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Portland Going Nowhere
March 8, 2011 | 77 comments
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Stamped for Failure
May 14, 2010 | 42 comments
Eminentoes
Ocean State Anointed
Meet Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee: Former Republican, current Independent, future Democrat?
(Page 2 of 2)
Yet Chafee’s economic development plans amounted to providing incentives for certain areas of the state and specific industries. (Think of it as Solyndranomics on a smaller scale.) In sum, as governor, Chafee has elected to take a top-down approach to the economic challenges facing Rhode Island. We could also call this “twenty-first- century liberalism.”
But even the governor’s supporters must concede that Chafee’s liberalism is of the explicitly anti-populist variety. He opposes, for example, E-Verify, despite illegal labor’s effect on blue-collar wages (his Democratic opponent in the 2010 gubernatorial race was a strong E-Verify supporter). Indeed, one of Chafee’s first actions as governor—announced in his inaugural address, in fact—was to revoke the state police’s authority to enforce immigration laws, a measure that had been implemented by his predecessor in the governor’s office, Republican Don Carcieri. “My view is that Rhode Island can grow economically by being a tolerant place to do business,” Chafee said at the time, according to the Boston Globe. Alas, some two years into his term, the unemployment rate remains at 10.4 percent, still the second highest in the country.
On education policy as well, Chafee has displayed a “let them eat cake” attitude. Rhode Island has one of the lowest high school graduation rates in the Northeast. In urban school districts like Pawtucket and Central Falls, the dropout rate approaches a scandalous 40 percent. Last year’s New England Common Assessment Program found that only a third of Rhode Island 11th grade students were proficient in math.
Prior to Chafee’s election as governor, the state’s nascent education reform movement—particularly its charter school movement—was gaining steam. Nonetheless, Chafee began his term by removing three pro-reform members (including the chairman) of the state’s board of regents, and calling for a “thoughtful pause” (read: indefinite moratorium) in the development of charter schools. “These decisions were the direct result of strong support his campaign received from the teacher unions,” said Angus Davis, one of the removed regents.
Chafee has long been a strident opponent of charter schools, and has argued that traditional public schools are performing just swimmingly. Substituting rhetoric for data—or even argument, for that matter—on taking office, Chafee blustered:
This notion of all these failing schools, if this were true, how did America get to be at the status where we are in the world if it were that bad? So I don’t buy into the trashing of our public school system. Somehow Brown University and University of Rhode Island and Bryant University, Providence College are full of public school students that are doing very, very well and leading America in many fields. Yes, there’s room for improvement. I don’t deny that and I want to be part of the improvement. But the notion that our public school systems are in disarray and failing, I don’t buy that.
Perhaps Chafee’s own education—at private schools, incidentally—lacked a lesson on the difference between anecdote and evidence. (Davis does say he sees signs of Chafee moderating his positions, however, noting that the state has begun competing for “Race to the Top” funding.)
Still, any changes to Chafee’s policies at this point may be too little too late. “To the extent that he’s implemented an education policy,” says Justin Katz of the Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity, “it has been to impede any motion toward reforms based on parental choice and accountability.” Chafee’s education stance has come under fire from even some left-leaning groups. The Rhode Island branch of Democrats for Education Reform, for example, has called on Chafee to “abandon” his opposition to charter schools, which could jeopardize federal funds. Several Rhode Island mayors, Democrats all, have also called on Chafee to back charter schools.
Chafee is certain to face a tough reelection fight come November 2014. Not only has a recent poll pegged his approval rating at 29 percent, but the governor also lacks the party machinery, fundraising infrastructure, and even simple group loyalty that Republican or Democratic party membership would provide. Last December, he candidly admitted that he might decide to run for reelection as a Democrat. “There is no independent governors association throwing money around,” he told the Associated Press. But Chafee has earned a reputation for being supercilious and aloof, almost like that other Boston Brahmin John Kerry. He thinks of himself as above the fray. Whether this stems from his upbringing, his education, or simply his last name, it’s a serious obstacle to his ever joining the Democrats.
Then again, maybe he’ll leave the Independents, and simply claim that the Independents left him.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (23) | Leave a comment
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Jake2001| 2.10.13 @ 10:34AM
"The moral case for eliminating the levy is clear: Sales taxes are deeply regressive and punish citizens for the simple act of basic consumption."
How is a sales tax "deeply regressive if necessities are excluded? And do not income taxes punish citizens for the simple act of basic earning a living? A national sales tax with exclusions for necessities would be far fairer than our complex income tax, would encourage savings and GDP growth, capture some criminal money, and get the IRS off our backs.
Pecos Pete| 2.19.13 @ 7:38AM
Jake: Agreed!
TLP| 2.19.13 @ 11:20AM
Wait a minute.
Is this guy sayin that a guy who's Middle Name is DAVENPORT is outta touch with the Masses?
What's next? John Kerry and his 2nd Rich Widow Wife (This one's a Billionaire. The 1st one was only a Multi-Millionaire) are out of touch with Joe six pack of Olde Milwaukee and a bag a Pretzels?
I'm outraged!
Arnie| 2.19.13 @ 6:50AM
Lincoln Chafee is one of those rare species on the verge of total extinction: the moderate Republican.
Bob K| 2.19.13 @ 9:57AM
Arnie,
I'm afraid that these people will never become extinct in politics. Their sole qualification for public office is the accident of their birth. They are all members of the Lucky Sperm Club. That is their major legacy.
The dumbed down democracy we have now has a near majority of voters who look at these dolts as some kind of aristocracy who are entitled to positions of authority based on their birth status. We have them all over this great land. Children of successful politicians or of men who created great wealth who were groomed for leadership but who had neither the brains or talent for it. But a compliant media, looking for gossip which will sell advertising, encourages these dolts to run for office. Does the name Al Gore ring a bell? The list of these losers is almost endless!
Alas, the sperm that created most of them did not include many of the genes that created the smarts needed to run big governments.
Occam's Tool| 2.19.13 @ 8:29PM
Where Liberals run rampant, economies DIE.
spike59| 2.20.13 @ 5:35AM
Liberal definition of 'moderate Republican': Liberal who uses GOP money and machinery to win elections while wholeheartedly supporting the Democrat Party line
Arnie| 2.19.13 @ 6:51AM
This is a funny read guys, you'll like it:
http://www.theonion.com/articl.....rep,27371/
TLP| 2.19.13 @ 11:23AM
Why would we go somewhere to read The Onion, when we've got You, Purp, vtwin and DReadfull right here, already?
Pecos Pete| 2.19.13 @ 7:39AM
Lincoln Chafee = Liberal Democrat
Lincoln Chafee = Ruling Class
Anthony| 2.19.13 @ 9:14AM
Lincoln Chafee was kicked once too many times in the head when he was a farrier, hence, his propensity for leftist ideas.
Between the mob and the left, Rhode Island is one small joke of a state, one huge corrupt leftist mistake.
Jessie Jackson Jr. should relocate to Rhode Island when his prison term, if he gets one, is over. He'll fit right in. And he doesn't need to be kicked in the head, he already has his father's mindset.
Hardcard| 2.19.13 @ 9:20AM
Like father, like son, the apple fell from this tree and hit this jerk in the noggin.
Hardcard| 2.19.13 @ 9:20AM
Like father, like son, the apple fell from this tree and hit this jerk in the noggin.
TLP| 2.19.13 @ 11:24AM
No Comment.
jaytrain| 2.19.13 @ 9:37AM
RI would be a funny joke , if the joke didn't include two US senators . The Brits eliminated such rotten boroughs with the Reform Act of 1832 .
Russel| 2.19.13 @ 9:49AM
I remember how many times this jerk made me furious . Wasn't he one of the ' Gang of eight ? ' . Next to the king of ' Me ' Specter , the ' me ' as in I look out myself and screw the country . Another poster boy for how stoopid can voters be .
bustunloose| 2.19.13 @ 11:30AM
The author omits that after WW2, he was called back again to serve as an infantry platoon leader. I am talking about Linc's father John. He actually was the real deal. Got carried away on gun control-his enviromentalism was more in the line of conservation in sound ways. Linc believes illegal aliens and LGBT people are a major building block in Rhody's future economic future. I mean gay people in business are not fools-they know their esx pref will not save them from being wiped out by the taker attitude here in Rhody. The people here have contempt for 2 things-religion and corporations-they-even the most educated believe business is evil. The unions always win, the crony capitalist as well, the greens alway win, and soon too will the atheist. Providence is a gem in certain aspects-plenty of trust fund rich, the lawyers, acedemics at Brown and Risd-but for the middle class. Well, we have great beaches Narragansett, etc. August is quite serene there. But, you sense somehow they'll ( the elitist and greens will ruin that for as, too. But, ya gotta give the old man some respect-he helped Reagan alot on modernising Nat Def. I think they got along ok-both were life guards and indeed saved lives-I believe. Linc-well he's modern era Brown University thru and thru.
Occam's Tool| 2.19.13 @ 8:31PM
I've driven around Brown a few times on my way to Continuing Medical Education Conferences in Cape Cod. Ick.
Run down a bit.
bustunloose| 2.20.13 @ 9:51AM
It is a walking area and city. Historic places and churches and smaller museums, you meander into RISD territory and then the city proper, and if you like architecture worth the effort. End it , with dinner at some trendy place the acedemics hang out. Listen to them as they go on about their plans once they get one more SJC seat. I am telling you it is non stop with them-they live their revolution every day. But, bitch about having to run some Rino to grab a seat here of there. Meamwhile they are building the ultimate creamatorium for the America we love. Old man John Chaffee moderate to lib, or whatever would never go for that. Plus, alot of stuff he did was to placate voters he needed-he pushed alot of shit he knew would never pass. He played a game he needed to play. I knew a couple of folks in his office-talked alot once they trusted me. No libs-really fighters for a strong military. Not easy in Rhody where people truly believe we can cut defense to zilch for their dreams and schemes.
bustunloose| 2.20.13 @ 9:54AM
Called back to serve in Korea-the old man. His military service reset any elitist crap he had about the regular person.
cicero| 2.19.13 @ 1:41PM
It is all the same old nonsense. State governments emulating the fedderal government. Too many programs that no one in their right mind would spend their own monoey on. Too many beaurocrats doing too little. All of the money always gests spent - and then some. Unless and until the people find a way to begin reducing government at all levels, and shutting down programs that are not needed, and not affordable, the slide will continue.
In Michigan, a legislative study found that the state had at least 30 more judges than were needed. (This was a very conservative estimate.) Rather than just eliminate the benches, and make the judges and theiir staffs go find something usefull to do, the state decided to cut the benches by attrition. Insanity!
Occam's Tool| 2.19.13 @ 8:33PM
Brown is an Ivy that has students competing to get in from across the USA.
hrgfue | 2.20.13 @ 2:32AM
Kickoff to you with the online store 2013