What’s in a Vote?

The election 2014 is nigh upon us, and I’ve been contemplating the Mayoral race more than any of the others. It looks to be one of the closest races this election cycle, and I think it may be the most important. The mayor certainly doesn’t outrank the governor or other state-wide offices. But this year, it is the election that’s likely to have the most impact on the state, even if it’s not a state-wide election, because it will send a message to the rest of the nation about how Rhode Island sees itself.

With all due respect to Dr. Harrop, the Republican candidate with many interesting ideas but little statistical chance of victory, this election comes down to whether or not Providence will once again choose to embrace everyone’s favorite twice-convicted former mayor, Buddy.

Harrop, in addition to consistently pointing out Buddy’s errors, misstatements and campaign infractions, has actually donated to support the Elorza effort. The statement that makes is pretty clear – he’d like to win, but his concern for the city is really what will happen if Buddy wins. He’s even gone on record promising he will cast his own vote for Jorge Elorza.

I have some very smart friends who are planning to vote for Cianci. There are some good reasons to. “The man moved a river,” one told me. “He knows how to get things done,” said another. And indisputably, disregarding motives, he did amazing things for our city – the mall, Waterfire, PPAC and other cultural elements vital to Providence were greenlit by Buddy, who knew a good idea when he heard one and how to make it a reality, even when it seemed crazy.

But there were a few ways he got those things done, that are not likely to be available if he comes back into office. I don’t just mean the cash-in-envelopes approach to accomplishment. Part of his success was his absolutely unstoppable energy, which naturally wanes with age (four years ago, when asked to run again, I remember him saying he felt too old). Finally, a big part of Buddy’s strength was the ability to forge alliances that attracted federal funding to support his major projects. With the prior RICO conviction, does anyone really think federal monies will be as easy to line up as they were in his previous terms?

An interesting pro-Buddy response to this is that he’s done it before – he was convicted, returned, and still did great things. Maybe he can do it again. But coming back from one conviction does not mean that coming back from a second will be easier. This isn’t the sort of thing one should get better at with practice.

My other concern – and I won’t spend much time on this, because the ProJo has beaten it into the ground – is the reputation of our collective citizenry. Imagine electing a twice-convicted felon, who’s admitted to gaming the system on occasion, and whose infractional history inspired a group of former RI Attorneys General to hold a joint press conference (a scheduling challenge of massive proportions, including former AGs Sheldon Whitehouse and Lincoln Almond) to express concerns that Rhode Islanders weren’t taking Buddy’s felonious exploits seriously enough. If we do that, we are essentially saying, “Yeah, we know he’s corrupt, and we’re ok with that. We like working that way. It’s effective.” And if you’re not a part of that system, would you even consider doing business here, or bringing your business here? It might not hurt tourism – heck, it might even help. But business development would be hampered for years and years.

I’ve also encountered two thoughts on this from Buddy supporters. First, those who say he’s changed. If you believe that, doesn’t it negate the “He can get things done” argument? I mean, isn’t that a big part of the way he got things done? If he’s changed, hasn’t he lost that work-the-under-the-radar-system superpower he’s so well known for?

The second response to my concerns about our implied endorsement of corruption was interesting. One friend of mine said, “The business world already thinks Rhode Island’s completely mobbed up, so what would we be losing?” OK. I’ve heard that reservation from out of state businesses, as nuts as it sounds. But do we want to capitulate to that? Or change it? Perception and reality take a little while to align – if we change the reality, eventually we can change the perception.

It’s true Elorza is something of an unknown quantity politically. But we know he’s smart, he’s worked as a judge, can make decisions and build a campaign. He didn’t break the rules when it came to posting signage. He’s not likely to get his own comedy hour, like some of the wittier candidates we could mention. But aren’t these qualities we look for in an elected official?

For me, the strongest case between these two came from two promotional mailers that arrived in my mailbox on the same day. Elorza’s talked about his plans and listed endorsements. Buddy sent one that listed his accomplishments on the front, then used the back to accuse “the team behind” Elorza of raising taxes all sorts of taxes and favoring more. Can you fault someone for both not having served in office AND having raised taxes? (Not to mention that the ProJo’s PolitiFact (http://www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2014/sep/12/vincent-buddy-cianci/buddy-cianci-says-jorge-elorza-wants-impose-munici ) found Cianci’s quote of Elorza was out of context – Elorza was saying he’d entertain replacing other city taxes with a municipal income tax) The mailer is propaganda-style campaigning, down to the monochrome candidate photo (who would you rather vote for – the candidate in color, or the candidate in sepia tone?). It’s a clear indicator of who’s playing above board, and who’s shooting to manipulate the voters.

The last element of this election to worry about is fear. I’ve talked to people who put up Buddy signs because they were afraid not to (when asked, of course). Not for their lives, just for hassle or possible retribution. I know people who are reluctant to speak out against candidate Cianci, knowing it could come back to haunt them should he win. Whether he’s changed or not, that’s a reaction he’s earned, and not one we want our leadership to inspire.

I want to thank Buddy for adding drama and suspense to what might have otherwise been, like so many races in RI, an election decided in the primaries. I don’t think his victory will help Providence advance out of its recent quagmire. It’s not about whether Buddy has changed. It’s not about redemption or fairness. It’s about what’s best for the City of Providence. Misplaced nostalgia for a more prosperous era should not guide us. And getting things done regardless of the means should not be what we declare ourselves to be about. Let’s show the world that we’re better than that.

Note: Motif Magazine includes many disparate thinkers. The opinions expressed here are strictly those of Mike Ryan, and I welcome your thoughts on the matter.