Republican National Committee

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From top cop to capitol hill?

Former State Police superintendent Brendan Doherty could mount a serious challenge to Congressman David Cicilline. But first he has to tame his restive GOP
It is hard to imagine a better Republican candidate for Rhode Island's First Congressional District than Colonel Brendan Doherty, the retired superintendent of state police.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | August 17, 2011

The plan to turn Rhode Island red

GOP strategist Ken McKay is quietly plotting a data-driven explosion of the state’s one-party rule
The Rhode Island Republican Party's reputation for ineptitude is, by any reasonable measure, richly deserved.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | August 12, 2011

Workin' man blues

Blue-collar luxury resorts, and other GOP oxymorons
Election years are always times of high anxiety for politicians. That may explain why they say and do so many stupid things.
By AL DIAMON | March 08, 2010

New and improved Romney

He's more fiscal, less social. And he's got millions. But will GOP voters give a Mitt?
Scott Brown's unexpected victory in last month's special US Senate election captured the attention of the country — and particularly of core Republican voters, who huddled eagerly before their TV screens to watch their hero du jour give his acceptance speech. But even in the midst of his moment in the sun, Brown made sure to thank the other handsome, well-coifed man on the stage, Mitt Romney.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | February 12, 2010

Brown Bagging

Even GOP insiders don't expect Scott Brown to beat Martha Coakley. But they care how he loses.
If you are finding it hard to get enthused about the seemingly preordained drubbing that Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley will give to the GOP nominee, State Senator Scott Brown, in the special election for US Senate, you are not alone.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | December 16, 2009

Psalms For The Deaf

Jared Paul Unleashes Prayers For Atheists
Sage Francis addressed the densely-populated crowd at Rock the Bells at Comcast Center last weekend: "This song helped get a friend of mine out of jail. Thank you to all who donated. This song is called 'Conspiracy to Riot.' Strange Famous fucking Records, Providence."
By CHRIS CONTI | July 21, 2009

Gay deceivers

Outrage isn't outrageous enough
The California State Supreme Court just upheld Proposition 8, denying gay people the right to marriage. This should disabuse the complacent of the illusion that the religious right has relinquished its death grip on America. So, too, should Kirby Dick's documentary about the homophobic power of closeted right-wing politicians in America.
By PETER KEOUGH | June 04, 2009

Female Trouble

A shocking dearth of Republican female pols should have the party in a panic. So why doesn't it care?
Conventional political wisdom says that for a party to oppose a woman — or a women's issue — it's best to send out a female spokesperson.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | June 03, 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

Generation Green

Once derided as tree huggers, eco-friendly youth are now the nation's most powerful (and feared) voting bloc. So why isn't the GOP listening?
Republicans have a lot to say about the immorality of saddling the next generation with our national debt. But when it comes to leaving them a wrecked, depleted, and rapidly warming planet, they are taking the exact opposite line.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | May 11, 2009

Star crossed

Limbaugh's a celebrity, not a political player
Rush Limbaugh, pink cheeked and increasingly porcine, has emerged as the de-facto head of the Republican Party.
By EDITORIAL | March 06, 2009

Judge dismisses RNC protest case

Justice for protesters
The defendants — who became known as the "Wall 7" — were in St. Paul during the RNC because, as Wilson puts it, "we think that our government should be held accountable for the crimes it has committed."
By JEFF INGLIS | February 04, 2009

Year in pictures

Imagery 2008
Imagery 2008
By PHOENIX STAFF | January 28, 2010

Wacko patrol: America's 25 scariest conservatives

The Phoenix ranks the individuals who will hold the most sway over the right-wing message machine in 2009, and beyond.
Imagine what will happen once the relatively sane folks now running the White House and the Republican National Committee pack up and go home?
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | November 03, 2008

Among the Republican thugs

Fear and pepper spray in St. Paul
Minnesota is known innocently enough as the Gopher State, but for one terrifying, riot-gear-and-grenade-filled week this past summer, it was a police state.
By ANNE ELIZABETH MOORE | October 27, 2008

Rolled

Where’s the outrage over media mistreatment at the RNC?
Where’s the outrage over media mistreatment at the RNC?
By ADAM REILLY | October 02, 2008

Twitheads

Is it time to dial down journalism’s latest fad?
Is Twitter bad for journalism?
By ADAM REILLY | September 25, 2008

Beating the press

Why McCain’s Machiavellian war on the media could cost him the presidency
If you’re a liberal, you quadrennially reconcile yourself to the fact that the GOP is going to win the White House. Again.
By ADAM REILLY | September 11, 2008

Photos: March on the RNC

Protesters rallied in St. Paul
Protesters rallied in St. Paul
By KATHY CHAPMAN | September 08, 2008

The enthusiasm gap

This election, with Obama having stoked pennant fever in Denver, it is the Dems who have cornered the excitement market
The selection of gun-shooting, anti-abortion, creationist, doctrinaire conservative Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as John McCain’s vice-presidential nominee has finally got the GOP’s conservative base excited.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | September 03, 2008

Photos: Republican National Convention 2008

The scene in St. Paul, from the protests to the podium. Updated daily.
The scene in St. Paul, from the protests to the podium. Updated daily.
By JOEFF DAVIS | September 05, 2008

What Obama must do

A new talent must wrestle with an old hand at political survival
For all the fawning press Barack Obama has received, the grace and favor with which he has been treated is nothing compared with the free ride McCain has enjoyed.
By EDITORIAL | August 28, 2008

Trying out an anti-demonstration ‘sonic cannon’

Non-lethal weapons
The Maine Marine Patrol is considering purchasing a “sonic cannon” capable of broadcasting earsplitting, “disorienting” sounds, like those that have been used to break up peaceful demonstrations in public spaces in Iraq and the country of Georgia.
By JEFF INGLIS | July 16, 2008

William Lemmer: Coming home

The further history of a Vietnam-era informer
This article originally appeared in the July 11, 1978 issue of the Boston Phoenix.
By JEFFREY STEIN | July 10, 2008

Boston music news: May 23, 2008

Notes on the Submarines and two great local benefits
There are two worthwhile benefits coming up this week.
By MATT ASHARE | May 19, 2008

Avedisian, Trillo challenge Manning for GOP post

Talking politics
Since the RNC is “basically a seniority-based organization,” he says, a change in the post would mean “we’re going to [have to] start all over again.”
By IAN DONNIS | April 30, 2008

Could America face a committee choice for president?

Surprise Scenario
Like many thoughtful voters, I have privately wondered what would happen if John McCain, Hillary Clinton, or Barack Obama were to die after being nominated.
By MARY ANN SORRENTINO | April 09, 2008

EXCLUSIVE: California gleaming

Romney gains on McCain in crucial Golden State contest; Clinton's lead holds steady
According to a poll obtained exclusively by the Boston Phoenix , Hillary Clinton leads Barack Obama by 11 percentage points in California.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | January 22, 2008

The amazing race

We break down the Presidential campaign to its six essential parts, and predict your next Commander-in-Chief.
For the past year, presidential politics has been building to the crescendo that is the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | December 26, 2007

Political beats

Filastine’s activist groove
Don’t let the name fool you: producer/DJ Grey Filastine is a sophisticated and well-heeled sonic traveler.
By SUSANNA BOLLE | October 01, 2007