The Countdown to E-Day

Election Day is Coming - Get Your Results Here

On Tuesday, November 6th, The Everyday Republican will be the central location for election results as they come into CTGOP HQ. After the polls close at 8pm, make sure you check in here and find out who has won across the state.

If you will be collecting results or you have results that we don't have posted, feel free on Election Night to post them in the comments section and we will promote them to the full blog.

RNC: Hillary Clinton's Trouble

Happy Friday Afternoon

There may be more Friday posts on this busy Friday afternoon, but I wanted to make sure that we posted an excellent "Happy Friday Afternoon" video after missing last week. Enjoy.

The Reviews Are in - Bingham, Boughton, Richetteli, Murphy, Krampitz Endorsed for Reelection

Mayors Ryan Bingham of Torrington, Mark Boughton of Danbury, Patricia Murphy of New Milford, Jan Kramptiz of Plymouth and Jim Richetelli are just some of the Republicans who have won the endorsements of their local newspapers as we head into the final days of the campaign.

Republican Mayors throughout Connecticut have all been receiving good reviews from the Fourth Estate this year and there is good reason for it. Each are delivering the goods at the local level with strong leadership, a positive vision for the future and by sticking to the Republican principles of fiscal conservatism, personal accountability and safe neighborhoods.

Other Republicans seeking office have been winning endorsements, too, and the following is a reprint of that support by various editorial boards:

From the News-Tiems in Danbury

Mark Boughton for Mayor

Republican Mark Boughton was elected mayor of Danbury in 2001 and easily won re-election in 2003 and 2005. As he seeks a fourth term, he is opposed by Democrat Helena Abrantes __ who has served on the Common Council and as city clerk.

As Boughton ran for re-election two years ago, illegal immigration had become a hot topic in Danbury. He often appeared to be exploiting the issue, using inflammatory rhetoric and seeking personal publicity in the national media. He has toned down the rhetoric and stayed closer to home in the past two years.

That's a better approach. But his previous approach hurt Danbury's image outside the city and hurt the mayor's ability to foster reasonable discussions about illegal immigration within Danbury.
Illegal immigration is the result of the federal government's failure to secure the borders and enforce immigration laws in the nation's interior. It has a socio-economic impact on communities like Danbury __ an impact best handled when leaders try to solve problems rather than exploit them politically.

Boughton is a skilled politician and communicator. There is no reason for him not to get this right, unless he doesn't want to get it right. In the past two years, Boughton's skills have been on display in other areas as he has moved long-needed projects ahead. Schools have been expanded. Construction has begun on a new police headquarters. Construction has been completed on a westside firehouse. The ugly battle between Boughton and the police union over a contract has been resolved.

Abrantes questions the rightness and timing of some of these projects. That's what challengers do. For example, she is critical of the north Main Street location of the new police headquarters.

But the bottom line is that a new police headquarters was needed for decades and Boughton is the mayor who got the project to the point of construction.
Abrantes is more on target when she criticizes Boughton on the campaign fund-raising scandal that has come to sit on his doorstep. James Galante, who owns numerous trash disposal businesses based in Danbury, has been charged with violating state laws in 2003 by reimbursing friends and employees who donated to Boughton, among other candidates.

Galante is currently under house arrest in New Fairfield awaiting trial on federal racketeering charges connected to what prosecutors say was a scheme involving organized crime to limit competition.

Boughton says he did not suspect Galante might be reimbursing donors in order to get around legal limits on campaign donations. But he certainly knew that known associates of Galante, who had business dealings with the city, were funneling donations to his campaign. That's always a troubling practice.

Boughton is the better choice for mayor, given his record and his plans for the future. He has been a good mayor, for the most part. When he runs into trouble it is because of a brand of politics that doesn't serve him or the city well. If re-elected, Boughton must resolve to do better. His record shows he is capable of doing better.

From the Waterbury Republican

Torrington: Ryan J. Bingham

Two years is a mighty short time to draft a political résumé on a blank slate. No, Republican Mayor Ryan J. Bingham hasn't put downtown-revitalizing cranes in the air in Torrington, turned the school system into a national showpiece, driven out all the drug dealers and erased blight. Nor can he claim credit for everything good that has happened in Torrington since he took office in December 2005; his predecessor, Democrat Owen J. Quinn Jr., set the stage for significant progress. But Mayor Bingham, just 24, has exceeded expectations and deserves a second term.

Mayor Bingham was described in our Nov. 6, 2005, endorsement as young and engaging but unprepared. This proved true — the first city council meeting he ran was painful to witness — but he had a fast learning curve and acquired a solid grasp of the city's major issues in a matter of weeks.

The four pillars of Mayor Bingham's campaign have been public safety, economic development, education and fiscal responsibility. His administration has made progress against the major driver of crime in the city, the illicit drug trade, confiscating half a million dollars in cash as well as two houses and 26 vehicles used or owned by drug dealers.

But Democratic challenger Tim Driscoll, a former councilman, has seized on setbacks in the city's $100 downtown-redevelopment scheme, including the decision on Mayor Bingham's watch to reopen the project to bidders other than Jed Hayes, the original developer.

The reality is the project most likely would have followed this track no matter who was mayor. The downtown revitalization as conceived in the late 1990s is highly complex in terms of its financing, use of historic buildings, effect on traffic flows and recreational elements, and therefore subject to delay.

The contract with Mr. Hayes expires Dec. 31, leaving the next mayor two years to move it along. If the state picks up the pace of siting and building a new Litchfield County courthouse in Torrington, as promised, the downtown project's viability could improve.

The mayor has limited influence over public education, but this clearly must be a matter of deep concern for the next administration. Torrington High School has an unacceptably high 20 percent dropout rate, and the middle school is too big, at 1,400 students, to serve its population effectively.

Mayor Bingham and Mr. Driscoll have plans for dealing with high school students who are disruptive or who can't or won't learn. Like the downtown project, this is a pressure point for Tuesday's winner.

That winner should be Mayor Bingham, not because he brought the city out of the wilderness in two years, but because he has gained sufficient confidence and competence to accomplish great things, given the time.





From the Connecticut Post

Richetelli earns nod for 4th term

Milford is on a roll. With increasing desirability of waterfront neighborhoods and downtown, and improved quality of life across the community, the "Small City With a Big Heart" is basking in success. This hardly seems a good time to change leadership.

Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. can take plenty of credit for the good news around town. As he seeks his fourth term in office, he has earned the support of a wide swath of the voting population, and is the choice for the endorsement from the Connecticut Post.

In a community like Milford, it's hard to convince people to make a leadership change without a compelling reason why someone else could do better. And though no city is perfect, Milford is fulfilling its promise as a destination for homeowners and visitors. Without a convincing argument to bring about change, people are likely to stick with what works. Richetelli's leadership has worked well.

The mayor's challenger, Democrat Kerri Rowland, presents a compelling vision herself. She is by far her party's strongest candidate in recent years, and is encouraged to stay active in local politics and continue to work for what's best for Milford. But her relative lack of experience gives pause. After only two years on the Board of Aldermen, she needs more work with local issues before she steps into the city's leadership role.

Similarly, her prescription for dealing with tax increases lacks specifics. Simply saying the city needs to work more efficiently without providing a way to make that happen is not good enough.

Richetelli is encouraged to pay attention to those concerns himself. Though services are better in Milford than in surrounding communities, consistent tax increases have made many residents nervous. His highest priority in his coming term should be finding a way to balance those competing goals. Judging by his record in office, it's a good bet he will continue as a strong leader for the people of Milford.

From the Waterbury Republican

In Plymouth - Jan Krampitz

We had doubts about Republican Jan A. Krampitz when she ran for mayor in 2005, noting she served in a town administration that allowed deep financial-management problems to fester. Democratic incumbent Richard G. Covello was unable to pin these and other problems on her during the campaign, and she won handily. Two years later, the town finds itself in much better financial shape and making discernible progress on a number of other fronts in public education, recreation and economic development. Mayor Krampitz, facing a challenge by Democrat Vincent Festa, has done well in her first term and is well deserving of another turn at the helm.

Barkhamsted - Richard Winn

Five-term Republican Richard Winn has a practical, realistic approach to economic development that should allow the town to grow its tax base while preserving its rural character. It makes him our choice over Democrat Donald Stein, a former selectman, and petitioning candidate George Washington to succeed First Selectman Michael D. Fox.
Beacon Falls

Democratic First Selectman Susan Ann Cable, who presented a town budget with a whopping 14.2 percent spending increase last May and pronounced it "hard to cut" after voters turned it down flat, faces yet another challenge from Republican Arthur Daigle Jr. He earns our support by offering voters a respite from the spending excesses of the Cable administration, but his plans lack detail, and he seems doomed to go down for the third time.

In Harwinton - Candace Jones-Pacholski

Two years ago, Democrat Frank J. Chiaramonte was elected first selectman on a promises of more fiscal responsibility and more open government. Since then, the tax rate has risen from 24.2 mills to 25.78 mills, and he has made it difficult for his constituents to find him in his office or tougher to catch the Board of Selectmen in session. Republican newcomer Candace Jones-Pacholski deserves a chance to prove she can do better.

In New Milford - Patricia A. Murphy

New Milford is fortunate to have three intelligent and well-qualified candidates for mayor this year. Mayor Patricia A. Murphy, who is seeking a third term, Democrat Lawrence B. Stillman and New Milford First candidate Robert C. Kostes are eager to lead the town. Each has particular strengths and positive qualities.

Kostes has rightly focused on the lack of thoroughly and promptly updating the town's Plan of Conservation and Development. It is a document that can help set the broad guidelines for desired growth and preservation, yet the Planning Commission under the present administration has dragged its feet, until recently, with the mandatory 10-year update.

Properly managing the town's growth is one of the most pressing issues that New Milford faces. A balance of industry, commerce, housing and preserved farmland must be achieved and an up-to-date guideline, plus strong leadership, is needed. Kostes' call to hire a town planner, a position that Stillman and other candidates agree with, should be heeded.

In Woodbury - Cris Schaeffer

A trio of honorable senior citizens — Republican Cris Schaefer, 70; Democrat Paul D. Hinckley, 65; and petitioning candidate Duncan McDougall, 70 — are vying for the first selectmen's seat being vacated by Republican Richard Crane.

Mr. Hinckley, a retired corporate marketing executive and selectman, didn't make many friends among Region 14 school district reconfiguration foes by voting not to allow a town meeting and referendum on the plan last spring, and fiscal conservatives couldn't have appreciated his support for a $3.4 million Taj Mahal senior center on a hill behind the town offices.

We therefore endorse Mr. Schaeffer, a retired electronics marketing manager and former Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition director, with the presumption he'll be his own man and will not feel bound to continue the policies of his predecessor.

No Free Lunch for Hillary

Why Not Dodd?

Local Campaigns Go Down to the Wire

Montville Taxes #1 issue for the Mayor's race.

Canterbury tax collector - Democrat candidate owes back taxes.

Preston First Selectman - photos from the debate.

Woodstock students quizz the candidates for First Selectman.

Stamford party control at stake in the Board of Finance race.

The paper ballots are gone.

East Lyme - the winner of the race for First Selectman will have to hit the ground running.

Rudy Scores Big

The Telegraph of Britain has put together a list of America's 100 most influential conservatives and liberals. They have been rolling out the lists all week, and today's was the grand finale. Perhaps surprisingly, the most influential conservative in America is Rudy Giuliani.

"The clear Republican front runner and perhaps the only party nominee who could beat Hillary Clinton in 2008, Giuliani makes the top of our list despite his unorthodox brand of conservatism that is anathema to many on the Christian Right."

For the liberals, the list is downright odd. Our old friend President Bill Clinton makes the top of the list, Al Gore is second, and Clinton strategist Mark Penn is third (?). Senator and Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton came in fourth. Clearly no one from DailyKos was consulted about this list.

Even more interesting is that the Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is listed 6th on the liberal list. While he certainly doesn't govern as a conservative by any means, his staunch support of Rudy Giuliani and his prime time address at the Republican National Convention apparently aren't enough stripes to get him off the liberal list.

Staffieri, Lauretti, Pace all endorsed for Reelection

Derby Mayor Tony Staffieri, Shelton Mayor Marc Lauretti and First Selectman Mike Pace were all endorsed for reelection by their local newspapers.

It's easy to see why. Each of these outstanding leaders have gotten the job done for their communities - leading through excellent management, forward thinking and direct contact with the voters.


In Derby, the Connecticut Post said of Staffieri, who won Connecticut's smallest city in 2005:

"Staffieri knows his constituency inside and out, and has a clear vision of what Derby once was, and what he wants it to be again. Life on the streets — that's what he remembers from his youth, and what he foresees in the future. For far too long, Derby was neglected, its downtown left to fester in a post-industrial malaise. In his two years in office, the mayor has taken steps to reverse that process, and displays the utmost confidence and self-assurance that his tack is the right one."

Lauretti, who is seeking his eighth term, has transformed Shelton during his tenure from a sleepy old industrial town along the Naugatuck River, into a growing community filled with new businesses and residential development.

The Post in its endorsement:

"No doubt, Lauretti can be feisty and contentious on some issues, but few can deny that he's been a prime mover in resurrecting the Valley Transit District, opening up downtown river accessibility and attempting to more clearly define and improve the operations of Shelton's volunteer fire departments.

He doesn't retreat from raising and trying to resolve tough problems, a quality that may at times stymie his obvious desire for higher political office.

Lauretti has served Shelton and its residents well and there's no overriding reason for citizens to not return him to office for another two-year term so he can continue to expand and enhance Shelton's economic good fortunes and quality of life."

The Day of New London gave Mike Pace a very positive review. The record shows that Pace had upgraded numerous town facilities, added space at Saybrook Point, rehabilitated the town's fire house, added major library improvements, and refurbished Town Hall and a youth center.

The Day said in its endorsement:

"Mr. Pace talks about “a positive, exemplary community,” which he says requires having a vision and a plan, being fiscally responsible, and embracing a sense of community pride.
The current first selectman has done well by the town, and has his priorities in order. "

Blumenthal Spanked by Ma Bell

Yesterday a Superior Court Judge finally put Attorney General Dick Blumenthal in his place and allowed for unfettered competition in an alternative television service provided by AT&T.


Superior Court Judge Robert McWeeney's ruling overturned a decision by the Department of Public Utility Control which ruled that AT&T could not offer it's U-verse service without applying for a costly and lengthy cable franchise. AT&T, which had paved the way for the new technology by hiring hundreds of employees and building a high-tech infrustructure, threatened to pull the plug and walk away.

Earlier this year, the Legislature had adopted laws that cleared the path for AT&T entry into this market. DPUC had sought a federal ruling on the definition of a cable franchise and the feds found what AT&T was offering fit that category and they had to file. DPUC and Blumenthal jumped on that thin reed and tried to stop AT&T. But the federal ruling had no standing, since the deregulation laws allow the states to decide. Someone forgot to read that law to Blumenthal.

AT&T took them to Superior Court and won.

There was no sign of Blumenthal Wednesday. He issued a very lame press release.

"We may differ on legal issues, but we share the goal of providing cable consumers with this new service so they, hopefully, have the benefits of lower prices and better service. Continued legal combat ill-serves that common objective," Blumenthal said in a statement.

The new U-verse service is an exciting new product and it will be offered initially in about a third of the market. Once the market develops, more homes will be hooked up. Why, because they have a product that is new, offered at a price and people will try it. It might succeed. It might fail. But that is the free market. Only in Connecticut, does a company have to sue its way into the marketplace. You wonder why there has been no positive job growth in Connnecticut since 1991.

It tracks with the emergence of Dick Blumenthal as State Attorney General.

AT&T's struggle should wake up the rest of the Connecticut business community to who the real threat is to bottom line - taxes by the Democrats and lawsuits and bullying by Dick Blumenthal. At what point is the business community to stand up and say enough is enough?

But U-verse? Sounds like the bomb. Sign me up.

Sen. Clinton vs. Sen. Dodd

Chris Dodd Does Something Right

We here at Everyday aren't huge fans of Connecticut's Iowa's senior Senator, Chris Dodd. (Apparently, neither are Democrats in Iowa, New Hampshire, or Florida) But when he does something right, we certainly will credit him.

Last night, at the Democrat debate in Philadelphia (see our coverage here, here, and here) Dodd said this:

"Clinton: So what Governor Spitzer is trying to do is to fill the vacuum. I believe we need to get back to comprehensive immigration reform because no state, no matter how well intentioned, can fill this gap. There needs to be federal action on immigration reform.

Russert: Does anyone here believe an illegal immigrant should not have a driver's license?

(Unknown): Believe what?

Russert: An illegal immigrant should not have a driver's license.

Dodd: This is a privilege. And, look, I'm as forthright and progressive on immigration policy as anyone here. But we're dealing with a serious problem here, we need to have people come forward. The idea that we're going to extend this privilege here of a driver's license I think is troublesome, and I think the American people are reacting to it.
We need to deal with security on our borders. We need to deal with the attraction that draws people here. We need to deal fairly with those who are here.

But this is a privilege. Talk about health care, I have a different opinion. That affects the public health of all of us.

But a license is a privilege, and that ought not to be extended, in my view."

And there you have it.

Watch the Dials

The Day: Meskill Defied the Odds

The Day has an interesting editorial piece about Governor Thomas Meskill and his life:

"There was no way a Republican was going to get elected mayor from heavily Democratic New Britain in 1961, a time when the Democratic Party at the national level was dominant, led by the charismatic new president, John F. Kennedy. But Mr. Meskill defied expectations. Running as a fiscally conservative Republican, he was elected New Britain mayor that year. His victory came two years after losing the mayoral race by just 116 votes."

"Colleagues this week fondly remembered the former mayor, congressman, governor and judge, as an “old school” politician. A man who kept his campaigns on the high road and stayed true to his conservative ideals.

But Gov. Meskill was also a man who never gave up, and that's a life lesson everyone can learn from."

Dennis Kucinich for President

MSNBC Transcript:
Russert: Congressman Kucinich, I want to move to a different area, because this is a serious question. The godmother of your daughter, Shirley MacLaine, writes in her new book that you sighted a UFO over her home in Washington state...

(Laughter)

... that you found the encounter extremely moving, that it was a "triangular craft, silent and hovering," that you "felt a connection to your heart and heard directions in your mind."

Now, did you see a UFO?

Kucinich: I did. And the rest of the account -- I didn't -- it was an unidentified flying object, OK? It's, like, it's unidentified. I saw something. Now, to answer your question, I'm moving my -- it's -- and I'm also going to move my campaign office to Roswell, New Mexico, and other one in Exeter, New Hampshire, OK?

The Savior of the Democratic Party

Barack Obama.

Later I will post the copy of the transcript where Obama (paraphrase) says to Hillary Clinton, "I'm not saying she is lying, I'm saying she is lying about this one point."

Dodd Talk Clock

Our favorite Iowa resident, Chris Dodd, is getting ready to do political battle with his fellow Democrats tonight in the "City of Brotherly Love", Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Chris Dodd has been struggling mightily to get out of the basement of the Democratic field these past months, with even Stephen Colbert outpacing Dodd in South Carolina. So said Tim Russert in Dodd's Sunday interview on Meet the Press:

"Back in May of ‘06, you told the Connecticut Post, “I realize I’m not a household name. That will obviously change. At least I hope it does, or this will be a relatively short campaign.” That was ‘06. Here’s the latest poll from Public Opinion Strategies: Hillary Clinton, 40; Obama, 19; Edwards, 12; Joe Biden, 2.7; Stephen Colbert, 2.3; Bill Richardson, 2.1; Dennis Kucinich, 2.1; Mike Gravel less than 1 percent; Chris Dodd, 0." - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21515779/page/3/

Dodd's response to Russert's query, of course, was nothing short of classic: "Well, we’ve got a lot of room to grow here, as we, as we say, Tim, in the campaign."

Anyway, posted above is the admittedly nifty "Dodd Talk Clock", measuring how little time Chris Dodd gets to contribute to the debate tonight. Lets watch and cheer our beloved Senator on to victory.

The Market is Working

Don't fret, according to U.S. News and World Report, as oil climbs toward $100/barrel.

"Today's economy is better able to absorb the rise in the relative price of energy, because it is more flexible, it is still relatively strong, and we use energy far more efficiently than we once did so that oil is not as important as it once was. In addition, contrary to popular opinion, oil may be a "tax" initially, for consumers and net oil consuming countries, but eventually oil revenues get spent—recycled—if not in the spending stream, into financial markets."

"High oil prices, as unhappy as they make us, are doing God's work, by curbing our appetite for carbon fuel, pointing us to greater energy security and limiting the impact of human activity on the environment. The decline in gasoline demand in response to rising energy costs is proof that markets work and that market mechanisms are our best energy policy."

Source: U.S. News and World Report, 'Capital Commerce'.

A Double Dip of Ron Paul Advertising

Ron Paul is On the Airwaves in New Hampshire

Dr. Amann's Miracle Cure

Last week, House Speaker Jim Amann used his office to endorse a cleaning product which claims to be effective against the spread of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) the virulent bacteria strain making headlines recently.


The product, Gold Shield, is manufactured by NBS Technology of New York, and distributed by Viking Corp. of New Jersey. MRSA has been reported in schools in Westport, Weston, Newtown and elsewhere.

Amann gathered reporters to hail the product as product that could save lives. He brought along a representative of the Connecticut Hospital Association, who used to work for the House Democrats, and a doctor from, your guessed it, the city of Milford, to offer testimonials. Dr. Martin Galvin, of Milford, is listed as the sole tesitmonial on the Viking wesbite. He is listed as Director, Healthcare Division
Absolute Environment in Milford, which doesn't have a listed telephone number.

We protested this ridiculous use of state resources and time to single out a product, and the state Ethics Commission immediately gave the Speaker a pass, saying it didn't fall under the conflict umbrella. Why? Because it was unclear whether Amann or his family, personally benefited from it's promotion.

But, it did help a friend of Amann's, former Republican State Legislator and Naugatuck Mayor Tim Barth, who until recently owned a bagel store in Glastonbury. Seems Barth has also become an expert on infectious diseases and was hired by Viking after a friend told a friend who told Barth of this amazing product. Barth then told Amann and, well, the rest is classic Jim Amann.

Couple of points here. Why was the Connecticut Hosptial Association brought in to give the appearance that they endorsed the product? Well, maybe because the lobbyist from CHA didn't want to offend the Speaker of the House, who controls all heath care legislation that comes before the lower chamber. Maybe he was brought in under some general request to talk about stopping MRSA. We don't know and we don't know if CHA is using Gold Shield to mop its member's floors.

But this is another example of how Speaker Amann has used his office to help those who have helped him. When Tim Barth was Mayor Tim Barth, he hired Amann to be his chief of staff.

Put us down for a gallon.

Colchester Candidates Debate

I'm here at Bacon Academy watching the debate between candidates for Colchester First Selectman Diana Norton Giles, the Republican, and Linda Riley Hodge, the Democrat.

Giles is much smoother and softer spoken. The Norton stock is strong in Colchester, as Diana's parents were both active in local politics for years, as was her brother Andrew Norton, a former state representative from Colchester.

On the issues, the two actually agree on quite a bit. The Democrat Hodge is recasting herself as a fiscal stalwart, as the town took four tries to pass a budget this year. She proclaims her qualities in a machine gun staccato that is quite abrasive.

The two agree on the need for a Big Box store, a senior center, regionalization, and the need for property tax reform.

Hodge keeps shouting that the town needs leadership. This seems to be quite a theme - demanding new, strong leadership.

An interesting question from the intrepid moderator Ray Hackett on the Cheshire slayings - Diana Giles says that we need more police, but warns that even double the number of police probably wouldn't have prevented the Cheshire killers. Hodge thinks that a neighborhood watch program would be good.

Diana Giles: Favorite quality of the opponent - she is a Red Sox fan.
Linda Hodge: Giles is a committed public servant.

Linda Hodge is screaming her closing statement at us. She is ready to lead.

Diana coolly rolls off her priorities and makes her case for leadership. She throws out a shout to the underticket. "Together we can work together".

A Municipal Rundown

The municipal elections are just over one week away. Republicans - remember to get out and vote for your candidates!

From the Derby blog, Connecticut's Smallest City, a blog noted for its brevity of posts and abundance of comments.

East Hartford is a town that has, if nothing else, interesting elections. Read about it at the East Hartford Town Blog.

The Berlin Blog, though rarely particularly friendly to Republicans, is nonetheless a well maintained and informative blog.

Bridgeport, City of Never-Ending Chaos and Dismay, may not have the new voting machines because Chris Caruso sued them.

Colchester candidates Diana Giles and Linda Hodge will debate tonight at 7pm.

New London citizens can meet the candidates tonight at New London High, 7pm.

Right About Now...

Former Congresswoman Nancy Johnson is endorsing Rudy Giuliani for the Republican Presidential nomination.

John Opie Endorsed in Branford

The New Haven Register endorsed John Opie for First Selectman in Branford.

"Opie served for one term before Morris defeated him. He concedes that he did not campaign hard enough and was caught unawares by voter anger over property tax revaluation. He vows to make neither mistake again.

DaRos and Opie share many positions. However, Opie has shown a vision for economic development and open government through the Internet that would serve the town well in the future. He has our endorsement."

Thomas J. Meskill, 1928 - 2007

This morning, former Governor Thomas J. Meskill passed away at the age of 79. Judge Meskill was a great man who served his community, his state and his country as Mayor of New Britain, a Congressman, a Governor and as a federal judge. He led Republicans from the wilderness in 1970, becoming the first Republican Governor since 1955. He instituted many reforms as Governor which streamlined the functions and duties of many agencies.

In 1975 President Ford appointed Meskill to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and despite opposition from the American Bar Association, went on to a distinguished career on the bench. He served as the court's chief judge from 1992–1993, and has held Senior status from June 30, 1993 to the time of his death.

He gave countless Republicans their first chance in politics and government and many of them went on to serve our party in elected and appointed offices. To many, he was just a good friend and someone who gave selflessly.

Our prayers go out to Judge Meskill's family for their loss and ours.

Governor M. Jodi Rell today issued the following statement on the death of former Governor Thomas J. Meskill:

“Thomas Meskill embodied the very best standards of public service. As an Air Force lieutenant, a mayor, a United States Congressman, a Governor and a federal Judge, he served our state and the nation with honor, decency and integrity.
"A Connecticut Yankee born and raised in New Britain , Judge Meskill was respected by all for his intellect and his fairness. His love for Connecticut was returned many times over as he was elected to local, state and national office before his appointment to the bench. His record of accomplishment is remarkable.
“My heart goes out to Judge Meskill’s wife Mary and their family and on behalf of the people of Connecticut I offer my deepest condolences.”
Governor Rell ordered that U.S. and state flags be immediately lowered to half-staff until the day of Judge Meskill’s interment, which has not yet been determined.

The following is the statement issued today by Republican Chairman Chris Healy:

"Tom Meskill was a giant and a legend and a public servant without peer. Judge Meskill served in uniform, as a Mayor, as a Congressman,, as Governor, and a Federal Judge. Tom Meskill reformed state government and was a leader on some many fronts, but most importantly he was a kind man who selflessly gave everything to his community, his state and country. If you were Tom Meskill's friend, and there were many, you were his friend for life. The state and country has lost a great man and Republicans everywhere owe him and his family their prayers and thanks for a life well lived for others."

License to Steal

The editorial board of the Hartford Courant, who hounded former Governor John Rowland for taking gifts of value and crossing the acceptable boundaries of ethical conduct, has given Hartford Democratic Mayor Eddie Perez a hall pass.

In an act of intellectual gymnastics that would make Sarte proud, the Courant gave Perez the nod for another four years at the helm of the capital city.

The editorial shifts between the surreal and the obvious and Perez fits in both these worlds. On the one hand, he is someone who operates in a "closed vest" management style while being "engaged (in) the major issues of crime, education and economic development, and kindled momentum in the capital city."

Engaged? And on crime issues? Has anyone from Broad Street been reading the police blotter lately? Or how about the $20,000 in work a local contractor did on Perez's home without permits? And how about Abe Giles and a FBI investigation in full swing?

And the record on schools deserves nothing by F's and D's from any credible assessment. Children are still dropping out, young girls are still getting pregnant and school officials are still be accused of either stealing money or are clearly not with the program of educating.

"And he (Perez) has not been shy about flexing his new muscle. For example, he took control of the city's schools by putting himself on the Board of Education (another first), getting himself elected chairman and heading the school building committee - a comfortable spot for the man who led the construction of Trinity's Learning Corridor in the late 1990s."

And as much as it kills me to say this, Kevin Sullivan and Gov. Rowland deserve the credit for the learning corridor, not Eddie Perez.

Perez's accumulation of power over the school board and the building committee, in addition to lording over City Hall, has produced little improvement for the everyday business or residents. Taxes are going up precipitously on smaller businesses to the point where many will shutter their doors and move to adjoining towns.

And Perez latest two-stepping over unionization talks at the Convention Center is another example of double-dealing that Perez has made an art form of in his four years at the helm. He spend most of time putting people on the pad, handing out jobs to buy loyalty or giving away contracts by fiat. His inability to distinguish between right and wrong is breathtaking.

The Courant then goes on to hand Perez credit for high-tech improvements to the city:

"He (Perez) also deserves credit for setting up a wireless network to get neighborhoods onto the information highway. Some question such projects when so many other needs go begging, but 21st-century technology is critical in cities.

This is total BS. The wireless network was laid down by the former SNET, now AT&T and the Department of Information Technology as part of long-range plan to make the entire state wireless and open to schools and libraries. Eddie Perez had little to do with that except for using his computer to see who has given to his campaign.

Desperate to put more perfume on this pig, the Courant rewrites history and implies that Perez's attempt to horn in on the work by Republicans at the state Capitol deserves applause:

"Though he (Perez) can't claim credit for all the new development around town, he demanded a seat at the table when the state was dispensing hundreds of millions of dollars in Six Pillars investments. He's resurfaced many streets, removing once-ubiquitous potholes, though he needs to pay more attention to other quality-of-life complaints - the noise, litter and speeding that drive city residents out."

Stop me before I impale myself. Yeah, Eddie, nice job for putting her kisser into every picture, but could you work on the drive-by shootings, the open dumping, the open-air prostitution and those gang banger friends of yours who are getting out of general population?

The Courant then launches into why Eddie brings a certain, unique style of leadership to bringing business to Hartford:

"He didn't endear himself to the business community when he lectured MetLife on how many workers it should employ and criticized ING for moving out. MetLife didn't return his phone calls a few years later when it decided to leave Hartford. Why ING couldn't be kept in the city is still unclear.

Mr. Perez has been more incendiary than helpful in labor disputes, needlessly stirring up one at the Marriott Downtown that cost the neighboring convention center some major conferences.

But Aetna, Prudential, The Hartford and Travelers, bless them, are among Hartford's committed - and growing - companies. And business leaders say Mr. Perez's behavior is improving."

Improving, because they are ignoring Perez, hoping the FBI will cart him away or the state will put the city into receivership.

There are the predictable nods to Eddie's opponents. The editors laud Republican J. Stanley McCauley, for being thoughtful, educated, honest and full of ideas. But, they think he should run for City Council because he doesn't have the requisite experience to run Hartford. If being a gang leader and running a suspicious non-profit qualifies you, as it did for Perez, then how does someone like McCauley, who isn't a felon, been employed in the private sector and outlined what he will do working with others, unqualified?

No matter, the Courant concludes with their best argument against Eddie - his honesty, or lack thereof.

"Perez has proved he can lead the city to greater things. His integrity, however, is still on trial."

Well, maybe Eddie Perez will be on trial someday, but it won't be for integrity.