The Scoop - Daily Insights Into RI News and Politics at 4 pm

The Scoop - Daily Insights Into RI News and Politics at 4 pm

Welcome to The Scoop, the 4 p.m. report on everything politics in Rhode Island – the inside daily report exclusively on GoLocalProv.com.

Taveras Shops D’Amico’s Job

GoLocalProv has learned that Providence Mayor Angel Taveras is actively shopping Mike D’Amico’s position. Recently, the Mayor broke bread with former Classical classmate Michael John Van Leesten, son of OIC CEO, Mike Van Leesten and offered Van Leesten the position. The Dartmouth, Columbia Business School, and Goldman Sach’s alum told Taveras an unequivocal, “no.”

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No word on who Taveras will approach next to replace D’Amico.

Cicilline Has Reservations About Military Action in Syria

Despite advocating his support for President Barack Obama's call for military action in Syria this past weekend, U.S. Representative David Cicilline now appears to have some lingering doubts. In his appearance Monday on CNN's The Situation Room, the 1st District Congressman told host Wolf Blitzer that he questions whether a military strike would be in the best interest of the United States.

"But I think there remain a lot of questions for me. I want to be convinced this is in the best national security interest of the United States. I think we should proceed cautiously. We have a hearing on Wednesday before the Foreign Affairs Committee. Secretary Kerry will testify. But I have a lot of questions. I think the case needs to be made to the Congress of the United States and to the American people that this is in the best interests of the United States and in our national security interests."

Harrop Pledges No New Taxes

Republican candidate for Mayor of Providence Dan Harrop has made his first campaign promise: No new taxes. The GOP member recently tweeted: “Solution to highest tax rates in nation? If elected Mayor of Providence, I will NEVER raise the tax rates.”

Harrop, a psychiatrist, unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2006 and dropped out of the race in 2010 to make a failed run for state representative.

Reed Makes Friends with His Narragansett Bay PAC

In the last election cycle Jack Reed’s PAC pushed money to a lot of Senate candidates – here are some of the friends Reed made around the country. He supported the following US Senate candidates in 2012 elections:

Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) $10,000; Shelley Berkley (D-NV) $10,000; Sherrod Brown (D-OH) $10,000; Ben Cardin, (D-MD) $2,500; Richard Carmona (D-AZ) $10,000; Bob Casey (D-PA) $10,000: Joe Donnelly (D-IN) $10,000; Martin Heinrich (D-NM) $1,500; Heidi Heitkamp, (D-ND) $5,000; Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) $7,000; Tim Kaine (D-VA) $10,000; Bob Kerrey (D-NE) $4,500; Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) $2,500; Joe Manchin (D WV) $5,000; Claire McCaskill (D-MO) $10,000; Robert Menendez (D-NJ) $5,000; Christopher S. Murphy (D-CT) $10,000; Ben Nelson (D-NE) $2,500; Bill Nelson (D-FL) $10,000; Bernie Sanders (I-VT) $1,000; Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) $2,500.

Cicilline and Langevin also picked up $5,000 each from Reed's PAC. Look for lots of these folks to return the favor as Reed comes up for re-election in 2014. 

Source of data: OpenSecrets.org.

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