EDITORIAL

The right moment to build new bonds

Posted

Nights have been refreshingly cool, and days have been pleasantly warm. The recent stretch of near perfect weather has provided Rhode Islanders a chance to immerse ourselves in the moment, enjoy the outdoors, and dream of the summer yet to come.

Gina Raimondo is enjoying the moment, too, and for reasons that go beyond sunny skies and comfortable temperatures.

Not long ago, the governor found herself in the midst of perhaps the most trying time in her political career.

The botched rollout of the “Cooler & Warmer” marketing campaign struck a deeply negative chord with many citizens of the Ocean State. The episode and its fallout added new fuel to a narrative common among Raimondo’s critics – that she has been too insulated, too disconnected from the people of her state, too closely tied to elites in places like Silicon Valley, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

In the wake of the “Cooler & Warmer” fiasco, Raimondo pledged accountability and expressed an understanding of the reasons for the uproar. She also promised to take to heart the lessons from what she dubbed a “screw-up,” and to focus anew on listening to, and learning from, her constituents.

The weeks since have seen the governor increasing her visibility in our communities, such as through a recent visit with Warwick shellfisherman Jody King. The push to re-connect is clearly under way.

Such events and trips, of course, have a great deal to do with optics and self-interest. That is the case for any elected official is virtually any context. Yet the importance of the symbolism does go beyond politics. We applaud the governor for sharing the spotlight of her position with people like King – those who truly make up the fabric of our state. We hope she continues to do so.

Raimondo has also benefited from a recent piece of good news – General Electric’s announcement of plans to bring scores of high-tech, high-paying jobs to Rhode Island. While it will be several years before we know precisely how beneficial the company’s decision will be for our state, it is unquestionably positive and carries enormously potential.

GE’s plans – and its strikingly strong praise for Raimondo’s leadership – provide an instant counter to the critical narrative. The corporate connections and elite company the governor keeps suddenly become less attributable to her own ambitions, and much more credibly about bringing investment and innovation to a Rhode Island economy in desperate need of both.

None of this is to let the governor off the hook for the mistakes made during the marketing campaign, or to dismiss her critics. There does, at times, seem to be too much of a focus on outside voices, too much stock placed in trying to replicate policy plans from other cities and states.

Raimondo has on many occasions demonstrated great resilience, and a willingness to take on big problems. Her term runs for roughly two more years, and regardless of her future political plans, it’s clear she has much work ahead in terms of strengthening her bond with an anxious, frustrated constituency.

We are pleased to see the governor’s renewed efforts on that front, and hope they continue. Rhode Island needs, and deserves, inspiring and effective leadership.

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