Projo Politics Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island First Lady Sue Carcieri thinks the legislature went astray when it voted to hold a public referendum next year on changing the state's official name.

A woman of many opinions, she shared a few of them during a rare -- but not unprecedented -- radio talk-show interview, hosted on Tuesday morning by WPRO's John DePetro.

Of the proposed Constitutional amendment to strip the word "plantations'' from the official name of the state, she said: "They should keep the name as it is.''

A measure placing the proposal on the 2010 ballot was approved by state lawmakers last week during a hectic two-day special session.

After researching the history of how the state came to be named "Rhode Island and Providence Plantations," Mrs. Carcieri said: "We believe this has absolutely no connotation that people want to attribute to it,'' and the referendum drive is likely to cause "a lot of trouble'' and "cost money to fight that fight ... in a year when "there are many more important things.''

"And it's a distraction,'' she said, but "maybe that's the purpose of it. I don't know. I find myself wondering about these extraneous ideas ... Is this about distracting us from what's really important ...The economy is really important, for instance.''

Moving along, Mrs. Carcieri said she is "disappointed'' that none of the candidates in the mix to succeed her husband as governor when his run ends next year share the Carcieris' strong anti-abortion views. That includes the newly emerged Republican candidate: Riordan B. Smith.

Aside from that, however, she said, Smith strikes her as "a very, very great candidate with many good ideas, and I am pleased that we have someone who would continue the policies of my husband.

"I think that's the main point I am looking for in a candidate, and good character,'' she said. "And, he's a good Republican. His background is in business, and I think we continue to need that in this state.''

 Tags  John DePetro Sue Carcieri WPRO

Comments

mark richards said:

Put a sock in it, Sue. We're tired of listening to you and your incompetent husband lecture us on morals and ethics when all you have succeeded in doing is increasing intolerance and hate in our state. Why don't you two 1950's retreads retire to Florida already and leave Rhode Islanders to figure out how to rebuild our state after nearly seven years of your husband's incompetence. Just go away, please!

Link | November 4, 2009 7:26 AM
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kathy said:

This was certainly not due to the incompetence of the Governor. Our crooked legislature is to blame. If they put half the time working with the Governor, rather than throw up roadblock, we would be in much better shape. But as usual, and this has been going on before Don Carcieri, our state will tank first and be last to pull out of problems.

Governor and Mrs. Carcieri, it's been a pleasure having you folks at the statehouse. At least you folks were a sunnyspot in a very dark place.

Link | November 4, 2009 7:38 PM
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