Yes, in a display of self-aggrandizement that would make Tom Cruise gasp, it is time for the mighty Phillipe & Jorge to make our endorsements.
We expect to see these pages in your grubby mitts when you trudge into the voting booth on November 7. Not for nothing did the beloved former Senator Claiborne Pell once call us “the top two political minds of this state.” Or was it, “The top two biggest ignoramuses I have come across in my life”? Anyway, here we go.
Puzzling on the Senate
An e-mail sent this week by venerable progressive Richard Walton set off a firestorm of discussion. Richard has announced his intention to vote for Linc Chafee. From the responses we have seen, most of his fellow progressives disagree and intend to vote for Sheldon Whitehouse. It is an agonizing decision for all.
We have two good candidates, two good people, vying for office. Their rock ’em, sock ’em campaign has been a sad spectacle. A desperate Linc is not the Chafee we know and respect, but that’s what too often happens in a close contest.
Fortunately, we will have a fine United States senator, regardless of who wins. It comes down to this: is your prime objective to change the makeup of the Senate, to blunt the extreme and despicable Bush program? Are you willing to bet on the Senate turning Democratic? Do you want to turn out of office Linc Chafee’s truly independent voice?
We understand and share the progressive community’s agonizing about how to vote in this race. We will not suggest whom you should vote for. The choice is up to you.
Charlie for governor
(Disclosure: Jorge wrote the following item. Phillipe did not participate since he is serving on an appointment by Governor Carcieri to a state commission.)
This is another close race, with overreaching negative advertising by each side. But there are some clear differences. “Laughing Boy” Carcieri, unlike Linc Chafee, is a real Republican. Based on his actions, he believes in trickle-down economics. He believes that “special interests” are labor unions and advocates for the poor, not big corporations and other unholy whores. He wants you to think there is no such thing as warfare, and that the middle will do better if we bow down to the rich.
Not so fast, Donnie boy. We expect Carcieri will win, based on his “winning personality” and how Charlie “Herman Munster” Fogarty is a bit charisma-challenged. But Carcieri is wrong in his priorities.
Charlie Fogarty is a good man and someone who knows that yahoo capitalism does not solve all our problems. The real reason we’re voting for Charlie, though, is because Sue Pegden used to be on his staff, and we love Sue Pegden.
Rage for Roberts
Reginald Centracchio is a nice guy. That’s what his campaign has been all about — and we do not disagree.
Unfortunately, he also believes that the mighty “free enterprise system” solves all problems. Wrong. Health-care is a perfect example. Anyone who wants to lump health-care with the market economy is a bonehead, and these idiots have bamboozled us, in the greatest country on earth, for too long.
