Bill Clinton Comes Through For Angry Frank Caprio Despite "Shove It" Comment
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Caprio's response?
"He can take his endorsement and really shove it, as far as I'm concerned."
Bill Clinton isn't the type of guy to hold Caprio's comment against him, and will campaign for the hotheaded candidate anyway. This should come as no real surprise to those following the race, as Clinton has been supporting Caprio for some time.
In July, Clinton said at a Caprio rally in Providence: “You’ve got to have the right governor, and he’s the man standing right there. He intuitively understands what needs to be done.”
Party insiders are wondering what's going on in Obama's mind, however. Politico reported:
"'It's like living in a political twilight zone. How rich is the irony that the President Obama won't endorse Caprio, but former President Clinton will,' one Democratic strategist said. 'Given this political fiasco, every democrat should seriously question whether the White House understands that their goal in 2010 is not to position themselves for a 2012 relection campaign on the poltical carcasses of good democratic candidates. Thankfully, President Clinton is focused on 2010 and saving ALL democrats.'"
There is more to the story, though. Rhode Island Republicans say Caprio almost became one of them. The Providence Journal reports:
"John P. Dodenhoff, the former campaign manager for Republican Stephen Laffey, says that he was invited to lunch in February by Michael Lepizzera — a Cranston lawyer and Republican operative — who broached the idea of Caprio running as a Republican."
It's not known if Obama wanted to steer clear of Caprio for that reason, or if he was just doing a favor for his buddy Chafee, but a non-endorsement for a Democrat before these midterms is a risky political move.
At the same time, Obama may be toxic enough that Caprio's dis is just what voters want.
Bill to the rescue, however.
