National political analyst has warning for Malloy

Stuart Rothenberg, publisher and chief analyst of the Rothenberg Political Report, a nationally respect non-partisan newsletter on state and national politics, said Wednesday that Gov. Dannel Malloy’s elevated visibility shows Democrats may be pushing back against aggressive Republican budget cutters and anti-union tactics.

 But with Connecticut’s massive budget problems – a $3.2 billion shortfall in the proposed $19.7 billion scheduled to start July 1 – the Democratic governor still has major obstacles.

 Rothenberg, in a phone interview, noted Malloy’s televised Wednesday morning tiff with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie could have been an example of the luxury Malloy has with a Democratic General Assembly.

 “I think he ought to be careful in picking a fight and handle his own state’s challenges, rather than fighting a national war,” Rothenberg said. “Obviously the extent to which he is able to handle or mishandle his own challenges will have a bearing on his own effectiveness as a leader of the party.”