Rhode Island Tip Sheet: How does Chafee extend his support?

STATE OF THE STATE: Politics pop up when you least expect it. Such was the case last Friday when I joined Mrs. Tip Sheet for the annual gala, at the Providence Marriott, of the Rhode Island State Nurses Association. Sheldon Whitehouse and David Cicilline were in the house. State Representative Deb Ruggiero was the MC. Former state Senator Catherine Graziano was among the honorees. And First Lady Stephanie Chafee made what she billed as her first public comments since her husband took office in January. She invoked Harry Truman in speaking of the governor, saying (paraphrase), “To be able to lead others, a man must be willing to walk alone . . . and he’s been walking alone a lot lately.” The Marriott crowd responded with polite laughter, but the question of building broader support is a major one for Chafee as he moves past his first 100 days in office. . . . A new right-leaning business-political coalition, Individuals Demanding Economic Accountability, has formed to counter Chafee’s budgetary policies . . . . Jim Baron says the governor needs a few more friends to survive. . . . Ted Nesi explains why even the liberal Poverty Institute was slow to back Chafee’s tax plan . . . . To recap: President Obama won in 2008 with big support, and he still faced pitched resistance. Chafee, elected with far slimmer backing, faces the need to be more nimble and broadly appealing to enjoy success with his agenda.

BREAK UP THE RED SOX: Three wins in a row, as the Sox beat Toronto, 9-1, with Matsuzaka impersonating Sandy Koufax for the day and Jed Lowrie remaining red hot at the plate.

SENATE 2012: Sheldon Whitehouse said he topped $1 million mark in Q1, and the numbers back him up. Meanwhile, Brendan Doherty, who was interviewed on ABC6 On the Record, says he remains undecided on getting into politics versus some other aspect of public service.

KENNEDYS: Ted Kennedy Jr., a co-founder and president of the Marwood Group, a healthcare-oriented financial services firm, will speak Thursday, May 5, at the annual meeting of Quality Partners of RI, at the Hotel Providence.

BETTER PROVIDENCE: Better Providence, a civic group, has a “budget and beer” meeting set with Mayor Angel Taveras this Wednesday, 7:30-9 pm, at Bravo.

BIRTHDAY: Barry Hinckley; Colleen Conley; Melody Drnach; Timothy Duffy. 

Subscribe/unsubscribe/tip Tip Sheet: idonnis (at) wrni (dot) org