[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] >> THE GOVERNOR HAS PLANS TO START EXPANDING SOME OF THE BILLION PLUS DOLLARS IN FEDERAL COVID MONEY, BUT HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET THE MONEY OUT THE DOOR?

PLUS, THE LEGISLATURE TURNS UP THE HEAT ON A CONTROVERSIAL MULTIMILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT GIVEN OUT BY THE MCKEE ADMINISTRATION.

>> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FROM MORE THAN 30 YEARS, A LIVELY EXPERIMENT HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF IMPORTANT POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS GREAT PROGRAM ON RHODE ISLAND PBS.

>> JOINING US ON THE PANEL, BILL BARTHOLOMEW, FOUNDER OF THE BARTHOLOMEW TOWN COMCAST -- PODCAST.

RETIRED POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AND A FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

WELCOME.

IT IS GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US THIS WEEKEND.

I'M JIM HUMMEL.

RHODE ISLAND IS THE ONLY NEW ENGLAND STATE THAT HAS NOT DISTRIBUTE IT ANY OF ITS LATEST ROUND OF FEDERAL COVID FUNDS TOTALING MORE THAN $1 BILLION.

ON THURSDAY, GOVERNOR MCKEE SAID HE WOULD LKE TO GET 10% OUT THE DOOR RIGHT AWAY TO HELP WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CHILDCARE AND FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO GIVE ITS BLESSING AND THE HOUSE SPEAKER DOES NOT SEEM IN A HURRY TO BRING HIS MEMBERSHIP BACK TO THE STATE HOUSE.

ANOTHER GOVERNOR HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS.

GOVERNOR MONDO HAD FULL REIGN OVER THIS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE LEGISLATURE IS DECIDING WE WANT TO HAVE SOME SAY ON THIS.

BILL: I EVEN BUMPED INTO THE SPEAKER.

THEY ARE NOT IN A RUSH TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN AND I THINK THAT IS A CRITICAL FACTOR IN ALL OF THIS.

IT COULD JUST BE PERFORMATIVE AT THIS POINT AS FAR AS WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS PUSHING OUT.

IT IS NOT CLEAR THAT THIS IS REMOTELY REASONABLE THIS IS GOING TO BE TAKEN UP.

JIM: SO TO WAIT UNTIL THEY CONVENE IN JANUARY?

BILL: I GUESS SO.

JIM: WHY DID I NOT WANT TO COME BACK?

MAUREEN: I APPLAUD THE FACT THEY ARE TAKING THEIR TIME AND THAT THEY ARE NOT SUCCUMBING TO EVERY REQUEST AND SO FORTH, BUT THIS SEEMS TO MAKE SENSE.

YOU HAVE TO GET THE MONEY OUT THE DOOR TO THESE PEOPLE.

I WAS TAKEN BY THE FACT THAT MCCAFFREY WAS AT THE CHILDCARE CENTER AND THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CAFFREY -- MCCAFFREY AS WELL AS PRESIDENT ROGERIO TALKED ABOUT SUPPORTING THIS.

MY THING IS, I CANNOT SEE WHY THEY WOULD NOT DO JUSTICE, GET IT OUT THE DOOR, GET IT TO THE PEOPLE AND THEN, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS, TAKE A STEP BACK.

WE CANNOT JUST KEEP SENDING OUT CHECKS.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A LARGER PLAN, WE HAVE TO THINK BIG, DO IT CAREFULLY.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH GETTING THIS MONEY OUT THE DOOR.

I THINK THEY SHOULD DO IT QUICKLY IF THEY ARE GOING TO DO IT AT ALL.

THE IDEA IS TO HELP PEOPLE IN THE VERY SHORT-TERM, BUT THERE HAS GOT TO BE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS.

BILL: THESE CHOICES OF SPENDING THE MONEY AND HAVING LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT AND REPARATION ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.

I THINK FROM A GOVERNOR STAMP I, HE NEEDS TO HAVE AN ACTIONABLE PLAN -- FROM A GOVERNOR STANDPOINT, HE NEEDS TO HAVE AN ACTIONABLE PLAN.

HE NEEDS TO COMMUNICATE THAT CLEARLY TO THE LEGISLATURE AND LOOK FOR THEM TO ACT BECAUSE NOW WE KNOW WHAT THE RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT IS GOING TO BE.

IF WE SIT ON THIS MONEY FOR TOO LONG, I WONDER WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF COVID MONEY WHEN WE COULD BE OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC OR IT COULD BECOME AN ENDEMIC AND THINGS COULD BECOME VERY DIFFERENT.

JIM: AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SPENT FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS.

BILL: AND THAT LEADS TO THE SECOND CONSIDERATION WHICH IS THE BIGGER ONE, WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT MAKING SURE THIS FUNDING IS NOT USED TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT ARE GOING TO CREATE LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS FOR THE STATE.

THE FUNDING COMES WITH A LOT OF RULES AND YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ON HOW YOU SPEND IT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THIS DOES NOT ADD TO OUR STRUCTURAL BUDGET BECAUSE IT WILL LEAD TO DEFICITS ONCE THIS MONEY RUNS OUT.

MAUREEN: I COMPLETELY AGREE.

IN THE BRUCE LONDON ADMINISTRATION, EVERYBODY HAD HEALTH INSURANCE, ALL CHILDREN.

IT IS GONE.

WE COULD NOT AFFORD IT.

LET US TO MY POINT ABOUT THEY COULD DO SHORT-TERM STIMULUS, AND I AGREE WITH THAT, AND THEY OUGHT TO GET IT OUT FAST, THE POINT IS, THERE HAS GOT TO BE A LARGER PLAN.

SOME OF THESE MONEYS CAN BE MADE FROM MATCHES FOR BIGGER PROJECTS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE CAN DO WITH THIS MONEY AND A LOT OF THE OTHER MONEY THAT YOU HAVE TO THINK BIG ABOUT THIS.

MASS TRANSIT, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

THERE'S A LOT OF AREAS.

YOU TALK ABOUT CHILDCARE.

SURE, GIVE THESE WOMEN AT THE CHILDCARE CENTERS, GIVE THEM AN EXTRA BONUS.

WE REALLY HAVE TO THINK THROUGH A LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO HOW WE CHARACTERIZE CHILDCARE, WHAT WE PAY FOR.

ONE OF THE OPTIONS IS, WHICH IS THE MOST LOGICAL ONE, THERE SHOULD BE A FEDERAL PROGRAM.

IT CHILDCARE SUBSIDY.

ROMNEY WANTS IT, THE DEMOCRATS WANT IT.

THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS -- I REALIZE THIS IS FEDERAL FUNDS, BUT THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS WE HAVE TO BE CREATIVE ABOUT BECAUSE WE CANNOT KEEP SPENDING -- WE CAN'T JUST SEND OUT CHECKS.

BILL: THE HESITATION COMING BACK, AND I'VE HEARD THIS FROM SOME OF MY SOURCES.

YOU CANNOT COME BACK FOR JUST ONE THING.

WHERE IS MARIJUANA?

THEY TALKED ABOUT A FALL SESSION, WE'LL HEAR WE ARE ALMOST TO MID-OCTOBER.

IS THAT REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN?

POLICEMAN'S BILL OF RIGHTS?

AND THEN THE PROGRESSIVES.

IS THAT WHY THEY ARE NOT GOING TO WANT TO?

>> I THINK THAT IS A BIG FACTOR.

I THINK ALSO, IF YOU LOOK AT THE CHILDCARE MINIMUM-WAGE SUPPLEMENT, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO USE THAT AS A BRIDGE.

THERE IS NO WAY YOU ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP SENDING OUT CHECKS TO CHILDCARE WORKERS TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR WAGES IN THE LONG TERM.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE POTENTIALLY GOING TO BUILD TOWARDS THE LONG-TERM IF YOU LOOK AT THE HOUSING SIDE OF ALL OF THIS.

THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPERS OR EXISTING PROPERTY OWNERS TO CONVERT CONSISTING -- EXISTING HOUSING STOCK.

I ASKED THE COMMERCE SECRETARY WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO OWN THESE AIRBNB'S?

IT DRAINS HOUSING STOCK.

COULD THEY THEN USES SOME OF SUPPLEMENT THEMSELVES AND RETURN THAT TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK?

THEY CAN'T, SO THAT SORT OF TEASE THINGS UP FOR THE FUTURE.

YOU GET A CONVERSION IN TERMS OF WHAT THESE PROPERTIES ARE USED FOR.

IT MIGHT RESET THE HOUSING MARKET GOING FORWARD.

MAUREEN: I THINK THAT IS A GREAT ILLUSTRATION.

THE IMMEDIATE INCOME IS GOING OUT TO SUSTAIN RENT CONTROL, TO SAVE PEOPLE FROM RENT SUBSIDIES IN TERMS OF NOT GETTING EVICTED, BUT WE NEED A LONG-TERM PLAN, BUILD HOUSING, CONCRETE TRANSFORMATIVE STUFF.

CREATE THESE KIND OF AVENUES WHERE LONG-TERM AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS PART OF THE MIX.

WE SHOULD USE THE MONEY, A LOT OF MONEY TO DO THAT.

BILL: ALL OF THESE ARE GREAT IDEAS, I DON' KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO WITH THE PANDEMIC AND I THINK THIS HAS BECOME A WISH LIST FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY ATTACHED.

AGAIN, IF YOU CAN USE ONE-TIME FUNDS FOR ONE-TIME EXPENSES FOR MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS YOU CAN GET A RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND THE STATE TAXPAYER HAS TO CONTRIBUTE VERY LITTLE OR NO MONEY, I THINK IT'S GREAT.

I STILL DON'T THINK THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE PANDEMIC.

JIM: MY TOWN IS USING THE MILLION DOLLARS TO IN -- UPDATE THE WASTE TREATMENT PLANT.

BILL: NONE OF IT WILL EVER COME DUE, BUT BECAUSE HEY ARE GIVING IT TO US.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF THAT AND WHY THE FEDS ARE DOING THAT, BUT IF WE HAVE THE MONEY AND WE CAN SPEND IT, SPEND IT WISELY, BUT DON'T DO IT IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO FIND OURSELVES WITH NEW ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS WE CAN'T AFFORD WHICH ARE GOING TO LEAD TO DEBATES WHICH NO ONE WANTS TO HAVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

IF THEY THINK A FALL SESSION ON MARIJUANA IS BAD, WAIT UNTIL THEY CREATE WAGE SUPPLEMENTS THAT COST US HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WHEN WE STILL WHEN WE TAKE OUT ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PAPERED OUT STILL HAVE A STRUCTURED DEFICIT.

>> YOU SAT ON THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

IF YOU ARE ON THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE RIGHT NOW OR COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND?

GIVE ME TWO EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS MONEY DONE THAT WOULD NOT ADD TO THE INVESTMENT CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, WHATEVER.

>> TO THE EXTENT WE COULD, TRANSPORTATION, BIG DOLLAR ITEMS THAT PRESENT SUCH A STICKER SHOCK TO US NORMALLY THAT WE CAN'T GET IT DONE.

THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO DO IT WOULD BE TO GET IT DONE QUICKLY.

IT IS A ONE-OFF EXPENSE.

HOUSING WOULD BE GOOD IF YOU CAN CAPITALIZE AN INVESTMENT VEHICLE THAT THE STATE COULD USE IN PERPETUITY.

IT IS ONE THING TO SAY YOU CAN TAKE FEDERAL MONEY, BUT HOW CAN YOU TURN THAT INTO A MORE TRANSFORMATIVE PROGRAM USING THE ONE-OFF MONEY TO GET IT STARTED?

$200 MILLION COULD GET US REALLY FAR IN THE STATE IS NOT IN POSITION TO CUT A $200 MILLION CHECK.

>> I THINK THE PANDEMIC WAS THE MAGNIFYING GLASS THAT SHOWED THE INEQUITIES AND THE MAJOR PROBLEMS IN OUR SOCIETY.

IF NOTHING ELSE, WE LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED DURING COVID-19, HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, TRANSIT, ACCESS TO EDUCATION, ACCESS TO CHILDCARE.

THESE ISSUES WERE EXPOSED AS DEEPLY FLAWED AND IN NEED OF SOLUTION.

THAT IS WHERE THE ITALIAN OF THE PANDEMIC IS -- THE TIE IN OF THE PANDEMIC IS WHERE WE HAVE TO CORRECT THESE THINGS IN OUR SOCIETY FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS WHERE IT IS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE TO CONTINUE MOVING ALONG AS WE CURRENTLY ARE GOING INTO THE NEXT 50 YEARS.

NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

>> THERE ARE ALSO REPUBLICANS VOTING FOR MASSIVE SPENDING WITHOUT A LOT OF QUESTIONS WHICH NORMALLY WOULD NOT HAPPEN AND THAT WAS REALLY UNIQUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

MAUREEN: I JUST WANT TO SAY I AGREE WITH BOTH OF YOU THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE THESE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS THAT ARE BUILT IN SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO CHECK AFTERWARDS, BUT I ALSO AGREE THAT WE HAVE TO DO SOME OF THESE THINGS IN TERMS OF HOUSING, CHILDCARE THAT EXPOSES WHAT WE NEED TO DO, THE PANDEMIC EXPOSED IT, BUT THESE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS.

THE MONEY IS THERE NOT JUST TO STOPGAP.

WE ARE NOT GIVING YOU $1 MILLION JUST TO SAY WE ARE PAYING CHECKS, THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT CREATING PROGRAMS THAT AMELIORATE THESE INSTANCES AND I THINK THAT IS A LEGITIMATE USE OF THE MONEY.

JIM: THE SENATE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE RAMPED UP INTO HIGH GEAR.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THIS CONTROVERSIAL -- IT LOOKS THREE WEEKS AGO LIKE THERE WAS GOING TO BE NOTHING, THIS WAS KINDA GOING TO GO THROUGH.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE LEADERSHIP WAS HEARING FROM ITS MEMBERSHIP, BUT FROM THE INITIAL COUPLE OF HEARINGS, IT IS NOT LOOK SO GOOD FOR THE MICKEY ADMINISTRATION.

-- MCKEY ADMINISTRATION.

>> I THINK THE LEGISLATURE WAS A LITTLE MORE SKEPTICAL WHEN IT HAS NOT BEEN ALLEGED THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE GOVERNOR BEING PERSONALLY INVOLVED TO THE EXTENT HE IS GETTING MONEY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT BECAME WE HAVE TO BE A LOT MORE SKEPTICAL ABOUT ASSOCIATES OF THE GOVERNOR GETTING INVOLVED AND NOW GETTING ALIENS OF DOLLARS.

WHETHER LOOK AT THE MONEY AND THE COMPANY GETTING INCORPORATE TWO OR THREE DAYS BEFORE THEY GET THE CONTRACT AND ALL OF THESE THINGS, THEY SAY WAIT A MINUTE, THERE IS WAY TOO MUCH SMOKE HERE.

EVEN IF IT IS GOING TO BE CONSIDERED LEGITIMATE, IF THEY ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE THIS CONTRACT HERE, WHY DID THEY GET IT?

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT?

ONCE YOU GET PAST HOW IT WAS GIVEN, WHAT ARE WE SPENDING THIS MONEY FOR?

IS THIS JUST ANOTHER CASE OF TAKING SEEMINGLY FREE MONEY AND WASTING ON CONSULTING CONTRACTS?

JIM: THE HEAD OF THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE SAID IF WE ARE NOT REALLY GETTING OUR BANG FOR THE BUCK, SHOULD WE CANCEL THE CONTRACT?

MAUREEN: I THINK IT IS GONE FOR MCKEE, BUT IT WAS DISTANT TO HIM.

THAT IS THE BUSINESS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK IT IS WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS.

IN TERMS OF MCKEE, WENDY SAID SOMETHING INTERESTING.

HE WAS SHUT OUT IN TERMS OF STATE GOVERNMENT AND CAME IN WITH A RATHER PAROCHIAL GROUP AND STARTED -- SHE WAS BARELY AN OFFICE.

ONE PRESUMES NOW THAT HE WILL BRANCH OUT, GET A STATEWIDE COTERIE OF PEOPLE WHO CAN GIVE HIM A BETTER POLITICAL FEEL FOR WHAT IS GOING ON.

THERE WILL BE AN AD FOR IN THE ELECTION, BUT I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE LESS ABOUT HIM AND MORE ABOUT HOW HIS PROCESS IS.

JIM: IT WAS INTERESTING ON TUESDAY DURING HIS REGULAR PRESS CONFERENCE BECAUSE WE HAVE A COVID PRESSER, THIS -- WHATEVER.

THE NORMAL PRESS CONFERENCE, THE GOVERNOR DROPPED THE ISLA GROUP AS IF HE WAS TOUTING IT AND SOME OF THE WORK THEY HAD DONE.

HE HAS SHIFTED IN THEIR CAMP HAS SHIFTED FULLY INTO THIS IS A GREAT THING FOR RHODE ISLAND, LOOK HOW SMART IT WAS TO BRING IN MCGEE AND ALL OF THE ASSOCIATES WE HAVE MENTIONED HERE TO CREATE THIS GROUP.THIS IS GOING TO BE WONDERFUL AND AT THE END, I'M GOING TO BE REMEMBERED FOR A POSITIVE DECISION WITH RESPECT.

>> BUT THEN YOU HAVE MCGEE AND MCKEE.

>> REMEMBER, THERE IS ANOTHER MCKEE.

>> THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT HE TOOK SOME OF THEM WITH HIM TO THE SCHOOL.

WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?

MAUREEN: I GET IT, BUT I DO THINK HE STEPPED BACK FROM THAT.

HE MADE A MISTAKE, IT WAS A BLUNDER, BUT HE WAS NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED.

IT WAS USED AS A CAMPAIGN THING AND EVIDENTLY, BUT I THINK THE FOCUS ON THE CONTRACTING IS MORE IMPORTANT.

I THINK LOOKING INTO THIS THIS WAY IS A REALLY GOOD THING.

>> I THINK THE CONTRACTING PROCESS HERE MAY HAVE ACTUALLY FOLLOWED THE LETTER, MAY NOT HAVE FOLLOWED THE LETTER AND APPEARS BAD, BUT BEYOND THE CONTRACTING PROCESS, I THINK THIS CALLS INTO QUESTION SOME OF THE GOVERNOR'S MANAGEMENT ABILITIES WHICH IS THE LARGER ISSUE.

IF YOU THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO RUN A PROCESS, THE RIGHT WAY HIS OFFICE IS SET UP IN TERMS OF STAFFING THE PROCESS AND MANAGING AND ENSURING THAT CONFLICT CHECKS ARE DONE AND JUST THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY IS AVOIDED, THIS DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR HIM.

THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY COMING IN, BUT HE IS UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE TO DO THINGS AND HE HAS 15 PEOPLE RUNNING AGAINST HIM NOW IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

HE HAS TO SHOW HE HAS THE CHOPS TO RUN THE STATE.

WHEN YOU CANNOT SHOW THAT YOU CAN RUN AN INTERNAL PROCESS, THAT IS NOT BODE WELL FOR HIS ABILITY TO GET IN HIS NEXT REAL BUDGET THAT HE OWNS AND MANAGES STATE AGENCIES AND RUN THIS BECAUSE THIS IS HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS EVERY DAY.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST WEEK IN SEVERAL WEEKS THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD SOMEBODY ANNOUNCE FOR GOVERNOR.

IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY WEEK.

>> NOT OVER YET.

>> FRIDAY MORNING.

AS OF THIS TAPING, THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, WE HAVE HAD -- WE COULD TALK ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN SIDE BECAUSE DAVE GARLINGTON, WHO IS NOT A HOUSEHOLD NAME, HAS KIND OF SAID BUT NOT ANNOUNCE THAT ALL EYES ARE ON BLAKE AND WILL HE RUN?

I KNOW UNLESS YOU HAVE THE INSIDE TRACK WITH BLAKE, WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET?

MAUREEN: I THINK THE MEDIA CREATED HIM.

IN THE SENSE THAT YOU ARE LOOKING AROUND FOR POSSIBLE PEOPLE, I THINK I EVEN SAID IT.

I THINK I SAID WHAT ABOUT PHILIPPI?

>> IT MAY HAVE BEGUN WITH YOU.

>> THE POINT IS THAT HE SEEMS ON THE FENCE.

HE IS NOT JUMPING IN AND THE OTHER THING, I HEARD COMMENTS FROM THE REPUBLICAN STATE LEADERSHIP THAT THERE IS A SPECIAL CANDIDATE COMING.

>> GOT ANY INSIDE TRACK ON THAT?

>> ON THE SPECIAL CANDIDATE?

>> NO, THE CANDIDATE WHO IS HIGHLY QUALIFIED, GOING TO BE A REALLY GOOD SHOWING.

>>'S NAME IS DAN RILEY.

>> YEAH RIGHT.

>> I CAN MAKE A STATEMENT NOW.

I WILL REFUSE THE NOMINATION.

THE PARTY HAS BEEN IN CONVERSATION WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE.

HOW LEVEL CONVERSATIONS WITH ONE OR TWO PEOPLE THAT I THINK ARE GOING TO BE VERY SOLID CANDIDATES.

I KNOW WE LOOK AT THIS AS A TWO-PARTY RACE, BUT NEXT YEAR, ESPECIALLY THE BEGINNING IS GOING TO BE DEFINED BY A VERY COLORFUL DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY AND WE ARE QUICKLY GOING TO REVERT TO THE BACKGROUND WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT.

WE HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT ELECTION TO PLAY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE AND WE ARE GOING TO FIELD A VERY COMPETITIVE CANDIDATE THAT IS GOING TO BE OUT THERE AND PLAYING TO A STATEWIDE ELECTORATE WITH A VERY DIFFERENT MESSAGE THAN MOST PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE HEARING.

ONE THING WE LEARNED AT THE STATEHOUSE IS AS MUCH AS WE ARE THE OPPOSITION, WHEN THE DEMOCRATS START FIGHTING EACH OTHER, YOU SIT DOWN.

YOU MIGHT HAVE THE GREATEST ARGUMENT IN THE WORLD, YOU SIT DOWN.

>> DID YOU GIVE THAT MEMO TO JOE?

DAN: WE WOULD SAY THAT TO HIM AND THEY WOULD SAY THAT TO ME.

YOU WOULD SIT DOWN AND BACK THEN, IT WAS NOT NEARLY AS BAD OF WARFARE AS IT IS TODAY.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY COLORFUL DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

QUITE FRANKLY, WE ARE NOT GOING TO BREAK THROUGH AND WE DON'T HAVE TO.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A CANDIDATE ROLL OUT ON THEIR OWN TIMELINE AND IT IS GOING BE VERY DIFFERENT.

>> AND PIERPOINT, BLAKE PHILIPPI IS THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER.

HE MIGHT BE RIDING AROUND BLOCK ISLAND RIGHT NOW IN A PICKUP TRUCK WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN HAVING A GREAT TIME.

DOES HE REALLY NEED TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR IN WHAT WILL DEFINITELY BE A LOSING CAMPAIGN?

THE ROUND GOP RIGHT NOW IS JUST IN SUCH A WEAK POSITION IN MY OPINION AND THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIELD A CREDIBLE CANDIDATE THAT COULD PRESENT AN ALTERNATIVE TO A MODERATE OR EVEN SEMI-PROGRESSIVE AT THIS POINT SPEAKS VOLUMES.

>> I WOULD SAY HISTORY WOULD SAY OTHERWISE, THAT ED DUPREE, LINK ALLMAN, THERE IS A PATH FOR A REPUBLICAN.

WHAT I'M TAKING ISSUE WITH IS UNTIL YOU GET INTO THE RACE, YOU DON'T KNOW.

YOU ALSO DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE PERCEIVED FRONT RUNNER.

IF THERE IS GOING TO BE MORE FLIPS.

I'M NOT SAYING THE REPUBLICANS IS GOING TO BE IF CAKEWALK, BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE VIEW IT AS THE LEGISLATURE IS SO OVERWHELMINGLY DEMO ATTIC, LET'S HAVE A LITTLE CHECK AND BALANCE.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WE HAD 12 YEARS OF REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL EXECUTIVE DOMINANCE, BUT THE DEMOCRATS CAP NOMINATING A VERY PROGRESSIVE PERSON.

THERE IS THE KIND OF PATH.

THIS PRIMARY GETS SO BEAT UP IN TERMS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING.

DON'T FORGET, THIS IS GOING TO BE A STATEWIDE ELECTION.

TO SORT OF HAVE -- IF IT IS A HIGHLY CONFIDENT -- COMPETENT, CREDIBLE PERSON TO COME IN AND SAY AFTER ALL OF THIS, LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE SAYING.

>> WE BEAT MARK YORK.

WE DON'T BE MONDO WITH PRIVATE SECTOR LABOR ENDORSEMENTS.

>> AND JOE MADE A GOOD POINT LAST WEEK, THE DEMOGRAPHICS ARE NOT WHAT THEY WERE 20 YEARS AGO.

>> JUST LOOK AT THE EAST GREENWICH SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGION.

THERE IS A MENACE POLITY THAT IS DEMOCRAT EVEN AT A TIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE SCREAMING AND YELLING ABOUT CRITICAL RACE.

AND ALL OF THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

I THINK THE STAIN OF DONALD TRUMP STILL LINGERS AND IS STILL A PROBLEM FOR EVEN MODERATES AND INDEPENDENTS HERE IN RHODE ISLAND.

IF YOU HAVE A DAN MCKEE, I THINK HE IS THE DE FACTO CONSERVATIVE.

THEY ALSO HAVE THIS INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE THAT IS GOING TO RUN AS THE QANON/ANTI-VAX CANDIDATE.

HOW MUCH DOES THAT MOVEMENT SUCK UP AS WELL?

WE LOOK BACK AT 2018 WERE 4% WAS NOT ENOUGH FOR ALAN TO OVERCOME GINA RAIMONDO.

THERE IS A SPLINTERING OF CONSERVATIVES IN RHODE ISLAND THAT THE FRINGES DON'T SEE THE CONVENTIONAL PARTY AS CONSERVATIVE ENOUGH BUT I THINK MOST RHODE ISLANDERS, EVEN MODERATES, EVEN VERY SOFT REPUBLICAN ARE STILL WEARY OF THE POST DONALD TRUMP GOP.

>> I GET THAT ARGUMENT, BUT I THINK THE SPLIT AMONGST THE DEMOCRATS IN RHODE ISLAND JUST BECAUSE THEIR NUMBERS ARE SO MUCH GREATER IS FAR MORE SIGNIFICANT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS GETTING DOMINATED IN LEGISLATIVE ON MARY'S BY CO-OP OR NON-CO-OP OR WHATEVER THEY'RE CALLED THIS WEEK, OVER PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES, THEY ARE VERY FEARFUL OF THAT AND WE HAVE A VERY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE ALUM EARTH YORK IN A GUBERNATORIAL GENERAL AGAINST A REPUBLICAN, PERHAPS MODERATE OR PERHAPS EVEN MORE RIGHT OF CENTER, THEY LOOK VERY DIFFERENT IN COMPARISON TO THE TRADITIONAL CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT WHO IS VERY DIFFICULT TO BEAT WITH A REPUBLICAN.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE CHANGING AND THE MORE YOU SEE THAT IN THOSE RACES, YOU ARE GOING TO SEE GREATER RECEPTION FOR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES BY REGISTERED DEMOCRATS WHO MAY NOT CHANGE PARTIES.

YOU ARE GOING TO SEE THEM START TO PICK UP THE CHAIR BECAUSE THEY ARE TURNED OFF BY THE DEMOCRAT IN THAT RACE AND THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AT THE GENERAL LEVEL AND IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO A GREATER EFFECT AND FASTER THAN ANY TRUMPET EFFECT IS GOING TO LINGER OR HANG OUT AND HURT THE REPUBLICANS.

>> AND ALSO, THERE IS A LOT OF TRUMP SUPPORTERS.

I AM ASTOUNDED THAT IT KEEPS UP.

>> BUT IT IS A LOT FEWER THAN IT WAS.

>> BUT THE FACT IS THERE IS A CONTINGENT THAT TALKS ABOUT WANTING TO HAVE A CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE.

I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT, IF THEY COME OFF, I DON'T EXPECT THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT IF MACK BROWN WERE TO WIN THE NOMINATION -- >> DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH.

>> BUT THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, OR A REALLY CONTENTIOUS KIND OF THING I THINK IS A LONGSHOT, BUT I THINK THE PATH YOU ARE DESCRIBING IS NOT -- IT IS NOT A SURE THING.

IT IS A POSSIBILITY AND THE OTHER THING IT DOES, IF THEY COME UP WITH A CREDIBLE CANDIDATE AFTER ALL OF THE FIGHTING AMONG THE DEMOCRATS, IT BOOSTS THE GOP GENERALLY SPEAKING.

>> I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO WHETHER OR NOT GOVERNOR MCKEE STUBS HIS TOE ANYMORE.

IT IS NOT AS OF SECRETARY STEAK OR BAIL OR TREASURE OR ARE THESE UBER PROGRESSIVES.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SEE THEM AS INSIDE TRACK ESTABLISHMENT DEMOCRATS.

I GET THEY ARE NOT CHARLIE LOMBARDI EITHER.

THE IDEA THAT DR. MUNOZ MACK BROWN ARE SOMEHOW GOING TO WIN THIS PRIMARY AND THEN CREATE A MARK YORK OF 2022, I THINK THAT IS FAR-FETCHED.

I THINK DEMOCRACY IS WAY BETTER AND WE SHOULD HAVE A CREDIBLE GOP CANDIDATE, A CREDIT -- CREDIBLE MODERATE DEMOCRAT AND PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE AND EVERYONE WOULD BE BETTER, I JUST DON'T KNOW THAT IT IS GOING TO MATERIALIZE HERE.

>> LET'S DO OUTRAGEOUS AND/OR KUDOS.

>> I HAVE A SHORT OUTRAGE.

THE BASKETBALL PLAYERS THAT CHEATED ON THEIR FORMS, LIKE THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.

IT IS SO CREEPY.

I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THIS.

WE HAVE GOT TO FOCUS ON BIG ISSUES WHEN THIS MONEY COMES OUT.

WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT IT.

MASS TRANSIT, WE HAVE TO LOOK VERY CAREFUL.

THERE ARE PLANS FOR THE BOSTON PROVIDENCE LINE.

WE CAN DO THAT NOW.

AND THERE IS ALSO PLANS IN THE WORKS TO MAYBE SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE BUS DISTRIBUTION.

IT WILL COST MONEY, BUT IT IS THE TYPE OF THING WE HAVE TO INVEST IN.

>> I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THEY DO SAID.

>> I WAS HOPING WE WOULD HAVE A LITTLE MORE DISAGREEMENT.

>> MY OUTRAGE IS GOING TO BE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ANNOUNCING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I THINK MORE IMPORTANTLY ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL THIS WEEK, YOU SAW MERRICK GARLAND AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCED THEY WERE GOING TO INVESTIGATE CERTAIN INCIDENTS OF THREATS MADE AT LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD AND OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEETINGS AS INCIDENTS OF MASTIC TERRORISM OR EXTREMISM.

I THINK THIS IS A VERY SLIPPERY SLOPE TO GO DOWN.

THINK OF DONALD TRUMP'S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WAS -- >> IF THREATENING STATEMENTS ARE MADE, THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THAT.

IT COULD VERY WELL BE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS A STATE-LEVEL CRIME.

THE SLIPPERY SLOPE BECOMES A CLICHÉD PHRASE, BUT IT VERY MUCH IS ONE IN THE SAME.

THE SCHOOL BOARDS HAVE TO GROW A SPINE IF THEY ARE CONCERNED WITH COMMENTS THAT ARE NOT THREATENING, BUT ARE FORCEFUL, EMOTIONAL AND HAPPEN TO BE DISAGREEING WITH THEM.

>> HOW ABOUT THE SENATE DISTRICT THREE RACE?

FIVE EXCELLENT CANDIDATES THAT RAN GOOD CAMPAIGNS, I MODERATED A DEBATE WITH ALL FIVE CANDIDATES.

A LOT OF POSITIVE EXCHANGES.

CONGRATULATIONS TO SAM FOR WINNING THAT RACE.

IT CAME DOWN TO HIS POLITICAL CONNECTION, HIS FAMILY CONNECTION AND THE WANTS OF THAT SENATE DISTRICT IN TERMS OF FISCAL POLICY AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

HAVING SAID THAT, THAT WAS A GREAT RACE TO HAVE A COUPLE OF PROGRESSIVE VOICES, MORE MODERATE VOICES, DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, PEOPLE FROM OUT OF STATE, PEOPLE FROM IN THE CITY.

THE RESPONSE FROM SOME OF THE PROGRESSIVES RIGHT NOW ONLINE, IN THE PAPERS IN TERMS OF NOT CONGRATULATING SAM ON HIS WIN, POINTING FINGERS AT EACH OTHER AND SAYING YOU ARE NOT A REAL PROGRESSIVE BECAUSE HE RAN AGAINST A CANDIDATE AGAINST OUR REAL PROGRESSIVE AND BACK AND FORTH.

THIS IS NONSENSE, DANGEROUS, DISINGENUOUS.

THIS IS ONLY GOING TO LEAD TO MORE OF A COLLAPSE IN TERMS OF PROGRESSIVE IDEAS MAKING THEIR WAY TO THE MAINSTREAM AUDIENCE THAT IS ULTIMATELY GOING TO WIN VOTES.

>> SAM ZERO EA -- SAM WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE, ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

>> ALL THOSE 19 TOOK PHONE CALLS FROM PEOPLE ABOUT MY GARBAGE, THAT COUNTS.

>> I THINK HE IS A FIRST-RATE CHOICE AND I THINK WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, PEOPLE IN THAT DISTRICT ARE LOOKING A LITTLE AT THE BIGGER PICTURE HERE.

HE TALKED ABOUT PROVIDENCE AND IT WAS LESS ABOUT IDENTITY AND LESS ABOUT OTHER THINGS.

I DO AGREE WITH YOU.

FIRST OF ALL, ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WEEKLY, THE MOBILIZATION OF THE PROGRESSIVES WAS TERRIFIC.

THEY ARE IN THIS GAME, BUT I THINK THEY HAVE TO PLAY IT THE WAY THEY SHOULD AND NOT GO DOWN THE LINE THE WAY YOU TALKED ABOUT.

>> THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK.

COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

MAYBE SOMEBODY WILL ANNOUNCE FOR GOVERNOR.

SOMEBODY ELSE BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.

WE APPRECIATE YOU WATCHING THE SHOW.

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COME BACK NEXT WEEK AS "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" CONTINUES.

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