CHAFEE NOT BEING HONEST AND HIS CAMPAIGN HASN’T EVEN STARTED YET

In a press release announcing his campaign kick-off, Mr. Chafee modestly spoke of his “unquestioned integrity”.  The RIGOP has a question, Mr. Chafee. Is integrity based on honesty?

Republican Party Chair Giovanni D. Cicione noted today that “as Linc Chafee’s campaign is about to start, it appears the spinning is well underway and Chafee is not telling truth about something as simple as his less than stellar fundraising performance.”

As was reported last week on WRNI radio that J.R. Pagliarini, Mr. Chafee’s new campaign manager, asserted that “Chafee wasn't focused on fund-raising in the last quarter of 2009” when asked to explain why Chafee only raised about $41,000 from individuals in the most recent quarter.  (WRNI 12/31/09). 

However, Mr. Chafee publically stated that at the start of the 4^th quarter and a month into it that he needed to do better at fundraising.  For example, in early October, Chafee said, "We've got to do better than the last quarter", when he only raised about $70,000 from individuals.  He also admitted that he was “working harder at raising money” (ProJo 10/8/09).  In early November, Chafee said “you’ve got to raise the money,” and admitted “We’ve got to do better at fundraising.”  (ProJo 11/9/09).  Clearly, Mr. Chafee was focused on fund-raising in the last quarter of 2009.

“If Mr. Chafee wants to claim “unquestioned integrity” then he should be sure to communicate with his campaign staff so as not to mislead the public,” said Cicione.  “If you can’t even be honest about your poor fundraising performance, then why should the voters expect you to be honest about important issues such as Rhode Island’s dire economic and budgetary problems?”  “It’s time for solutions,” concluded Cicione, “not spin.”

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