The media and Internet are abuzz with the news that poker-faced former Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Ned Lamont of Greenwich has formed an exploratory committee to run for an unspecified statewide office (meaning Governor, wink, wink, wink) in 2010.
Outgoing Democratic Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy, who several months ago formed his own gubernatorial exploratory committee, issued a statement entitled “Malloy Responds To Lamont News” that talks mostly about Malloy’s own vision for Connecticut and his successes running the state’s fifth largest city.
Only then does he begrudgingly welcome Lamont to the fray.
“I’ve known Ned for many years and consider him a friend,” Malloy said. “I welcome him into the discussion about Connecticut’s future.”
Reading between the lines of Malloy’s statement Lamont’s announcement clearly is not welcome news.
UPDATE: Kudos to Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi, who is also eyeing the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. He issued a simple and far more positive-sounding statement about Lamont’s entering the race.
“Ned will add another voice to the important discussion we’re having about Connecticut’s future, and I welcome him to the table. As a friend, I look forward to seeing him on the trail,” Marconi said.
