Ten Most Bizarre Moments of RI Primary Season to Date
Wednesday, September 03, 2014
With primaries in Rhode Island now less than a week away, there have been a number of surprising -- and oftentimes bizarre -- turns by the candidates and campaigns that were probably not anticipated way back when they make their official announcements for higher office.
From Clay Pell's car, to apologies both sincere and fabricated, to financial missteps and miscalculations, as in most elections, almost every campaign has had to deal with a curve ball (or two) sent their way that they didn't anticipate at the outset.
SLIDES: Ten Most Bizarre Moments of RI Primary Season to Date BELOW
So which ones are sticking points -- and which ones aren't? Rhode Island voters will answer that question on September 9, before the victors reset their game plans for November, with a whole new set of minefields along the way.
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Rhode Island College Professor of Communications Val Endress addressed what she perceived as three of the primary season's biggest surprises -- and their ramifications.
"Right out of the gate, the Fung campaign launched a negative ad—even before establishing his credentials/credibility and giving voters the opportunity to get to know him," said Endress of what she dubbed, "Allan Fung's early misstep." "This is very unusual; negative ads usually appear once the voters have had the opportunity to get to know the candidate. Even more surprising was his disparaging of Block’s supporters by calling them ' Blockheads.' The number one rule in campaigns is to never insult potential voters, even if they are loyal followers of your opponent."
Regarding former Mayoral candidate Brett Smiley's withdrawal from the race, Endress offered the following.
"The message he sent by dropping out so late in the race contrasted sharply with his clever political ad that emphasized his ability to create a plan and follow through. I’m not sure voters will buy the argument that two candidates (Smiley and Adrain) withdrew strictly for altruistic reasons, to lessen Buddy Cianci’s chances in the general election," said Endress. "Smiley was an engaging candidate, and certainly one who had the attention of the media. Sometimes races aren’t about winning but, for the first-time candidate, they can be about introducing yourself to the voters. Smiley cut short that process by dropping out and may have damaged his credibility should he decide to run again."
As for the beneficiary of Smiley's decision, Endress touched upon a recent revelation from the Elorza campaign.
"In an age in which candidates are assumed to be insincere until proven otherwise, why assign to a speechwriter the first and only draft of something so personal as your feelings about recovery and redemption? And to make matters worse, we learned that the words were self plagiarized from the speechwriter’s work for another candidate," said Endress. "The public is not naïve about the use of speechwriters, but this method of handling the use of speechwriters just confirms the public’s fear that even personal sentiments can’t be trusted to be sincere."
Radio host Ron St. Pierre, who talks with GoLocal every morning on WHJJ News Radio 920 about the day's Top Story, offered his on thoughts on the most notable elements of this year's primary season.
"Chris Young being so well behaved," said St. Pierre. "No overturned debate tables or statues of the Madonna joining the fun?"
And for the two-time former Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci waiting in the wings to face Republican Dan Harrop and the winner for the Democratic primary, St. Pierre said an oddity was Cianci "being so quiet even though he has no primary."
"He's gotta be busting at the seams," quipped St. Pierre.
Related Slideshow: Most Bizarre Moments to Date in RI 2014 Primary Season
The primary season has been long and unpredictable - here are some of the most strange events so far.
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