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February 21, 2008

Democratic Party elder Pells split on presidential votes

The presidential primary campaign between New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and lllinois Sen. Barack Obama has split some Rhode Island Democratic households, including one of the most revered of party elders, the Pells of Newport.

Former U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell, who was first elected to that post in 1960, is someone so well-liked by Rhode Island voters that he never lost an election, even defeating the late John H. Chafee, a former Rhode Island governor and later senator, in a 1972 race. Pell retired from the Senate in 1996.

Claiborne Pell, 89, has been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for years and no longer speaks in public.

But his wife, Nuala Pell, is a spry 84 and often attends political events, most recently yesterday’s speech at the Providence Biltmore by Michelle Obama. Mrs. Pell is a member of Rhode Island Women for Obama and is voting for the Illinois senator.

Mrs. Pell said today that her husband has voted by shut-in ballot for Clinton. "He can’t get to the polls,’’ she said. "But he worked with [former President] Bill Clinton and he really likes Hillary Clinton.’’

Mrs. Pell said she is a bit more focused on the future and believes Obama would make a good president for the 21st century.

-- Journal staff writer Scott MacKay

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 6:35 PM | Permalink

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