The Rhode Island State Democratic Central Committee is to endorse incumbent Cong. David Cicilline (1st District) and U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse tonight, or so say Senators Whitehouse and Jack Reed in a letterhead e-mail I just got from the Cicilline reelection campaign. Ciclline cannot discount the danger from a primary challenge by unendorsed businessman Anthony Gemma (who also opposed Cicilline in the 2010 primary to succeed Patrick Kennedy in the 1st), and faces a difficult race in November against former state police Supt. Brendan Doherty (R).
No mention in this message about Rhode Island’s other Congressman, James Langevin (D, 2nd District), who is being challenged in the September primary from the left by environmentalist Abel Collins. (Langevin is pro-life in a very moderate, reasonable way that doesn’t exclude stem-cell research, which means he often faces a pro-choice opponent in the primary). Presumably however, the Democratic organization will endorse his renomination in the primary.
Neither Sen. Whitehouse nor Rep. Langevin face serious Republican opposition in November….
| Here’s the letter I got (unedited):
Dear David, In just 2 hours, the Democratic State Committee will vote to endorse candidates for Congress and Senate, and we’re looking forward to supporting our friend and colleague, David Cicilline. Since joining Congress, David has been an effective and strong advocate for Rhode Island and a valuable member of our state’s delegation. We’re proud to be supporting David tonight. During the eight years of leading our capital city, he produced real results; the crime rate reached a 30 year low, he led the creation of a nationally acclaimed city-wide after school program and oversaw new investments along with jobs and economic opportunities in the City. Now in Congress, he is incredibly hardworking and a relentless fighter for the issues that are important to Rhode Islanders and the values of Over the past 18 months we have worked closely with David on a number of issues important to Rhode Island. For example he is a cosponsor the House version of critical legislation that would end tax breaks for corporations that ship our jobs overseas, prevent increases in student loan interest rates, and make housing more affordable. David has also been a strong proponent and cosponsor of the Buffett Rule that would ensure that millionaires and billionaires don’t pay a lower tax rate than working Rhode Islanders. David has also taken a leading role in Congress promoting the “Make It In America” agenda to revitalize American manufacturing and support investments in our roads, bridges and ports to rebuild our country and put people back to work. In a short period of time, David has earned the respect of his colleagues and become a valued part of our RI delegation. Please donate $125, $75, $25 or whatever you can afford to support his reelection. We hope to see many of you tonight as we get ready for a great Democratic State Convention and get energized for the upcoming election. Thanks, Senator Reed & Senator Whitehouse P.S. It is critical for Rhode Island that we keep our strong delegation intact. Please donate generously now to help build momentum coming out of the state convention tonight. |
The 200 delegates at the State Convention, meeting in an East Providence Teamsters Hall without air conditioning (you’d think truckers might have heard of Carrier), endorsed the reelection of Sen. Whitehouse, Rep. Cicilline and Rep. Langevin unanimously. Their three respective opponents (Todd Girous, Antony Gemma, and John Matson) addressed the convention but couldn’t get their nominations seconded.
See:State Democratic Convention endorses incumbents for Congress
But the fringe candidates make an otherwise predictable evening more entertaining
By Will Collette, Progressive Charlestown
The battle cry will be:
Curt Shilling votes Republican!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=114PB9P-XXQ
PS: Smosh is on their way to You Tube legend/greatness. Check this one out. And look at the number of views.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMf40daefsI
PS: Well, I had pong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-okctmCjlA
BUT this is the legend! Bigger than Frogger or Space Invaders.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htl_vwkZWHw