Fogarty Outraises Carcieri for Governor's Race

Lt. Gov. Fogarty, Dem. candidate for Governor, has outraised Gov. Carcieri this quarter. No easy achievement concidering the press afforded him in the Projo hasn't exactly proven overwhelming. What is more remarkable is that he hasn't used his personal fortune (which he lacks) to do it.

Fogarty has applied for matching state funds, which limits him to spending slightly under two million dollars for the campaign. In his first term, Carcieri spent about 2 1/2 million and used about one and 1/2 million dollars of his own fortune.

Fogarty is also dramatically ahead in PAC monies. What makes Fogarty's feat even more remarkable is the giving by "ordinary" citizens. Three times as many folk gave to Fogarty & the average donation was a hundred bucks.

This now places both candidates on an equal footing (at least for awhile). Charlie Fogarty rec'd favorable press in both Projo & the Boston Globe.

While early pundits didn't give this race much of a chance, it's shaping up to be as interesting as the Senate race (without the primaries). Charlie's also been doing well in the polls & a national oddsmaker has always put the race as very close.

It's also noted that Charlie spent some funds for a speaking coach. More politicans or would-be's should do the same. It's a relatively small expense and could return in a big way. Some of our politicans are just not very good speakers (or have easily overcome speech impediments) and could use help. Having done a lot of public speaking in my time (you try entertaining 25 kids on a regular basis), it's importance is not to be overlooked. Using a coach (Princess Diana did) can take one from being mundane (read boring) to truly listenable & an attention-getter.