The candles of Chanukah have dimmed, the lights of Christmas glow,

'Tis the season to cherish friends and extend a hand to a foe.

In the columning game, it's time to add up the score

And offer greetings to pols from George Bush to Al Gore.

From the bluest of regions, from Rhode Island to Maine,

Best wishes to the president in the second term of his reign.

Republicans rule, which gives Governor Don Carcieri an in,

Same for Senator Linc Chafee, if he can accept them as kin.

Many folks we know still mourn John Kerry's defeat,

In his circles of power, they'd have had a good seat.

Manager Mary Beth Cahill made his campaign jell,

Though not as well as she did for Senator Claiborne Pell.

Kerry strategist Tad Devine, often on your television screen,

Was an operative who graced Joe Paolino's electoral scene.

Kerry's Rhode Island fundraisers could not have been finer:

No White House perks for Gerry Harrington, Rick McAuliffe, Mark Weiner.

And Richard Licht, who chaired the campaign here,

Can watch the inaugural on TV with pretzels and beer.

Mazel tov to Jack Reed, who scored the win of his life:

Julia Hart has agreed to be the Democratic senator's wife.

So come along for the ride, we'll touch plenty of bases,

It's not just pols - you'll see all kinds of faces.

I must say, one favorite is sidelined for the season:

Newsman Jim Taricani, in home confinement for no good reason.

Federal Judge Ernest Torres put him there for criminal contempt,

Leaving legions of television news junkies very ferklempt.

Let's go to the State House, seat of great power:

When citizens demand action, some lawmakers cower.

Speaker Bill Murphy, who seeks to hold on to his throne,

Is being challenged by the ambitious John DeSimone.

House Majority Leader Gordon Fox runs the show on the floor,

With Finance chair Steve Costantino helping to lower the roar.

Rep. Frank A. Montanaro's career appears dead:

Republican foe Jim Davey handed him his head.

When President Joe Montalbano speaks, other senators take heed

Or they'll have to answer to Majority Leader Teresa Paiva Weed.

Mike Lenihan, June Gibbs, John McBurney stand tall,

Their service is senior to most if not all.

Here's Sen. Elizabeth Roberts -- higher office is a love,

Watch her try to succeed Charlie Fogarty and become lieutenant gov.

Fogarty eyes governor, a race he could win,

But will he first marry Sen. Maryellen Goodwin?

Look for Secretary of State Matt Brown to run for Chafee's seat,

And Sheldon Whitehouse wants to win something -- it would be quite a feat.

As for promoters of bills, I hate casinos but respect in my bones

The lobbying work of Chief Matthew Thomas and Harrah's Jan Jones.

Put away the menorah, store it for next year,

And visit state courts, where all may draw near.

If you hear someone declaiming about Abraham Lincoln,

It's Chief Justice Frank Williams, who's always thinkin'.

New Supreme Court Justice Bill Robinson is a very nice fella,

He'll be glad to tell you of his trip to the Baths of Caracalla.

With a recent departure, the court now wanders and meanders,

Where have you gone, former Justice Bob Flanders?

Family Court has taken on a magnificent addition;

It's where Laureen D'Ambra brings her insight and erudition.

In District Court, Bill Clifton has signed on for the duration,

His family must have more judges than any other in the nation.

There's a new U.S. Attorney, Robert Corrente by name,

It's a great office for building up recognition and fame.

In Washington, Patrick Kennedy fits the House like a glove,

Though some folks prefer his cousin-in-law, Arnold the gov.

Jim Langevin holds the other House seat, and it's worth a mention

That he got to address the Democratic National Convention.

Wrap up the packages, decorate them with bows,

Our mayors like to preen, from their heads to their toes.

Cranston's Steve Laffey is king of headlines and self-promotion,

Though Providence's David Cicilline also warms to the notion.

Politics would be empty without consultants, commentators, and aides,

Let's mention some here before our memory fades:

Debbie Rich, Greg McCarthy, Ernie Anguilla, Mike Guilfoyle,

Leonard Lopes, Serena Conley, Xiomara Calise, Mike Doyle.

Larry Berman, Mike McMahon, Karen Southern and Jeff Neal

Are good people to know when putting together a deal.

Ken McKay worked to swell Republican legislative ranks,

But in most cases, the voters said, "No, thanks."

Marc Genest, Victor Profughi, Pablo Rodriguez have views

They'd be glad to have you spread about in the news.

The state is rich with academic leaders bright and reliant:

It's hard to beat President Ron Machtley of Bryant.

If you're looking for experience, one man is your pick:

That would be the esteemed John Nazarian over at RIC.

Mary Sylvia Harrison deftly comes to the aid

Of kids enrolled in the Rhode Island Children's Crusade.

In the city of Providence, where there's always a storm over schools,

Superintendent Melody Johnson is the authority who rules.

To make the economy go, you need lots of gelt,

This is where bankers make their presence so felt.

At the Bank of America, whose merger with Fleet is sealed,

Say hi to Ken Lewis, Anne Finucane and Bill Hatfield.

At Citizens Bank, one name climbs higher and higher:

Barbara Cottam oversees communications -- her pen is on fire.

Out there in the ether, Old Stone continues its fight:

Bernie Buonanno and Jim Rosati are being proved right.

Joseph Le strives to do everything relevant

To help Southeast Asians with socioeconomic development.

At the Chamber of Commerce, Jim Hagan's still president,

But in that post Laurie White is thought soon to be resident.

Greet Frank J. Montanaro, monarch of labor's domain,

Carcieri likes to attack him for political gain.

Speaking of firefighters, perhaps it's time for Paul Valletta

To make peace with Mayor Laffey and end the vendetta.

Some hospitable folks think owning a hotel is nice:

Wishing full houses to Judy Cullen, Arthur Robbins, Stan Weiss.

Caterers Guy Abelson and Carol Smith prepare meals so de-lish,

And delicatessen owner Joslin Davis offers one terrific knish.

Of restaurateurs Billa Madan, Alan Costantino, Neath Pal, count us a fan,

At East Providence's Young China, meet Elsie, Steve, and Donna Yan.

Photographers Julie and Steve Brigidi snap the finest of pix,

Alan Zura and Kyle Stone will sell you great (but pricey) tix.

Looking for furniture? Try out a seat

And ask for the Cardis: Nick, Ron, or Pete.

Say, have you heard any good lawyer jokes?

We could bundle them up and give them to folks

Like Dennis Coleman, Rafael Ovalles and Jeff Pine --

Beverly Ledbetter and Bernie Jackvony would also do fine.

You have to admire the durability of John D. Lynch,

I'd love to see a Len O'Brien client sing like a finch.

I don't imagine there'd be too much resistance

To thanking Jon Houston for running Justice Assistance.

If I could dream -- do I have your permission?

It would be nice some day not to need an Ethics Commission.

But there it is, right across the street from here,

Staffed by Kent Willever and Katherine D'Arezzo, folks of good cheer.

In this busiest of seasons, when people dash and hurry,

Let's pause to remember Judge Florence K. Murray.

Rep. Paul Sherlock was full of good deeds,

Fighting for people who had special needs.

Bob Riesman defended Israel and befriended many pols,

In his case, always upstanding guys and dolls.

Senate aide Hope Harris left to meet her maker,

It was the only place she wanted anyone to take her.

And Nancy Gewirtz was determined, her course so sure,

To make people understand what it would be like to be poor.

At her RIC Poverty Institute, Kate Brewster now is director

And Linda Katz remains in charge of its policy sector.

Build a snowman, let sleigh bells ring,

There are still plenty of names whose praises we sing.

New England football fans would have to be daft

Not to appreciate Bob and Jonathan Kraft.

Hail to the Red Sox, baseball's greatest team,

Give some credit to CEO Larry Lucchino and pal Jerry Kapstein.

Did you ever wonder what would happen if the Providence Bruins

Had Mondor, Tamburro & Schwechheimer to lift 'em from attendance ruins?

At Angelo's, Brown hockey coach Digit Murphy dines with her recruits,

As waitress Christine Manfredi serves pasta, vegetables and fruits.

Brown women's basketball has a new assistant who's tall, not teeny,

She once played for Stanford -- hello, Christina Batastini.

In extolling fighters for justice, you'll hit a grand slam

Should you mention the Rev. Jim Miller and Rabbi Alan Flam.

It's important to keep Kate Monteiro in your sights

If you care about lesbian and gay civil rights.

When children get in trouble and their problems start to mount,

Call Elizabeth Burke Bryant of Rhode Island Kids Count.

In combatting hunger, one institution takes the honors:

The Community Food Bank, run by Bernie Beaudreau, Rosie Connors.

As Planned Parenthood continues to stand up for choice

Count on CEO Miriam Inocencio to be a strong voice.

Richard Godfrey and Susan Baxter could write a long tome

On the need to provide every Rhode Islander a home.

And in her work for HUD could we have a cheer

For the department's state director, Nancy Smith Greer?

May the new year bring you health and wealth in a pack,

And wouldn't it be wonderful to have peace in Iraq?

M. Charles Bakst, The Journal's political columnist, can be reached by e-mail at mbakst@projo.com