Ken Dixon's Blog-O-Rama

The Blogster is a professional and has speculated several times in different ways (heads she runs, tails she doesn’t) about whether Gov. Jodi Rell would seek re-election. Most recently it swung back to Rell running, if only to save face for an administration that auditors are investigating for possible campaign-finance violations through unreported in-kind contributions from the advice of UConn professor Ken Dautrich.

 But hey, it’s only politics. In truth, the Blogster wishes John “Why Should I Resign If I’ve Done Nothing Wrong?” Rowland were still in office, so the Capitol Press Corps could continue to hound him. In reality, Rell relieved the pressure today and announced she wasn’t seeking re-election. We still have 14 months of her administration. It’s going to be very very ugly in the land of budget crafting. Whoever is the next governor (say Jim Amann, who could be the last Democrat standing, then could middle-of-the-road his way to the Governor’s Residence and become the next Bill O’Neill, who left Lowell P. Weicker with the largest budget – then – in state history) will need a lot of luck and some solid economic recovery.

The one thing that Rell received and may never, ever be matched, was that 83-percent approval rating in the January, 2005 Q Poll. Finally, after the recent report that the Quinnipiac Polling Institute has historically slipped the results of polls to prinicpals such as Jodi Rell the day before their official release, it seems humorously appropriate that Rell made her declaration today, right after the Q Poll announced that it was releasing a new survey of the 2010 governor’s race on Tuesday.

The Blogster and other Capitol Press Room types were just given a cryptic e-mail about a 5 o’clock “general availability” in the governor’s office. Is she going to announce her candidacy for re-election? The odds are about 3-1 against.
Is she calling for a special session to balance the state’s ever lop-sided budget? It’s even odds. Is she announcing the results of tomorrow’s Q Poll on her popularity? It’s 100-1 against it, since the poll was recently embarrassed when it was reported that the university gives “heads-up” to high-profile pols the day before results are officially released.

Early arrivals at the Capitol today were given fliers warning of a noontime memorial rifle volley to honor war veterans.
“This notice intends to inform you as to prevent alarm,” the flire said. “There is no need to make changes to your daily routine or take any precautionary measures.”
The salutes is about 15 minutes awya, at this point, so hold your ears. The Blogster is reminded of Jodi Rell’s July, 2004 inauguration, when field howitzers were aimed at the Hartford Courant a few hundred yards away. More than a few pols in attendance then felt it was too bad they were only firing blanks.

The Blogster, being a professional contrarian, can give you nearly any opposing view. Want to end the war in Afghanistan? Don’t escalate troops, but instead spend the several-billion dollars it would take to buy up all the annual opium crop and burn it, before the CIA grabs it. Want to talk about the need for raising taxes to support the state budget? How about cutting spending instead of playing the eternal shell game of legislative Democrats. 

This attitude has prepared the Blogster beautifully for speculating on Gov. Jodi Rell’s future. She’s been in the Capitol for 25 years now, after 10 years in the House, then nearly 10 years as lieutenant governor with John “Why Should I Resign If I’ve Done Nothing Wrong?” Rowland before taking over from the crook in July 2004. She’s won election in her own right. She’s had sky-high approval numbers in the polls that in the state’s budget mess this year, have still remained enviable. Chris Dodd would go to the extreme of, say, dumping that Irish “cottage” on the depressed housing market there (maybe one of the Countrywide guys would buy it as a vacation home), if he could trade it for Rell’s current above-50-percent numbers.

But Rell’s plowing into her mid-60s now. She has three grandkids. She’s been dealing with a bipolar Democratic leadership in a never-ending budget season that makes the 1991 income-tax year look like a walk in the park with Lowell “Big Guy” Weicker. Her trusted deputy/hench woman, Lisa Moody, has apparently been playing fast and loose with state election law and the eager-to-please UConn public policy professor, Ken Dautrich. This could possibly lead to a couple-thousand-dollar penalty from the State Elections Enforcement Commission next spring for crossing the line on free, so-called in-kind services. Those are all reasons to not seek re-election and most likely concede the Governor’s Residence to state Democrats who’ve been shut out since Bill O’Neill yielded to Weicker in 1991. You can only imagine the back-up of potential patronage employees (overpaid department commissioners and agency heads) that is symbolically constipating state Democratic leadership.

Ah, but the Nedster still walks the earth. Ned Lamont, the Greenwich multi-millionaire Democrat whose illustrious ancestor was J.P. Morgan’s Lisa Moody more than 100 years ago, still wants to start his political career at top, announced an exploratory committee the other day. His very proclamation was enough for Rell to finally promise a decision on re-election by the end of the month. (In 2005 she announced during the second week of October, but that was before public financing, which is whole ‘nother story, if the system gets thrown out early next year in federal-appeals court, giving Ned a leg up with his ability to self-finance) The Nedster’s candidacy could be enough for her to go for another four-year term. He can really dilute the Democratic primary field and virtually negate Dan Malloy, the outgoing Stamford mayor who is a nominal frontrunner for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, what with his 2006 primary loss to New Haven Mayor John DeStefano.

 Lamont, who ran a successful anti-war campaign against Jumping Joe Lieberman in the 2006 Democratic primary before disappearing on vacation for two weeks, then losing the general election (how many Lieberman supporters of 2006 have voters’ remorse now? the Blogster wonders), said in an interview Wednesday that his campaign will be about “jobs,” a rather amorphous code word that he’ll have until next summer, or beyond, t0 flesh out. Rell, on the other hand, has been stressing that same word while picking up, constantly, after legislative Democrats who simply haven’t wanted to cut spending. Heck, they were so timid, they (both majority Democrats and, shockingly, Rell and fellow Republicans) front-loaded the state’s budget “solution” with $900 million in bonding for the debt caused by the budget that ended June 30. Today, the state goes out to bid for those bonds. Yesterday, Rell announced $34-million in new budget cuts under her rescission authority.

“The economy remains largely unstable, job losses continue and the Legislature’s adopted budget has been built on unrealistic savings assumptions,” Rell said in a release yesterday. “I am determined to end this fiscal year in balance and that requires that action be taken as soon as possible. We have no choice but to cut state spending and these rescissions are but the first of many cuts to follow.”

So the Blogster says today that Rell will run for re-election and defeat whoever is the eventual Democratic nominee, whether it’s Jim Amann, the former speaker of the House, from Milford who is still the only ‘official’ Democratic gubernatorial hopeful; Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz of Middletown; Malloy; Rudy Marconi (?!?) the Ridgefield Selectman; or the Nedster, in all his Noble$$e Oblige.

The Blogster confirmed with multiple sources this morning that Ned Lamont, the 2006 Senate primary winner against Joe Lieberman, who won the general election, will announce his candidacy for governor as soon as tomorrow.

After calling Lamont’s Greenwich office this morning, the following release came over. It’s unlikely that Lamont’s going to use public financing, so Republican incumbent Gov. Jodi Rell, if she decides to run, could be in for a tough campaign from the Greenwich multi-millionaire. Here’s the release, followed by a “personal” announcement, then response of Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, who has an exploratory committee of his own:

NED LAMONT ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE

Norwalk, CT – Ned Lamont, successful businessman, co-founder of the state policy center at Central Connecticut State University, and Democratic nominee for US Senate in 2006, announced that he will be filing papers today with the State Elections Enforcement Commission establishing an Exploratory Committee for statewide office:

“As I have continued to meet with citizens across our state over the last three years, as co-chairman of President Obama’s Connecticut campaign and on behalf of health care reform, I have been constantly reminded that Connecticut is not living up to its potential and that too many of our families are being left behind,” said Lamont.

“Like businesses, states thrive with strong executive leadership, and they fall behind with weak leadership. As measured by the loss of jobs, young people leaving our state, and the never-ending budget crisis, Connecticut’s Chief Executive is simply not getting the job done.”

Since the 2006 campaign, Lamont has continued to serve as Chairman of the Board of Campus Televideo, a Connecticut company he founded twenty-five years ago. He is also a distinguished professor of political science at Central Connecticut State University, where he co-founded a policy center which has brought together leading business, labor, and non-profit leaders to formulate a strategic plan for the state of Connecticut.  In addition, he serves on the boards of Conservation Services Group, a leading provider of energy efficiency programs, Teach for America/CT, and Mercy Corps, an international non-profit organization that focuses on job training and small business start-ups around the world.

Dear Ken ,

I wanted you to be one of the first to know that, this afternoon, I will be filing papers to establish a committee to explore a potential candidacy for Governor of Connecticut.

Since our 2006 campaign for Senate, I have continued to meet with citizens across our state — as co-chairman of the Obama campaign in Connecticut, founder of a state policy institute at Central Connecticut State University, and as an outspoken advocate for health care reform. I have been constantly reminded during these conversations that Connecticut is not living up to its potential and that too many of our families are still being left behind.

Whether it has been health care and the economy, losing jobs, young people leaving the state, or the never-ending budget crisis, we have all seen our state head in the wrong direction.

Simply put, Connecticut’s current Chief Executive is not getting the job done.

Over the next few weeks, I look forward to continuing these conversations with voters across the state. And I also look forward to hearing from all of you.

You can sign up here to stay connected on Twitter and Facebook:

http://www.nedlamont.com

I hope to have your support as we start this new chapter together.

MALLOY RESPONDS TO LAMONT

November 4, 2009 – Dan Malloy, potential candidate for Governor in 2010, today responded to news that Ned Lamont has formed an exploratory committee for the 2010 Governor’s Race:

“As I travel around the state exploring a run for Governor, I’m getting an overwhelmingly positive response to the vision I offer and the track record I have to back it up.  I’ve done what Gov. Rell has failed to do: I’ve created jobs, provided more health care, made my communities and neighborhoods safer, and helped lead the way on important issues like green technology and transportation.  I’ve known Ned for many years and consider him a friend.  I welcome him into the discussion about Connecticut’s future.”

Picking winners for municipal elections is kind of like choosing those first-round upsets in the NCAA hoops pools. Is Tim Herbst gonna run Ray Baldwin out of Trumbull Town Hall? Is Dom Costello gonna bring bitter third-party backlash to Stratford Town Hall? Is Chris Jones finally gonna chase Mark Lauretti out of Shelton City Hall?

The answer to these three questions, the Blogster believes, is no. And Jim Richetelli is probably good for re-election tonight in Milford, as well. Republican Mayor Mark Boughton looks as if he might survive in Danbury.

 So where are the upsets going to erupt in southwestern Connecticut?

Stamford may be finally tired of Democratic rule and vote in a Republican Mike Pavia, with his-known Italian-American name. Norwalk Mayor Dick Moccia, a Republican, may keep getting elected until local Democrats get their act together.

Amann

Milfrod bd of aldermen

Nancy

Gary L. Rose

Chrm Dpt of Gov and Politics SHU

Here’s the release that just came over from Comptroller Nancy Wyman, predicting nasty things to continue in budget land. What it means is a special session, soon, to cut state spending or – if Democrats continue their budget shell games – rearrange deckchairs on the Titanic. Wyman’s release is followed by the governor’s, one from Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, R-Fairfield and another from Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven.

Total revenue for the year so far is down by $407.6 million. That is
more than double the revenue drop that would trigger the cancellation of
a planned one-half percent reduction in the sales tax that was approved
by the General Assembly in its 2010 budget. 

The Governor’s latest estimate put the total revenue shortfall at
$172.1 million, which by a margin of $1.6 million would enable the sales
tax reduction to take effect in January.

“I wish I had better news about the revenues and the implications for
a sales tax cut,” Wyman said, “but my projection is based on actual
tax collections and underlying economic trends that cannot be
ignored.”

Beside the revenue shortfall, deficiencies in state agency budgets
added another $212.5 million to Wyman’s deficit estimate.

                                        -END- 

Governor Rell’s Statement on Budget Deficit 

“The Legislature’s budget contained numerous structural deficiencies that have begun revealing themselves in the analyses from both OPM and the Comptroller. It is significant and troubling to have such high deficit estimates so early in the fiscal year – which again points to the need for prompt action. While we may disagree on the specific estimates, we should all agree that we cannot wait for the regular Legislative session to take remedial measures.

“I have already conducted several meetings with the Office of Policy and Management over the last week and am preparing a deficit mitigation plan, which will be submitted within the statutory timeframe. I am also prepared to exercise my authority to begin making rescissions perhaps as early as this week.”

“Just two months ago, Democrats, in the face of Republican warnings and without a single Republican vote, passed a partisan budget that, according to the Democrat Comptroller, is now $624 million in deficit.  The Comptroller has also questioned the state’s ability to realize another $473.3 million in unspecified savings.

“The last time we faced a deficit of this magnitude, Democrats ignored Republican warnings and the State ended up borrowing $1 billion to close the FY09 deficit, increasing debt service and mortgaging our future.  We cannot continue to repeat past mistakes.

“Republican leaders again stand ready, willing and able to work with Democrats to finally do the difficult, but necessary work to reduce the size and cost of state government.  We need the Democrat majority to stop ignoring reality and join us at the table.”

Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven)

“The new budget estimate from State Comptroller Nancy Wyman is of great concern and shows that Connecticut continues to face the same economic challenges affecting so many other states.”

“Connecticut is getting hit with a powerful one-two punch right now. Not only do revenues continue to drop, but the governor is failing to make the spending cuts called for in the budget. As the Comptroller states, about one third of the deficit is due to increased spending in the executive branch.

It is critical that the governor not only follow through on cuts included in the budget, but also begin responsibly exercising her rescission authority. We remain committed to working with the governor to deal with this continuing economic crisis and look forward to receiving her deficit mitigation plan.”

Here’s today’s press release from state Democrats who want to attack Linda McMhaon, the Republican from Greenwich who somehow won appointment, thanks to the General Assembly, to the state Board of Education, who now feels she’s better qualified than anyone to be the next senator from Connecticut. Dodd and the Ds should be so lucky that McMahon, the wife of WWE mogul Vince McMahon, becomes the GOP nominee.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Hartford, CT – Nancy DiNardo, the chairwoman of the Connecticut Democratic Party, has filed a Federal Election Commission (FEC) complaint against Linda McMahon, her campaign and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), charging that the WWE made, and McMahon and her campaign committee accepted, prohibited in-kind corporate contributions.

“On October 16, 2009, the political news website Talking Points Memo published a story regarding several distasteful videos from WWE television programming that appeared on  YouTube. The YouTube videos showed WWE wrestlers engaging in simulated rape, a public sex scene, and one “wrestler having sex with a corpse.”  As reported in the article and elsewhere, Ms. McMahon was criticized for presiding over a company that would produce such programming. In swift response to the negative attention Ms. McMahon was receiving from the videos, her family’s company – that same day – ordered YouTube to remove the videos from its website. Robert Zimmerman, WWE’s Vice President of Public Relations and Corporate Communications, told reporters that WWE ordered the videos to be removed because they were “copyrighted material” and “our intellectual property,” explains the complaint.

The complaint continues, “However, a search of YouTube using the phrase “WWE” continues to produce almost 500,000 results as of the date of this complaint.  Thus, it appears that WWE only ordered YouTube to remove the videos that may be damaging to Ms. McMahon’s campaign, and neglected to protect WWE’s other copyrighted material and intellectual property.  In sum, WWE has selectively enforced its rights only insofar as they benefit Ms. McMahon’s candidacy. The facts demonstrate that WWE made expenditures in connection with an election, in clear violation of FECA.  WWE expended its corporate resources – including the time of Mr. Zimmerman and other corporate personnel, and its attorneys –  all used in the service of Ms. McMahon’s campaign to force YouTube to remove only the videos that reflected poorly on Ms. McMahon, while ignoring the multitude of other WWE-owned material still hosted on YouTube.” 

“If Linda McMahon is going to talk glowingly about her role as CEO of the WWE, then she also must answer for the kind of female-degrading, sexually-exploitive, steroid-fueled programming it’s become known for,” said Connecticut Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo. “And furthermore, she’s sorely mistaken if she thinks the WWE can do her dirty work for her as she stays above the fray. She might claim to be a different kind of Senator, but Linda McMahon’s illegal coordination with the WWE doesn’t do anything to bolster that image. If anything, it looks like McMahon has chosen to call in a corporation run by her family to fight her battles for her.”

The Connecticut Democratic Party has asked that the FEC look into the matter and impose the maximum fines permitted for such violations.