Welcome, Audrey, to Connecticut Local Politics.
Everyone who has questions should post them here. I'll be reposting questions that were posted elsewhere, with the name of the writer attached.
Update
Audrey answered all of the interview questions that I sent her here in this forum. For your reference, here are the questions (also, it's just good fun to post that Bysiewicz quote):
1. Most readers don't know very much about you. Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself, and why you're running for Secretary of the State?
2. What's the first priority you would have as Secretary of the State, should you be elected?
3. There are five other Democratic contenders for the office of Secretary of the State, and at least one Republican. How do you plan to get voters to take notice of your campaign in this large field?
4. The Hartford Courant reported on July 8th that you're far behind current leader Andrew Fleischmann in fundraising. Is this going to significantly handicap your campaign? How do you plan to make up this ground, especially consdering the size of the Democratic field?
5. In her biography of Ella Grasso, current Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz wrote that "As a state's chief elections officer, the Secretary of State had the happy task of traveling around Connecticut urging people to vote. The Secretaryship offered the golden opportunity for high visibility without the liability of controversy … Further, the position had come to be regarded as… a stepping stone to
higher office." ( Do you think that this is still true of the position, or has it changed since Ella Grasso's day?
6. You appeared with Susan Bysiewicz at a Democratic Town Committee meeting in Winsted in April. Has she endorsed or supported your candidacy in any way?
14 comments:
Audrey,
Certainly. I will be reposting those questions in this forum in just a moment.
Ebpie asked...
A question for Audrey Blondin, do you support same day registration? If so, how can you ensure the integrity of the vote?
DeanFan84 asked...
I understand that same day voter registration would not be popular with registrars and town clerks across the state. But it could make the difference in winning the 3 Republican House seats, as well as the governorship. Will you let us know specifically where you stand on this issue?
Also, with the majority of the voters in this state Unaffiliated, what do you think about moving to an open primary system?
Finally, what major reforms would you like to initiate, were you elected??
I think, based on the context of DeanFan's question, that he may have been asking about primaries that would be open to all voters, instead of just Republicans or Democrats. Several states do this for the presidential races.
Dear Audrey,
The Help America Act has set aside $33 Million for New Electronic Voting Machines and there has been a recent push to replace all voting machines in the state. What is your opinion on replacing lever voting machines in Connecticut? When the 33 million is gone to do you think the federal and state government will burden the cities and towns in connecticut with the cost...
Dear Audrey,
Do you consider yourself the most Progressive Dem in the SOS field?
If so, why?
There has been a lot of talk about enimant domain on the Connecticut local politics blog lately. Do you think the state of Connecticut will take any action to help homeowners keep thier property safe from big government and corrupt American? What is your opinion on this topic and do you think the supreme court over stepped its power?
There has been discussion from the current Secretary of the States office over weather to choose DRE Voting Machines or Opitical Scanners. I know John Nussbaum has pledged to fight for optical scanners. The Secretary of States office has only put out a RFP on DRE machines, Because there are no federally certified optical scanners available that are ADD compliant. What is your view on both types of machines? Which is better in your opinion?
Audrey,
(A quick follow-up question from me--)
Do you feel, then, that Susan Bysiewicz has been too distant from local governments during her tenure? What sorts of things will you do to bring the SOTS office closer to the municipal governments?
All right, we are just about out of time. Thanks to all who posted questions, and thanks especially to Audrey Blondin, who was generous enough to spend her time with us tonight.
I will be posting my interview with Audrey at some point in the next few days.
I've looked at the campaign finance reports for the SOTS candidates and noted that one or two candidates seem to be getting alot of money from pacs and lobbyists. Do you think this is a problem concidering all of you supposedly support campaign finance reform?
Naturally we don't mind!
Thanks again, Audrey, and you're always welcome to come back and post your opinions here on the blog.
Audrey, you are my hero!
Ms. Blondin-
I am a Republican so I'm probably not inclined to support you. But thanks for your willingness to answer the questions tonight. It shows a degree of respect and class.
Just one critique: On your website you mistakenly link to the DAS website rather than what is supposed to be the SOTS site.
Best of luck in your primary.
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