Mollis launches re-election bid

By John McDaid | Thursday, 18 March 2010

RI Secretary of State Ralph Mollis (D) announced his intention to seek a second term in a story in today's Providence Journal and a post to his Facebook page.

I've had a number of interactions with Mollis's office over the last couple of years, and have always been impressed with their openness and responsiveness. On several occasions, I have asked for information or interpretations, and they have always gotten back to me promptly. They even kept track of the kind of stuff I'm interested in and proactively sent me notices. I also think Mollis has done a particularly good job with online resources for elections, especially the election calendar and candidate guides, which are great if you're trying to make sense of this process.

You can find the new Mollis2010 site here.

Full disclosure: I believe that I am likely a member of the shadowy group referred to in a quote attributed to Larry Fitzmorris by the Newport Daily News describing the "core of the Democratic Party." You have been warned. :)

Tags: 
Localblogging, 02871, RI

Comments

Viking

Thu, 03/18/2010 - 9:25am

I suppose big Larry would consider me "Democratic To The Core" though, for the record, I am not now nor have I ever been a full-fledged (or card-carrying) member of the Portsmouth Town Democratic Committee. Nonetheless, I'm certain that if I went to a meeting of the PCC Corporation, Larry or Kathy would throw me out, and I probably wouldn't be particularly gracious in my departure either (sorry, that's just me).

I wonder - once a "core" always a "core"? Can I de-core if I decide I'm no longer happy with the Town Committee or our elected Democratic town official? If so, how do I make this official enough to meet the standards of the PCC?

So Larry says ejecting Andrew Kelly from a PCC meeting was not "personal" just "business". No, I'm sorry, that was the Godfather who said that. Larry said it wasn't "personal" just "policy." And that policy is??? Reject anyone you know is likely to disagree with you? That's a heck of a rule for a supposed "grass roots we represent the average disaffected citizen" organization.

John McDaid

Thu, 03/18/2010 - 10:41am

Hi, Viking...
A private organization is entitled to have whatever membership policies they deem appropriate -- and the PCC is no different. They absolutely have the right to limit membership to those found acceptable. And they never said they represent the average disaffected citizen -- Larry seems to have been very clear on that point in a quote attributed to him by the Providence Journal that lives over in the right-hand sidebar.

Democrats, on the other hand, have a famously big tent. We don't always agree, and we welcome people whether they agree with us completely or not. We know there is strength in diversity of opinion, and that we get to better answers when we have to engage in the give-and-take of presenting our ideas to those who may ask tough questions. I think that makes us stronger, and I'm proud of my party when we live up to that ideal. I don't think we eject people from the "core" just for not liking a particular elected official. I've certainly been known to critique a local Democrat or two myself.

And as much as I try not to form a mental image, I can't help but imagine that the process of being "de-cored" would be painful.

Best Regards.
-j