Maybe it’s just that Governor Carcieri likes to use nicknames. Sometimes, however, it’s best not to.

That was the case last week when Carcieri spoke at a candidates’ forum on health care moderated by Channel 10 (WJAR) political reporter Bill Rappleye. Stepping up to the podium, the governor said: “Rappleye, the Rap man.”

The newsman was quick with a reply: “Does this mean I can call you The Don?”

Carcieri responded with just a chuckle.

-- Journal staff writers Scott Mayerowitz and Elizabeth Gudrais