If Chanukah is coming, with its miracle gift of light

And Christmas soon follows, with its trees of great height,

Then you know where you are, it's that time of the year

For holiday greetings to pols far and near.

It is only fitting, for they perform a great service

Giving columnists fodder even if making you nervous.

They strut and they preen and often behave badly

But in the journalism game, we need them madly.

And sometimes I cheer them, as when they dream

Of a Providence stadium for the Patriots team.

I would have liked that - convenient, spacious and towering

Can I help it if the players aren't always overpowering?

Pats fan Linc Almond tops the names on our list

Of the famous and of folks the spotlight might have missed.

And one thing's for sure - if the spotlight's on stage,

Buddy Cianci's there too, to the governor's rage.

Some good guys are in the Capitol, doing the congressional deed:

John Chafee, Patrick Kennedy, Bob Weygand, Jack Reed.

Did you know we have a lieutenant governor - Jackvony, Bernie?

Next year he embarks on his first electoral journey.

He got his job by appointment but now must run to hold it,

If he can't beat Charles Fogarty he'll just have to fold it.

Wait a minute - even though his chances may be lean-y,

The Democratic nominee could be David Cicilline.

Myrth York mounts another bid for the governor's seat -

Ousting Mr. Almond would be quite a tall feat.

For the most furious action, keep your eye on Jeff Pine

Here's an attorney general who's not doing so fine.

At least that's what Democrats say - you know the drill:

One's named Mancuso, Eva, the other Guglietta, Bill.

General Treasurer Nancy Mayer has had enough in her role,

Could a race for Kennedy's seat be her next goal?

Republicans Chris Callahan and Jim Bennett eye her post

As does Democrat Paul Tavares, who may want it the most.

Secretary of State Jim Langevin is someone extraordinarily rare:

A Rhode Island general officeholder from the Democrats' lair.

Drink down some egg nog, hitch up the sleigh,

Department directors can help make your day.

Especially Bob Carl, Administration's top guy:

He has all the power state revenue can buy.

Here's a gift for Economic Development's John Swen:

A set of Six Flags, a contract and a pen.

DOT's William Ankner plows roads, so he looks to the sky,

But train projects lag, and I want to know why.

Andy McLeod has settled in at DEM's helm

Parks, fish and air fall into his realm.

Old hand Ed Culhane superintends the state cops,

And at MHRH, Kathryn Power remains tops.

Cheers to Ed Morabito, the governor's staff chief

And counsel Joe Larisa, who saves Almond from grief.

Out on the front lines are Eric Cote, Armeather Gibbs,

Those are not jobs on which I'd like to have dibs.

Campaign chair John Holmes has high highs and low lows

Which is fine with the gov, as long as he dispatches the foes.

Hear ye] Hear ye] Order in the court -

Let's recognize some judges of the excellent sort.

Topping the roll is a Supreme jurist of fame,

Maureen McKenna Goldberg, what a marvelous name.

She won the seat after Meg Curran's life was made helly

By House Democratic leaders whose motives were smelly.

All rise and greet Goldberg's Superior successor,

The renowned Rogeriee Thompson, a jurist no lesser.

Now over to the Assembly, an often odious den

Though among its ranks are some honorable men.

In the Senate, Whip Bill Enos is a stand-up guy,

So is Finance chair Mike Lenihan - that's no lie.

This column has had differences with Paul Kelly the leader

But he still remains a loyal and always valued reader.

In the House of Reps there are ranters and ravers,

But then there's thoughtful Maxine Bradford Shavers.

Marsha Carpenter is another you'd be honored to choose,

As is Mike Pisaturo, even if you disagree with his views.

Maybe the menorah can shed light on some mysteries -

Once prominent people with interesting histories.

We know that ego beckons and desire overwhelms

But how explain Bill Weld's insulting Jesse Helms?

How come Dick Morris, who lives in disgrace,

Bops into Rhode Island and spits in our face?

Where's Claudine Schneider, who met a sad fate -

She lost a Senate race and disappeared from the state.

I know Junior Patriarca's away, but why doesn't he write?

I try sending messages to him, but he still doesn't bite.

What does the future hold for former Gov. Ed DiPrete?

His lawyer Richard Egbert is a tough guy to beat.

And six years have passed but we still have no news

Why Ed Wood quit Bruce Sundlun without leaving us clues.

Now here's something sad - indeed it is tragic

Some friends passed away, we've been deprived of their magic.

I'm thinking of Tom Cashill, political adviser,

And Sheila Duffy - there was none braver or wiser.

Fry up some latkes, decorate the tree

These rhymes may be tortured, but I've got to be me.

At the Chamber of Commerce, where they admire Ronald Reagan,

The staffer in charge is President Jim Hagan.

But to tout Greater Providence and have it done right

Get a video made by Vice President Laurie White.

Need a loan? Dean Holt will sound very upbeat,

In Rhode Island he's the chairman of the bank known as Fleet.

Roger Begin's there too - that may strike a political chord

In his other life he heads up the state elections board.

If you stroll over to Citizens, Larry Fish's store

Say hello to Barbara Cottam, the class of his corps.

And listen, whether you speak French, Greek or German,

Bank RI's the only place you can see Merrill Sherman.

Tom Ryan, Jon Farnum, Sheldon Sollosy, Carol Grant -

They make the business world purr, they never say "Can't."

Guy Dufault and Jim Murphy do political consulting -

The intelligence of voters they're always insulting.

Frank Montanaro and George Nee head the parade

Of the state's labor leaders who'll come to your aid.

If you need some construction, don't sit there moanin',

Call the Building Trades Council and speak to Jack Cronin.

For State House clout, you don't want humble beseechers,

I'd go with Marcia Reback, who represents teachers.

Her predecessor has become something of a union dean -

That would be Ed McElroy, now of the Washington scene.

In the political world, all kinds of folk bring us joy:

Luis Aponte, Christine Roundtree, Kate Coyne-McCoy.

Former State House aide Keith Stokes now has a new gig:

Promoting Newport and playing up Amistad big.

Let's not forget feisty Democratic chairman, Rick James

Or Joan Quick, number one on the list of Republican names.

Jack McConnell raises money for the York '98 run

And Cranston's Mike Traficante says he's all done.

Okay, Traf wants to retire, there's no cause for dread -

As long as Sue Rabinowitz is kept as senior services head.

Give the dreidel a spin, jingle those bells,

The more names in the poem, the better it jells.

But before we go on, let's bring some lawyers aboard,

They're useful to know, though hard to afford.

Here are some I come across in the Rhode Island whirl:

Casby Harrison, Rae Condon, Dennis Coleman, Susan McGuirl.

To say school principal Serena Conley has the patience of a saint

Is like suggesting Michelangelo knew a little about paint.

Look for an armory that resembles a castle -

Michael Corrente uses it to make films without hassle.

That southern-accented woman who stars in movie life

Is actress Libby Langdon - she's Michael's wife.

Susan Farmer's Channel 36 is the one place to find

A Lively Experiment, which dazzles the mind.

No matter whether you're poor or you're wealthy,

Channel 10's Jim Taricani wants you to eat heart healthy.

Larry Estepa, Pam Watts, Robin Costello grace Channel 6

Steve Kass and the Sox' Joe Castiglione are our radio picks.

Surveying Rhode Island as holidays approach

We find plenty of people beyond reproach.

They toil in good causes, they don't get cushy deals -

Let's start with Deborah Brayton and her Amos House meals.

At the International Institute, Bill Shuey's the man

Who reaches out to immigrants whether black, yellow or tan.

At Progreso Latino, another place of transition,

Patricia Martinez has the director's position.

At Sojourner House, which shelters victims who've fled

Kendra Marasco helps them plan for brighter lives ahead.

At John Hope Settlement House, once the turf of Ann Hill,

Tom Whitten's now in charge and filling the bill.

At the Alliance for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights,

Kate Monteiro leads the charge to still grander heights.

And at Common Cause, shining light on the pols

Phil West still prays he can save their poor souls.

Good luck to him, as we approach a new year,

Hoping for peace and health and a modest portion of cheer.

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M. Charles Bakst is The Journal-Bulletin's political columnist.