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My thoughts on the gubernatorial race

by: sufi

Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 11:18:54 AM EDT

I'll admit it--I was only planning to show up to the polls on Aug 8 to vote for Ned Lamont. Since, I will be there already, I figured I might as well make a choice about the gubernatorial race.

Truly, I was indifferent between both Malloy & DeStefano before the convention. In fact, I was digusted with the yellowbellied nature of both these candidates who are too chicken to stand up to war-mongering turncoat Joe Lieberman.

At the convention, I was dismayed to see Malloy sharing a tent with Joe. Also, Malloy & Lieberman share the same consultants, staff, etc. I tend to see Malloy lawn signs clustered together with Lieberman signs. I have seen DeStefano appear with Lamont twice but not yet seen Malloy appear with Lamont. Therefore, I just associate Malloy with Lieberman. From the commentary here regarding the estate tax and other issues, I just do not sense that Malloy is on the side of progressives.

I feel that the Democratic establish in CT has become corrupted...and, thus, I do have the reflexive impulse to vote against their endorsed candidate and support Line B across the board.

DeStefano may learn that not winning the party endorsement was the best thing that ever happened to him.

I will definitely not vote for Dan Malloy...but I am not yet sure if I should vote for DeStefano...so either I will not vote at all in the gubernatorial primary or I will vote for DeStefano.

I was impressed with DeStefano's speech at the recent Jesse Jackson event in New Haven...and was strongly tempted to vote for him...but, as I was driving home, I kept thinking about why I associate DeStefano with corruption...was there some scandal in New Haven that he was associated with? Was he directly involved? Why does something bother me about DeStefano? Sure enough, when I got home, I recieved a recent Malloy attack ad against DeStefano accusing DeStefano's administration of corruption.

I would like to know how DeStefano supporters rebut allegations that DeStefano is corrupt before I vote for him.

Mind you, that even if I vote for DeStefano, it's not as though I'm calling all my friends asking them to vote for him nor am I volunteering any time to his campaign nor am I donating any money to his campaign. Maybe, I would do all these things if DeStefano had the courage to stand up to Joe.

I have invested my heart and soul into the Lamont campaign...and, frankly if (God forbid) Ned Lamont loses this primary, I'm just going to be so depressed and demoralized...that I'm not sure if I could bring myself to invest so much of my energy in the any of the Joe-endorsing Democratic candidates in November. Everytime, I look at them, I'm going to think, "When you could have used your power and influence to publicly pressure Joe to refrain from running as an independent...you chickened out. When you had the opportunity to promote Lamont, the progressive candidate for Senate, you chickened out".

It is in the interest of every challenging Democratic candidate who hopes for victory in November to do everything possible to ensure a Lamont victory. A Lamont victory will have a cascading effect and energize the campaigns of Farrell, Courtney, Murphy, etc.

sufi :: My thoughts on the gubernatorial race

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My thoughts on the gubernatorial race | 17 comments

JDS and Corruption (0.00 / 0)

He worked vigorously for the Fusco Corporation to get them what would have been an extremely lucrative contract to build the mall in New Haven, and also gave them the job to clean the Hall of Records and City Hall, possibly illegally. Lynn Fusco (the same one who is treasurer for the Lieberman campaign), has always been a powerful supporter of JDS New Haven, and raised a lot of money for him.

There's also an article from the Yale paper about contractors and architects who have donated to the JDS campaign. The article is here: http://www.yaledaily...

Social libertarian.

by: Quarterly Prophet @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 11:37:56 AM CDT

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No Proof of Corruption (0.00 / 0)

There has never been any proof of corruption with DeStefano in New Haven. This is another smear by the Malloy campaign. DeStefano has a squeaky clean record in New Haven as mayor, and everyone I know from that city has been very impressed with his leadership.

In regards to your Yale paper link, that is a common fundraising tactic in campaigns, developers in Stamford have donated to Malloy's campaign many times as well.

I encourage all Lamont supporters to vote for DeStefano. DeStefano can pass progressive legislation like Universal Health Care, a higher mininum wage, while protecting the environment and creating new jobs. I'm a Lamont supporter but in your day to day life in CT the person who will have more effect on you will be the governor and that's why you need a successful progressive like DeStefano at the helm.

by: dmoney @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 12:08:41 PM CDT

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If it's a smear, it's definetly not one started by the Malloy campaign. (0.00 / 0)

The allegations have been there for years. You can argue against them, but they are nothing new.

Social libertarian.

by: Quarterly Prophet @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 13:07:45 PM CDT

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JDS (0.00 / 0)

I feel the same way, sufi. I feel unenthusiastic voting either way. I hate to waste my vote on someone who can't inspire me. Malloy and his DLC ties will never get my vote, and JDS could have gotten my vote had he said something to get me excited about him. Also, his refusal to back Lamont tells me something negative about his backbone. I may vote third party, or not vote at all in the gov primary.

PS I am fully expecting a barrage of "vote for destefano, because he is better than Rell or Malloy." I refuse to vote for unexciting candidates.

by: concorde @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 11:47:14 AM CDT

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Healthcare for 400,000!!! (0.00 / 0)

There's that many people who don't have health care in the state and that will if you vote for DeStefano in August and then November. I think that's pretty exciting and I think it's worth your vote.

by: dmoney @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 12:10:28 PM CDT

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don't know anything except what JDS has said to me directly (0.00 / 0)

At Rosa DeLauros house event he stayed towards the back of the lawn with me and others, sipping iced tea while Lieberman gave a speech. At the West Hartford pro-Lamont fundraiser sponsored by CT-NOW and Connecticut Choice Voices DeStefano told me that "every day is another Loyalty test".

This is not a choice for him or Nancy DiNardo or Malloy or Howard Dean or Rosa DeLauro or anyone else involved with party politics.

DeStefano spoke at length with Maura about education issues. She may have some impressions.

I have heard him speak knowledgably on issues faced by little towns I have never heard of before. I have seen him step carefully around various special interest gruops. He listens, negotiates, sometimes fights, and he has my vote.

Malloy is probably fine, too, I just met DeStefano first.

"I am not a Blogger...But I play one on the internet."

by: tessa @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 12:15:42 PM CDT

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What would inspire you? (0.00 / 0)

If DeStefano took shots at GW? How about if he ran on a platform of removing our troops? Maybe JDS could talk about Israel v. Lebanon. That is what inspires me. Except, JDS is running for governor, not President. I get a little more than a little frustrated when people whine about uninspiring candidates. It tells me that their knowledge of real issues is superficial.
If a candidate demonstrates a firm grasp of issues that affect YOU in your everyday life, they have a platform that will help YOU out, but they are "uninspiring", whatever that might mean, then you should probably not vote. Your inspiration is far more important than good government or helping people who need help.

You are right: JDS is no Kennedy, but he is smart, he is compassionate and he is able to achieve his ambitious platform. But, if it's inspiration you want let me warn you: Many a civilization, being seduced by the gifted orator, has been lead eyes closed and mouth a gape, to a bad end. (When you watch the History Channel tonight, concord, and you see Hitler, Il Duce, Pol Pot, Fidel Castro, old footage of Saddam Hussein, Kim Jung II, Chairmen Mao, Pinochet, George W. Bush, Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Lenin, etc., remember how seductive their inspirational message was. Would you vote for any of them?)

I believe that JDS is More Capable than any other person running for office in this election season, to change CT. (He is the true, maybe the only, progressive candidate in this race.)

by: Publius @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 13:09:17 PM CDT

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Passionate (0.00 / 0)

Thank you for your impassioned plea for me to vote for someone who has a good knowledge of the issues. Ned Lamont is inspiring, he is no Pol Pot or Stalin. I would say I understand the issues a bit more than expecting a governor to hold positions on foreign affairs.

I have seen many candidates campaign on firm knowledge of the issues, and a platform that will help ME out then have them forget everything they said when they are elected. That doesn't happen when a candidate is passionate about his platform.

I will reserve my vote for a strong progressive leader, whenever one comes along.

by: concorde @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 15:31:03 PM CDT

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That's a Selfish and Callow Answer (2.00 / 1)

If people only voted for candidates who "excited" them we wouldn't have anyone voting. An election is not a beauty contest or American Idol. It's when you're presented with a choice of whom you prefer to represent you! Saying you're not going to vote is as craven and cowardly as the Repbulicans in PA funding the Green candidate. It's even worse than voting for Rell.

An error of omission is just as bad as one of commission. Grow up! Act like the mature adult you're supposed to be. And if you don't vote, go blog somewhere else.

by: imajoebob @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 23:42:02 PM CDT

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ima joebob (4.00 / 1)

If people only voted for candidates who "excited" them we wouldn't have anyone voting.

I disagree. We may actually get good leaders instead of the "choices" we often get now. A choice between a corporate repub and a corporate dem.

I will also ask that those who disagree with me keep their comments on a mature level and leave out accusations of my immaturity. I have said nothing to deserve that.

by: concorde @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 07:04:07 AM CDT

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I'm taking my ball and going home is not mature (2.00 / 1)

Whining that you don't like the candidates "enough" so you're not going to vote is immature. If your boss tells you to choose between two alternatives and you refuse, you get fired. If the clerk asks you paper or plastic and you say neither, you get to carry your groceries in your arms. If the truck in front of you slams on its brakes and you don't like going right and you don't like going left, you run into the back of it and you die. If you don't choose any candidate in an election, you lose your privilege of complaining about the state of government.

Mature. responsible adults know that life rarely gives us the best choices, but we still have to make them. As Joe Schmidt of the Detroit Lions expalined it, "Life is a shit sandwich. And every day you take another bite."

So, either take a bite, or starve to death.

by: imajoebob @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 12:12:39 PM CDT

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OK (0.00 / 0)

You can eat your shit sandwich.
Elections are not trips to the grocery store or a job. Not voting is not taking your ball and going home either.
It is people who faithfully vote the democratic ticket that allow party bosses to continue to roll out their poor candidates. A candidate like Ned Lamont comes along and people, who in prior elections chose not to vote, come out in droves to suupport him.
It is utterly irresponsible, in my opinion, to vote for a candidate you don't like. It gives them a mandate, thinking they have the support of the whole populace.
This is the last I will debate this with you since you can't keep the conversation on a dignified level.

by: concorde @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 14:36:49 PM CDT

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Childish Hissy Fits Are Dignified? (0.00 / 0)

Sometimes life sucks, and you just have to take it, and move on. A grown-up knows this and works through it. If you think not voting for either of the Democratic candidates in the General Election isn't giving your tacit endorsement to Jody Rell, then you need to reexamine your scruples.
This is a debate about ideas, not people. At times, I can be as stupid (stupider?) as the next guy. But right now, your argument shows you're not the next guy.

by: imajoebob @ Sun Aug 06, 2006 at 08:15:11 AM CDT

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The allegations of corruption (0.00 / 0)

Here are the three allegations in the Malloy attack mailer. I would like to see a rebuttal to each of them before I decide to vote for DeStefano. No rebuttal should include an attack on Malloy's management of Stamford--that is a separate issue that can be addressed elsewhere. Here I want a response to these specific allegations against DeStefano:
1) Mismanagement- A federal Housing and Urban Development audit found that, under John DeStefano's mismanagement, the City of New Haven lost track of $2.3 million in federal funds that were supposed to be spent on affordable housing. The city actuallly had to send money back to the federal government because of DeStefano's mismanagement.
2) Scandal- Twenty-six employees, including three of DeStefano's top aides, took hundreds of thousands of dollars in low income housing loans from a program designed to provide housing for poor people. Taxpayers were cheated, while political cronies were rewarded.
3) Failure- DeStefano's healthcare plan fails to control costs, ignore public health, would have cut coverage for women including birth control and would have pushed women out of the hospital too quickly after having a mastectomy or a Caesarian delivery.
On the third allegation, I do not want to hear attacks about how Malloy's health plan is ridiculous because it relies on help from President Bush. That is a separate issue.
A lot of time political operatives respond to these types of allegations by ad hominem attacks or by changing the subject and I did not want that to happen in response to my comment here.

"If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."--James Madison

by: sufi @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 17:10:54 PM CDT

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Smear Campain (0.00 / 0)

I know the third one is definetly a lie, DeStefano's health care plan covers all mandates, you can check out the plan on his website.
The first two I haven't ever heard before and will look into, but I recommend you contact DeStefano's campaign about those. They sounds false to me considering they are from Malloy who I've lost all respect for. You would think the mainstream papers would of covered those stories if they had any truth to them.

by: dmoney @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 18:17:12 PM CDT

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JDS EATS BABIES I TELL YOU!!! BABIES!!! (0.00 / 0)

I also heard that John DeStefano eats babies. I heard that he has a dungeon in his basement where he cooks up evil schemes and conspires with demons.
Dan Malloy has done such despicable things in his campaign strategy that he now politically qualifies as a Republican. He already walked a thin line in his ideology, being a DLC hack and a estate-tax abolisher, but now he is in the same book as Karl Rove, Lee Atwater and all the Republican hacks that spew lies and hate to bring someone down.
Thank God for Dan Malloy, who else would make us puke watching political commercials?
By the way, what the hell is a "social libertarian?"

by: Publius @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 18:26:54 PM CDT

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It's a libertarian (0.00 / 0)

Who puts his civil liberties, such as privacy and gun ownership, in front of his belief in laissez faire capitalism and the free market. A cultural libertarian might be a more accurate description, I suppose.
I love how the standard response to any accusation that JDS isn't a pure as snow progressive is met with ad hominem (although I guess it's not technically ad hominem) attacks. Let me tell you, not only is it logical, but it's also pretty classy.
Have I ever said that Malloy is good? No. All I do is try to disabuse people of the notion that somehow JDS is so fucking great.
I would have responded to your post earlier, but it wasn't a direct reply to me.

Social libertarian.

by: Quarterly Prophet @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 20:09:11 PM CDT

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My thoughts on the gubernatorial race | 17 comments