Yesterday more than one capitol reporter pressed Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele of Stamford on his statement that his retiring boss – Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell – privately endorsed his bid to run for her job in 2010.
And Fedele made it clear that was in fact what happened and that he was her candidate.
So when Rell, who prior to Fedele’s making his statement yesterday assured the media she had not decided on a candidate to support, appeared in New Britain today, the first question reporters asked her was about whether she is backing Fedele.
Rell said she thinks Fedele would make a swell governor but did not say she endorsed him over any other contenders.
“I think Mike Fedele would be a very, very good governor. I am heartened by the fact he is running,” Rell said.
But she acknowledged other Republicans are eyeing the GOP nomination, including House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero, R-Norwalk and possibly Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, R-Fairfield.
“They’re all great Republicans and they’re all very competant,” Rell said.
She added Fedele has yet to formally declare his candidacy and she was not prepared to make any commitments.
Finally, on the way to her car, I asked Rell one last time if she had in fact privately told Fedele she would endorse him. She gave a quick chuckle and that was that.
So the lesson here is don’t say someone has endorsed you if they’re not prepared to tell the press and the public that they have endorsed you.
The Governor asked Fedele to be her running mate four years ago…not Cafero or McKinney so that’s an automatic endorsement right there. The #1 always chooses a #2 that they feel comfortable handing the reins over to so it’s not a question of who the Governor will be/should be endorsing.
Comment by Jessi — November 11th, 2009 @ 9:58 am
Jessi,
You’re right. It would make sense for Rell to endorse her running mate.
But most observers would agree it’s just not a good move to say she’s backing you if she’s not prepared to do so publicly.
I’m willing to cut the Lt. Gov. some slack and say he was perhaps caught off guard by the sudden media attention just minutes after she had made her announcement.
But at the same time it’s particularly awkward because he was standing in the room when reporters ASKED HER if she was endorsing anyone and she very clearly said it was too soon because many GOP candidates would likely be coming forward.
Comment by Brian Lockhart — November 11th, 2009 @ 10:23 am
Ha Ha. McKinney won’t run. He will do his usual pretend that he might run so that the media and everyone pays him attention, and then back out if the polls don’t show him ahead by 20 points. The guy has no spine.
Comment by Joe Schmoe — November 11th, 2009 @ 10:37 am
All insiders know Rell told Fedele he was her guy. Problem is that Lisa Moody HATES Fedele and will do anything to hurt him. Sadly, Rell listens to Moody and takes her advice on everything. Fedele should give Moody everything she deserves. He is a class act and moody couldn’t find “class” in the dictionary if she had to.
Comment by Funnygirl — November 11th, 2009 @ 10:59 am
who’s Lisa Moody?
Comment by Paco — November 11th, 2009 @ 11:07 am
Paco,
Lisa Moody is Governor Rell’s Chief-of-Staff.
Comment by Brian Lockhart — November 11th, 2009 @ 11:35 am
Is there any precedent for this? I feel like lame-duck presidents don’t usually endorse their VPs until after their party’s primary (seems like the only analagous situation). It seems to me that the most appropriate thing for Governor Rell to do would be to allow all of the Republican candidates, whoever they may be, to compete against one another on a level playing field for the party’s nomination. Personally, I think it’s bad manners to talk about a private promise of support you’ve received. Fedele should allow the Governor to speak for herself.
Was the Lt. Gov trying to scare other potential candidates into thinking that he’s the presumptive nominee and had it locked up with Rell’s endorsement?
Comment by Bob — November 11th, 2009 @ 12:18 pm
Ok Now let’s not rush to any conclusions here. Yes. Mr. Fedele should have not told everybody yet that Mrs. Rell endorses him but I believe Mr. Fedele sees an opportunity and is ready to pounce on it. The fact the Lt. Gov Fedele and Moody do not get along is a bonus for Mr. Fedele.
Fedele would make an outstanding Governor. Good luck Mr. Fedele
Comment by Full Disclosure — November 12th, 2009 @ 1:44 am
The matter of Rell endorsing anyone bothers me. As a republican, I believe that the party should have options to choose from. I don’t think our candidate should simply be anointed, and an endorsement by Rell for anyone would essentially be tantamount to that in my view. Previous statements of the Lt. Gov. (ie “I WILL be the nominee”) are also concerning. He may get my vote eventually. But I would prefer to see a full slate of candidates for the party to choose from.
Brian, how was Fedele chosen as Lt. Gov? Did he and Rell have a prior relationship?
Comment by Bob — November 12th, 2009 @ 11:10 pm
I think the title should have read something more like “Fedele Learns That if You Want a Friend in Hartford, Buy a dog.
Comment by John R. McCommas — November 22nd, 2009 @ 3:28 pm