Thanks to someone (my money’s on a disgruntled candidate) leaking the list of questions, our newspaper chain’s upcoming weekend story delving into the wealth of the various Democratic and Republican candidates vying for Governor and U.S. Senate is getting some welcome free publicity here, here and here.
The responses to the idea have been very interesting to read, and some of the reactions have admittedly been less than complimentary.
Somebody named “George” wrote on one blog: “Sounds like a questionnaire Robin Leach might use to qualify guests for his TV show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Sadly, this is what passes for journalism in CT today.”
So let me get this straight…
Senate candidate/Former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO/millionaire Linda McMahon of Greenwich can try to relate to voters by talking about how she and husband Vince went through bankruptcy three decades ago; gubernatorial candidate/Greenwich millionaire/cable executive Ned Lamont, when launching his gubernatorial campaign, can give a speech trying to relate to voters by recalling how he was “cook, chief bottle washer” etc. etc. etc. when he started his business; and gubernatorial candidate/millionaire Tom Foley of Greenwich can don his barn coat and jeans in campaign ads, again to relate to average voters … and the press isn’t supposed to try and give voters a sense of what these folks are really worth and how they really live their lives?
Each of these candidates and those I did not name are concerned about their public image. They want to be seen as being able to sympathize with and understand those voters who have lost or are worried about losing a job, have lost or are worried about losing health insurance and have lost or are worried about losing a home. And those candidates with money in particular want to downplay their wealth, even as they’re paradoxically relying on their fortunes to run for office during a particularly populist, “let’s burn those high-paid, big-bonus-earning suits at the stake!” period in this country’s history.
Seems like an atmosphere that calls for digging a little deeper into the lifestyles of our rich and somewhat famous candidates, particularly when some of their opponents are going after the same issue.
Former Stamford Mayor/gubernatorial candidate Dannel Malloy recently took a shot at the financial resources of fellow Democrat Lamont and other monied candidates, stating “when you get bored with the polo ponies you run for office.” But is Malloy living pretty comfortably himself? Shouldn’t the press try to find out?
Likewise when former Congressman Rob Simmons attempts to paint fellow Republican Linda McMahon as a hollow, gold-plated candidate trying to buy herself a Senate seat, isn’t it fair to explore whether Simmons is doing quite alright for himself, thank you very much?
Is wealth the only issue in these races? Of course not. We’ve reported on candidates’ positions on various issues and will continue to do so in the run up to the May conventions, during the primaries and right on up to November’s general elections.
Even if you still disagree with our wealth/lifestyle questions, I’m sure of one thing – you know most of you are going to take a peek at what we learn when the story is published. You won’t be able to help yourselves. This is America, baby. Everyone wants to know how the other half lives … particularly when the other half wants to be elected so they can set policy for the rest of you.





