A Lieutenant Governor We Can Get Behind

By Kevin Robinson in News on Feb 18, 2010 2:00PM

While Illinois grapples with the fallout from the Scott Lee Cohen debacle (not to mention Jason Plummer's vast lack of experience and qualifications on the GOP ticket), Rhode Island voters will have the opportunity to support a candidate for the number two slot that stands for nothing. Literally. Rhode Island lawyer Bob Healey is running for Lt. Governor of that state on the Cool Moose Party ticket, and his platform is simple: abolish the office. If elected, Healey promises not to hire a staff, not take the salary, and eventually abolish the office, which absorbs $1 million of the state's budget annually.

“In the past, people said ‘it’s only a million dollars,’ which was a drop in the bucket when they were spending like drunken sailors. But in a budget crunch, a million seems like a lot of money,” Healey told EastBayRI.com. Rhode Island Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts disagrees. “I welcome Mr. Healey into the race for Lieutenant Governor and look forward to having a healthy debate about the future of the state,” Roberts said. “Just as we did four years ago, we fundamentally disagree about the role of this important and vibrant office. During this election season, I will continue to work as lieutenant governor, fighting for quality, affordable health care for all Rhode Islanders, standing up for small businesses in this challenging economy, ensuring the safety and availability of services for our seniors and improving the coordination and responsiveness of emergency services.” The Rhode Island primary is in September.

Hat tip to Steve Rhodes!