This morning, the Rhode Island Board of Elections confirmed that the Moderate Party of Rhode Island (MPRI) has presented in excess of 23,589 certified signatures of registered voters in Rhode Island, qualifying the MPRI to become a recognized political party for the 2010 elections. The MPRI can now operate as a peer alongside the Democratic and Republican parties in Rhode Island.

Formal party recognition allows the Moderate Party of Rhode Island to have a party line on the 2010 ballot. Recognition also allows the Moderate Party to fund raise as a political party, with vastly different limits than apply to non-parties.

10 months ago, we began the quest to gain formal party recognition. To achieve that status, we have had to file and win a federal lawsuit overturning a portion of Rhode Island's ballot access laws as unconstitutional. We have also had to meet the 12th highest signature threshold total in the country - a massive undertaking more appropriate to states many times Rhode Island's size. It is ironic that a state that is considered one of the most democratic (in terms of party dominance) states in our nation has been one of the least democratic states in terms of how our democracy has been allowed to function.

We now commence an even more difficult undertaking than gaining party recognition: our next goal is to have a significant impact on the 2010 elections in Rhode Island. We will bring the same energy, focus and drive to this new quest that has brought us success in our quest for party recognition.

You have seen what we can accomplish in ten months. Just watch what we can accomplish in the next 14 months!!

Our message is the right message at the right time. For too long now, Democracy in our state has stagnated. Rhode Island suffers from political problems that can only be solved by political solutions. The Moderate Party of Rhode Island intends to bring a sharp focus back to the issues that most directly threaten our quality of life and the future of our state: the 4 Es which are Economy, Education, Ethics and the Environment.

Thank you to everyone who has helped to make the Moderate Party of RI a reality. Together, we have accomplished one of the most elusive of political goals: Doing that which the entrenched powers did not want us to do.

Special thanks go out to Steve Brown and the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and volunteer attorneys Mark Freel and Rob Coulter, without whose assistance our goose would have been unequivocally cooked.

To the 33,998 Rhode Islanders who signed our petition sheets, the Moderate Party will do its utmost to fulfill our promise to bring positive change to our political system.

A huge debt of gratitude is also owed to the benefactors both large and small who have donated their time and/or money to our cause.

Arlene Violet has performed yeoman's work in providing guidance to the Party and using her extensive network to bring just the right people at just the right time.

A major thank you is also needed for my employees, who have put up with tremendous upheaval in their work lives as our offices became 'signature central' this summer.

Lori Kennelly's superb web site and graphic design skills are wholly responsible for the 'best political party' web site in the state, along with our t-shirt, logo and button designs.

And lastly, for those crazed individuals who helped us process all of those signatures on all of those pieces of paper into and through the wee hours of the morning (Margaret Paynich, Lori Ann D'Antonio, Matt Lenz and Heather Lambert) - a huge thank you. Our success at signature collection was largely due to Margaret's organizational prowess and drive.

A celebratory 'party' party is being planned. Details will be provided shortly.


Just watch what we do next.