the Wall Street crash made it worse."
"My opponent wants to throw stones from On High," Taveras contnues. "I want to build a better future from the ground up."
Raimondo
Raimondo: Ironworker
A new TV ad by Gina Raimondo is a direct negative hit on Angel Taveras. The ad questions Taveras' record in Providence and his ability to lead.
Is this an act of a desperate Raimondo or the first step to openning up a lead?
Biggest question is do voters leave Taveras to go to Raimondo or will they all shift to Pell?
Taveras
Taveras: Main St. vs. Wall St.
Angel Taveras, Democratic candidate for governor and the current mayor of Providence, has released a new television ad describing himself as the "Main Street" option and painting his opponents as politicians with Wall Street interests.
“Me, I’ll take Main street in Rhode Island over Wall Street any day," said Taveras.
Fung TV Jobs
Fung for Governor
This May video spot was the first GOP ad of the 2014 campaign for Governor. In this ad the Fung campaign focused on his record of job creation while Mayor of Cranston.
Blockhead
Blockhead
The first negative ad in the race for Governor was launched by Allan Fung's campaign hitting Block on his ties to Chafee and Obama.
Geek
Man with a Plan
The Brett Smiley for Mayor campaign has launched one of the most enjoyable TV ads. The problem may be that it appeals to his base and may be tone deaf to the issues of jobs, potholes and crime.
Folks in Providence may be looking for action rather than plans.
1-2-3
Block's 3-2-1
Like Smiley, Block comes out early with a "plan" ad. For Rhode Islanders suffering through the worse economy in the country and the highest unemployment patience for plans may run thin.
Pell Announcement
Pell for Governor
Pell's announcement video came before it was unveiled he forgot to vote and lost his car. This announcement video was the first look at candidate Pell for most Rhode Islanders.
Raimondo
Raimondo for Governor
Raimondo announced her candidacy for Governor from her home during the holidays. The announcement was meant to soften her image.
