Campaign Ethics

Latest Articles

Is it Tim time?

As Deval Patrick flails, Tim Cahill is positioning himself to run. And that's a-okay with the Patrick team.
Whereas a few months ago it seemed that no one could pose a serious threat to any re-election campaign mounted by Governor Deval Patrick, a recent string of missteps has suddenly made him very vulnerable.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | April 01, 2009

Cleaning up Maine's sleaze

Politicians have left it to the people
When tourists admire Maine's picturesque waterfronts, they aren't close enough to smell the barrels reeking with rotting lobster bait.
By LANCE TAPLEY | March 18, 2009

Dianne's special deal

State Senator Dianne Wilkerson already has amassed a list of embarrassing political pratfalls. The Phoenix uncovers two more situations that should cause concern on the cusp of the election.
Undeterred by her Democratic primary loss to opponent Sonia Chang-Díaz, State Senator Dianne Wilkerson is forging ahead in a sticker campaign to win re-election of her Second Suffolk seat in the state legislature.
By TED SIEFER | October 29, 2008

It won’t be soon before long

Politics and other mistakes
What Strimling is doing in delaying his entry into the race may be on the high end of coy and the low end of ethical, but it’s dead center on traditional.
By AL DIAMON | September 26, 2007

How high can Gordon Fox go?

The progressive practices a balancing act in the socially conservative RI legislature
Although House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox considers himself a Red Sox fan, he hopes the Yankees win the World Series this year.
By IAN DONNIS | May 09, 2007

Political theater of the absurd

Governmental ethics
It was right out of the theater of the absurd or George Orwell: if certain people say something is true, then it must be true.
By LANCE TAPLEY | November 01, 2006

Roll your own

Under Maine’s campaign-finance system, Clean Election candidates get screwed
The state’s Clean Election system is even grubbier than you thought.
By LANCE TAPLEY | October 25, 2006

Learning the hard way

Politics and other mistakes
Barbara Merrill spent the summer demonstrating she’s not qualified to be governor.
By AL DIAMON | September 13, 2006

Stars are blind

Politics and other mistakes
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have confirmed they can see Christian Potholm’s giant ego.
By AL DIAMON | August 09, 2006

Rhode Island’s great communicator

Is Carcieri RI's Barry Goldwater?
The Governor's message mastery is a prime asset — and a leading challenge for democrats — in the 2006 campaign
By IAN DONNIS | January 13, 2006

2009: Rants of the Right

Going where few reviewers dare to tread.
Few "respectable" publications were willing to review the year's top-selling conservative books, but the Phoenix has no fear. After wading through 2500 or so pages of right-wing ravings, your brave correspondent reports back with the following analyses.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | December 22, 2009