filed under Democracy | Douchebags | Election 2008 | Funniness | Only In RI | Politics
If At First You Are Impeached, Try, Try Again
3:10PM ON
07/09/2008
BY
Ariel Werner
Ericka J. Atwell, a senior at Rhode Island College, was impeached from her position as the school’s Student Community Government Deputy Speaker in March, but she’s decided to give politics another go…with more on the line. After having been found guilty of circulating candidacy petitions on behalf of other students—an action forbidden by RIC SCG bylaws—the 22-year-old has filed to run for District 27 State Representative as a Republican against incumbent Representative Patricia A. Serpa.
Atwell’s Republican primary challenger, Thomas K. Jones, questions the wisdom of his party in endorsing this controversial young woman. “If the Republican Party is going to be taken seriously in Rhode Island,” he told the ProJo, “We need to run serious candidates with a track record of being involved in their communities.”
Atwell, who learned a great deal about political integrity during her internship with Governor Carcieri, explains, “I’ve moved on to bigger and better things. I loved serving the students and working with the administration, but I learned that sometimes you have to cut your losses and move forward.”
In an earlier version of this post, I alluded to an inside rumor about Ericka J. Atwell campaigning in a mini-dress and heels. I apologize for including this piece of gossip, although it did come from a fairly credible source. As a young woman active in politics, I often resent the extent to which I must dress more formally and frigidly than my male counterparts in order to be taken seriously, and it would be a shame to propagate rumors about a young female candidate—rumors that very well might be aimed at discrediting her based on her age and appearance—when I myself am so familiar with this struggle. I apologize for including that tidbit. If it’s true, however, it’s still hilarious, not to mention totally inappropriate.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:01PM
Jim Rizzo Says:
So she learned about political integrity while learning how to ignore the people who vote for you? Sounds like a real winner… especially if she considers Carcieri a good example of a good political leader.
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July 25th, 2008 at 1:26PM
SoKrates Says:
Its all about image- particularly when constituents don’t even probe into what the hell you’re all about.
By that standard, the person she runs against better be hotter than her. If he has to wear a shorter miniskirt, so be it!
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