Dan Barbarisi last week broke the news of how former Linc Chafee aide Deb Brayton is joining the staff of Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, as his deputy chief of staff. Combined with the recent crossover to the mayor's staff of Ani Haroian, previously a top aide and political adviser to Attorney General Patrick Lynch, this suggests some savvy foundation-building for a gubernatorial run by Cicilline.
For his part, Cicilline told Barbarisi that these are good hires and not indicative of a push for higher office.
While other explanations are certainly possible, the installation of Brayton at City Hall could, however, help smooth the way if Chafee, her former boss, runs for mayor of Providence in 2010. And while Lynch recently downplayed the significance of Haroian's move to City Hall, the transfer is akin to the Yankees' acquistion of Johnny Damon, in how it seemingly deprives Lynch of her expertise.