Thursday, August 31, 2006

Italian Slur turns Snoozer to Slugfest in Rhode Island Secretary of State Race

The ANNOTICO Report

 

North Providence Mayor Ralph Mollis, the endorsed candidate who has been groomed by the Democratic Party for several years as an up-and-comer in statewide politics, are going toe-to-toe and blow-for-blow,  after his opponent Guillaume de Ramel made an issue of Mollis attended the FUNERAL of an ALLEGED (not ever convicted)  FORMER Mobster, and then made a reference to Tony Soprano!!!!!

 

John Cianci, R.I. department commander of the Italian American War Veterans of the United States fumed, "Mr. de Ramel's perpetuation of ethnic stereotypes in order to further his personal political ambition is horrendous."

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE RACE GOES FROM SNOOZER TO SLUGFEST

 

Pawtuckett Times, Rhode Island

By: Jim Baron

August 28, 2006

 

Throw enough stuff at the wall and, despite whether or not any of it sticks, you will at least get some people's attention.


And so it is that the Democratic candidates for secretary of state have staged a donneybrook that has managed to cut through the clutter of a U.S. Senate race that is being watched nationwide, a competitive campaign for governor that is just now coming to life and a proposed constitutional amendment for a casino that for months has been threatening to use up all the political oxygen in the room. They are making folks sit up and take notice of a primary for secretary of state and that, ladies and gentlemen, is not an easy thing to do.


In a heavily contested campaign year, the secretary of state's race is very much the undercard battle. Usually, it is the one that is happens on while you are still parking your car and deciding whether you want to check your coat at the door or keep it with you. It's possible that it could generate enough interest where you ask, "who won that one, anyway?" But not necessarily.


This, however, is not a usual year.


Political newcomer Guillaume de Ramel, who brings a fresh face and a big bankroll to the race, and North Providence Mayor Ralph Mollis, the endorsed candidate who has been groomed by the Democratic Party for several years as an up-and-comer in statewide politics, are going toe-to-toe and blow-for-blow, and there is nothing the crowd likes better than two guys bashing each other's brains in, even if they are relative no-names (to stretch the boxing analogy to its breaking point).


After all, how much more negative can a campaign get than one candidate trying to tie his opponent to the mob, the Mafia, organized crime?


This one is ugly, folks and each man points a finger at the other for dragging the campaign into the mud.


Of course, de Ramel vehemently denies any link between his campaign and a WJAR-10 news report about Mollis attending the funeral of alleged former mobster Robert Barbato. But he doesn't hesitate to pile on with questions about Mollis accepting campaign contributions from folks with mob ties and felony records...


When asked about Mollis's defense that he had known many of his contributors for many years, and he wouldn't turn his back on them for politics, de Ramel retorted that fictional HBO Mafia boss Tony Soprano might be a nice guy, too.


That is when it all hit the fan. What had been a simmering campaign dispute was spattering and scalding everyone who came within range when the heat was turned WAY UP.


Mollis took great umbrage, declaring that de Ramel had made a "very ethnic comment" and said he should apologize....


Mollis provided a copy of a letter from John Cianci, R.I. department commander of the Italian American War Veterans of the United States that fumed, "Mr. de Ramel's perpetuation of ethnic stereotypes in order to further his personal political ambition is horrendous." It goes on like that, but you get the picture.


Then de Ramel took offense at Mollis' umbrage.


He stamped his feet and said he was canceling scheduled debates with Mollis because he no longer wanted to be in the same room with someone who would accuse him of making ethnic comments. "When you pull out that card, you'd better have something to back it up," de Ramel said in an interview last week.


Tony Marcella, de Ramel campaign manager, told a reporter they would conduct the campaign as though Mollis weren't even a candidate. (Mollis told me he thought that was great. "I said good, he won't be able to run all those negative ads against me if he's going to act like I'm not in the race.)


But they managed to put that part of the silliness behind them and have debated on cable TV and will do so again on the radio.
Although he apologized to anyone who was offended at the Tony Soprano comment, de Ramel is not backing off... 


Mollis says the negative tone of the campaign, "has been a real disappointment. The office is very policy-driven. I had a vision of a race that was issue-oriented. My opponent has brought this campaign to a low level and unfortunately, my campaign has joined them."


De Ramel agrees that "it's sad that (the campaign) has gotten to where it's gotten."


It's one of the few things the two agree on.


Mollis, by the way, pledges that if elected he will seek to serve two full terms - eight years - as secretary of state. He left himself no wiggle room. No running for governor in four years if the seat opens up, no running for any other office. If elected he will serve a full term and seek a second, which he would also serve fully.


NASCAR fans get all upset at the notion that the only reason to watch a car race is for the smash-ups, but, hey, that is the reason many people watch. If you are one of those folks who watch political races for the smash-ups, the Mollis-de Ramel Democratic primary for secretary of state is for you.

 

http://www.zwire.com/site/

news.cfm?BRD=1713&dept_

id=335211&newsid=17117993

&PAG=461&rfi=9

 

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