Foley brands Malloy as “Angry Dan” in new campaign ad

Bully pulpit has taken on new meaning in the governor’s race.

Republican Tom Foley unleashed a new television ad titled “Angry Dan” Monday against Democratic incumbent Dannel P. Malloy, accusing the first-term governor of bullying teachers, state employees and taxpayers to get his way.

“Dan Malloy is angry. His failed policies are hurting Connecticut. But why is he taking it out on others?” the ad’s female narrator tells viewers. “False attacks on Tom Foley, bullying teachers, state employees, taxpayers—Dan Malloy’s arrogance and aggression hurt people.”

The re-election campaign of Malloy, who was in Bridgeport, Hartford and Manchester Monday to promote his economic vision for the state, dismissed the ad.

“Instead of putting forward any concrete, detailed oriented proposals to help Connecticut families, Tom Foley has resorted to personally attacking the governor,” said Mark Bergman, a senior campaign adviser to Malloy. “This stands in stark contrast to what the governor did today by putting forward a detailed, policy agenda on continuing Connecticut’s economic progress by investing in urban worker training, helping small businesses grow and hire, and improving affordable housing options.

Both Foley and Malloy, who were separated by 6,400 votes in 2010, have devoted hundreds of thousands of dollars to try to chip away at voters’ perception of their opponent’s likeability.

Neil Vigdor