lavendergrowing101 t1_jc1xb1p wrote on March 13, 2023 at 1:25 PM

Reply to comment by PigpenMcKernan in Rolling Stone: A Top House Democrat Peaces Out on the Gerontocracy by Beezlegrunk

He has not "cherry picked" a successor though, he's left the seat open in what's now looking like a very chaotic primary. A no, running a non-profit that largely gives out scholarships does not have the same impact as serving in congress where he can enact real policy. I'm sure he'll get to keep having fancy dinners with important people, but he will not have his hands on the levers of power like before. I for one and pretty disappointed in his decision.

Yelling_Jellyfish t1_jc291ql wrote on March 13, 2023 at 2:52 PM

How much policy do you think a member of the House's minority caucus gets to influence?

It's fine to be disappointed. I am too. He seemed like an effective communicator and a big positive for the Democratic Party, such as it is, but if not up, then out.

Why sit for two more years out of power just to get blocked again when the new House convenes in 2024?

lavendergrowing101 t1_jc2qrmx wrote on March 13, 2023 at 4:49 PM

Actually you can have an enormous amount of influence, far more than as a head of a non-profit. Particularly via his work on the judiciary committee where a lot of the anti-trust and anti-big tech stuff has some bipartisan support. And you know there are elections every two years, right?

Yelling_Jellyfish t1_jc2xi7w wrote on March 13, 2023 at 5:34 PM

Yes- see above "when the new House convenes in 2024".

Clearly he feels like there isn't a path forward in the House, or at least not one as attractive as the RI Foundation. Why keep eating crow when there's a major opportunity sitting there?

listen_youse t1_jc4pa02 wrote on March 14, 2023 at 12:40 AM

Because elected officials are so determined to avoid responsibility over troublesome issues, the Rhode Island Foundation is actually who we have to thank for setting local policies on education and homelessness. Nicest thing I can say about them is some policy is better than no policy. I have no idea what Cicilline intends to change if anything.