Archive for the 'Breaking News' Category

Breaking News: Patrick Lynch to Drop Out of Gov Race Thursday

According to Kathy Gregg at the Providence Journal and other insider sources, outgoing Attorney General Patrick Lynch is going to end his poorly-managed race for the Democratic nomination for governor on Thursday.

Apparently, Patrick Lynch has finally acknowledged the political reality which virtually everyone else out there already knew months ago — he can’t win.

While this certainly frees up Frank Caprio in so far as the Democratic primary is concerned, it probably will benefit ex-RINO Linc Chafee more in the long run, as it should help Linc to solidify support among the left-of-center and so-called “progressive” voters in the general election. Caprio will no longer be under any pressure to appease the left-wing “Myrth Yorke” part of his party, and will turn his focus and his public speaking towards the general election. Those lefty voters who usually vote Democrat may very well turn elsewhere, such as to liberal independent candidate Linc Chafee or the (not so) Moderate Party’s Ken Block.

This would be in sharp contrast in both style and substance to Frank Caprio, who has a reputation — whether deserved or not — of being a relatively more conservative and disciplined candidate (and he can even form complete sentences, too!). Expect Caprio and Chafee to spend more time (and a lot more money) attacking each other directly. This may also end up affecting the race in the First Congressional District race as well. I think it could very well end up helping the other Lynch brother and hurt Cicilline.

While on the surface, this may not look good for either of the Republican candidates in the short term, it may actually be good news for John Robitaille and the others, as they will be able to focus on their own positives, and leave Caprio and Chafee to draw blood from each other. However, the Republicans and the Moderate in the race will have to do a lot more to get noticed, and to raise a lot more money to make the race at least competitive.

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Rhode Island Republicans Wednesday at the Westin!

RI Republicans,

Please join us on Wednesday night at the Westin Hotel, as we take a stand against the Democrats’ hostility toward free-market capitalism. Once and for all, let’s get the government out of private business, and bring jobs back to Rhode Island.

RI Young Republicans
Board of Directors

Rhode Island Republicans Boycott the Boycott, and Support Procaccianti Group by Hosting Two Events at Westin Hotel This Week!

For several weeks, union activists and elected Democrats have been orchestrating a boycott of the Westin Hotel in downtown Providence. Progressive activists and the hotel workers union, Unite Here Local 217, have cited pay cuts and increases to healthcare co-pays as the reason for the boycott.

The boycott has garnered a lot of media attention, and has been supported by Brown University activists and Netroots Nation, a high profile progressive organization currently threatening to suspend its plans to hold their 2011 convention in Providence unless the Procaccianti Group caves to union demands.

In response, members of the RIGOP and the RI Young Republicans will be making a statement of opposition to the boycott by hosting two events at the Westin Hotel this Wednesday night: The RIGOP State Central Committee meeting, and a Young Republican Night Out at the Westin. Hundreds of RIGOP members will be in attendance for the State Central Committee meeting Wednesday evening. When the meeting is adjourned, they will join the RI Young Republicans as they visit several restaurants and bars located throughout the hotel.

“As usual, there’s a whole other side to the story that nobody is hearing,” says RIGOP Chairman Giovanni Cicione. “The Procaccianti Group is a world class employer. If Democrats continue to torture every local business with threats of strikes and boycotts, especially in the midst of this recession, Rhode Island will soon find itself with no employers left.”

“We hope the Procaccianti Group will come to understand that there are many Rhode Islanders who realize the horrible business climate Democrats have created for them, and that they can count on the RIGOP to fight for more of a free market economy here in Rhode Island,” said chairman of the RI Young Republicans Travis Rowley. “And we hope that the Westin employees come to understand that the policies initiated by Democrats and their labor bosses will ultimately result in the loss of their jobs. They are the same policies that have caused Rhode Island to have one of the highest unemployment rates in the country right now.”

The two Republican spokesmen also have a lot to say regarding the Providence City Council’s recent moves to impose its will on private companies, particularly the hospitality and tourism industries. Regarding the City Council’s recent ordinance, that forces new hotel employers to retain employees for at least six months, Rowley stated, “Democrats will never learn to keep their hands out of people’s private affairs, and put their faith in the free market. They’re just not comfortable unless they’re controlling every facet of the economy.”

Chairman Cicione said, “What’s going on at the Westin right now, including the ordinances that the City Council continues to levy, are exactly the types of things that have delivered Rhode Island to the brink of economic collapse. This is why Rhode Island ranks at the bottom of every business ranking in the country.”

“The worst possible scenario for Rhode Island workers is for their jobs to disappear. We’re trying to prevent that from happening. That’s the message we’re trying to get across,” Rowley added.

Press Release: Rhode Island Young Republicans

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Rhode Islander Ken McKay Steps Down From Post at RNC

Somebody’s head was going to roll at the Republican National Committee, and unfortunately it ended up being Ken’s…

RNC chief of staff Ken McKay has resigned from the national committee a week after improper expenditures came to light, a top GOP source tells Hotline OnCall…

McKay fired the staffer who made the expense. Still, RNC chair Michael Steele, who has faced a week of criticism for the incident, felt more had to be done.

“The chairman felt it was critical to make a move swiftly to ensure that no improper expenses happen in the future,” RNC spokesman Doug Heye told Hotline OnCall.

Read More: Hotline on Call

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State Attorneys General to File Suit Against Federal Government

Moments after Congress voted to approve President Obama’s health care legislation, Florida’s Attorney General announced he will file a lawsuit to declare the bill unconstitutional.

Bill McCollum will join Attorneys General from South Carolina, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Pennsylvania, Washington, North Dakota and South Dakota to file a lawsuit against the federal government.

“The health care reform legislation passed by the U. S. House of Representatives this evening clearly violates the U.S. Constitution and infringes on each state’s sovereignty,” McCollum said in a statement distributed late Sunday night.

“If the President signs this bill into law, we will file a lawsuit to protect the rights and the interests of American citizens.”

McCollum will hold a press conference at his Orlando office Monday morning to discuss his plans…

Read More: ABC News

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Video: Rep. Patrick Kennedy Will Not Seek Reelection

A Democratic official says Rep. Patrick Kennedy has decided not to seek re-election for his seat representing Rhode Island in the U.S. Congress…

Kennedy plans to air two-minute commercials about his decision to air on three Rhode Island TV stations on Sunday night. Here is the video below:

YouTube Preview Image
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Representative John Loughlin: Congratulations Senator Elect Scott Brown!

Representative Loughlin Hears the Message Sent by Massachusetts Voters: “It’s a New Day!”

Stunning Upset by Scott Brown Returns “The People’s Seat”

TIVERTON – In an upset of historic significance, the seat held for the last 47 years by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, has been won by State Senator Scott Brown, a candidate, who, like State Representative John Loughlin, believes in less government, lower spending and responsive, responsible representation.

“The victory is stunning,” says John Loughlin, Rhode Island State Representative and Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in the First District. “Massachusetts is one of the bluest of the blue states, where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by 3 to 1.

Voters turned out in record numbers. Even visits by Democratic giants – including two Presidents – plus the full backing of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Senator John Kerry and the entire Kennedy family, including RI Congressman Patrick Kennedy, could not derail Brown’ campaign for the peoples seat.”

Loughlin believes that the many Independent voters of Massachusetts as well as Democrats joined Republicans and made their voices heard. “Voter frustration crosses party lines,” says Loughlin.

“This election proved that it is not the people who don’t understand the issues, it is the politicians who don’t understand the people.”

Loughlin believes that voters were fueled by anger and anxiety over today’s most crucial issues, from crippling unemployment to out-of-control spending and unchecked government expansion. He feels the political climate is one of profound unrest, where voters are unheard by out-of-touch, catch-me-if-you-can Washington insiders, operating behind closed doors.

“Today’s most serious issues, like Medicare and healthcare reform, high taxes and national security cry out for a common sense approach,” says Loughlin.

“Frustrated voters deserve a voice and a victory – today they got both.”

As Massachusetts neighbors, Rhode Islanders are facing a similar crossroad. “Ours is a state that’s heavily Democratic too,” Loughlin says. “But the upset in Massachusetts, I believe will motivate voters to unseat Patrick Kennedy, another career politician who’s voting record reflects his inability to understand the challenges Rhode Islanders face daily. He’s been entrenched in the Washington establishment for far too long.”

“I look forward to the contest with Representative Kennedy. It’s time for fresh-thinking, independent leadership from a candidate who listens to and respects the voters,” he says. “The days of letting the old political machinery run our state must end. Now more than ever, we need accountability and transparency. Elected officials need to be in touch, whether it’s visiting a business owner in Portsmouth, a caregiver in Woonsocket or a homeowner in a Providence neighborhood.”

The Loughlin campaign will reach across state lines to extend an invitation to the newly elected Massachusetts Senator in the months ahead. “I want Scott Brown to see first-hand that Rhode Islanders are also ready to send someone to Washington who will take on the political machine,” says Loughlin. “Today, Massachusetts voters opened the door to a new era – and I’m confident that Rhode Island voters will follow.”

Press Release: State Representative John Loughlin

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EPIC WIN!

Scott Brown: 52%
Martha (Marcia?) Coakley: 47%
Joseph Kennedy: 1%

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Breaking: Boston Herald Poll Has Scott Brown Up By 4!

Riding a wave of opposition to Democratic health-care reform, GOP upstart Scott Brown is leading in the U.S. Senate race, raising the odds of a historic upset that would reverberate all the way to the White House, a new poll shows.

Although Brown’s 4-point lead over Democrat Martha Coakley is within the Suffolk University/7News survey’s margin of error, the underdog’s position at the top of the results stunned even pollster David Paleologos.

“It’s a Brown-out,” said Paleologos, director of Suffolk’s Political Research Center. “It’s a massive change in the political landscape.”

The poll shows Brown, a state senator from Wrentham, besting Coakley, the state’s attorney general, by 50 percent to 46 percent, the first major survey to show Brown in the lead. Unenrolled long-shot Joseph L. Kennedy, an information technology executive with no relation to the famous family, gets 3 percent of the vote. Only 1 percent of voters were undecided…

Read More: The Boston Herald

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Press Release: Republicans Call on RIGOP Chair to Resign

On Tuesday January 5, 2010, the Executive Committee of the Rhode Island Republican Party met to request a meeting of the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee in order to present, discuss and consider a proposed change in the party by-laws pertaining to primary elections. The Executive Committee by an overwhelming vote of 26-10 (with 2 abstentions) expressed its will to hold a special meeting on January 19, 2010.

In addition, an ad-hoc meeting of the city and town Republican Chairs voted 32 to 0 to support holding the meeting and the by-laws change. The result was that State Republican Party Chairman Giovanni Cicione refused to abide by the majority vote. Since that time he has made several public statements that he would not hold the requested meeting and in addition threatened to cancel the already scheduled meeting on February 9, 2010. This action by the State GOP Chairman would render the change ineffective based on the deadlines imposed by Rhode Island election law Section 17-12-2.1. Cicione has clearly stated in several public interviews that he would do anything in his power to obstruct the proposed by-laws change.

Michael Napolitano, chairman of the Lincoln Republican Town Committee and spokesperson for the GOP city and town chairs stated, “Effectively, Chairman Cicione, is casting a one person vote to block the will of the party with no democrative process. “Democracy delayed is democracy denied.” Chairman Cicione is in defiance of the Executive Committee, the city and town chairs, National Committee Woman Carol Mumford, First Vice-Chair Nancy Richmond, Second Vice-Chair Lester Olson, Treasurer Barbara Holmes, and Parliamentarian John Clarke.

Said Napolitano, “Acting on behalf of these individuals I hereby state we have no confidence in Giovanni Cicione’s ablility to lead this party effectively and demand his immediate resignation.”

Contact:

For Immediate Release
Michael V. Napolitano, Chairman, Lincoln Republican Town Committee
(401) 487-9301

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Breaking News: Republicans Call for Resignation of RIGOP Chairman Gio Cicione

On WPRO, a group representing 30 city and town GOP chairs from all over Rhode Island, members of the Rhode Island Republican Executive Committee, as well as most of the officers of the Rhode Island Republican Party have publicly called for the resignation or removal of RIGOP Chairman Gio Cicione.

A press release to that effect will be released shortly.

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Roll Call Vote from the Executive Committee Meeting

Since this information unlikely to be available in other venues, I’m providing it to you free of charge, being the generous guy that I am. This is according to my notes.

Against (10):

Gio Cicione – Chair, RIGOP
Robert Coupe – Secretary, RIGOP
John Harpootian – Governor’s Designee
Hon. Scott Avedesian – Mayor of Warwick
Hon. Allan Fung – Mayor of Cranston
Dr. Daniel Harrop – Chair, Finance Committee
Robert Manning – Chair, Platform Committee
Marge Gartelman – At-Large
Tom Curry – At-Large
Sean Gately – At-Large

In Favor (26):

Nancy Richmond – 1st Vice Chair, RIGOP
Lester Olson – 2nd Vice Chair, RIGOP
Barbara Holmes – Treasurer, RIGOP
Dave Talan – Corresponding Secretary, RIGOP
John Clarke – Parliamentarian, RIGOP
Hon. Carol Mumford – RNC National Committeewoman
Hon. Joseph Trillo – RNC National Committeeman
Travis Rowley – Chair, RI Young Republicans
Renay Omisore – Chair, African-American Republicans
Raymond McKay – President, Rhode Island Republican Assembly
Patricia Morgan – Past Chair, RIGOP (Will wonders never cease?)
Hon. Joseph Almond – Lincoln Town Administrator
Mia Caetano-Johnson – Chair, Nominations Committee
Hon. Robert Watson – House Republican Leader (We’ll take it!)
Phil Hirons – President, City and Town GOP Chairmen’s Caucus
Robert Carlin – Providence County Vice-Chair
Diane Allen – Washington County Vice-Chair
Judy Orson – Kent County Vice-Chair
Thomas Carroll – Bristol County Vice-Chair
Antone Viverios – Newport County Vice-Chair
Mark Zaccaria – At-Large
Ted Richards – At-Large
Charles Vacca – At-Large
Jonathan Scott – At-Large
William Ricci – At-Large

Abstentions (2):

John Robitaille – At-Large
Kerry King – At-Large

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Results of the House District 62 Special Election

These are the unofficial results — sorted by polling station — from Tuesday’s special election in House District 62 (Pawtucket / East Providence) between Republican Tom Clupny, Democrat Mary Duffy-Messier, and Unaffiliated candidate Paul Dinsmore.

Total votes cast were remarkably low, about 487, with approximately 6% of eligible voters casting ballots. Although Tom did not win this time around, he did well considering the dynamics of the particular district. Simply put, it is not “Republican friendly” turf. On the bright side, Tom did win in the East Providence portion of the district! Tom has already indicated he will run again in the Fall of 2010. The campaign begins next week!

Fire Station – Pawtucket

Clupny – 15
Messier – 26
Dinsmore – 1

Fallon Elementary School

Clupny – 72
Messier – 161
Dinsmore – 1

Independence

Clupny – 20
Messier – 43
Dinsmore – 3

Little Elementary School

Clupny – 7
Messier – 23
Dinsmore – 2

East Providence

Clupny – 61
Messier – 43
Dinsmore – 8
Write-in – 1

TOTAL VOTES CAST*

Clupny – 175 votes (36%)
Messier – 296 votes (61%)
Dinsmore – 15 votes (3%)
Write-In – 1 votes (0%)

* The above quoted numbers do not count any absentee ballots.

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Breaking News: Rory Smith Exits RI Gubernatorial Race

rory_smithRory Smith, a newcomer to politics who had been actively considering a run for Rhode Island governor in 2010 as a Republican, has just issued a press release backing out of the race. Here is his statement:

After spending the last few months considering a run for Governor, I have decided to suspend my campaign and return all campaign contributions. While I am deeply appreciative of the support of those who know me well, I have come to the conclusion that as a newcomer to politics, my limited political experience and political network in Rhode Island will keep me from running a fully competitive campaign. I am still concerned about the critical issues facing our State and hope to use my knowledge and experience to make Rhode Island a better place both now and in the future.

I would like to especially thank Republican Party Chairman Giovanni Cicione for his encouragement and leadership. He has been a strong and skilled voice for the Rhode Island Republican Party, and he will have my support as he continues to grow and strengthen the Party in the years ahead.

This seems like a very realistic realization on Mr. Smith’s part. We wish him well. With his relatively early exit from the 2010 race, this certainly opens the barn door wide open for ‘he who shall not be named’ to gallop right on through to seek the GOP nod. Christmas came early!

Press Release: Rory Smith for RI

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