Projo Politics Blog

In another reminder of the high stakes in Rhode Island's U.S. Senate race, former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to return to Rhode Island tonight -- his second appearance here in the past month -- on the eve of an Election Day that could shift the balance of power in Washington.

Clinton is scheduled to appear at a rally for Democratic challenger Sheldon Whitehouse rally at 9 p.m. tonight. That's less than 12 hours before the polls open. Clinton's wife, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, of New York, spoke on Whitehouse's behalf late last month.

Incidentally, Bill Clinton was also featured in a recorded get-out-the-vote phone message sent out to Rhode Island homes over the weekend.

It's unclear when the Whitehouse campaign arranged for Clinton's latest appearance. The press release announcing the visit was e-mailed to The Journal today at 1 a.m.

The Rhode Island U.S. Senate race has attracted its fair share of political stars. U.S. Sen. John McCain, of Arizona, headlined a fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee last month. And First Lady Laura Bush stumped for the incumbent Chafee before the Republican primary.

Clinton is scheduled to appear at the Community College of Rhode Island's Warwick campus.

-- Projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

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