At last night's Democratic State Convention, suspense and contest was replaced by unity and tribute.
Delegates all wore Patrick Kennedy stickers and candidate after candidate expressed their support and well-wishes for Patrick. Nominating Kennedy for the 1st District nomination was State Rep. Paul Crowley who has been away from politics and battling cancer for the last few months. In the best speech delivered at the convention, Crowley passionately outlined how a Washington DC political culture that is overrun with dishonesty and corruption needs the kind of frank and open honesty that Patrick displayed last week. He said that, "Patrick Kennedy is a champion and sometimes our champion's armor is a little tarnished." During this moving tribute, for the only time in the 5+ hours of the boisterous convention, the room was silent.
More below the fold.
Tribute was also paid to the last Eleanor Slater, the longtime Democratic Committeewoman. Democrats unanimously voted to fill the vacancy she left with the Party's 1st Vice-Chair, Edna O'Neill Mattson.
In the US Senate race, Sheldon Whitehouse (who was recently profiled by the Associated Press) won the endorsement unanimously. While delegate Jim Spooner of Lincoln rose to nominate Carl Sheeler, his candidacy did not get second-ed and thus, he was not eligible for the nomination. Whitehouse thanked the delegates for their endorsement and noted that it was the first time that he has received it in three attempts. He unveiled a new campaign web-ad and passionately urged the delegates to work hard to ensure that the Rhode Island US Senate seat is put in safe, reliable and capable Democratic hands.
In the 2nd Congressional District, Jim Langevin similarly won the unanimous endorsement of the Party upon the nomination by former State Rep. Denise Aiken and after a failed effort by Jennifer Lawless to have a roll call vote. After Lawless was nominated, she received a second from Julie Califano of Barrington. However, this second was prohibited because the Party rules assert that the nomination and the second have to come from the Congressional District in question and Califano lives in the 1st Congressional District. In accepting the nomination, Langevin joined the other candidates in offering his support and well-wishes for Patrick Kennedy.
In what could have been a closely contested race for Secretary of State, North Providence Mayor Ralph Mollis won the unanimous endorsement of the Party after the other Democratic candidate Guillaume de Ramel withdrew his name for consideration in his opening speech, saying that "while I am grateful to have the support of the Warwick, Woonsocket, Barrington, North Kingstown, Exeter, Charlestown, and Middletown Democratic Committees.... I understand the endorsement is a process that favors the establishment...and is directly tied to the politics of the General Assembly." My recent profile of this race is here.
In the only other contested race, Sen. Elizabeth Roberts won the unanimous endorsement of the Party for her bid to become Rhode Island's 1st woman Lt. Governor. Her opponent, Spencer Dickinson, gave the loudest speech of the night, but acknowledged that "tonight is not my night" and "lightning doesn't strike at the State Convention" and he thanked everyone and then left the Convention. Roberts eloquently talked about the important role of the Lt. Governor in ensuring quality care at nursing homes and long-term care facilities, in providing a nurturing and accessible environment for small businesses and in ensuring the preparedness of Rhode Island in case of a natural disaster or an emergency. My recent profile of this race is here.
Both General Treasurer candidate Frank Caprio and Attorney General candidate Patrick Lynch were nominated and endorsed and face no Democratic opposition in the September 12th Primary.
In the last endorsement of the evening, Woonsocket City Council vice-president Brian Blais said that Charlie Fogarty can, should and will win the Governor's race. Fogarty too noted his 1 point lead in the recent Rasmussen poll and urged everyone to get involved in his campaign and to talk to their family and neighbors about voting for a candidate who has the experience to make Rhode Island the center of open and honest government in America. Fogarty criticized Republican Carcieri for proposing to close DMV offices, the Meals on Wheels program for seniors and adult day care for the developmentally disabled and promised to increase the number of insured Rhode Island when he becomes Governor and to make college more affordable for students who are facing rapid increases in college tuition.
The Convention concluded at 10:30pm with a spirit of unity and common purpose. For the first time in a long time, the Democratic Party is united in its efforts to win back the US Senate seat and the Governor's office.
Both Scott Mayerowitz at the BeloJo and Jim Baron at the Times also have coverage on the Convention.