Who’s the stronger Democrat in a general election for governor, Ned Lamont or Dan Malloy?
The latest Q poll shows Lamont, who has higher name recognition, leading the former mayor of Stamford. Malloy, however, is very much in the game and can easily make the case that he’s better suited to win the general election against the Republican, whether Tom Foley or Michael Fedele. Mayors understand process, dealing with bureaucracy, services, union contracts. Connecticut is the highest taxed state in the country. It’s not business friendly. Costs are far too high. All of this impacts local governments. What related experience does Ned bring to the table? Saying I’m an outsider with a fresh perspective won’t be enough.
Ned defeated Joe Lieberman in a primary for U.S. Senate in 2006, then lost the general election to Joe who ran an an independent. The key word here is independent…independent voters in Connecticut decide gubernatorial general elections….how to win a primary without losing unaffiliated voters. In a statement below Malloy takes a swipe at Lamont for reversing his position on public financing.
Statement from Dan Malloy
“Ned’s used a bunch of different excuses over the past few weeks to explain away his conversion from supporter of campaign finance reform and spending limits to supporter of being able to play by his own set of rules. But the excuses are just that: excuses. If Ned doesn’t want to take the time to raise money in small amounts from hundreds and thousands of people across Connecticut, that’s his business. But he’s said he still wants to adhere to the spirit of the law, and I agree. Which is why he should limit his spending to the $1.5M the rest of us will be spending if we become official candidates.”
“With a lead in name recognition in the latest Quinnipiac Poll, what’s Ned afraid of? That on a level playing field he won’t be able to compete?
“When it comes to campaign finance, Ned has thrown his lot in with Tom Foley and the Republicans. It’s unfortunate because in choosing not to participate in a program that so many state Democrats worked so hard to pass – and which he once claimed to support – Ned is dealing a blow to one of the landmark pieces of progressive legislation in Connecticut’s history. And the Citizens’ Election Program has worked: more than 80 percent of the men and women now serving in the State Capitol were elected under CEP.
“We Democrats should care more about a candidate’s merits than their money. We should care more about the depth of one’s experience, the clarity of one’s vision, the strength of one’s spine, and the compassion in one’s heart than we should about the size of one’s wallet.
“C’mon, Ned. Let’s compete on a level playing field, and may the best candidate win.”
Ned Lamont statement
STATEMENT BY NED LAMONT ON TODAY’S QUINNIPIAC POLL
“Today’s poll results show that we are now the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for governor by a margin of 16 points. While it is early in this process, it is clear that Connecticut voters want an outsider who will be able to lead our state in a new direction, and that our focus on creating jobs, getting our economy back on track, and taking an entrepreneurial approach to governing is resonating with voters across the state.
“I look forward to continuing to talk to voters in every corner of our state about my vision for the state of Connecticut and how we can can get there together. I intend to make an official announcement about my plans in the coming weeks.”
POLL: http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1416
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