I have posted numerous times about David Cicilline, former Providence Mayor and current Democratic congressman in my home district, RI-01.As I previously noted, Cicilline deliberately concealed the terrible financial condition of Providence during the 2010 election in a close fight with Republican John Loughlin:
In June 2010, when Loughlin challenged Cicilline’s fiscal record in Providence, Cicilline’s campaign blamed state aid cuts for increased borrowing by the city, but stressed that Providence’s finances were sound:
“With Governor Carcieri trying to balance Rhode Island’s budget on the backs of our cities and towns, the City of Providence faced deep cuts in state aid,” the campaign said in a statement. “Fortunately, the strong fiscal health that Providence has maintained under Mayor Cicilline’s leadership made it possible to hold the line on taxes and still balance the City’s budget. That made a lot more sense than raising taxes in the middle of a painful recession.”
“In fact, the Mayor’s good fiscal management has earned the City A bond ratings and awards for excellence in financial reporting,” the campaign concluded.
It was a lie. As soon as the new Mayor took office, the extent of the problem was discovered and a review placed the blame squarely at Cicilline’s feet. Providence is facing bankruptcy.
Cicilline, a shameless politician who ran a “scare grandma” campaign in 2010, has seen his poll numbers drop dramatically in his challenge by Republican Brendan Doherty.
So Cicilline now is apologizing:
Congressman David Cicilline offered a public apology and expressed regret Tuesday for saying during his 2010 campaign that Providence was in “excellent financial condition.”“I should not have used that word,” Cicilline said in a wide-ranging interview with WPRI 12. “It obviously doesn’t describe the condition the city is in [and] it was never my intention to mislead people intentionally.”
Cicilline has vowed to stay in the race. I hope he does. He’s beatable because of his baggage more so than his likely Democratic challenger, and this could be a flip in a heavily Democratic district if Cicilline stays in.
Support Brendan Doherty, here.
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