December 17, 2009

A Voice in the Wilderness

Justin Katz

And then there's the wild card:

"Everyone involved should resign. Either they didn't know it would come to this, or they did and I'm not sure which is worse," said Laffey.

Sounding every bit like a candidate for Governor, Laffey said the state's political landscape is in need of a serious makeover. At a press conference to announce the appointment of a new economic development director late last week, talk centered on the need for everyone to "work together" to find solutions. Laffey, however, who didn't attend the event, suggested that the approach was misguided. Instead, he said the state needs reformers who are ready for a battle.

"The bottom line is we’re going to need somebody, or a group of people, to run for public office who will take the fight to the established political order, and by that I mean the public sector union leaders and the General Assembly," said Laffey. "There needs to be a direct fight ... and unless we do that, we'll continue on the road to collapse."

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"The bottom line is we’re going to need somebody..."

Gee, and just who might that be, Steve?

I can't wait for Laffey to declare, just so I can hear him and Yorke go at it a few more times.

Posted by: Patrick at December 17, 2009 10:41 AM

Patrick, you cut a half a sentence and try to make it the whole point.

The more important message is here:

"There needs to be a direct fight ... and unless we do that, we'll continue on the road to collapse."

Laffey is not just talking about himself here, it's about the whole process, the whole mess, and all who are responsible for it.

Posted by: George at December 17, 2009 11:40 AM

Amen to that, George. We are also talking about wholesale change at the General Assembly level as well. Just winning one race isn't going to solve the state's problems at this point. We're just too far gone. However, we do need a leader who is not afraid to call out those who are ruining our state.

If he doesn't get into it, it certainly would make for a much more livelier race than is thus far expected.

Posted by: Will at December 17, 2009 11:51 AM

George, calm down. I know exactly what I did and I know Laffey isn't *only* talking about himself. But he sure is talking about himself at the top of the ticket.

I just can't wait to hear his disdain for Chafee and watch him rip Caprio from pillar to post. And dredge up every political choice that Lynch has made as AG. Going to be a great 11 months...

Posted by: Patrick at December 17, 2009 12:24 PM

Laffey ran from Rhode Island when things didn't go his way.
And he wasn't willing to take on Smith in a primary.He's not what you'd call a leader, really.
If I were him, I wouldn't attack too aggressively.

Posted by: rhody at December 17, 2009 9:32 PM

Rhody, I think you can rest assured that Steve Laffey won't be calling you looking for advice.

For some reason, I don't think that breaks your heart much.

Posted by: Patrick at December 17, 2009 10:46 PM

poor rhody, who put all his clams on Chafee, who is sure to bow out of the race as soon as Laffey enters.

tough to be you rhody. tough to be any liberal in RI, now that the gig is just about up.

Posted by: George at December 18, 2009 12:11 AM

You know, George, I'm actually questioning whether Chafee runs at this point, too. If he doesn't have the fire in his belly for what's going to be a brutal brawl, I hope he doesn't take part - a man's gotta do what's best for his family first, right?
The number five conservative in Rhode Island has been making a lot more sense lately (and if Dan Yorke has launched jihad on him, he's got to be doing something right).
You were smart enough to have a backup plan ready in this ever-evolving race. So am I.

Posted by: rhody at December 18, 2009 6:11 PM

No backup plans here. Because there is simply no backup. It's Laffey, or we are completely screwed.

Posted by: George at December 19, 2009 1:05 AM

Laffey or we're screwed? You have got to be kidding. Nobody will fix this mess singlehandedly. Nobody. A person who tries will make a bigger mess of things and propel us further down the drain.

Posted by: michael at December 19, 2009 11:31 AM

I just want a governor who's putting the state's needs above his own ego. Unfortunately, Steverino's notm that guy.

Posted by: rhody at December 20, 2009 9:05 PM
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