While P&J do not see eye to eye with most of Bob “Cool Moose” Healey’s libertarian leanings, he is a truly thoughtful contributor to the body politic. He damn well does his homework. His notion — that the lieutenant governor’s office is not needed — is something to ponder. But if we are to have an LG, it surely ought to be Elizabeth Roberts.
Speaking of the lovely and talented Ms. Roberts, your superior correspondents have several other favorites running for public office in the September 12 primary. While the official Phoenix endorsements appear elsewhere in this issue, the voice of Casa Diablo should and must be heard in the political arena. (How’s that for a stunning bit of faux importance?)
It should go without saying that our ball is in Linc Chafee’s court in his battle with arrogant God-botherer Steve “Laugh at Me” Laffey. This is sort of like comparing Winston Churchill with Ross Perot. Linc’s statesmanship and his thoughtful approach to the issues are apparent to anyone who pays attention. Ask a person who has met with him one-on-one, and they will invariably remark that he really listened and asked very good questions. Laffey, meanwhile, is a jumped-up little self-promoter who would be as out of place in the Senate as a pimp in church. Linc deserves everyone’s appreciation for the job he has done for Little Rhody. Count on seeing a lot of diehard Democrats voting Republican in this one.
Speaking of the Dems, P&J are obviously pulling for old pal Sheldon Whitebread in his Senate primary. Carl Sheeler is a capable businessman and we respect his service to the country in the Marines, but this will be an easy walk for Sheldon. (Oh, we forgot. Chris “Table Boy” Young is also in the race. While nothing would be more entertaining than for the Tasmanian devil of local politics to be turned loose in the Senate, the Narragansett denizen can reserve his boundless energy and sound ideas (honk!) for the Providence mayoral race.)
The Second Congressional District fight is a tough call. P&J completely disagree with Jim Langevin’s stance against abortion-rights, but he has been an effective representative in DC. Thanks, for running, though, Ms. Lawless.
The Democratic race for secretary of state, between Guillaume “Billy” de Ramel and Nawt Prov Mayor “Ralphie Boy” Mollis is a beaut. P&J have known Guillaume and his charming mother, Lisette, since he was a tyke playing video games, and she done brung the boy up right. If de Ramel’s “lack of experience,” as the unctuous Mollis describes it, means he didn’t accept contributions from a mob associate, and isn’t part of the Democratic good old boys’ machine, with the accompanying ethical challenges, more power to Guillaume. This is a critical choice, boys and girls: more of the tainted State House daisy chain, or a bright young man with very good ideas for upgrading the office. Go get ’em, Billy.
As longtime friends with Josh Miller, owner of the Trinity Brewhouse, a Phoenix advertiser, we are less than objective, yet we fully support his bid to win the race for Elizabeth Roberts’s state Senate seat in Cranston.
