Darrell West

Latest Articles

Not tough enough?

While governors nationwide slash their way out of crisis, Chafee plays Mr. Nice Guy
Amid massive deficits and escalating pension problems, a certain tough guy chic has taken hold in State Houses across the country.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | April 13, 2011

In Chafee we trust

But is trust enough in this volatile political season?
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.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | October 14, 2010

It's on: Chafee and Caprio square off for governor

Man vs. Message
Just a couple of weeks after Attorney General Patrick Lynch withdrew from the governor's race, it is quickly shaping up as a two-man battle: independent Lincoln Chafee versus Democrat Frank Caprio.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | July 28, 2010

Joe Paolino weighs a different kind of mayoral run

The Independent
It had been rumored for some time.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | April 14, 2010

Does Scott Brown’s victory mean doom for RI Democrats?

Fallout
Republican Scott Brown's stunning victory this week in the race for the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat in Massachusetts has created something approaching panic in the ranks of Congressional Democrats.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | January 20, 2010

Chafee and the hazards of a bold politics

Tax Dept.
By the time a candidate for major office steps up to the microphone to officially declare for the seat, everyone already knows his intentions.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | January 06, 2010

It will not be a dull year!

The governor’s race, gambling, drama on Smith Hill, and more is on tap in 2010
The New Year is shaping up as potent dope for the political junkie.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | January 06, 2010

Camelot: The Next Generation

Patrick Kennedy is a square peg in his family's historic round table
Senator Ted Kennedy's months-long battle with brain cancer inspired endless commentary about the demise of Camelot.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | October 01, 2009

State House status

In a purportedly liberal state, the Rhode Island General Assembly has a stubbornly conservative bent. But can progressive politics make a dent in 2010?
Rhode Island voters, for all their supposed insularity, are an increasingly progressive bunch.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | August 12, 2009

Cicilline, the firefighters, and the politics of protest

Citywatch
It is, on some level, hard to pick any winners in the li'l Rhody's latest battle royale.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | June 17, 2009

Is the party over for the GOP in RI?

A disastrous election in '08. A depleted war chest. Dismal approval ratings for the outgoing governor. Yet the faithful see hope for a Republican revival
In a state known for its political obsessions, there is remarkably little in the way of rabid protest here.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | May 13, 2009

Eyes on the prize

Hold on, Linc Chafee! Dems Frank Caprio, Patrick Lynch, and Elizabeth Roberts would also like to be governor in 2010
We interrupt the Lincoln Chafee buzz fest to bring you this little nugget of news: there are a few Democrats who'd like to be governor, too.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | April 22, 2009

Is RI making the most from its tourism appeal?

Critics call a variety of agencies a wasteful approach in this small state
If you were going to promote Rhode Island's plate of idiosyncratic attractions to potential visitors in other states, what would be the best way to do it?
By IAN DONNIS | July 24, 2008

Can’t anybody here play this game?

Rhode Island remains trapped between economic distress and missed opportunities
The need to reinvent Rhode Island’s economic infrastructure — which remains anemic compared with most of its neighbors in New England — is more urgent than ever.
By IAN DONNIS | May 21, 2008

Media rebels in the Internet age

The debate-defining posts of Rhode Island activists wield influence beyond their readership
Bloggers have “used a new and powerful medium and ‘crashed the gates’ to ensure that information — the most important ingredient in a democracy — would be available to anyone who wanted to write, read, or debate.”
By IAN DONNIS | May 01, 2008

Chafee for governor?

Running as an independent, he could thumb his nose at the worst of both parties
For now, Lincoln Chafee has the luxury of discussing his political future as a riddle wrapped up in an enigma.
By IAN DONNIS | April 10, 2008

The battle of the smallest state

The Rhode Island wields a rare impact as Clinton and Obama go head to head
Clinton bathed in the intense affection of an adoring crowd, her every statement punctuated by wild applause, chants, and a rising sea of blue signs touting her campaign.
By IAN DONNIS | February 29, 2008

Patrick Lynch goes for broke

In gunning for Governor, the term-limited AG has little to lose
One small basketball photo lurks inconspicuously on a far wall in the spacious South Main Street office of Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch.
By IAN DONNIS | January 23, 2008

The year of impending doom

A softening economy and the $450 million state deficit point to a painful 2008
This hardy old New England state should be able to cope with a little snow, right? Not so much...
By IAN DONNIS | December 19, 2007

Why RI Republicans fail

Quick to blame Democrats, the local GOP can’t seem to find candidates or a long-term plan of its own
Providence Journal op-ed columnist Edward Achorn has made repeated reference to the apparent “learned helplessness” of Rhode Islanders.
By IAN DONNIS | November 14, 2007

Recent items from Not for Nothing

Best of the blog
You didn’t have to be a genius to realize that the publication of Steve Laffey’s new book would mark his formal reemergence on Rhode Island’s political stage.
By IAN DONNIS | September 12, 2007

State house stalemate

Carcieri takes another run at cutting state workers, but the outlook is murky
Many Rhode Islanders take an almost visceral delight in those occasions when a state worker is shown to be goofing off on the public’s dime.
By IAN DONNIS | September 12, 2007

Buddymania!

A Rhode Island icon sails back into the limelight
Buddy Cianci was already making the media wait.
By IAN DONNIS | August 02, 2007

Is Carcieri already a lame duck?

The Governor is politically skillful, but his ability to deliver remains a big question
For openers, Carcieri returned to a State House devoid as ever of fellow Republicans.
By BRIAN C. JONES | June 06, 2007

What’s next for Steve Laffey?

With a forthcoming book about his senatorial campaign, he looms as a prospective gubernatorial candidate in 2010
Can you imagine Steve Laffey — a tireless self-promoter and all-around media hog — not returning a phone call from a reporter?
By IAN DONNIS | May 31, 2007

Rhode Island at a crossroads

This year’s budget could signal a major shift in the state’s underlying principles
Among the hundred young people at a recent State House rally was a 17-year-old high school student, who could find himself in one of two places — either in college or homeless — a year from now.
By BRIAN C. JONES | April 25, 2007

Last Republican standing

Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian is a rare bright spot for the RI GOP
Last year, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian made a very smart decision by standing pat.
By IAN DONNIS | March 07, 2007

The ’06 Guild Follies: Queen Elizabeth rules

In singing star turn, Pina wins rare standing O
Yes, it’s time to read about the Providence Newspaper Guild Follies, the biggest Vo Dilun cocktail party of the year, which, naturally, is held in Massachusetts.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | February 28, 2007

The brain drain

Rhode island needs a more robust economy to retain the young and the educated
Rhode Island is lucky to have Kipp Bradford.
By IAN DONNIS | February 15, 2007

The new armies of the ’net

Can pop technology ramp up public interest in politics?
More than a million people have downloaded the “Hello Garci” ring tone.
By ERICA SAGRANS | February 01, 2007