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October 19, 2009

Moderate Speculation

Justin Katz

For those listening to the Dan Yorke show, here's the YouTube clip featuring Joe Trillo and Rory Smith that Dan's been playing (the relevant video starts at 6:20 in the clip):

In the last hour, Christine Hunsinger, executive director of the RI Moderate Party called in to discuss her party's "discussions" with potential candidates. She refused to give anything away, but her response was very interesting when Dan asked whether she'd confirm that the person with whom they're speaking is not Steve Laffey: "I can't answer that without giving away which prominent former official it is."

Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but it seems to me that the only way a yes-or-no on Laffey tells us which public official is if it's "yes."

Comments

I always love hearing Dan make a complete fool of himself. Poor boy has some major issues of his own. Let me translate Dan's "problem" with Rory Smith. If Smith runs for governor that means Dan's mentally unstable friend Steve Laffey will not have a clear road to the Gubernatorial election next November. This bothers Dan who somehow believes the daffy one, who runs away (literally) when things don't go his way is somehow going to save the state of Rhode Island. I hope Yorke realizes how few people (even those in government like the Gov) take him seriously.

Posted by: Tim at October 19, 2009 5:35 PM

Btw, for those of you who've heard Yorke's embarrassing hatchet job on Rory Smith just ask yourself just one question - Have you EVER heard Dan Yorke bring that fire and hysteria to ANY discussion involving this state's do nothing Dem party insider Atty General Patrick Lynch.
EVER??????
Yorke does this type of hysterical hatchet job on the Governor just about every week but has never taken off the gloves to go after his buddy Patrick and big Bro Billy.
Dan Yorke is a certifiable nutjob but what's worse is that he's completely disingenuous as a "good government" guy. What a joke Yorke is. He made a total fool of himself today. Can you imagine being lectured on what it takes to be a good candidate by a guy who is personal friends with the Lynch brothers, Tim Williamson and No Show Joe Muschiano? lol
Dan Yorke, what a joke!!

Posted by: Tim at October 19, 2009 6:02 PM

Hey Tim,
Talk about being hysterical - are you done??
Now take your nose out of Riordan "Rory" Smith's butt.

Posted by: Mike Cappelli at October 19, 2009 6:35 PM

Uh oh, I guess we know Mikey is a Laffeyite. Poor boy! lol
Now I'm done.

Posted by: Tim at October 19, 2009 6:59 PM

I do hope Laffey runs, although I doubt he will. He is the only one who will go right at the problems. Now I know weanies like Tim think that's not playing nice, but I'm f'n sick of playing nice. I want to see someone come in with a sledge hammer. I've had enough of these limp-wristed Republicans Tim hangs with.

Posted by: Mike Cappelli at October 19, 2009 8:00 PM

I don't know Tim, Mike or Rory Smith but I did hear the clip of him on Dan's show today. And I think Dan was right on target. I can't imagine that someone who has let it be known that he aspires to the governorship hasn't put together an "elevator speech" that he can deliver as naturally as breathing. And what Smith said in the clip was embarrassing. And that speech should contain his essential theme and convey whatever personal qualities he has that would qualify him for the job.

It may have been a long time since he last interviewed for a job, but if he wants to get into politics he'll have to get used to it all over again.

Posted by: BobN at October 19, 2009 9:18 PM

If there's been one thing proven in this state it is that a minority party governor can't get anything done. I don't care if it is Laffey or Ronald Reagan reincarnated. What chance does the governor have when the deck is stacked and the Assembly can simply override any veto, even with some dissenters from their own party? Why bother? I saw we all vote for the most progressive of them all, let them turn RI into a state where California looks profitable, and then figure it out.

Bob Walsh for Governor. Pat Crowley for Treasurer!

Posted by: Patrick at October 19, 2009 9:29 PM

Patrick-from-the-Governor's-office feels that way because he works for the do-nothing Governor.

The answer isn't to hand over the whole enchillada.

The answer is ELECT A LEADER!

Rory Smith falls way short.

Posted by: George at October 19, 2009 9:53 PM

Hey George-the-pie-in-the-sky-guy. Not even close. I don't even work for the state or any other public entity. I'm employed by a private business. I can just see things for what they are.

Show me what you think this governor, or any other Republican governor can/could have done differently. If you make a valid point, I'll concede it. I'd love to hear it actually.

Ready, set, go!

Posted by: Patrick at October 19, 2009 10:57 PM

I definitely think Yorke was way over the top on this. Taking people on their word, this guy wasn't there to speak and was brought up by Trillo. While he probably should have declined, he was probably just caught off guard. I think Dan should wait and rip him on what he says not what he could have or didn't say.

As for Laffey, he strikes me as very self centered with a pinch of arrogance, but if he can get things done for the state like he did for Cranston, I'd take it over Lynch or God forbid Chaffee

Posted by: Steve A at October 19, 2009 11:26 PM

Really, now, would Laffey align himself with anything with the word "moderate" in it?
Maybe he seeks the GOP nomination. Maybe he runs indie. No way does he run as a Mod. Hunsinger's playing coy to get us all talking.

Posted by: rhody at October 20, 2009 9:43 AM

Maybe if there's one thing we need to copy from Europe, it's the multi-party system. I'm fine with a Moderate Party and even a Tea Party, if that's the direction they want to go. But I think in RI we also need a Conservative party, so conservatives have a place to call home as well.

Posted by: Patrick at October 20, 2009 10:14 AM

Funny how things happen. I'm in line at a coffee shop this morning and a group of people are saying the Moderate Party candidate is Robert Corrente.
Silly me, what do I know?
If that is, in fact, true - what happened to the "fresh face?" Isn't he Project 50 Cents?
But, the funniest thing of all is this - they say Rory Smith, the rumored Republican candidate, lives across the street from Corrente. Maybe they can hold fundraisers together, you know, close off the street.
Just what we need, another clueless governor from East Greenwich.
Only in Rhode Island!

Posted by: Mike Cappelli at October 20, 2009 10:51 AM

careful Mike, you're gonna hurt Patrick-from-the-Governor's-office's feelings.

The list is coming Patrick, you're not going to like it, but you're gonna get what you asked for.

Posted by: George at October 20, 2009 12:00 PM

My goodness the paranoia runs deep around here. I'm accused of hanging with Rory Smith (never met him) and the Republicans (never been one) and Patrick is accused of working for the governor. Apparently these Laffeyites suffer the same maladies as their wandering savior. lol


BobN, from what I gather Rory Smith wasn't there as a scheduled speaker at all. Joe Trillo intro'd him as someone thinking about running and asked him to say a few words to the crowd. And for that Dan Yorke had an embarrassing nervous breakdown on the air?? lol Yorke owes Smith and Trillo an apology for his bizarre and unprofessional behavior. Hopefully Mr. Bipolar will take his meds before today's show.
Damn shame we can't get Danny all fired up like that over Democrats in this state. Bill Murphy, only the most powerful pol in RI has been a horrible Speaker for years and his record has been ignored by Dan Yorke FOR YEARS. But in the last 2 weeks Yorke has suddenly become upset with Murphy. (Murphy is best buds with Danny's boy Tim Williamson) Why, because Murphy has been a horrible Speaker for years and is refusing to call the House back into session?? Nah, what set off Yorke concerning Murphy is that Murphy continues to snub Yorke's show but does go on with Buddy Cianci.
Oh those good government priorities of Dan Yorke. lol
What a joke!!

Posted by: Tim at October 20, 2009 2:04 PM

Still waiting, George, still waiting...

As for what Mike said, I have no problems with that. Night and day from my comments and yours. I simply said that no Republican or minority party candidate can fix the problems. Seems to me that somewhat agrees in principle to what Mike's saying. I said let the Democrats completely blow the state up and then we can finally start over. As long as there's not a Democrat in the Gov's office, there's always a scapegoat for the Dems. "Not our fault, it's the Governor's fault."

Sorry to offend you Pat "George" Crowley.

Posted by: Patrick at October 20, 2009 2:34 PM

I don't care about Dan's staged hysteria. What I care about is that Rory Smith was unprepared and unprofessional at a public event that was videotaped and is now available to the public. If he's given more than 15 seconds of thought to actually becoming Governor, or if he knows anything about public affairs at all, he would not have spoken as he did.

I'll give him a mulligan for that one, but if he wants the job he'll have to be CEO-quality in his next appearance.

Posted by: BobN at October 21, 2009 10:44 AM