"Who's on First" in the Democratic Presidential Race? Sunday Political Brunch - August 25, 2019
Mark Curtis, GoLocalProv Contributor
"Who's on First" in the Democratic Presidential Race? Sunday Political Brunch - August 25, 2019
"Biden Still Holds the Lead" – Former Vice President Joe Biden still leads the pack with 28.8 percent of the vote. That's a 12.8 percentage point lead. To some, that is puzzling, as Biden had a lackluster performance in the first debate, but was somewhat better in the second. Still, he served six terms in the U.S. Senate, and eight years as VP. His resume is way ahead of the pack, which may explain his consistent lead since the race began.
"Bern, Baby, Bern!" – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) Vermont is at 16 percent and has been one of the most consistent performers in the race. His poll numbers have ranged between 16 and 20 percent. He has a base from his 2016 effort to knock off Hillary Clinton, but you have to wonder if he can get any traction beyond his most ardent, hard-core supporters. Perhaps more than anyone else, Sanders engages young voters, but they turned away in droves last time when he did not win the nomination.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"Warren Warning" – Elizabeth Warren is third with 15.4 percent of voters. Like Sanders, she has been in that consistent 15 to 20 percent range with one big notable exception. Her numbers spiked high after both debates, in which she performed forcefully and skillfully. A lot of analysts believe Warren won both debates, and I would concur. Even though her numbers have dropped a bit, look for another spike when the candidates debate again on national TV on September 12.
"Harris Fades" – Perhaps the most shocking change has been the drop for Sen. Kamala Harris (D) California, who spiked after her sharp performance in the first debate when she aggressively took on Biden. It was a very good night for her. Unfortunately, her second debate was just the opposite. Biden defended himself far better, and Harris had trouble explaining her recently unveiled health care plan. Then she got pummeled by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D) Hawaii. Harris is down to 7.4 percent in the RCP composite, and even dropped to 5 percent in the latest CNN poll. This after pulling strong double-digit jumps after her first debate.
"Boosting Buttigieg" – Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D) South Bend, Indiana rose from the ashes of initial polls, and is now in fifth place with a steady 5 percent of the vote. People like his speaking style and his personal story, whether they intend to vote for him or not. But, let's face it, it would be hard for him to rocket into contention with poll numbers this low. His third debate may have to be a deciding point in whether he stays in the race or not. He's been a good fundraiser, and is well liked in New Hampshire, so maybe he rolls the dice for the long haul.
"Goodbye Hickenlooper, Maybe" – Former Denver Mayor and former Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) Colorado has quit the Democratic race for president, but his name may not be out of the headlines for long. Hickenlooper is a good bet to run for the seat currently held by Sen. Cory Gardner (R) Colorado. Gardner is seen by many as one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the Senate this year. Hickenlooper is a more moderate pragmatist on the Democratic side, who warned that nominating someone too far to the left could ensure a second Trump term. Keep an eye on what he does.
"Goodbye Inslee?" – Gov. Jay Inslee (D) Washington has also ended his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. Instead, he will run for a third term as governor. But keep an eye on him, too. He was the strongest voice on the issue of climate change, and could be a leading candidate for Energy or Interior Secretary if a Democrat wins the White House.
"Dream Team 2020?" -- Let's just assume for now that Biden is the nominee. I think some of the lower-polling candidates are staying in the race because they are positioning themselves as a vice-presidential pick or for a cabinet slot. One could picture an urban Mayor Pete Buttigieg being picked for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. If Biden tops the ticket, I'm betting he picks Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) Minnesota as his VP, or names her Attorney General. Given the instability of the Trump cabinet, I bet the Democratic nominee starts promising cabinet spots during the campaign, which would be unprecedented. Sen. Elizabeth Warren as Secretary of State or Treasury? Who knows?
19 to Watch in 2019 - FULL LIST
Angie Armenise
Chef and co-owner of Blackie’s Bulldog Tavern in Smithfield, Angie Armenise has it all going. Expansion to a new and larger location, a wonderfully loyal customer base and a big stack of awards -- and more to come in the new year. READ MORE
Marcela Betancur
Marcela Betancur, the new head of Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University and will be the power behind Latinx think tank in 2019.
Betancur, a Central Falls native, most recently worked READ MORE
Brian Goldner
No one will influence the psyche of Rhode Island more this year than Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner. After the loss of the PawSox to Worcester and the closing of Rhode Island’s beloved Benny's in 2017, Rhode Islanders are a bit raw.
He is poised to announce that Hasbro is...READ MORE
Cortney Nicolato
New United Way of Rhode Island President and CEO Cortney Nicolato succeeded Anthony Maione in 2018 — and takes on her first full year at the helm of the social service organization in 2019.
She is a Rhode Islander turned Texan returned back to Rhode Island. The Pawtucket native is all about Rhode Island and is passionate about helping to improve issues of housing affordability and the quality of education in RI. She is the mother of two elementary school-aged children. READ MORE
Sabina Matos
It is the rise of the Phoenix in Providence. On Monday, Sabina Matos won back the Presidency of the Providence City Council and returns to the top legislative position in the City of Providence.
As Providence goes so goes Rhode Island. Matos will be faced with taking on some of the most difficult issues in the state. READ MORE
Jamie Bova
The Newport City Councilor At-Large lined up the votes to votes for Mayor after being elected to just her second term on the Newport City Council this past November.
Bova, an engineer who grew up in Middletown, attended URI, and moved to Newport in 2012, succeeds Harry Winthrop as the city faces major changes ahead for 2019, including the construction of a new hotel on Thames Street — and more hotel proposals in the pipeline — and READ MORE
Jennifer Wood
The former private practice attorney turned top government aide turned non-profit director might have her biggest — and most public — battle on her hands in 2019.
RI Center for Justice Executive Director Jennifer Wood joined GoLocal News Editor on GoLocal LIVE where she spoke to the next steps after filing a federal class-action lawsuit in late November on behalf of all Rhode Island public school students to establish the right, under the U.S. Constitution, to an adequate education to prepare young people for full civic education.
Catholic Church Sex Abuse Survivors
In 2018, Bishop Tobin with the Diocese of Providence landed on GoLocal's “18 to Watch” as the Catholic Church was — and continues to remain — at the center of lawsuits pertaining to the collapse of the St. Joseph pension fund.
He’ll remain squarely in the spotlight — and not for good — in 2019, when he has pledged to release a list of names of abusive priests “credibly accused” over the years in the Diocese, as pressure mounts nationally for how sexual abuse claims were handled around the country — READ MORE
Matt Voskuil
One of Newport’s most iconic — and upscale — dining locations has a new look, a new chef — and people are taking note not just in Newport, but beyond.
Executive Chef and Director of Food and Beverage, Matt Voskuil at the newly opened Cara at the Chanler READ MORE
David Torchiana
The most powerful person in healthcare in Rhode Island may soon be a man who rarely visits the state and few here know his name.
Dr. David Torchiana is the CEO of Partners HealthCare and he is poised to push through an acquisition of Rhode Island’s second largest hospital group, ending the local control over three of Rhode Island’s most important healthcare assets. And, the deal has the potential of putting in peril thousands of Rhode Island jobs through consolidation. READ MORE
RI GOP Party Chair
Rhode Island Republican Party Chair Brandon Bell was defeated in his run for the General Assembly in 2018.
Republican Cranston Mayor Allan Fung lost in his second attempt at the Rhode Island Governor’s office, after a bruising primary that saw former opponent and House Minority Leader opt to endorse former Republican-turned-independent (and honorary chair for President Donald Trump’s campaign in Rhode Island) Joe Trillo. READ MORE
Anthony Baro
Anthony Baro heads Newport-based PowerDocks — one of Rhode Island’s most interesting startups. It is a market-making green tech company that, in many ways, combines the best of Rhode Island.
The emerging maritime renewal energy company is having an impact in the U.S. and globally. READ MORE
Blake Filippi
Blake Filippi is the new House Minority leader and is a fresh-faced leader for the GOP in Rhode Island. But, he faces a number of challenges. READ MORE
Desmond Cambridge
Brown University sophomore basketball player Desmond Cambridge has been a human highlight film his first year and a half on College Hill. He won Ivy League Freshman of the Year and this year he is READ MORE
Sarah Markey
South Kingstown School Board member Sarah Markey has been at the center of controversy since her election in November.
Markey, a top labor leader for the RI National Education Association, has drawn criticism by Democrats, Republicans and multiple municipal attorneys because READ MORE
Peter Neronha
Peter Neronha, the new Attorney General, takes over for the controversial Peter Kilmartin. The former U.S. Attorney for Providence now faces a far busier assignment than his federal one. READ MORE
Dylan Conley
Dylan Conley seems to be everywhere. Recently, GoLocal featured the attorney as one of Rhode Island's "Emerging Leaders."
He is the chairman of the Providence Board of Licenses and is in a hotbed READ MORE
Mike McGovern
Chef Mike McGovern -- formerly the chef at Red Stripe -- is taking the helm at East Greenwich's Kai Bar -- and now 241 Main Sports Bar and Grill.
Kai Bar is a combination of small plates and big drinks, “Kai offers a rotating small plates menu from an award-winning Chef and Craft Cocktails READ MORE
BIg Tourism Voids
Tourism is one of the most important sectors of the Rhode Island economy and two of the most important positions in the state are now vacant. READ MORE
