Dee DeQuattro: Pulse on Politics - Fortunate Son

Dee DeQuattro

The tone in the gubernatorial race really heated up this week as Gina Raimondo and Allan Fung lobbed attacks at each other on 38 Studios, Rhode Island Housing, the Cranston Police Department, and Pensions. 38 Studios has dominated much of the race both candidates blaming the other for supporting the failed video game company, problem is both Fung and Raimondo weren’t really involved in the matter.

Who the Fung?

A Turn to Ten I-Team investigation claimed to have revealed an email that lists “Mayor Alan Fung” (sic) as trying to court the video game company to his city. Problem is when WPRI’s Ted Nesi tracked down the alleged author of the email she had no idea who Fung even is. So much for the time he was trying to court the company I-guess. For Fung’s part he denies any contact with 38 Studios.

The cookie candidate

Meanwhile everyone who ordered Chinese Food this week got a special fortune. Fung, whose family used to own a Chinese restaurant, has distributed fortune cookies to Chinese establishments throughout the state. Inside the fortunes is a reminder to “Vote for Allan Fung for Governor.” It’s a good tactic because photos of these fortunes have been invading social media.

Stumping the stumped

Raimondo had a good week welcoming first lady Michelle Obama to Rhode Island for an endorsement. While it builds momentum for her candidacy, it probably didn’t drive out any new supporters since Michelle Obama fans were likely to be voting for Raimondo already.

Dem's fightin' words!

Raimondo held her own during the debate, but so did Fung. She compared Cranston to Central Falls which might hurt her among Cranston voters but she probably has already accepted that she was unlikely to make many inroads in Fung’s city.

Raimondo's cookie (W)JAR

The WJAR debate was much more favorable to Raimondo as the panel took aim at Fung right away on the basis of their I-Team report. Raimondo was able to ride on that momentum for a while until Fung started going on a Rhode Island Housing. Fung is accusing the Raimondo of poor oversight into Rhode Island Housing because as General Treasurer she has a statutory place on the board. According to Fung, she has sent delegates to the board meetings but has not actually went herself in over a year.

Land is never wasted, when it's wasted all the time

Raimondo has a creative idea when it comes to giving away a parcel of the 195 land to attract business to the state and in the debate she had a chance to discuss the idea. She seems passionate about it and had a point, that basically right now the land is going to waste and no one is bidding on it.

I guess we all CAN just get along

Either way, you have to hand it to both of the candidates they seem to get along pretty well and despite the barbs back-and-forth they have a good rapport with each other. It is much less hostile than the primary that Fung had to battle his way out of.

Healey's Comedy Revue

Bob Healey also made headlines this week too as he was challenging format changes to the ABC6 debate. At the debate, Healey posed a number of questions to both Raimondo and Fung and he had a few hilarious lines. When asked about Ebola and the quarantine Healey took aim at Allan Fung saying snarkily we should quarantine Allan Fung because he has been hanging out with people from New Jersey. This a clear reference to a visit from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie earlier in that day. Christie will make a final campaign stop for Fung on Monday. Healey also had a notable line when he said that he made a “cameo appearance on the Allan & Gina Show,” noting he wouldn’t vote for either of them.

Two-headed monster

Meanwhile Buddy Cianci loves the spotlight. Cianci was strong and confident in WJAR’s Mayoral Debate. He apologized for his past and he took aim at his opponent Republican Daniel Harrop and Democrat Jorge Elorza by conjoining their name into one. Cianci challenge the two for ganging up on them, basically suggesting they are one candidate. Cianci was on his game during the debate and the campaign trail has done him well. He looks good and he seems very much in his element.

Christmas in November

There is so much more to talk about but I am running out of space. Event he down ticket races are heating up with attack ads. But ultimately this race will turn on voter turn out and get out the vote efforts. Its suppoe to be a nice day so we will see if that drives out voters.

I’ll see you next week for an election recap.

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More Pulse on Politics

Every Friday, WBOB political insider Dee DeQuattro takes a look at the winners, and losers, in RI Politics