The Navy and the Department of Defense said it would save taxpayers $1.6 billion to shut the Groton Sub Base and move most of its operations to Georgia. The base was outdated and not needed by the modern military. Today, the Base Realignment and Closure commission indicated what it thought of that argument:
"It would be a tragic mistake, a tragic loss to this nation," Commission Chairman Anthony J. Principi said before the vote.
Retired General Lloyd Newton initiated the move to strike Groton from the list of 62 major bases tapped for closure or realignment by the defense department.
Newton, a Pratt & Whitney executive who lives in West Hartford, told his colleague today that "it would be a big mistake to close this facility at this time." (Lightman)
The only remaining hurdle to clear is President Bush, who could approve BRAC's entire list or require them to make changes. This would happen next month. It's seen as unlikely that Bush will intervene, although one never knows.
Today, Team Connecticut and all those who worked hard to save the base should feel proud that they have accomplished what everyone (myself included) thought was impossible. This is a huge boost for Connecticut, and today we can all exhale, just a little bit.
Source
Lightman, David. "Commission Votes To Save Sub Base." Hartford Courant 24 August, 2005.
17 comments:
Who wants to wager how long it will take Simmons to take credit for this?
I am astonished. I was wrong - I didn't think it had a prayer to stay open.
Simmons does have a reason to take at least some credit, though. He and others worked pretty hard to keep the base, and they were successful. I expect both Rep. Simmons and Gov. Rell to use this next year.
It doesn't change the fact that Simmons faces another tough re-election battle next year. It may be a little easier for him, but it's still going to be close.
Simmons is all set now-- he will get (and deserves) lots of credit for this. Rell will also benefit, although her election will not hinge on it like Rob's has.
With Rell at the top of the ticket and the base staying open, I think Simmons will be off most target lists. Democrats would be smarter to focus on Shays this time around.
But for CT, this is a real win. Congrats to us all!
What's DeStefano's take on this? He was critical of Rell, when Groton was put on the closure list.
You can see what Dan Malloy thinks on his website he has a press release that he sent out today.
I'm sorry I couldn't reply to this earlier. I was in New York and have only gotten online now as we prepare for our Online Town Hall Forum
I have received a copy of the DeStefano Press Release about the BRAC decision and have placed it on our front page.
Maybe when I get a chance to catch up on everything, I add some of my own thoughts on this and how it relates to the Governor's race, as well as the Second CD race.
Well, with the BRAC decision, I guess Blumenthal's choice is made.
Dave,
That's a very good take on the situation. Frankly, we should have moved to shore up the base and the region after 1993's near miss.
I think SE CT has been doing what it can to diversify, especially since Electric Boat's production slowed down so dramatically in the 1990s, but it certainly hasn't been easy. Casinos aren't the answer, and tourism is fickle at best.
Anonymous,
You might be right about Blumenthal. Of course, who really knows what he's thinking?
You know, my mom, who is a nurse and whose fmaily has a history of breast cancer, is alwasy remarking when Rell is on TV that she "keeps looking worse." She wonders if maybe the cancer, along with the stress from the effort to save the base, is taking a larger toll on Rell than is known.
I know it is all speculation, but I wonder if there is something to that, and maybe this is why she hasn't announced her decision yet? I know she just released those controversial mailings, but she still may not have made up her mind totally.
I agree with Ebpie on this one, DeanFan. Everybody worked hard. I don't think we could have done much to keep the base off the list in the first place, seeing as the DoD really wanted it shut down. They've wanted it shut down since 1993. That we turned it around is a minor miracle.
That said, there's no question that the base is still in danger from the next round of closings.
Ebpie,
Well said! Connecticut loves moderates-- Republicans or Democrats. That's why they love Lieberman and Johnson. (Only time Johnson came close to losing was when she got too close to Newt Gingrich).
Shays and Simmons have tough races, but their moderate views make them generally popular. The Far Right hates them as much as Far Lefties like DeanFan.
Shays and Simmons will both be safe this year. Two reasons: first, Rell will do better in 2006 than Bush did in 2004 in CT. (Even if she does not win, she will get least 45%). Second, Simmons now has the sub base issue-- which will swing lots of people. Lot of people in my area (second CD) say that they would vote for Simmons if he saved the sub base.
Shays is a better target for Democrats, but Farrell has a weak argument in tying him to DeLay. Especially when he called for DeLay's resignation. Dems should focus on a positive, moderate agenda to beat him.
BTW-- I also agree with Genghis on the sub base. Mad props to all of Team Connecticut-- R's and D's-- for pulling this one off.
I hope the people running Farrell and Courtney's campaign do not make the same mistake DeanFan is making-- running on a rabid liberal, Anti-Bush agenda is no way to win. Only a positive, moderate agenda will help Democrats win. Didn't Kerry and Dean's failures teach us anything?
When Democrats run as "not Bush", we will lose. CT is facing so many obstacles-- transporation, urban-suburban disparities, sluggish job recovery-- that we can do better than this. We need a positive agenda to deal with these issues.
And let's face it, Connecticut Repubicans ARE moderates. Voters see right through the argument that they are Bush/DeLay clones. So let's not make the same mistakes we always make.
CT is a moderate state first, and a blue state second. (I think we are "purple" in Obama's words). We need moderate Dems to lead the way.
Hi everyone, just wanted to weigh in on the BRAC vote and on the active debate on the Blog.
I am excited (like everyone else in our state) that the Sub Base was saved-- but I hope that we remain diligent and continually remind the Washingtonians that New London's sub base is important to our national defense as well as to our state's economy. It is a victory for all of those who worked to save it.
I am a huge fan of stand-up comedy and I think of a Chris Rock routine about the labels in politics. He knocks those who label themselves (as liberals, conservatives, or by party) and he says, "Just be an American. Think." Although I don't count Chris Rock as one of my political advisors, I like his message.
I am probably most accurately labeled a 'moderate', I am liberal on some issues and conservative on others. I think most people in Connecticut are like that politically. With that being said, I am a proud blue collar Democrat.
We need our leaders to be proactive and more, we need them to be honest and open about what they believe and how they will vote, which is why I am running for Congress in the 5th CD.
Just wanted to weigh in, hope everyone enjoys the weekend.
Good message, Paul. We can get very hung up on labels and get too entrenched with whatever side we've cast our lot with.
Paul,
Great statement. Spoken like someone running for Congress, because I fully agree (and don't see how I couldn't!) :)
Best of luck!
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