Frank Caprio

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Chafee makes his mark on education reform

The State House was mostly empty Tuesday afternoon, as the snow dropped cold and wet outside. So the crowd was rather modest as Governor Lincoln Chafee walked into the ornate State Room, just outside his office, to announce four new picks for the nine-m
Boardrooms
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | February 04, 2011

The Treasury and the Caprio Legacy

The hurdles to a Frank Caprio political comeback are many: the "shove it" comment will be forever attached to his name and the progressive base of...
By David Scharfenberg | January 31, 2011

United wussies of America

"We're becoming a nation of wussies." Well, that's a hell of a way to wrap up a year.
Summing up '10; life in the biggest little; communication breakdowns
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | December 31, 2010

Who wins? Who loses?

Quick question: who won the Rhode Island elections in November?
What special interests will be served -- or ignored -- under the new regime?
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | December 31, 2010

The political story everyone missed

The headlines from this year's gubernatorial race were Democrat Frank Caprio's indelicate suggestion that the leader of the free world "shove it" and Lincoln Chafee's historic victory as Rhode Island's first independent governor.
John Robitaille almost beat Lincoln Chafee in the race for the corner office. How did he come so close -- and why did the local media leave him almost wholly unvetted?
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | December 24, 2010

Caprio 2014?

Frank Caprio undoubtedly exits the 2010 campaign a damaged politician. His "shove it" comments and break with Democratic orthodoxy make another Democratic run for governor -...
By David Scharfenberg | December 03, 2010

Thanks for nothing: Rhode Island Turkeys 2010

Thanksgiving has arrived. And you know what that means: dinner with your boorish uncle, the disturbing quiver of canned cranberry sauce, and the Phoenix 's second annual list of Rhode Island turkeys — people and institutions who committed crimes again
In our second annual list of Rhode Island Turkeys, the Phoenix fingers 12 people and institutions who committed crimes against the state
By PROVIDENCE PHOENIX STAFF | November 26, 2010

The Independent Man, and greased to go

Phillipe and Jorge were given a subtle indicator that it was going to be a tough election night when an ad for his-and-hers KY Jelly ran right after the early ballot projections on Channel 6's news at 9 pm. This was to be a Ben Dover Production, indeed
Our last words on campaign ’10; acting up; farewell, Len Jardine
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | November 05, 2010

Chafee's Smith Hill Prospects

I've got a piece in today's Phoenix about Governor-elect Lincoln Chafee's prospects on Smith Hill.It should be interesting to watch: on the one hand, he...
By David Scharfenberg | November 04, 2010

Caprio's Steep Climb

The results of the recent WPRI-TV poll, when reviewed in detail, show just what a climb Democratic gubernatorial candidate Frank Caprio faces on Election Day....
By David Scharfenberg | November 01, 2010

Rejoice! Race to the bottom soon over

There are only a few more days left in this particularly ridiculous election cycle and, if there is one group of people who worked tirelessly and with true creative elan it would be the opposition research teams. Give these folks a bonus! That much of
The scramble for the undecided vote; quotes of note; the Life of Keith
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | October 29, 2010

Nine things to watch for on Election Day

It is, perhaps, a sign of a troubling derangement. But I'll say it anyway: I'm going to miss this election season when it's over.
Solidarity forever! Tea Party froth! Providence Rising!
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | October 29, 2010

Why Lincoln Chafee deserves your vote

Many Rhode Islanders are still undecided about the governor's race. Until this week, the Phoenix , too, was torn.
A man of expansive yet commonsensical vision, with a rare political courage
By PROVIDENCE PHOENIX STAFF | October 29, 2010

The Outside View of the "Shove It" Flap

In-state, Frank Caprio has been seen as the aggressor for his "Shove It" remark. But outside the state, where the White House political operation is...
By David Scharfenberg | October 27, 2010

Clinton to Stump for Caprio

Big win for the Caprio campaign - and some Obama/Clinton friction that is sure to attract more national press. From the Caprio camp (note the careful nod...
By David Scharfenberg | October 26, 2010

Caprio to Prez: Shove It

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Frank Caprio said on talk radio this morning that President Obama, who has not endorsed him in the race, can "shove" it...
By David Scharfenberg | October 25, 2010

Caprio Taking On Robitaille

As I noted in my cover story on Frank Caprio's gubernatorial bid in this week's Phoenix, his competition with Republican John Robitaille for right-of-center votes...
By David Scharfenberg | October 22, 2010

Caprio's Clinton fixation

It was the highlight of Democrat Frank Caprio's bid for governor: an endorsement by Bill Clinton before an enormous American flag at the Rhode Island Convention Center.
The gubernatorial hopeful is running an ‘It’s The Economy, Stupid’ campaign. But will the centrist approach work in a liberal-leaning state?
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | October 22, 2010

RGA Target?

We'd heard, as Scott MacKay reports over at WRNI, that the Republican Governors Association is preparing to drop some cash into the Rhode Island gubernatorial...
By David Scharfenberg | October 21, 2010

The Governor's Race and the Women's Vote

When it became clear that the general election for governor would come down to Frank Caprio and Lincoln Chafee, the conventional wisdom had Chafee faring...
By David Scharfenberg | October 21, 2010

Obama Declining to Endorse Caprio?

Frank Caprio won a high-profile endorsement from Bill Clinton, whose centrist "third way" he's tried to emulate in his own run for governor. But an...
By David Scharfenberg | October 20, 2010

Turning Around the Pagliarini Story

The Chafee campaign scores, perhaps, it's biggest coup of the election season by robbing the story of campaign manager J.R. Pagliarini's resignation of much of...
By David Scharfenberg | October 15, 2010

In Chafee we trust

In a year that finds most top-tier politicians promising jobs, jobs, and more jobs, independent gubernatorial candidate Lincoln Chafee is betting his political future on a different message: trust me.
But is trust enough in this volatile political season?
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | October 15, 2010

R.I.P., Ben Mondor (1925-2010)

Flags at half-mast at Casa Diablo and black mourning mantillas over Phillipe and Jorge’s heads on learning of the death of Ben Mondor Sunday at his home in Warwick Neck at age 85.
The beloved Mr. Mondor; Environmental blinders; Volume control; Insane Clown Posse
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | October 08, 2010

Reed's Office Confirms Ad

GoLocalProv, in a nice little scoop, reported yesterday that Senator Jack Reed would record a TV ad endorsing Democrat Frank Caprio for governor and that the...
By David Scharfenberg | October 06, 2010

Poll: Heavy Opposition to Raising Sales Tax

The new Brown poll gives Democratic gubernatorial candidate Frank Caprio a 30 to 23 percent lead over his closest challenger, independent Lincoln Chafee. But the...
By David Scharfenberg | October 05, 2010

The Vetting Issue

The string of unflattering stories for the Caprio campaign has raised the ire of some supporters, who think Lincoln Chafee is getting a pass in...
By David Scharfenberg | October 01, 2010

AP: Questioning Caprio Campaign Contributions

A string of less-than-flattering stories for the Caprio camp continues with new ones from the Associated Press and the Providence Journal, which focus on campaign...
By David Scharfenberg | October 01, 2010

Caprio to Press Chafee on Education Reform

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Frank Caprio will step up his attack on independent Lincoln Chafee's approach to education reform at a press conference outside Hope High...
By David Scharfenberg | September 28, 2010

The Looey Guv lunacy; a few endorsements; notable quotes; fond farewells

"You guys have the easiest job in the world," our fellow Vo Dilunders often tell Phillipe and Jorge. "There’s so much political fodder in this state you have enough material for a lifetime."
Fodder by the ton
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | September 24, 2010

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