Republican Governor Donald Carcieri '65 recently initiated fundraising efforts for his 2006 re-election campaign, issuing a letter to supporters Feb. 28 that criticized local labor unions and a General Assembly dominated by Democrats.
The letter refuted speculation that Carcieri might not seek a second term, a notion several political observers had begun to take seriously, according to Darrell West, professor of political science and director of the Taubman Center for Public Policy.
"People have said that, but I never believed it," West said. "This is a guy who loves being governor."
According to Steve Owren, Carcieri's campaign finance director, the governor "wanted to make it perfectly clear" he would seek re-election.
In the letter, Carcieri described himself as a "newcomer to politics" and challenged groups such as the Working Rhode Island labor coalition, which he accused of raising over $1 million to "attack" him during the 2004 election cycle.
"I wasn't even on the ballot!" the letter reads. "What are they so worried about?"
Carcieri's attempt to position himself as a political outsider is "perfectly consistent" with his 2002 campaign, West said.
George Nee, secretary-treasurer of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, said he believes other elements of the letter reflect "a dramatic change in tone" on behalf of Carcieri.
"I think his 2002 campaign was much warmer," he said. "This is very harsh and combative. It sets a very poor tone for a governor."
Carcieri derided special-interest groups that "prefer the status quo," adding that their influence "throughout the halls of the State House" has hindered his "good government" reform measures.
Currently, no Democratic challengers have entered the race, though a contender will likely emerge "by the summer," West said, adding that he believes "the party is scrambling to come up with an opponent."
A University poll of Rhode Island residents last month placed Carcieri ahead of two potential Democratic contenders, including former Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse, who lost the 2002 Democratic gubernatorial primary. The poll predicted Carcieri would defeat Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty, also a Democrat, by a margin of 44 percent to 33 percent.
The poll's results indicate that "people seem to appreciate what (Carcieri's) trying to do," West said.
"He campaigned the last time as an outsider who was going to bring reform to the state, and that's exactly what he has done as governor," West said.
But Nee had a different take on the governor's administration, saying the tone of the letter - and Carcieri's desire to portray himself as a political outsider - can alienate policymakers and ultimately stifle the reforms he attempts to implement.
"I don't think he's getting anything done," he said. "He appears to be satisfied to be a crusader who gets nothing done as opposed to somebody who tries to work with everybody."
Carcieri's ability to execute proposed reforms will likely be a central issue as the campaign develops, West said.
Christopher McAuliffe '05, president of the College Republicans, said he believes the "super majority" Democrats currently hold in the General Assembly limits Carcieri's ability to produce tangible results.
"I think that he's been effective as a spokesperson against the runaway power of the legislature and its inherent corruption," McAuliffe said. "I think it's important to have somebody like Governor Carcieri there keeping people honest."
But Nee said he believes voters may be more inclined to evaluate an incumbent's actual performance as opposed to more ideological stances.
"Clearly, it's a different campaign in 2006 because you have to look at somebody's record," he said.
Democrats currently hold 80 percent of legislative seats, McAuliffe said, adding that this imbalance may ultimately benefit Carcieri's campaign, citing Rhode Island voters' potential to "split the ticket" rather than vote purely on party affiliation.
"They realize corruption is inevitable so they're not going to want to give the Democrats everything," McAuliffe said.
Part of this corruption stems from Democrats' "power over commissions and appointments," he said.
While Nee said he believes it is "very, very, very early" in the election cycle to begin fundraising efforts, Owren said continuous efforts are necessary to fund the governor's campaign.
Because individual donors can contribute no more that $1,000 in a given year, fundraising drives in 2005 ensure that those donors wishing to contribute more are provided this opportunity, Owren said.
Also, the decision to solicit donors while the General Assembly is in session reflects the campaign's desire to "strike while the iron is hot."
While legislative issues are currently receiving substantial media coverage, Owren said he believes these same issues will not garner much publicity during the summer months, he said.
"People are focused on differences between what the legislature is doing and what the governor has in mind," Owren said.
West called the timing of the letter "typical," saying it takes "about a year and a half" to raise the funds necessary for a legitimate re-election bid.
