By JACOB MARROCCO Presidential campaign volunteers and representatives came out to the Rhode Island Democratic Party's headquarters at 200 Metro Center Blvd. Saturday to gather signatures in an effort to get their respective candidates on the April
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Presidential campaign volunteers and representatives came out to the Rhode Island Democratic Party’s headquarters at 200 Metro Center Blvd. Saturday to gather signatures in an effort to get their respective candidates on the April primary ballot.
A dozen campaigns were represented, and while candidate preferences and policy priorities differed, there was one unifying theme throughout the event.
“I think everybody who has chosen a candidate at this point is really passionate about their candidate,” said Candace Brown-Casey, who was seeking signatures for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. “I think we all have the issues that resonate the most with us, but definitely everybody in this room has a unified goal come November.”
“I think No. 1, by their candidate, and No. 2, removing Trump from office,” Will LeBlanc, an organizer for former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, said of what’s motivating Democratic voters. “I think they support their candidate, but at the end of the day, they’ll support anyone that can remove [President Donald Trump] from office.”
Former District 30 state Sen. Jeanine Calkin saw that sentiment on display as she supported Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. She said she’s “cautiously optimistic” after a recent poll showed Sanders atop the field in Iowa, and that response to the campaign in Rhode Island has been strong. Sanders won the Ocean State by double digits in the 2016 Democratic primary.
A Washington Post/ABC News national poll released Sunday shows former Vice President Joe Biden leading the field at 28 percent, but Sanders trailed not far behind at 24 percent. Warren ranks third at 11 percent, while former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg sits at 8 percent. Entrepreneur Andrew Yang posted 7 percent, while Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, had 5 percent. All other candidates registered 4 percent or less.
“[There’s] a lot of positivity, and I think even just being here with all the other candidates’ tables, it reminds you of the Democratic process and how united we will be to get Trump out of office,” Calkin said.
Laura DeVeau, who was gathering signatures on behalf of Buttigieg, said she has “never been more energized about something in my entire adult life.” She was encouraged by a recent rally Buttigieg held in New Hampshire.
She said one challenge is that voters outside of Iowa and New Hampshire are still trying to “figure him out” as a candidate.
“I need to tell people what I like about him, and so I tell people that I’m a pragmatic progressive, I want someone who has had executive leadership,” DeVeau said. “The fact that he’s a [military] veteran makes me really excited about some of the skills he brings to the table that are unique to that. One of the things that I always say to people, is if you're ready for some change, he’s a generational change.”
Lisa Burbank shared a more personal story about why she’s chosen to support Yang’s bid for the White House, referencing his signature “Freedom Dividend” plan – a universal basic income proposal that would provide $1,000 monthly payment to every American citizen over 18.
“I worked at a big corporate company here in Rhode Island and my job was automated away. It’s been tough for the last 10 years, so for me, I’m looking at myself and my own situation,” she said. “I got hurt last year, I was out of work, I lost the job I had since then and I’m facing foreclosure. If I had had that $1,000 a month, I might not be facing it, and everybody is that injury or illness away [from a similar financial situation].”
Burbank said that while she’s hoping Yang secures the nomination, she said Sanders is “awesome” and Biden has the experience needed for the presidency.
“[Yang has] had some issues with some of the bigger networks getting him on there, now he’s starting to get some attention,” she said. “I think it’s going well. I think we’re really narrowing it down to a few candidates and certain ones are certainly shining higher than other ones.”
Jasper Booth-Hodges said it’s important to remind voters that former Maryland Congressman John Delaney is still in the race, despite very low polling numbers. Booth-Hodges said he respects Delaney’s persistence, and that he’s enjoyed his company quite a bit when hanging out with the candidate.
“I just think it’s really important to remind people, a lot of people don't even think he's still in the race,” Booth-Hodges said. “He still is in the race. He’s still here. He’s sticking it out, I really respect him for that, too.”
Booth-Hodges said his top priority – health care – is why he’s chosen to back Delaney. He said his passion for the issue stems from an incident he witnessed as a child.
“I was at my little brother’s soccer game and a little girl got kicked in the leg and broke her leg, and she was on the ground screaming, ‘Don’t call the ambulance. My mom can’t afford it,’” he said. “She was 5. That’s followed me my whole life. Health care is always going to be my No. 1 thing.”
LeBlanc was part of a small team on hand to gather signatures for Patrick, a late entry to the field who announced his presidential bid in November. LeBlanc said Patrick’s executive experience is especially appealing.
“He’s the only one that’s actually balanced a budget and worked with both sides of the aisle because, at the end of the day, you have to govern,” he said.
Nashville’s Jana Uttz said she was tired of feeling helpless, so she drew inspiration from her favorite quote from former President Barack Obama: “The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something.”
She said she supports activist Tom Steyer for the nomination because of his business background and the fact he isn’t a “career politician.”
“I can do my part, and at the end of the night I can lay my head down and get a good night’s rest because I’m not responsible for the outcome,” she said. “I come from a small business background, so I’m very interested in looking at leadership that has some business acumen, and Tom Steyer started a small business that he grew into a corporation.”
As for the state of the race, Uttz said she believes many voters are committed to their respective candidates but driven by a desire to see Trump removed from office.
“I’m actually finding both to be the case,” she said. “There are a lot of people who are undecided because of the vast number of candidates, so they are really candidate shopping right now. You see a lot across the board, actually. What we’re finding in our camp is people who are disillusioned, who voted for Trump the first time, are looking for candidates who are not career politicians on the Democratic side. That’s great news for a first-time candidate.”
10 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Justanidiot
delusional, sad people.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020 Report this
FASTFREDWARD4
What Party.
Wednesday, January 29, 2020 Report this
bendover
A gathering at the trough waiting for more spoils to be garnished. How come no vocations of these so called "volunteers" listed? OH, because most don't have a real job...Pass the bowl of calamari and box of doughnuts.
Wednesday, January 29, 2020 Report this
pallyboy
So nice to see all these faces in the Beacon, so I will know what these poor, pathetic, fascist Commies look like in "real life." I wouldn't allow a "democrat" in my house. Love the people who actually admit that they are entitled to "Other Folk's Money"...typical Commie Crats...and now we can start a real campaign to remove that Joke...David Bennett.
Wednesday, January 29, 2020 Report this
KimLorene
How are the current democrats in office working out for you? They need to go!
Some people can't think for themselves and just follow the crowd. baa baa
Thursday, January 30, 2020 Report this
pallyboy
This is the BEST Explanation anyone will ever hear or see regarding the difference between Conservatives and Leftist Libs. Watch it to the end, and every school in the US should be required to have their students watch it!! Morally Bankrupt Leftists!
https://www.prageru.com/video/jordan-peterson-educates-climate-activist/
Thursday, January 30, 2020 Report this
Cat2222
We chose a party based on what aligns best with our life philosophy. We base our decisions on what is most important to us. I can appreciate and respect that other people have different points of view. I just don't understand why people feel the need to denigrate and disrespect another person because they don't agree. That happens a lot here.
Friday, January 31, 2020 Report this
thepilgrim
Cat, It isn’t about disagreeing with someone. It’s recognizing and trying to stop our mortal enemies who are anti constitutional and anti American to an extreme and who are pushing their Marxist agenda. We are all just a hair away from being in concentration camps because of these liberal, treasonous fools
Friday, January 31, 2020 Report this
Cat2222
@Robert
Not all democrats lean far left just as not all conservatives lean far right. There are a huge amount of us that sit right in the middle. I don't call you my mortal enemy or a fool because you have a different political view. You are no better when you make those comments then the ones you are calling out.
Monday, February 3, 2020 Report this
perky4175
what are people blind the dems are destroying this country
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Report this