>> THIS WEEK, ON "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT."

GOVERNOR DAN MCKEE ANNOUNCES HE WANTS ANOTHER FOUR YEARS AS GOVERNORS.

AND A SUITOR HAS ALREADY LINED UP, OFFERING TO BUY ONE OF THEM.

"A LIVELY EXPERIMENT."

GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR OVER 30 YEARS, "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" PROVIDED INSIGHT ON ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

♪ >> JOINING US ON THE PANEL, MARCELLA B., THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LATINO POLICY INSTITUTE AT ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY.

A POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE PUBLIC'S RADIO, AND FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAN REILLY.

WE APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING PART OF YOUR WE CAN WITH US.

GOVERNOR MCKEE PUT ANY DOUBTS THAT HE WILL BE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR TO REST THIS WEEK, SAYING HE WANTS TO CONTINUE THE WORK HE HAS DONE OVER THE PAST YEAR.

TRYING TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN PUTTING THE PANDEMIC TO REST AND SCANNING RHODE ISLAND'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY BACK ON THE FAST TRACK.

IAN, I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING HE DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE ANY MENTION -- IT'S LIKE THE REST OF THE FIELD DOESN'T EVEN EXIST.

PROBABLY A GOOD POLITICAL MOVE.

HE WANTS TO CONCENTRATE ON WHAT HE'S DONE.

>> THAT'S THE INCUMBENT STRATEGY, FACING A NEW FACE -- PROPOSING A NEW PHASE IN THE CAMPAIGN.

YOU SEE MORE FOCUS, THERE IS A CLEAR MESSAGE.

HE WAS TAKING A PAGE FROM THE OLD RONALD REAGAN PLAYBOOK.

WHERE YOU ARE BETTER OFF NOW THAN YOU WERE IN THE PAST.

WITH THE PANDEMIC SEEMINGLY WANING, THE BUDGET OUTLOOK BEING GOOD, THE STATE POSSIBLY POISED FOR A GREATER REOPENING, GOVERNOR MCKEE IS LOOKING TO CAPITALIZE ON THAT.

HE CERTAINLY DOESN'T WANT TO GIVE ANY MORE OXYGEN TO THE BIG FIELD OF DEMOCRATS TAKING HIM ON, HELENA FOLKS REMAINS A BIG FACTOR, SHE HASN'T GONE ON TV YET, A LOT OF RHODE ISLANDERS DON'T KNOW WHO SHE IS.

IT WAS A THROWBACK KIND OF ANNOUNCEMENT.

IT WAS NICE TO SEE THE GOVERNOR INTERACT WITH REPORTERS AND TAKE QUESTIONS AND NOT HIDE FROM THAT, AS OTHER CANDIDATES HAVE DONE IN RECENT YEARS.

HE SEEMS LIKE HE HAS AN ADVANTAGE HEADING, AT THIS STAGE IN THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE, ALTHOUGH THERE IS A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> HIS WHOLE FIRST YEAR WAS TIED UP WITH THE PANDEMIC, I WONDER IF VOTERS WILL GET TO SEE -- IT'S NOT OVER YET, BUT THE NUMBERS ARE GOING WELL.

WHAT IS GOING TO DEFINE DAN MCKEE AND OTHER CANDIDATES THAT WE ARE NOT SO PREOCCUPIED WITH THE PANDEMIC -- NOW THAT WE ARE NOT SO PREOCCUPIED WITH THE PANDEMIC?

>> THERE ARE SO MANY ISSUES STILL, THERE'S A BIG PUSH FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION REFORM.

BEFORE GINA LEFT, DUE TO THE PANDEMIC -- I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT MCKEE IS GOING TO HAVE TO FOCUS ON AND MAKE DECISIONS RIGHT AWAY, AND NOT WAIT FOR DECISION-MAKING, AS HE HAS FOR SOME OF THE COVID RESTRICTIONS THAT HAVE HAPPENED.

I THINK THAT AT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO FACE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE RUNNING.

>> HOW ARE THE ADVOCACY GROUPS -- HOW DO YOU GET THROUGH THE NOISE NOW?

PUT IT FRONT AND CENTER ON YOUR RADAR?

>> I THINK IT HAS TO BE BOTH, ADVERSARY ORGANIZATIONS -- ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN FOCUSING ON THE PANDEMIC AND OTHER ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN IN OUR FOCUS, YOU HAVE EDUCATION, ECONOMIC AND EQUITY -- INEQUITY.

NOW COVID IS NOT GOING AWAY, IT'S ANOTHER PART OF WHAT WE ARE ADDING TO WHY WE NEED TO FIX THESE ISSUES, WHY WE NEED TO ADDRESS THEM IMMEDIATELY.

BUT IT HAS TO BE -- WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO JUST PUSH NOT ONLY THROUGH THE GOVERNOR, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE A RACE OF JUST CANDIDATES THIS YEAR SADLY, SO HOW ARE WE MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING TO A VOID?

A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN FOCUSING ON THAT.

>> HE'S GOING TO HAVE A FAIRLY EASY, IF NOT VERY EASY, BUDGET SESSION, BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF EXTRA MONEY -- WE DON'T START TO SEE THE SHORTFALLS FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS HERE, THAT WILL GET HIM THROUGH THE ELECTION.

THE QUESTION IS, CAN HE PLAY STRAIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE AS THE INCUMBENT?

COMING IN AS THE APPOINTEE, MAKING IT SEEM LIKE YOU HAVE HAD THIS JOB FOR A LONG TIME, HE HAS TO FOCUS ON CONSTITUENT SERVICES, ON THE BASICS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, K-12, INFRASTRUCTURE.

HE'S NOT GOING TO BE THE BEST FUNDED CANDIDATE IN THIS DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

HE HAS TO OUTRUN THE PROGRESSIVES AND THEIR ABILITY TO ORGANIE IN THE FIELD AND WIN PRIMARIES -- WHICH THEY DO VERY WELL.

AND THE ABILITY OF CERTAIN CANDIDATES WHO WILL OUTRACE HIM HAVE ALREADY OUTRAISED HIM AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE.

HE HAS TO FIGURE OUT A STRATEGY THAT PLAYS INTO HIS INCUMBENCY.

I DON'T THINK FOR HIM, INCUMBENCY IS GOING TO BE THE NOOSE AROUND -- THE NOTES AROUND THE NECK THAT IT'S FOR SOME POLITICIANS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT FOLDING AND YOU LOOK AT THE DIRECTION THE STATE IS GOING, PEOPLE KNOW HE'S ONLY BEEN GOVERNOR NOW FOR A YEAR.

SO HE HAS TO PLAY THAT TO HIS ADVANTAGE.

AND REALLY PLAY UP HIS INCUMBENCY AND BE SMART ABOUT THE POLICY AND BE SMART ABOUT EXECUTION, WHICH FOR HIM HAS BEEN A WEAK SPOT.

HE'S NOT A MANAGER BY TRAINING, HE WAS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WE KNOW THAT MEANS ABSOLUTEL NOTHING.

SO HE HAS TO REALLY SHOW THAT HE CAN TAKE HOLD OF A POLICY PROBLEM, GET HIS TEAM AROUND IT.

HE HAS THE RESOURCES, RALLY THE LEGISLATURE AND ACTUALLY GET SOMETHING DONE.

>> IF HE GETS BEYOND THE PRIMARY AND GOES UP AGAINST THE WELL-FUNDED REPUBLICAN -- WAIT A MINUTE -- DO WE HAVE A REPUBLICAN IN THE RACE?

>> WE WILL HAVE A REPUBLICAN IN THE RACE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE ON A VERY DIFFERENT SCHEDULE THAN THE DEMOCRATS.

THEY ARE RAISING MONEY AND HAVING TO OUT ORGANIZE A FIELD MEDICAL -- ORGANIZE A FIELD WHERE MANY CANDIDATES BRING DIFFERENT THINGS TO THE TABLE, WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A FIELD LIKE THAT, WITH A PEOPLE, ONE HAS A $1 MILLION, THE OTHER ONE HAS A FIELD ARMY AND THE ABILITY TO WIN LOCAL RACES.

WE HAVE A VERY STRONG RACE IN CD2.

THAT'S GOING TO PLAY INTO THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE, BUT WE ARE ON A DIFFERENT SCHEDULE.

ESPECIALLY FROM THE MEDIA STANDPOINT, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT TO GIVE, AND I GET THAT.

BUT THAT WILL CHANGE.

>> THE RHODE ISLAND GOP HAS CLEARLY HAD ITS CHALLENGES, GAINING MORE OFFICES HERE IN RHODE ISLAND, BUT DAN MAKES A GOOD POINT, BECAUSE ALTHOUGH ASHLEY, WHO SEEMS THE PROSPECTIVE GOP CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, IS NOT WELL-KNOWN, DOESN'T HAVE MUCH OF A PROFILE IN RHODE ISLAND, IT WOULD BEHOOVE US TO REMEMBER 2010, 1 JOHN R., HE HAD WORKED FOR THE GOVERNOR, HE WAS NOT PARTICULARLY WELL KNOWN EITHER, AND HE CAME VERY CLOSE TO WINNING THAT RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

HE WAS CLOSING AS THE RACE ROUNDUP -- HE LOST BY LESS THAN THREE PERCENTAGE POINTS.

>> HE GOT A TON OF MONEY FROM THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION BECAUSE THEY SAW A POTENTIAL VICTORY.

>> WHAT DO THE OTHER CANDIDATES HAVE TO DO TO BREAK THROUGH AT THIS POINT?

MCKEE HAS US FOLLOWING HIM AROUND, YOU HAVE GOT HELENA, DR. MUNOZ, WHO AM I MISSING?

>> MACK BROWN.

[LAUGHTER] >> WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO DO TO BREAK THROUGH?

>> AT LEAST IN MY OPINION, IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THE ONLY WAY THAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM THESE CANDIDATES HAS BEEN ON TWITTER, THEY ARE GOING ON TWITTER AND CRITICIZING EACH OTHER, WITH CAMPAIGN MESSAGES.

WHICH I GET IT -- IT'S 2022 THERE HAS TO BE A LOT MORE AS IAN MENTIONED, WE HAVE NOT SEEN HELENA FOLKS GET ON TV.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SHE LOOKS LIKE IF SHE WALKED INTO THE ROOM TODAY.

I THINK THAT THAT'S IMPORTANT.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE SEEING CANDIDATES IN ACTION, TALKING TO INDIVIDUALS.

YES, AS THE PANDEMIC CONTINUES.

AND THAT IS WINDING DOWN, HOPEFULLY IT IS SAFER TO BE AROUND OTHER HUMANS, THEY NEED TO BE OUT THERE.

THE RHETORIC OF JUST BEING ON TWITTER AND TELLING US WHAT YOUR PLATFORM IS OR HOW THE OTHER PERSON REALLY MESSED UP CAN ONLY TAKE YOU TO A CERTAIN POINT.

SO I THINK THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM HAS TO DO A LOT MORE THAN JUST BE ON TWITTER.

>> WITH FOLKS BEING AN X FACTOR, I THINK THE MCKEE PEOPLE SEE GORBEYA AS HIS BIGGEST RIVAL, SHE HAS A QUALITY THAT HAS RESONATED WELL WITH VOTERS, AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET EXCITED WHEN SHE TALKS ABOUT WHAT A GOOD JOB SHE'S DONE IN THE SECRETARIES STATES OFFICE -- SECRETARY OF STATE OFFICE.

WHEN YOU HAVE AN INCOME, VOTERS REALLY NEED A REASON TO IMPEACH OR TOSS OUT THAT PERSON -- AN INCUMBENT, VOTERS REALLY NEED A REASON O IMPEACH OR TOSS OUT THAT PERSON.

AND THAT IS A CHALLENGE FOR MCKEE'S OPPONENTS.

>> GINA RAIMONDO AND HER LAST ELECTION, THERE WAS A LOT OF THAT, I'M JUST GOING TO LET MY TWITTER -- SHE HAD A VIDEOGRAPHER FOLLOWING HER AROUND -- SHE PUT OUT ALL THESE VIDEOS.

THAT SEEMS LIKE WHERE WE ARE GOING.

>> GINA HAD A VERY GOOD FIELD OPERATION.

BUT IT WENT -- BUT IT WAS A BEHIND THE SCENES FIELD OPERATION.

OUR CAMPAIGN DID AN EXCELLENT JOB -- HER CAMPAIGN DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF IDENTIFYING VERY EARLY HER VOTERS AND THEN GETTING THEM OUT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO MILLIONS OTHER TV ADS TO GET PEOPLE, YOU CAN BE TARGETED IN YOUR MESSAGING.

WHEN GINA IS ON TWITTER, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS ON TWITTER, TALKING TO THEIR BASE, THE REPUBLICANS LOOK AT TWITTER FOR THE NEWS, AND WE DON'T REALLY CONVERSE THERE.

SO CERTAINLY FOR A GENERAL ELECTION STRATEGY, THE REST OF RHODE ISLAND, VOTERS ARE NOT GOING TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE BECAUSE OF THEIR TWITTER PROFILE -- BUT FOR GINA RAIMONDO, SHE HAD A VERY STRONG FIELD CAMPAIGN, SHE HAD ENOUGH PAID MEDIA AND THE POWER OF INCUMBENCY WHEN SHE RAN FOR REELECTION.

SHE COULD SIT BACK IN A SENSE.

YOU SAW A LOT OF THE OUTWARD PROFILE OF THE CAMPAIGN BE HER SOCIAL MEDIA.

BUT THERE WERE OTHER THINGS GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES.

I DON'T THINK WE'VE SEEN ANY OF THAT FROM THE CURRENT SLATE OF DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARY.

THAT'S THE INFRASTRUCTURE THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT TOGETHER.

SHE HAD MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO SPEND.

>> IT TURNS OUT SHE NEEDED ALL OF THAT $8 MILLION AT THE END, WE THOUGHT SHE WAS RAISING EXORBITANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY, AND SHE SPENT ALMOST ALL OF IT.

>> THAT'S WHY.

WE WERE CONFUSED FOR A WHILE.

THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, WE WERE WONDERING, WHERE'S THE MONEY GOING?

WHEN YOU ARE NOT SEEING THE PAID MEDIA AND THE OUTWARD SIGNS OF THAT SPENDING.

AND IT WAS IN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SHE HAD BUILT EARLY ON BUT COST A LOT OF MONEY TO SUSTAIN, THAT IS WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE TO RUN A WINNING CAMPAIGN.

>> WE SHOULD KNOW HOW MUCH SURRENDERED HIMSELF BY LOCAL OFFICIALS -- INCLUDING THE MAYORS OF EAST PROVIDENCE AND NORTH PROVIDENCE, WHILE DOING HIS CAMPAIGN LAUNCH WHICH TOOK PLACE IN EAST PROVIDENCE, LIKE THE OHIO OF RHODE ISLAND.

[LAUGHTER] AND TO THE EXTENT THAT LOCAL MAYORS SUPPORT HIM, TOP MANAGERS, THAT IS A WAY OF BUILDING SUPPORT UP FROM LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

>> MAYBE THAT CAN BE MAYOR DESILVA'S NEXT THING, WE ARE THE OHIO RI -- THE OHIO OF RHODE ISLAND.

[LAUGHTER] >> I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT, THAT SHOULD BE SOMEWHERE ON A SIGN.

THAT WAS A RELEASE SLIGHT STRATEGY.

SIMILAR TO WHAT THE PERSON RUNNING FOR TREASURER IS DOING.

I THINK IT WAS A VERY SMART STRATEGY.

MCKEE, EVEN AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, YOU JOKED ABOUT, IT'S NOT A MANAGEMENT JOB, HE WAS VERY MUCH OUT THERE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> BUSINESSES.

>> CORRECT.

WHEN I MET HIM, HE SAID, I HAVE BEEN TO ALL 39 CITIES AND TOWNS, THAT IS A BIG DEAL.

HAVING SOME OF THE MAYORS KIND OF ENDORSED HIM, IT IS -- YOU KNOW, AS DAN MENTIONED, TWO LOCAL INDIVIDUALS, IT MIGHT RESONATE TO SAY, MY MAYOR REALLY LIKES THEM, AND HE TALKS LIKE A MAYOR, HE WALKS LIKE A MAYOR, HE LOOKS LIKE A MAYOR, JUST OF A TINIER, BIGGER STATE.

>> RHODE ISLAND THIS KIND OF A CITY STATE.

WHEN HE WALKS INTO THE BAKERY AND CENTRAL FALLS, HE IS DONE IT ALREADY.

HE'S COMING AS THE NEW GUY.

LET'S SHIFT TO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2.

EVERY WEEK, THE FIELD GROWS.

YOU HAD A STORY, MORGANTOWN'S DAUGHTER RAN IN 1988.

THERE'S A PRETTY STRONG CHANCE.

>> I THINK A VERY STRONG CHANCE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS ABILITY TO WIN IN CD2, AND HIS TWO GUBERNATORIAL RUNS, WINNING AND COMING VERY CLOSE IN CD2, HE JUST HAS A VERY STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE.

CRANSTON IS THE LARGEST SINGLE MUNICIPALITY IN CD2.

HE WAS MAYOR OF CRANSTON WHEN HE WAS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR -- HE'S VERY STRONG THERE.

HIS WIFE IS A STATE REPRESENTED FROM WESTERN CRANSTON, WHICH HAS A LOT OF VOTES.

ESPECIALLY IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY AND THAT IN THE GENERAL.

SO I THINK HE'S GOING TO BE VERY STRONG.

I THINK THE FLIP SIDE TO THAT IS -- ANOTHER DEMOCRATIC FIELD IS GROWING HERE.

IF HE IS GOING TO -- HE HAS STATEWIDE RECOGNITION ALREADY.

HE CAN WIN BECAUSE HE WON TREASURER, I DON'T THINK THAT HOLDS STRONG IN CD2.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT CD2 VERSUS STATEWIDE, HE OUTPERFORMED TREMENDOUSLY IN THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AS A POST THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

ALMONTE ALMOST BEAT HIM IN THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> I FORGOT ABOUT THAT.

>> AND INDEPENDENT RUNNING A CAMPAIGN THAT YOU COULD SAY WAS NOT THE BEST FUNDED IN THE WORLD.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, SETH MAGAZINER HAS NEVER HAD A REAL CONTEST AS A POLITICIAN, RUNNING FOR OFFICE, THEN RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY DIFFERENT RACE FOR HIM.

ALAN F. HAS THE ABILITY TO WIN IN CD2.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS THERE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT CRANSTON, JOHNSTON, WHICH ALAN ALSO ONE IN HIS RUN -- WON IN HIS RUN, A DEMOCRATIC CITY THAT TRENDED REPUBLICAN IN RECENT YEARS, THERE IS A CHANGE GOING ON THERE.

AND WARWICK, JOE TARULLO WAS IN THAT RACE, SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS TO PERFORMANCE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A TWO PERSON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUP, IN THE THIRD-LARGEST CITY IN THE DISTRICT.

ON THE NUMBERS, WE HAVE A VERY COMPETITIVE RACE.

AND OF COURSE WASHINGTON KNOWS THAT.

IT'S GOING TO GET A LOT OF ATTENTION, FOR A FEW REASONS, ONE, IT IS WINNABLE, AND I THINK WE ARE GOING TO TAKE BACK THE HOUSE AND IT'S GOING TO BE A SLIMMER MARGIN THAN A LOT OF PEOPLE IN D.C. ARE SAYING.

THE OTHER REASON IS -- IF YOU CAN TIE UP DEMOCRATIC RESOURCES TO DEFEND CD2, THAT IS A WIN FOR REPUBLICANS.

>> A LOT OF INTRIGUING, AND IT'S ON BOTH SIDES, YOU HAVE GOT JOY FOX, SHE'S BEEN IN HIS OFFICE, I WONDER WHAT YOUR THOUGHT IS AS THESE PEOPLE START TO JUMP IN.

>> IT IS REALLY OVERWHELMING.

[LAUGHTER] IT IS.

I'M REALLY GLAD FOR PEOPLE LIKE IAN AND OTHERS WHO ARE WOULD TELL ME, THESE OTHER HUMANS ARE IN THE RACE.

BECAUSE OTHERWISE, I CAN'T KEEP UP WITH IT, SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK.

THANK YOU.

IT'S OVERWHELMING.

AND I THINK IT IS INCREDIBLE TO SEE INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE NEVER RUN FOR A POSITION TO DO SO.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY DO SO.

LIKE OMAR B.

AS A GREAT EXAMPLE.

HE'S DONE AMAZING WORK IN OUR STATE.

AMONG THE REFUGEE COMMUNITY AND OTHERS.

I THINK THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.

INDIVIDUALS LIKE JOY FOX.

WHO HAS BEEN IN THIS OFFICE BEFORE.

AND OTHERS.

RIGHT?

OTHERS COMING OUT EVERY DAY.

HOWEVE, IT IS REALLY OVERWHELMING.

I FEEL LIKE AS A REGULAR CITIZEN, JUST CD2 -- AS A VOTER, OF THIS DISTRICT, I PLAN ON JUST SITTING BACK AND WAITING FOR JUST MAY BE A MONTH OR TWO, TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

BECAUSE IT IS -- I THINK I COMPLETELY HEAR DAN, AND I AM WORRIED, I'M WORRIED ABOUT WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE AT THE END OF THE DAY, I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE HOUSE WHEN IT COMES NOVEMBER, BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP A DEMOCRATIC HOUSE.

>> AND YOU WONDER WHETHER EVERYBODY MAKES IT TO THE FILING, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ANNOUNCED THEY ARE GOING TO COME ABOUT WHEN THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FEDERAL FILING DATE IS -- BUT IT'S MONTHS OUT.

>> THE LARGE SIZED AT THE DEMOCRATIC FIELD MEANS THAT SOMEONE COULD POTENTIALLY WHEN THAT PRIMARY WITH MAYBE 25% OF THE VOTE -- WIN THAT PRIMARY WITH MAYBE 25% OF THE VOTE, WE ARE GOING TO HEAR QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO IS THE REAL RHODE ISLANDER, WHO SPENT TOO MUCH TIME IN WASHINGTON?

ONE PERSON TO KEEP AN EYE ON IS DAVID SIEGEL, THE FORMER PROVIDENT CITY COUNSELOR AND STATE REPRESENTED, TED NISI REPORTED ON SIEGEL, EXPLORING A CAMPAIGN.

HE RAN FOR CD1 BACK IN 2010.

HE'S A LITTLE OLDER, HE HAS MUCH GREATER CAPABILITY TO RAISE MONEY, HE'S BEEN PART OF A PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZING GROUP.

SO HE COULD POTENTIALLY BE A BIT OF A SLEEPER CANDIDATE.

I THINK MAGAZINER STILL HAS AN ADVANTAGE, BUT THE FIELD SIZE MAKES IT UNPREDICTABLE.

ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, WE SHOULD REMEMBER THERE'S A THREE WAY PRIMARY.

ONE PERSON TO WATCH IS A STATE SENATOR DELACRUZ, REPUBLICAN OF NORTH SMITHFIELD, SHE SEEMS MORE IN LINE WITH THE TRUMP FRACTION OF REPUBLICANS IN RHODE ISLAND.

WE NEED TO WATCH ON HOW SHE BRINGS THE FIGHT -- WHETHER SHE WILL BE ABLE TO OVERCOME THE MAYOR'S ADVANTAGES IN CRANSTON AND WARWICK.

>> I LOVE HOW YOU NOT ONLY GOT TO TALK ABOUT IT BUT LIVE IT.

UNLIKE SETH MAGAZINER, WHO APPARENTLY DOES NOT LIVE IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT TO RIGHT NOW, HE HAS PLEDGED TO MOVE, BUT I'M WONDERING WHETHER THAT IS GOING TO BE BEFORE OR AFTER THE PRIMARY.

>> HE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT DOESN'T LIVE IN THE DISTRICT, DELACRUZ ALSO HAS TO MOVE.

>> APPARENTLY HE CAN SEE CD2.

BUT HE DOESN'T QUITE LIVE THERE.

>> IT'S A VERY RHODE ISLAND STANDARD.

[LAUGHTER] >> YEAH, RHODE ISLAND STANDARD.

WHERE'S YOUR NEAREST DUNKIN'?

THE BIG BREAKING NEWS LAST WEEK, THE QUESTION IS, IT DOESN'T MAKE THEIR FINANCES ANY BETTER, LIFESPAN AND CARE NEW ENGLAND, AND I THIS PENNSYLVANIA COMPANY -- I WANT TO CALL THEM STONEHENGE FOR SOME REASON.

[LAUGHTER] STONEBRIDGE, THEY HAVE SAID LET'S DO IT, BUT THAT'S A CONCERN -- ISN'T IT A PRIVATE, HEDGE FUNDY TYPE OF THING, OWNING HOSPITAL?

>> YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH PROSPECT MEDICAL HOLDINGS, MEDICAL CENTER, HOSPITAL AND NORTH PROVIDENCE, CRITICS SAY THEY TOOK HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY OUT OF HOSPITALS THEY OWN.

THEY GOT THEM TO COMMIT $80 MILLION AS PART OF AN OWNERSHIP CHANGE LAST YEAR.

THERE'S GOING TO BE CONTINUED WHILE WEST -- A CONTINUED WILD WEST ENVIRONMENT IN RHODE ISLAND, VARIOUS PARTIES LOOKING TO BUY CARE NEW ENGLAND.

NEURONA SEEMS FOCUSED ON HIS ARGUMENTS, THEY SEEM TO BE THAT REJECTING THE MERGER IS BETTER THAN ANY CONSEQUENCES THAT MIGHT COME FROM THAT.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY TUMULTUOUS ATMOSPHERE.

AND THERE'S DISPARITY BETWEEN THE CURRENT HOSPITAL LANDSCAPE AND WHAT ARGUABLY IS NEEDED TO PROVIDE THE BEST HEALTH CARE.

>> AS THE -- HAS THE PARTNERSHIP SAILED?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S SAILED.

I DON'T THINK THAT THE -- I STILL THINK THAT THE DEAL IS SUBJECT TO APPEAL AT THIS POINT.

BUT I UNDERSTAND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CONCERNS.

I DON'T SEE HOW IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE DEAL TO GO THROUGH WITHOUT CERTAIN STRATEGIC SALES -- YOU CAN RUN A PROCESS WHERE YOU KNOW WHO THE BUYERS ARE AND SO FORTH, SO THERE WOULD BE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF CONTROL.

>> BUT LIFESPAN AND CARE NEW ENGLAND HAVE SAID WE ARE DONE.

>> THEY HAVE.

THAT COULD BE A NEGOTIATING TACTIC, TOO.

YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE OTHER SUITORS COMING IN, SO YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THE PRICE BEING RAISED ON CARE NEW ENGLAND.

I THINK IT WAS SHORTSIGHTED TO OPPORTUNITY A FEW YEARS AGO.

GOVERNOR RAIMONDO WAS REALLY PUSHING THIS DEAL.

BROWN MEDICAL IS A HUGE COMPONENT TO IT.

I THINK THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN HERE, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE LANDSCAPE IS GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE.

THE MARKET IS NOT SUSTAINABLE AS IT IS NOW.

THE FUNDAMENTAL REASONS FOR THE DEAL AREN'T GOING TO CHANGE.

SO, I THINK THE AG'S OFFICE SHOULD TAKE A CREATIVE APPROACH TO THESE TYPES OF DEALS -- WE ALSO HAVE TO REFORM THE SIGNIFICANT OF NEED PROCESS, HOW DIFFICULT IT IS FOR OUT-OF-STATE INVESTORS, WITH A PRIVATE EQUITY BACKED GROUPS OR NONPROFIT GROUPS, COMING IN.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.

.

REMEMBER THE FREESTANDING ER FIGHT WE HAD A FEW YEARS AGO.

THAT'S COMPETITION FOR ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS.

BUT THAT'S THE COMPETITION THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS SAYING IS LACKING IN THE MARKET.

THE LAW IS FORCING AWAY THE COMPETITION.

SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW WE REGULATE HEALTH CARE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE STATE AND WE REALLY HAVE TO OPEN IT UP IN ORDER TO GET THE INVESTMENTS, SO WE HAVE THE FACILITIES THAT WE DESERVE.

>> THE EVERYDAY PERSON, SAYING, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME AND HEALTH CARE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FOR THE EVERYDAY PERSON WHO MIGHT'VE SEEN THIS AND THE NEWS LAST WEEK, WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

DOES THAT MEAN THAT A YEAR OR TWO DOWN THE ROAD, I MIGHT WANT TO BE IN A PRIVATIZED HOSPITAL?

I THINK PART OF THE REPORTING WAS SAYING THAT PATIENT CARE AND A LOT OF MORE ISSUES WITH EMPLOYERS IN THE HOSPITAL.

SO I THINK IS A REGULAR PERSON, THERE IS SOME WORRY ABOUT, HOW MY GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO THE HOSPITAL?

WHAT DOES CARE LOOK LIKE DOWN THE ROAD?

ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE MAY BE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CARE AND QUALITY OF OUR HOSPITALS.

>> TO BE CONTINUED.

LET'S DO OUTRAGES.

LET'S BEGIN WITH YOU -- OR KUDOS.

LET'S BEGIN WITH YOU THIS WEEK.

>> TRUMP BEING ON FOX PRAISING VLADIMIR PUTIN AS THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE WAS -- >> IS A GENIUS.

>> YEAH.

THERE YOU HAVE IT.

THERE'S LOTS OF ROOM FOR LEGITIMATE POLICY DEBATES AND DIFFERENCES IN AMERICAN POLITICS.

BUT THIS IS A BIG MOMENT IN THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE AND THE EVOLUTION OF WHERE THE WORLD IS HEADED.

AND IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE A LITTLE SHRED OF BIPARTISAN UNITY AT TIMES LIKE THIS.

>> DAN?

>> THE ENTIRE UKRAINIAN SITUATION, NOW FOR THREE PRESIDENTS, WE HAVE FAILED TO COME UP WITH AND EXECUTE ON A COHERENT STRATEGY FOR DEALING WITH UKRAINE, WHICH IS AN OUTLINE, WANTS TO BE A NATIVE -- AN ALLY AND WANTS TO BE IN NATO, NOW WE ARE LETTING THEM CONVENIENTLY BE OUTSIDE OF OUR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE SO THEY CAN BE INVADED BY THE RUSSIANS, I DON'T THINK THAT IS COHERENT.

I DON'T THINK THAT PROJECTS STRENGTH TO OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES.

WHICH WAS A CONCERN.

WHEN DONALD TRUMP WAS ON THE WHITE HOUSE.

GIVEN HIS RHETORIC TOWARDS NATO.

ALSO WANTING THEM TO PAY THEIR SHARE.

WHICH FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE WE DON'T THINK WAS A BAD THING, BUT ACTUALLY EXECUTING ON THE STRATEGY AND KEEPING IT OUT TOGETHER WHEN EASTERN EUROPE IS FACING ITS GREATEST LAND WAR SINCE WORLD WAR II IS INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT.

ONCE AGAIN, WE HAVE FAILED TO COME UP WITH AN ACTUAL STRATEGY THAT THE WORLD UNDERSTANDS WE MEAN BUSINESS WITH, WHEN IT COMES TO UKRAINE AND EASTERN EUROPE.

>> NOW YOU'VE GOT TO ATTEND LIKE THIS -- HE'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS, I'M READY TO GO IN, HIS VISION WAS, WE ARE GOING TO PUT THE SOVIET UNION BACK TOGETHER, THAT KIND OF CAME OUT OF LEFT FIELD.

>> TO ME, YES, UKRAINE IS A BIG DEAL, BUT IT IS THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS THING THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING, THE WAR THAT SEVERAL STATES IN OUR COUNTRY ARE DOING AGAINST LGBTQ KIDS -- THERE ARE STATES PASSING LAWS, BANNING -- TALKING ABOUT A CHILD BEING GAY AND TRANS RIGHTS.

IT'S DEVASTATING THAT IT'S 2022 AND WE ARE STILL SO AFRAID OF, YOU KNOW, -- OF, YOU KNOW, WHO KIDS ARE AND DAMAGING WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE IN THEIR LIFE.

>> I WANT TO GET BACK TO UKRAINE IN A SECOND, I'M GOING TO OFFER AN UNUSUAL OUTRAGE.

EVERYDAY I PICK UP A NEWSPAPER WHETHER IT'S MY LOCAL TIMES WITH A PROVIDENCE JOURNAL AND YOU SEE THE NEWS, CAN YOU SEE KIDS IN HIGH SCHOOL PLAYING SPORTS -- AND APPARENTLY THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MASKED.

BUT ALL YOU SEE THE MASKS ARE DOWN HERE, THEY ARE DEFINITELY BELOW THEIR NOSE, I'M LIKE, OK, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE RHODE ISLAND LAKE FOLLOWING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OR THE GOVERNOR -- LET'S FIGURE THIS OUT FOR THE PLAYOFFS, FOLKS.

IT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL TO ME -- THE HOME MASKING DEBATE WHETHER YOU AGREE THEY HELP OR NOT -- NO MASK DOWN HERE IS HELPING ANYBODY.

THE BASKETBALL PLAYERS, WHY EVEN PUT THEM ON THE KIDS?

WHOEVER IS LISTENING -- MAYBE DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT CAN COME OFF THE BENCH AND HER CONSULTATION AT $46,000 A MONTH AND SAY IT IS OK. LET'S GET BACK TO UKRAINE.

OF COURSE, AMERICANS' BIGGEST FEAR IS HOW THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT OUR GAS PRICES, BUT IT'S A MUCH LARGER ISSUE THAN THAT.

WHAT YOU THINK AS YOU SEETHINGS UNFOLDING?

>> IT IS HARD TO SEE WHERE THIS IS HEADED, PUTIN HAS HAD THESE CONCERNS ABOUT THE DIMINISHED PROFILE OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION FOR A LONG TIME.

AUTHORITARIANISM HAS BEEN GROWING AROUND THE U.S.

IT IS VERY CONCERNING.

THE U.S. HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN GLOBAL LEADERSHIP.

IT'S HARD TO SEE WHERE THIS IS HEADED.

>> YOU SEE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING THEIR LIVES, TWO WEEKS AGO, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN PEOPLE ARE BEING KILLED, BOMBED, THEY ARE IN SOME WAYS TRYING TO GET AWAY.

>> I THINK IT IS DEVASTATING THAT THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WAKING UP YESTERDAY IN FEAR OF WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THEIR LIVES.

IT'S DEVASTATING THAT AROUND THE WORLD, MANY OF US HAVE HAD TO LEARN, YOU KNOW, WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND WHY THAT IS HAPPENING.

WHAT THE INACTION OF GLOBAL LEADERS HAS LED TO.

I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT IT MUST BE LIKE TO WAKE UP TO SIRENS OUTSIDE OF MY DOOR.

AND THAT IS ALSO REALLY CONCERNING THAT, EVERY OTHER COUNTRY -- AS SHOULD EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, WE SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT, WHAT WILL THESE LEAD TO?

HOW DO WE TAKE CARE OF THE UKRAINIANS BUT ALSO PEOPLE HERE?

>> LAST TALK, 15 SECONDS?

>> THE U.S. HAS DEMONSTRATED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS THAT WHEN IT COMES TO INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS, WE DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY CLUE WHAT IT IS WE ARE WANTING TO DO.

AND I THINK THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS, THAT IS DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE TAIWAN, IF YOU ARE THE BALTIC STATES, AND WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH A MUCH MORE SOLID STRATEGY IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE A RESPECTABLE LEADER.

>> THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

KUDOS TO IAN AND MARCELLA AND DAN.

THERE WERE COMING THROUGH THE SNOW, THE SLICK, THE ICE TO TAPE THIS MORNING.

BY THE TIME YOU ARE WATCHING, IT WILL BE GONE, BUT THEY WERE HERE TO BRING YOU "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT."

COME BACK HERE NEXT WEEK.

"A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" CONTINUES.

WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

♪ >> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR OVER 30 YEARS, A LIVELY EXPERIMENT HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF THE POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.