Cicilline won't appear on WPRO debate

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP/WPRI) - Providence Mayor David Cicilline plans to skip a radio debate Wednesday on WPRO-AM's "Buddy Cianci Show" in his bid for the Democratic nomination to succeed Patrick Kennedy in Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District.

Eric Hyers, Cicilline's campaign manager, said Tuesday that Cicilline "on principle" does not go on Cianci's show. Hyers would not specify why or comment further.

Cianci, Cicilline's predecessor in office and the longest-serving mayor of Providence before being sent to prison for corruption in 2002, has often used his show as a vehicle to go after the current mayor. Cianci is not scheduled to participate in the hour-long debate and news reporters will ask the questions, but the debate is being billed as a presentation of the "Buddy Cianci Show," Program Manager Paul Giammarco said.

The station is holding debates all week among primary opponents in various races, all of which are scheduled during the last hour of Cianci's talk show. Giammarco said the 5 p.m. slot was picked because it was a good time to reach commuters as they're driving home.

No reliable polls have been conducted in the congressional race since Kennedy announced in February he was leaving -- but Cicilline has several advantages. As mayor of the state's capital city since 2003, he has greater name recognition than his three Democratic opponents in the Sept. 14 primary.

He also has far more money to run a campaign, with about $900,000 cash on hand as of the end of June, according to federal campaign filings. Businessman Anthony Gemma had about $181,000, former Democratic Party Chairman Bill Lynch had about $138,000, and state Rep. David Segal had $80,000.

Gemma on Tuesday said Cicilline is "running and hiding" from an important debate. A spokesman for Lynch said voters want to hear from Cicilline.

Hyers said Cicilline has participated in several debates and forums, including an Eyewitness News debate last month and meet-the-candidates events that some of his opponents did not attend.

WPRO-AM's website shows Cicilline appeared on an "exclusive open forum" with morning show host John DePetro back in May.

The winner of the primary is expected to face Republican state Rep. John Loughlin in the Nov. 2 general election.