State Governments

Ouch

By Jay Newton-Small | @JNSmall | October 25, 2010 | +

As President Obama campaigns in Rhode Island today, the Democratic candidate for governor in the Ocean State, Frank Caprio, told a local radio station that Obama “can take his endorsement and really shove it.” That’s not a warm welcome!

Obama has refused to endorse Caprio, who is leading — but barely — Republican John Robitaille and Independent Lincoln Chafee. The President was in Rhode Island for a pair of fundraisers and a tour of a small business. ”We had one of the worst floods in the history of the United States a few months back and President Obama didn’t even do a fly over of Rhode Island. He ignored us and now he’s coming into Rhode Island and treating us like an ATM machine,” Caprio also told WPRO-AM. I’ll say it again: ouch.

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Related Topics: Frank Caprio, john robitaille, lincoln chafee, Rhode Island, Barack Obama, Democratic Party, Republican Party, State Governments, White House

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  • blossom38

    So, what is the reason for President Obama’s “refusal” to endorse the candidate? A little background, please? (i.e. “reporting” not “repeating.”)

  • Paul-no not that one

    Chaffee is less conservative than Caprio.
    .
    Of course as of yesterday Caprio was happy to welcome BHO to RI.

  • Paul-no not that one

    Also, TPM poll tracker has Capio down by 7 which might make him cranky.

  • jsfox

    And this is the same Caprio who flirted with joining the Republican party when he thought he was going to face a tough Dem primary.

    And Caprio has not fully explained why he met with Republican National Committee officials in February, when he was expecting a tough Democratic primary.

    http://www.projo.com/news/efitzpatrick/edward_fitzpatrick_24_10-24-10_3IKGGF3_v44.1ec1555.html

    And Caprio seems to forget Obama hasn’t endorsed anybody running for Governor in RI, even though Chafee is a strong supporter.

    I’m failing to see the ouch here. Unless it Caprio feeling the pain from a self inflicted wound.

  • kevin

    A guy who nearly abandoned the party is upset the party’s leader isn’t rushing to endorse him.
    .
    Not really a huge “ouch,” Jay.

  • apr2563

    Chafee endorsed President Obama before he was elected.

  • http://elvisberg.wordpress.com Elvis Elvisberg

    Three sentences of context explain what’s happening here. Thanks for providing it, jsfox.

  • http://www.twitter.com/jnsmall Jay Newton-Small

    Chafee endorsed Obama in 2008. Caprio endorsed Hillary. Therefore, Obama won’t be endorsing anyone in RI for governor.

  • pelhamite1

    At certain critical junctures, the Obama administration has shown itself open to welcoming moderate Republicans such as Arlen Spector and Lincoln Chaffee, of whom it could be reasonably said “They did not leave the Republican Party, the Party left them”. In a situation such as this, with a Democratic candidate who has a strong whiff of “DINO” about him, I think this is the right play. Underneath the noisy rebellion of the Tea Party, there is a slow, steady stream of fiscally conservative, socially moderate “country club” Republicans who are slowly abandoning the GOP. It may not manifest itself much in the panicky year 2010, but I think it will be a factor in 2012 and beyond.

    By the way, I was in Rhode Island during the flood weekend, and while it was certainly serious, it was relatively contained (there was, among other things, no loss of life) and really did not warrant a Presidential “stunt” er, visit.

  • nflfoghorn

    Only slightly better than calling our head of state a jackass.

  • blossom38

    This information would have made your entry a little more credible than the cut and paste piece. I rec’d more information from the comments than from the [professional/paid] reporter.

  • blossom38

    Again, the [paid] reporter cuts and pastes a quote from a candidate/personality, but doesn’t bother to seek follow-up, context, y’know his job.My local university newspaper expects more from its student reporters.

  • jsfox

    Not to mention by all reports out of RI during the flooding the Federal response was quick and more than adequate.

  • http://2thirdsrocks.wordpress.com 2thirdsrocks

    …which was a true insult to jackasses…

  • blossom38

    So…do you think any of the media outlets covering this “ouch” moment (i.e. “Hee Hee. Obama was insulted by the gov. of the smallest state in the U.S.”) will give the back story or will they just simply regurgitate the AP quotes.

  • liberalmeltdown

    What’s the matter? You don’t like the drive by media coverage? It’s been like this for years now.
    .
    My prediction: Caprio, just picked up 5 points in the polls. I might even vote for him.

  • herby002

    3.2 – 2thirdsrocks,

    “which was a true insult to jackasses…”
    Very pithy. Got anything to add that’s not embarrassing to yourself?

    6 – liberal,

    “You don’t like the drive by media coverage?”
    Been listening to Rush Limbaugh on bended knee(s) again, have we?

    “My prediction: Caprio, just picked up 5 points in the polls. I might even vote for him.” He probably won’t, and you won’t. BTW, are you registered to vote in Rhode Island?
    …
    Then you can’t, but you wouldn’t: Caprio is too far left of Atilla the Hun.

  • liberalmeltdown

    “You don’t like the drive by media coverage?”
    Been listening to Rush Limbaugh on bended knee(s) again, have we?
    .
    Who’s we? You and your secret buddy? You have a secret Rush fetish? Are you creating a new religion? I haven’t listened to Rush in months.

    “My prediction: Caprio, just picked up 5 points in the polls. I might even vote for him.” He probably won’t, and you won’t. BTW, are you registered to vote in Rhode Island?
    .
    Don’t take everything so serious herby, but we’ll see won’t we.
    …

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