Frank Caprio

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Chafee makes his mark on education reform

Boardrooms
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-member Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | February 02, 2011

By | January 01, 0001

United wussies of America

Summing up '10; life in the biggest little; communication breakdowns
"We're becoming a nation of wussies." Well, that's a hell of a way to wrap up a year.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | December 29, 2010

Who wins? Who loses?

What special interests will be served -- or ignored -- under the new regime?
Quick question: who won the Rhode Island elections in November?
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | December 29, 2010

The political story everyone missed

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?
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.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | December 22, 2010

By | January 01, 0001

Thanks for nothing: Rhode Island Turkeys 2010

In our second annual list of Rhode Island Turkeys, the Phoenix fingers 12 people and institutions who committed crimes against the state
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 against the state in the past year.
By PROVIDENCE PHOENIX STAFF | November 22, 2011

The Independent Man, and greased to go

Our last words on campaign ’10; acting up; farewell, Len Jardine
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.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | November 04, 2010

By | January 01, 0001

Rejoice! Race to the bottom soon over

The scramble for the undecided vote; quotes of note; the Life of Keith
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 their handiwork is utter bullshit is undoubtedly true but, still, they worked overtime on this one.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | October 27, 2010

Nine things to watch for on Election Day

Solidarity forever! Tea Party froth! Providence Rising!
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.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | October 27, 2010

Why Lincoln Chafee deserves your vote

A man of expansive yet commonsensical vision, with a rare political courage
Many Rhode Islanders are still undecided about the governor's race. Until this week, the Phoenix , too, was torn.
By PROVIDENCE PHOENIX STAFF | October 27, 2010

By | January 01, 0001

Caprio's Clinton fixation

The gubernatorial hopeful is running an ‘It’s The Economy, Stupid’ campaign. But will the centrist approach work in a liberal-leaning state?
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.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | October 20, 2010

By | January 01, 0001

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

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

The beloved Mr. Mondor; Environmental blinders; Volume control; Insane Clown Posse
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.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | October 07, 2010

By | January 01, 0001

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

Fodder by the ton
"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."
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | September 22, 2010