Side of the Rhode: Who's hot and Who's Not in RI politics?
by Matthew Jerzyk
Side of the Rhode: Who's hot and Who's Not in RI politics?
WHO'S HOT
Scott Avedisian -> As you first read here last Friday, the political world is awash with rumors that this Warwick Mayor will take the plunge and run for the US Senate seat held by Sheldon Whitehouse. While his friend Chafee will certainly help him from the Governor's office, the real question is (a) will he jump in and (b) which Republican will challenge him from the right?
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTSheldon Whitehouse -> Speaking of Rhode Island's junior senator, the next 24 months will be all about him as he gears up for his first re-election campaign. Whitehouse has taken a leadership role in just his first term as a US Senator and Rhode Islanders should overwhelmingly re-elect him, but with his favorability ratings hovering below 50, the NRSC will still likely try to find a competitive Republican in the hopes of another Scott Brown steal.
Transition Teams -> Kudos to Linc Chafee, Gina Raimondo and Angel Taveras for assembling a diverse cross-section of Rhode Islanders to serve on their respective transition teams.
Teresa Paiva-Weed, Dominick Ruggerio & Mary Ellen Goodwin -> The Senate President, Majority Leader and Majority Whip respectively had a great week in winning their leadership positions in an overwhelming fashion.
Gordon Fox, Nick Mattiello & Patrick O'Neill -> The House Speaker, Majority Leader and Majority Whip respectively also had a great week in convincingly winning the leadership of the House.
Labor -> Several stories this week highlighted the role of rank and file power in making a difference in the 2010 elections. From East Providence to the trio of Gemma, Shallcross Smith and Gablinske to the Governor's race, the labor movement proved that they have real people power in the Ocean State.
Cory Booker -> This prolific Newark Mayor stirred up URI on Wednesday night with an hour long inspiring talk about the power of making a difference in this world. Booker has over 1 million followers on Twitte and with his performance at URI, he certainly picked up a few more.
Pedestrian Bridges -> David Segal likes them and David Brussat well, hates them. But, there are 11 designs remaining in the competition to replace the I-195 highway bridge with a pedestrian bridge in Providence: connecting the East Side with Downtown. Check them out here.
WHO'S NOT
Gio Cicione -> After a terrible stint as head of the RI Republican Party, Democrats can only hope that he will throw his hat into the ring for the US Senate race.
Don Carcieri -> Similarly, Democrats would celebrate if this outgoing Governor decided to take on Sheldon Whitehouse in the 2012 US Senate race. The only thing worse than being an incumbent right now is being a longer serving incumbent who led Rhode Island into one of the worst fiscal disasters in recent times (no matter how Carcieri spins it).
Joe Larisa -> Talk about sore loser, this outgoing East Providence Mayor doesn't think much of democracy it seems, as he took to the halls of government on Tuesday night and whined about his overwhelming defeat on November 2nd. He certainly deserved his giant pacifier.
The Central Falls City Council -> Excepting Councilman James Diossa, the Central Falls City Council has sat on its hands while the city has fallen into economic chaos and now the city's receiver, Mark Pfeiffer, has effectively disbanded them. Was the move constitutional? We'll see. But, in the meantime, the 4 members of the Council should start acting like the leaders they claim to be.
Boston -> New England's powerhouse city has been taking a beating from none other than Providence, RI in recent national publications. First, GQ named Providence one of the "Coolest Small Cities" in America stating that “the most interesting city in New England sure ain't Boston”. Second, Travel + Leisure had a city faceoff between Providence and Boston and the winner was Providence! Take that beantown!
Bans on Overnight Parking -> The paper of record is correct in stating that - in the modern age - cars should be allowed to park on the street in Providence at night: for reasons based in environmentalism and common sense. Cranston could use some commone sense too.
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