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Gov. Lincoln Chafee is not running for a second term, he said Wednesday in an announcement that surprised his political opponents and closest advisors alike and takes him out of what was expected to be a fierce primary in the Democratic Party.
The governor, who became a Democrat in May, has struggled with poor approval ratings and is a reluctant fundraiser, although he said on Wednesday he liked being governor and thinks he would have won re-election.
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Last edited by CaseyB; 09-06-2013 at 04:35 AM..
Reason: Copyright
I don't understand the Governor Gump comment, but can only take it to mean you think the man is stupid. Do your research and it quickly becomes evident he is anything but.
I agree, esp. when it comes to the DMV. The one in Cranston is like clockwork now. A whole other universe from just a couple of years ago:
Don’t tell Christian Vareika that Lincoln Chafee’s governorship has been a failure. “I think he’s going to be remembered very positively,” Vareika, who stepped down as Chafee’s speechwriter last month to start law school at BC, told me Friday. “I think some of the trivial things necessarily fall away.” Like everyone else, he cites the holiday tree as an example of “things that don’t really matter and certainly won’t matter 10 or 20 years down the road.” Vareika argues Chafee will be remembered for prioritizing education and transportation funding; signing gay marriage; stabilizing Central Falls and other distressed cities; giving in-state tuition to illegal immigrants (“the DREAM Act for Rhode Island”); fixing the DMV; and running a competent, honest state bureaucracy. “I think the governor has always been more concerned with positioning Rhode Island for the long-term than pleasing everybody in the short-term,” Vareika said. “Lincoln Chafee – this guy is one of a kind. I’ve never met someone who has such a firm sense of right and wrong, such a well-defined inner compass, and who follows it with such conviction. It really is a rare thing, and as I’ve gotten a little distance I’ve come to the sad conclusion that I may never see that again.”
I don't understand the Governor Gump comment, but can only take it to mean you think the man is stupid. Do your research and it quickly becomes evident he is anything but.
From my limited knowledge of Rhode Island state government, but with a progressive prospective and belief that government can move mountains, Chafee seemed largely impotent and indolent. Where was his economic development plan (if he had one) and why was it so ineffective? Where was the "take charge" guy who was on top of things 24x7? He strikes me as being ineffective and slothful. I can see why he found his calling in shoeing horses for a living.
Granted, he did get gay marriage passed, and for that I'm extremely grateful, but pretty nonplussed by the rest of his agenda, whatever it was.
I'd like a go-getter as the next governor, someone who is like an unstoppable, perpetual motion machine -- someone who has tempo and a sense of destiny, someone who has a vision that s/he can (1) explain, (2) enact, (3) deliver. We need energy in the governor's seat, we need action, we need positive results -- not sheepish grins tempered by the (very) occasional accomplishment
My two cents as a newcomer. (BTW, Tuesday is my 1st anniversary as a Rhode Islander!)
To my understanding, he was largely marginalized by the General Assembly because of his Independent status. I suppose you could argue that he should have proposed more plans or ideas, but I guarantee you they would have gone nowhere and I am sure he was well aware of that truth. Paradoxically, proposing grand schemes would have probably sapped his power and influence as they were rejected one by one by a largely reticent State House. Also, to be fair, he did travel the country to "sell" Rhode Island to other areas. Our last Republican Governor did nothing of the sort. Believe me, if you had lived here since 2003 Chafee would be a breath of fresh air, knowing your politics.
You could of course then argue that perhaps we should have put someone else in power. A brief examination of his competition in 2010 would lead you to see why I (and most likely even you would) have voted for him. The Democrat in the race was extremely conservative, as were all the other candidates. Chafee was the only somewhat liberal choice. It is what it is. On balance, I believe he has done as good of a job as he could have given the circumstances - and he was definitely the optimal way to go. For eight years our state was sliding backwards, now we have at least taken some steps forward.
Believe me, I know this seems like an excessively nuanced analysis, but thus was the complicated 2010 Governor's race.
To my understanding, he was largely marginalized by the General Assembly because of his Independent status. I suppose you could argue that he should have proposed more plans or ideas, but I guarantee you they would have gone nowhere and I am sure he was well aware of that truth. Paradoxically, proposing grand schemes would have probably sapped his power and influence as they were rejected one by one by a largely reticent State House.
Not attacking you, Rnrboy, I respect you too much, but this is part of the negative gene that Rhode Islanders pass along. "Oh, It's TOO HARD, Nobody Will Listen, The GA Will Reject It, Nothing Good Will Come Of It," it's all part of the negativity and "Can't Do" deflagging spirit of Rhode Island.
Let me tell you something, Mister, and there is a reason for this sidetrack: I lived in NYC during the darkest possible days the city ever had in its long history. The City was bankrupt; 5,000 cops were laid off in a single week; the payroll could barely be met and the city was about to declare bankruptcy; the state was going to take control of the city. And yes, too, "The Bronx is Burning (fabulous book)." Things were hopeless, life was hard if not miserable. Spirits were flagging -- murder and crime were soaring. The economy was in the toilet. Few dared venture into Central Park in daylight and only muggers and their prey ventured in at night. The subway was unsafe during the day and a death wish by night. The two great grim reapers of young men: AIDS and crack, devastated a generation. Things could not possibly be worse. But guess what? A man with vision, determination, energy, wisdom and brass balls was elected: Ed Koch.
Ed Koch took reins of this utterly out-of-control city. With little money and hardly any political support in Albany, he, by sheer force of will, courage, tenacity and an undying belief in his city, turned things around. He believed in New York when even its 7,000,000 citizens had long ago given up hope. He fought with the federal government for funding, he cajoled Upstate lawmakers into assisting the city, he formed alliances with bankers and bondsmen and financial leaders to loosen the cash crunch and the stabilize finances over the long term. He didn't whine and complain about That Mean General Assembly, he didn't carp about IT'S TOO HARD -- he did the job! And he was successful beyond anyone's imagination or dreams.
This anecdote, rambling as it perhaps may be, has nothing to do at all about New York; it has everything to do about LEADERSHIP. VISION. DETERMINATION. DESTINY. I don't believe Chafee has any of these qualities, but I DO know that if Rhode Island is to get out of its morass, if Rhode Island hopes for a better future, if Rhode Island is to fulfill its manifestly great destiny, find and support someone with these qualities and give him or her room to run. Our challenges are ones of creating, nurturing and sustaining OPPORTUNITY, not challenges of survival.
Surely, Sir, surely there must be one ****ing person in this state that can rise to the occasion?
First of all, I doubt AlfieBoy's agenda would match quilterchick's politics haha. In fact, it's safe to say that's a massive understatement!
That said, we're just going to have to agree to disagree. I was here in 2010 when Chafee was elected. He only got 30 something percent of the vote because there were so many other candidates. He had no mandate. If he had run for a second term, he would have experienced the rare ignominy of being a sitting Democratic Governor primaried by at least two other Democrats. The GA have refused to work with him repeatedly.
It's kind of like the Obama jobs bill. If he can't get it through a Republican controlled House, all the "can do" spirit in the World doesn't mean anything. At some point a robust spirit runs into the wall of "Realpolitik". (Fortunately he may not be able to get his plans for a missile strike on Syria through Congress either.)
But I digress. I agree the state needs someone with vision. Unfortunately, none of the other candidates who ran against Chafee fit the bill. You had the Democrat Frank Caprio, whose campaign imploded when he said something akin to "Screw Obama", and who had a "fiscally conservative" agenda anyway. Basically a northern Blue Dog Democrat. Then you had Ken Block of the Moderate Party who had the exact same agenda fiscally, but was the only other pro-gay marriage candidate besides Chafee. Then you had the Republican Robitaille who was basically a card board cut out remnant of the Carcieri administration. (No thanks.)
Those were the choices. Chafee had enough vision to get gay marriage passed, and it probably would not be the of the land if it were not for him. He had the public's support, and it is where he chose to spend his political capital. (The Democratic Senate leader was actually against it, so arms had to be twisted.) At the end of the day, gay marriage is going to be good for our economy and our sense of community. None of the other choices would have produced this outcome. (Ken Block paid the idea lip service, but was far more animated in discussing all the budget cuts he wanted, and tax cuts for people who didn't need them. Again, no thanks.)
I hope we get someone more akin to whom you are looking for in Taveras. He has done a great job getting Providence's fiscal house in order after the mess that Cicilline left him. But he'll have a tough fight against Fung who is actually considered a very likeable moderate Republican, and has done pretty well for the city of Cranston as Mayor. (All things being equal.)
I admire your fighting spirit man, and I can respect your opinion on what you perceive as Chafee's weaknesses. But I put to you again: If you had lived here in 2010, you would have voted for him. I know your politics well enough, and the field of candidates was most conducive to your picking him.
Then you would still have every right to be disappointed with the results.
I hope we get someone more akin to whom you are looking for in Taveras. He has done a great job getting Providence's fiscal house in order after the mess that Cicilline left him. But he'll have a tough fight against Fung who is actually considered a very likeable moderate Republican, and has done pretty well for the city of Cranston as Mayor. (All things being equal.)-
There are no moderate Republicans. There are no likeable Republicans. Were I running Taveras' campaign, I'd tie Fung to the Tea Party and the National Socialist Republican Party, even if it weren't true. I'd Swift Boat this Fung character, however nice he may be, to the very limits of credulity, and maybe beyond. But then my love of Republicans is well known in these parts.
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In fact, it's safe to say that's a massive understatement!
