With 2026 drawing closer, the approval ratings for Gov. Dan McKee and Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos declined in a new poll by the Pell Center at Salve Regina University. The poll shows approval falling two percentage points for each of the two state officials since an earlier Pell survey in June, with McKee showing a […]
Sheldon Whitehouse
Posted inLocal, Politics
Can Rhode Island voters make a difference in swing states?
Marti Rosenberg is a longtime liberal activist in Rhode Island. So it’s no surprise when she asks the more than 50 people gathered at the Blue Room, a bar and music venue in the Pawtuxet Village section of Cranston, to contribute to Kamala Harris’ campaign for president. “Give big, give now, spread the word,” Rosenberg […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Aug. 2, 2024
It’s a sign of the times when CVS Health unveils a new initiative meant to help vulnerable people deal with the effects of extreme weather. You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Long an advocate for reforming the Supreme Court, Whitehouse lauds Biden’s plan
While making structural changes to the nation’s highest court may seem unlikely during an era of hyper-partisanship and divided government, Rhode Island U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse contends that support is growing. On Monday, President Biden used an op-ed in the Washington Post to flesh out his endorsement for imposing 18-year term limits and a binding […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
RI, MA politicians react to President Biden’s decision to end his re-election campaign
Political leaders in Rhode Island and Massachusetts offered swift reaction to Sunday’s bombshell announcement by President Biden that he would drop out of his race for a second term as president. “President Biden made a selfless and noble decision” Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said in a prepared statement. “We are forever grateful for his […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Whitehouse says Biden’s assessment on whether to keep running is ‘the responsible thing for him to do’
U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse – who made national news by saying he was horrified by President Biden’s recent debate performance – said Wednesday that Biden is doing the right thing by assessing whether to continue his campaign. “I think it’s the responsible thing for him to do,” Whitehouse told reporters after an unrelated news conference […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for April 19, 2024
School vacation week made for some swift journeys across the Washington Bridge. You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** STORY OF THE WEEK: As the […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Feb. 23, 2024
Oh the fun the Follies would have had with the Washington Bridge! You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** STORY OF THE WEEK: On Wednesday, […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse on the wars in Israel and Ukraine, the economy and presidential politics
The global scene is marked by violence and uncertainty, with wars in Israel and Ukraine. Closer to home, many Americans are dissatisfied with their choices amid a likely showdown between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Congress remains sharply divided, and paralysis prevails on issues like immigration. Many Americans feel jittery about the economy, even with a soaring stock market and low unemployment. Can politicians make a positive difference on the issues that matter most? Is there a path for less suffering in Gaza and a more robust defense of Ukraine? And is 81-year-old Joe Biden the guy to lead America into the future? I’m Ian Donnis and this week I’m going in depth with U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.
Posted inPolitics
Biden nominates DuBose for judicial post in RI
DuBose, who was nominated as a state district court judge by then-Gov. Gina Raimondo in 2018, would be the first person of color and the first LGBT person to serve as a U.S. District Court judge in Rhode Island. “We commend President Biden for nominating Judge DuBose for this seat on the U.S. District Court […]