 Dee DeQuattro Gina Raimondo is backtracking on her abortion stance after taking some criticism for saying she supported the repeal of a 1997 law banning partial-birth abortion. Raimondo’s campaign manager Eric Hyers told the Providence Journal that her Republican Opponent, Allan Fung, is mis-characterizing her position. He said she is against partial-birth abortion and would support a ban as long as there is an exception if the mother’s live is at risk.  Hyers also said she (Raimondo) supported the repeal of the law not because she supports late term abortion but instead because it is “goofy” to have an unconstitutional law on the books. He said it had nothing to do with the merits. While Raimondo’s folks are calling this a clarification, Fung supporters are saying she is caving to public pressure and changing her position. Either way, this isn’t good for the Raimondo Camp. Late-term removal Meanwhile LaSalle Academy has removed the General Treasurers picture from their walls and now have decided to remove the pictures of all public officials that support abortion including U.S. Senator Jack Reed. Lightning Reed issue Meanwhile Reed is taking some heat as the GOP is hounding the State Board of Elections saying that a new Raimondo ad featuring Jack Reed is illegal under Rhode Island Campaign Finance Law. The GOP says the ad is illegal because the state party paid $90,000 dollars for the ad and there is a cap set at $25,000 from the state party to a candidate. The party is arguing that the ad is about an issue and not just for a candidate since it features both Reed and Raimondo. The issue will now be heard by the Board of Elections. The Rhode Island GOP deserves some props for their handling of this issue. The state party has been all over the ad since it was released challenging its legality. For once, the GOP is on top of an issue and is not just issuing a response late in the game. Not to mention that the state party has been extremely supportive of their Gubernatorial candidate Allan Fung. First they challenged Moderate Bob Healy’s candidacy and now this latest challenge. Finally the party is working together and not against itself.  Fung with numbers Not to mention, a Rasmussen poll on the governor’s race puts Republican Allan Fung within five points of Raimondo. 11 percent of people said they are supporting someone else, and another 11 percent of people said they were undecided. This poll is a win for Fung who was considered the underdog after the primary. As seen on TV In Providence, the Mayoral candidates squared off in the first live televised debate. Independent Buddy Cianci was under heavy scrutiny from Democrat Jorge Elorza and Republican Dan Harrop who consistently attack Cianci’s criminal record. While Cianci apologized for being forced out of office he reiterated that he believes Providence was better off when he was Mayor. Elorza and Harrop also blamed Cianci for the underfunded city pensions. Cianci owned the fact that his administration granted a group of retiree 5 percent COLA’s in a decree he signed in the early 1990’s but noted he didn’t expect it to damage the city’s finances the way it did. Can of corn While there was no clear winner in the Debate, Cianci had a response for everything his opponents threw at him. Cianci also has made inroads recently with Providence unions grabbing endorsements from the police and firefighters union and the Providence Teacher’s Union. Tricks? Or treats? That’s all for this week. Tomorrow marks one month until the primary. Expect these races to heat up in the weeks leading up to the election and pretty soon we should watch for each candidates “October Surprise.” |
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