I wrote a story in today’s Advocate/Connecticut Post about questions surrounding Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz’s decision to put herself in charge of honoring the state’s World War II veterans.
Some critics, both her fellow Democrats along with Republicans, see the ceremonies as a way for Bysiewicz to drive around the state, meet lots of potential voters and explore running for Governor in 2010 on state time. She is, after all, not the U.S. Secretary of State. Bysiewicz’s office has nothing to do with the military or military/foreign policy. Her job is to oversee elections and register commercial entities.
But she sure does hold plenty of these ceremonies. I attended one event in Suffield Tuesday afternoon – the 126th since 2007 – and on Wednesday she honored veterans in New Haven.
Bysiewicz argues the events are bi-partisan and Republican legislators frequently attend.
GOP Chairman Christopher Healy, one of the people questioning Bysiewicz’s motives, argues those Republicans should know better.
But which elected official is going to turn down an opportunity to appear at a photo op with veterans because they don’t believe Bysiewicz should be the one arranging these events? Someone who doesn’t want to get re-elected, that’s who.
Appropriate or not, Bysiewicz has a good thing going here.
UPDATE: For anyone who is interested, I have a bit more information on the non-profit Bysiewicz uses to hold these ceremonies. Check this out.
