Port in question, but Quonset keeps growing.(container port at Quonset Point, Rhode Island)

Politicians running so desperately for seats in Washington, D.C. have been quick to grab onto issues most likely to resonate with voters. Pollsters tell them to talk about abortion and prescription drug plans -- and they do.

In the recently completed Rhode Island primary elections -- where Democratic. Senate and Congressional candidates engaged in bitter personal attacks -- the abortion issue took center stage. No one talked about rising fuel costs. No one talked about education reform.

And perhaps the biggest economic development issue in the state's history -- the idea of building a container port at Quonset Point/Davisville hardly rose above after-thought status.

But Tom Schumpert, executive director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, is not offended.

Schumpert took over the EDC on June 20, arriving after the forced resignation of John Swen -- the result of a controversy involving the misuse of state-issued credit cards.

Schumpert came to the quasi public EDC armed with an impressive resume, one marked by a distinguished banking career and a stint as the director of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation.

His priorities upon arriving at EDC were clear-cut. Restore …