In Politics, One Often Gets a Second Chance

Republican-turned-Independent, former Senator Lincoln Chaffee of Rhode Island has loaned his exploratory committee for the Governor's race $200,000, bringing its war chest up to approximately $400k.

Currently, he has but a fraction of the Democratic frontrunner and less than the other Democratic rival, but with no Republicans declared and considering his name recognition, along with his family's place in the state's political culture, he's still one to watch.

Mr. Chafee is expected to announce his candidacy on Monday.

Narragansett N'er-a-clue?

Christopher Young tried to physically confront Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) over abortion funding at a November health care forum held at Brown University. Afterwards, he returned to the microphone and refused to stop speaking until police dragged him from the room.

As a result, he pled not guilty to disorderly conduct this morning and in response to his December 4th banishment from university property, Mr. Young released the following statement;

"This is clearly a retaliatory action against me as a candidate for Mayor of Providence, because I have publicly stated my desire to tax Brown University property and to remove private police powers from Brown University security," he said in a statement in advance of the arraignment. "Brown University obviously has a vested interest in trying to stop me from becoming Mayor of Providence. They know, clearly, I will tax Brown University property and use the money to reduce rents and property taxes for the rest of the residents and voters in the city of Providence."

Semi-Related: After town hall threats, lawmakers still wait for answers