Of course you know who is running for president, and probably Congress, too. But what about your State Senate race? Do you know what your choices are? Probably not. I've seen about eight different candidate signs for City Council within a mile of my house, but who knows which of them will actually appear on my ballot.
Here's
where to go to get a sample ballot for your address. Don't be surprised when you get into the booth, know the candidates beforehand. All you need is your sample ballot, Google and a Providence Journal password (use dailykos@dailykos.com/dailykos if you don't want to register).
Also remember to flip your ballot over and vote on the 14 referenda up for consideration. If you lost the guide you got in the mail, here's
the web version on the issues. Take some time and go through everything before you head out tomorrow.
And! If you're not registered to vote, you can still register at your polling place (use the first link above to find your location) and cast a vote for president only. It's worth it.
Excited yet? I am!
I'm not going to tell you guys who to vote for, but please allow me to weigh the merits of various candidates in Rhode Island. I'm almost positive that there aren't going to be any close races among the high profile offices. For instance, I think Kerry will probably win for President, so you can vote for David Ortiz with a clear conscience. Don't vote for Nader, though, he still deserves to be punished for 2000.
Congress (Dist 1):
Patrick Kennedy vs.
Dave Rogahs. Rogers is a former S.E.A.L., and he's toned down the crazy this time (he ran in '02, too). Also, major props for swimming in the upper bay. That's hardcore. Patrick Kennedy hasn't shoved any airport workers lately, so that's a plus for him. The major negative for Dave Rogers is that commercial with the Don (our governor) where we find out that Rogers is a protectah who will work hahdah for uzz. Bonus points for PK for turning the original Rogers ad around ("Dave Rogers is all wet") That was clever. Rogers had a nice ad with Lincoln Chafee, but I haven't seen that one in a while. I love Linc.
Congress (Dist 2): A four-way!
Jim Langevin vs.
Chuck Barton vs. Ed Morabito vs. Donald Hayes (sorted in descending chance of winning, from "lock" to "never in a bajillion years"). James Langevin, our current Congressperson, is the guy in the wheelchair. He's a good guy, and votes how I'd like most of the time. Barton is a Rhode Island Republican, so you can vote for him without feeling icky. Of course sending a Republican to the House is an endorsement of a
certain former bug exterminator.
Ed Morabito, who you all should be voting for (haha, I lied above), kicks ass. Last month he released this press release after the deportation of a Syrian pizza maker:
In a tongue-in-cheek statement, congressional candidate Ed Morabito yesterday thanked immigration authorities for quashing a "hidden terrorist pizza cell" by deporting its ringleader, Syrian pizza maker Faraj "Frank" Boutros.
Federal authorities "saw through" the pizza maker's plan to raise a family, start a business and pay taxes, said Morabito, an independent candidate running in the 2nd Congressional District.
Boutros, who owns Little Country Pizza in Exeter and lives in North Kingstown, had struggled for 20 years to stay in Rhode Island.
The 50-year-old father of four said he got bad legal advice when he came to America in 1984. But when he refused to obey a deportation order, immigration officials jailed him. Although his lawyer asked officials to reopen his case, Boutros was deported to Syria Tuesday.
Morabito said he issued the satiric release to "highlight the utter stupidity and inhumanity of our immigration laws, and to highlight the waste of government resources, time and money in deporting Faraj Boutros and breaking up his family."
Paula Grenier, a spokeswoman for Immigration Customs and Enforcement in Boston, said yesterday Boutros had "exercised his rights" and gone before a judge, who ordered his removal.
"The United States is a nation of laws," said Grenier. Boutros was asked several times to leave voluntarily before he was arrested, she said.
But Morabito said Boutros' deportation is an example of how a law can go astray.
"By breaking up a family and teaching this guy a lesson, we have shown what compassionate conservatism is all about," he said. "Now if only we could find the other 12 million undocumented workers working in our country. . . Who cares if they are paying taxes, raising their families in peace, and trying to make a better life for themselves and live the American dream. Don't they realize that the American dream is only for Americans?"
Read more
about him here. I love candidates like this. You know, honest.
The last guy in this race, I swear to God, wants to repeal the 21st Amendment. That's the one that ended Prohibition. As the
ProJo points out, even when we did dry up the booze, RI never really stood for that. Still, if you think drugs and alcohol are the root of most evil, Mr. Hayes is your man.
So there's your candidates for US House. I think you have enough information here to make a good decision, but as always Google is your friend. More races later!
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