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I agree with Thecaptain's letter fr the better part, but he (she?) may well be wrong in assessing the political futures of Avedesian, Coluantano, Place, Galucci, Travis, DelGiudice, and Wilkinson.

The councilmen and women have no meaningful opponents on the horizon. With Gallucci, the Democrats completely overlook The Dave's Lobster Scandal like it never happened. And everybody in Ward 6 knows the only way to beat Donna Travis is in the primaries - in other words, by another Democrat, who will soon fall under the sway of the ward committee.

Avedesian owns these councilmen, and will see to it they face no meaningful opposition. Why bother? Republican candidates don't usually fare well, and if they do, two years down the road they'll face new Democrat candidates who are not wholly owned and operated by Avedesian.

The mayor himself is in a golden position. Look at the vote counts he gets. People are convinced he's doing a good job. Listen to him when he gives those impassioned speeches at any airport-expansion soirees. He damns the players and the process, but never says anything like "My administration is opposed," or "City Hall is responding to majority opposition by," or "We have passed legislation strengthening our wetland protection position," or anything that actually sounds like he's doing something.

And people leave these dog and pony shows convinced that he's fighting the good fight for them, and that he'll win, so there's no need for them to do anything - except re-elect him, which they gladly and willingly do.

His own political future never looked better, but with a "but" added to it. Langevin and Whitehouse are both up for re-election, but there are more major Republicans than positions this time around. Carcieri has indicated he's rested and ready to screw Rhode Island again, and John "Carcieri Lite" Robitaille is still in the game, too - and the Republicans owe him. So, if Avedesian runs for either seat, he'll have Carcieri (who won't support gays based on his religious convictions) coming out against him, if not running himself, and supporting whatever Robie does.

I know, that sounds bad for Avedesian. But, truth is, he'll have an incumbent governor supporting him - usually a good thing, though Chafee is rapidly dying in the State House. BUT - there it is, that "but" - if Avedesian feels weak in Warwick (very unlikely) or loses in a run for a job in D.C., Chafee will appoint him to some cushy, meaningless state position, with just enough prestige to keep him in the public eye until 2014. And best of all (for Avedesian), it keeps him from having to do something he hasn't done since he delivered Projo every morning - get a REAL job. Another BUT here is, Chafee is sinking fast, and unless he pulls it out in 2014, he'll be out the door - and hopefully will take Avedesian with him.

From: What’s Cushman concerned about?

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