The State of Divisive Politics in RI

The State of Divisive Politics in RI

From presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump to Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, whose approval ratings have taken a hit as of late, divisive politics are taking center stage nationally and locally. 

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“If you go back to the early days of electoral history, there certainly were campaigns as least as vicious as today. The big difference is the electorate able to participate has enlarged,” said veteran political pollster Vic Profughi. “So in the more recent modern era, certainly this [Presidential] one strikes me as more broadly divisive, but there have been other divisive campaigns with individual issues of importance to certain segments of the electorate, say when JFK ran as Catholic or Al Smith. I'm not sure as vicious as this one here, and it didn't have the media like is available today."

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As for locally, where radio host John DePetro and Republican House Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Morgan just spearheaded a rally against Raimondo, former Taubman Center Director and now Brookings Vice President Darrell West weighed in. 

“Divisiveness has been a problem in Rhode Island because the last two governors were elected with less than 45 percent of the popular vote. When you start with more than 55 percent not wanting to support you, it is more difficult to govern,” said West. "It is not long before you end up with low approval ratings and a public that believes you can’t govern."

National Trends

Rhode Island College Professor of Communications Kay Israel offered several political shifts that he says have played a role in the country -- and state's -- growing divisiveness. 

* The changing control of the legislative branch.  "The shifting back and forth over the last 25 years has meant that each party can, by attacking the other party and it's viewpoints, have a legitimate shot at being in the majority.  Thus the concept of the loyal opposition has virtually disappeared."

* The shrinking of the world technologically in terms of the way politicians have to respond.  "With the emergence of the 24/7 coverage and the instantaneous nature of social media politicians and pundits/talking heads have to be on message throughout the year and not just in the election cycle."

* The growing emergence of single issue groups with their ability to expend funds and support on the narrowest of concerns.  "Money speaks loudly and politicians have to find positions that are not centrist, but those that parallel the extreme views of the groups financing campaigns."

* The level of intolerance for differing views, Cultural religious, societal, issues etc. are the basis of targeting voters and membership.  "It seems reminiscent of earlier periods similar to the America First movement, the red scare, and the civil rights battles of the last century. It may have been here all throughout, but now it seems to be acceptable to come out from the shadows."

Brookings' West spoke to the national and local conditions as well. 

“We live in a polarized society where people have their own facts and mistrust those with opposing views. Bargaining and compromise are seen as vices, not virtues,” said West. “Elections have become a means to attack the opposition as opposed to laying out a positive vision for the future. In this situation, it has become more difficult to build bridges and solve crucial problems.”

“This is not the first time in American history where we have seen high polarization,” added West. “The 1790s and 1890s were very divisive. Politics was very personalistic and candidates spent a lot of time engaging in character assassination with their opponents. The tabloid press was strong in each of these eras and that make it difficult to have civil political discussions.”

Local Factors

Rhode Island’s two most recent Governors have been elected with barely 40% of the vote (Raimondo) and less than 40% (Lincoln Chafee).  

Raimondo was recently the subject of a rally held at the State House by those opposed to her performance and recent decisions.

“Raimondo has made several unpopular decisions in terms of highway tolls and the abortive tourism campaign. Even though the state economy is stronger, those mistakes have stimulated lots of criticism," said West. "She has to be careful so that she is not seen as a leader who is out of touch and not caring what average people think. She has time to turn things around, but needs to pay attention to the grassroots and show that she understands their concerns."

Israel pointed to the high number of unaffiliated voters — and nature of political parties in the state — as having a role. 

“Rhode Island's large unaffiliated block is indicative of the general disdain for the parties in the state.  With the Democratic Party dominating throughout we have a state where one party represents all the different views on the spectrum.  Thus a candidate on the Democratic ticket maybe just as likely to be closer in position to that of a Republican in another state.  The mainstream Democratic position is less definable in Rhode Island than in many other state,” said Israel.  “The Governor's dropping ratings are a result of the lack of political consensus or support almost all state office holders have.  Her support, while having been higher in the preceding months, may not have been that all that deep.  It doesn't take much effort to drop in the polls.”