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I don't think anyone would disagree that Cianci is authentic, but authentic what? Some people may admire his elan of the past, and hold fond memories, but those aren't the only memories people hold. Many people will remember him as inmate No. 05000-070.
And I wonder how many of the Cianci zealots actually live and (thus vote) in Providence. How many former Cianci voters still live in the city, or have died? Being a city-state, every Rhode Islander imagines themselves as having some claim to the city, but they can't vote here, so they don't count.
Cianci has been out of office for twelve years. He's a radio talk show host, and has said many incendiary things, things that will may make for great oppo ads.
He's 73 and has battled cancer. He doesn't look well.
He made his share of enemies, and memories run long in this city.
The city has changed. Has Cianci? Will the antics of his era resonate favorably with a new generation?
The economy has changed. In 2001 the unemployment rate in Providence was 4.1% Today, it's 12.5%. It's easy being mayor when the economy is great, not so easy when it stinks.
All fair, if a little harsh. But, wait until he's on the same stage with his opponent, especially if it's Solomon. He'll likely upstage him, with little effort. He'll need to keep his "mean" under control, otherwise I can't see him losing. If either one of the other two democratic candidates win the primary, they would take the campaign conversation in an ethics direction - not where Cianci would want to go.
I do like your, "Memories run long in this city" comment. Very Providence. Quite impressive for a newcomer!
The scholarships are still granted every year to about a dozen students. The normal grant is a $1,000. And the scholarship fund has $570,000 - not from pasta sauce sales.
"We originally started this by having golf tournaments and having people donating, and raising money the traditional way," Cianci said of the fund's account.
Now with Smiley out and only Elorza and Solomon left, Cianci can only wonder how he can loose the general election. The democratic primary sets up another repeat of the classic East Side/Latino vs. Old School confrontation. My guess is Buddy's rooting for Old School to win the primary. This couldn't get more interesting!
Do you think Smiley supporting Elorza has any impact?
Yes, Smiley's East Side progressive support has nowhere else to go now, but to Elorza, Mirth York, et al. And, now with Solomon's ethical challenges, it could be an interesting primary.
It's sort of interesting to read the Web site of each candidate. Looking under "issues," the ethically challenged Solomon is silent on ethics, and former inmate No. 05000-070 also has nothing to say on the issue. Elorza does speak to it.
Cianci's bio doesn't address his five years of out-of-state residency, either.
Cianci, from what I've read, never could balance a budget and that was in flush times. Imagine was an unmitigated disaster he'd be in tough times.
Well you've read incorrectly friend. Buddy balanced the budget. It was a certain successor who sent the city's fiscal house into a tailspin, if you don't remember...oh wait, you weren't even in RI yet.
Well you've read incorrectly friend. Buddy balanced the budget. It was a certain successor who sent the city's fiscal house into a tailspin, if you don't remember...oh wait, you weren't even in RI yet.
Really?
Quote:
Originally Posted by NY Times
Darrell West, a professor of political science at Brown, called Mr. Cianci ''a wonderful magician.''
''He could do wonderful things while also distracting people from things that were going on behind the scenes,'' Professor West said. ''Obviously the trial caught up to him, and the magic act was exposed.''
You seem to forget this bit of history when you lived in Providence. Oh wait, you never lived in Providence. Or Rhode Island.
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