Caprio (D-RI) tells Obama he can take his (non-)endorsement and "shove it"

[TheGlobalizer]

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/10/25/ri_gov_candidate_to_obama_take_your_endorsement_and_shove_it.html

I don't know much about his politics, but I appreciate that sort of straightforwardness.  Any chance this helps him close on Chafee?

[Lunar]

currently the red headline on Drudge, I'm not sure what to think about this. 

Here's some analysis: http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/politics/local_politics/ted-nesi-analysis-why-caprio-whacked-obama

[Oakvale]

I'm guessing Obama feels some loyalty to Chafee from 2008.

[TheGlobalizer]

Just checked the RCP averages and I guess Caprio has had the lead in most polling, except the recent Rasmussen poll that was the basis of my "close the gap" comment.

Regardless, any speculation on the effect?  This is a weird one since Chafee is a Republican-turned-independent with ties to Obama.

[tpfkaw]

So he's basically trying to be the de facto Republican in the race, now?

[Phony Moderate]

So he's basically trying to be the de facto Republican in the race, now?

Well, considering that Chafee is more or less running to the left of him, it's not suprising.

[Capitan Zapp Brannigan]

I have a feeling this move could backfire. Democrats in RI still like Obama, and this could be an excuse to move to Chafee.

[Iosif]

Last week his campaign said he'd welcome an endorsement.

Looks like there were no hard feeling when the endorsement didn't come.

[Eraserhead]

Incredibly dumb move.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

What an idiotic move...

[Keystone Phil]

Crazy...like a fox? He might be angling for Republican voters. It just might work since the Republican nominee is set to finish third.

[Lunar]

http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/politics/local_politics/ted-nesi-analysis-why-caprio-whacked-obama

Update #6: Caprio doubles down on Shoveitgate. He just repeated his comments on camera to my WPRI colleagues, as you saw if you’re watching the noon newscast.

http://blogs.wpri.com/2010/10/25/guess-whos-the-only-local-tv-reporter-with-obama/

Update #2: Eyewitness News political analyst Joe Fleming spoke with Karen Adams on the air a few minutes ago, and his take on Shoveitgate largely mirrored mine – this was probably a calculated attempt by Frank Caprio to steal the limelight on the day of the president’s visit, and to the extent that Caprio has dominated (or at least shared) today’s headlines, it largely worked. Fleming also pointed out that with Caprio losing ground to Republican John Robitaille in last week’s Rasmussen poll, he needs to stop the bleeding and find ways to target independents and center-right voters; ergo, attack Obama.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Caprio = Massive FF!

I think I should endorse him....

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Caprio is certainly conservative enough to be the Republican nominee.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Caprio is certainly conservative enough to be the Republican nominee.

Any chance this was a poorly calculated stunt to eat into Robitaille's base?

[they don't love you like i love you]

I am changing my endorsement to Chafee.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

I am changing my endorsement to Chafee. Caprio

[Eraserhead]

I am changing my endorsement to Chafee.

I'm very tempted to do the same. Chafee's tax plan sounds pretty bad though.

[they don't love you like i love you]

I am changing my endorsement to Chafee.

I'm very tempted to do the same. Chafee's tax plan sounds pretty bad though.

That's at first what caused me to spurn him but think about it: If it ever passes the Democrats are entirely to blame. I mean they control about 88% of the state legislature. That makes the Governor a largely ceremonial figure anyway, might as well just support the guy you like most. Chafee might actually be kind of the best of both worlds, he won't be beholden to conservative Democrats in the legislature like Caprio clearly is, and if he proposes anything bad like the tax plan the Democrats can shoot it down.

[Eraserhead]

I am changing my endorsement to Chafee.

I'm very tempted to do the same. Chafee's tax plan sounds pretty bad though.

That's at first what caused me to spurn him but think about it: If it ever passes the Democrats are entirely to blame. I mean they control about 88% of the state legislature. That makes the Governor a largely ceremonial figure anyway, might as well just support the guy you like most. Chafee might actually be kind of the best of both worlds, he won't be beholden to conservative Democrats in the legislature like Caprio clearly is, and if he proposes anything bad like the tax plan the Democrats can shoot it down.

Good point, BRTD. Good point. I may just switch my endorsement. Caprio comes off like a major slime-ball and crybaby. I mean comparing floods in Rhode Island to Hurricane Katrina? Give me a break.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

I don't understand why a whole bunch of right-wingers (both on this forum and on the local talk radio show I listen to at work) are praising Caprio over this. You can't tell somebody to "shove" something they didn't give you.

Furthermore, if Obama did endorse Caprio I'm sure Caprio's reaction would have been far different.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Happy I supported Chafee from the beginning on this one.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

FWIW, Clinton is coming to Rhode Island to back Caprio.

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[Lief 🗽]

Back to endorsing Chafee then, unless there's a Green or something in this race. Three candidates all polling at around 1/3 of the vote, and they all suck.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Caprio got hammered in the last debate pretty bad on this:

link

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This stunt has probably cost Caprio, according to this poll.

Chafee: 35%
Robitaille: 28%
Caprio: 25%
Block: 2%