Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Open Forum

All's quiet on the election front.

Anyone get a chance to see the new voting machines?

I've heard rumors of campaign finance reform inching slowly ahead, but I'll believe it when I see it.

What else is happening today?

9 comments:

Aldon Hynes said...

The AP is reporting Rell vetoes contracting reform bill.

Mayor DeStefano has responded that he would have signed the bill.

Anonymous said...

Michael Jarjura's real secret to success in the Waterbury mayoral election was no mystery - it was money. He raised nearly $200,000 through October 30 and spent 2.5 times the total of his major opponent in the general election. By comparison, in the last quarter, Joe Courtney raised $130,000 and Chris Murphy $150,000 for their Congressional campaigns.

Jarjura and his "Democratic" opponent also went trolling for support among the irreligious right, according to the anti-gay Family Institute of CT, which celebrated his "pro-life victory". Jarjura sought out a meeting with local anti-choicers, renewing his lifelong commitment to controlling women's bodies, declaring himself "on the cutting edge" of anti-choice advocacy, and restating his heartfelt belief that "what matters is legislation" to outlaw abortion.

The Family Institute blogger expresses delight at Jarjura's subservience: "I am not aware of another big city in the state where the top candidates for mayor would request a meeting with local pro-lifers in order to seek their support." Indeed. Only Waterbury "Democrats".

Jarjura earned his claim to fame as an unprincipled toadie when - shortly before John Rowland's resignation - he called his First Convict friend "the best governor Connecticut has ever had." (Jarjura also voted against campaign finance reform as a state legislator.)

In a recent e-mail newsletter, Chris Murphy curiously praised the victory and "forward thinking" agenda of Jarjura. He may want to reconsider both his description and praise of the mayor, since Jarjura "disavowed" his past support of Murphy to satiate the anti-choice crowd, according to the Family Institute. This was in retribution for Murphy's support of stem cell research.

Waterbury Alderman and Congressional candidate Paul Vance has, of course, repeatedly expressed his loyalty and admiration for this embarrassing relic on this blog.

Aldon Hynes said...

SNAP PAC is having a fundraiser in New Haven this evening.

Thursday, November 17, 6-8pm
219 Dwight Street, New Haven CT
$40

Host Committee: Mayor John DeStefano, Senator Martin Looney, Gordon Geballe, Shelley Geballe, Lon Seidman, Alissa Stollwerk, Tom Swan, Steven Syverud and Adam Wood

Special Guest: Diane Farrell, Joe Courtney.

Paul Vance said...

Now MikeCT, if I didn't have an appreciation for your writing style- I might think you gave me a 'slap' in your post. Now I can take a slap or two, but why the shot at the entire City?

You commented about the finances of the campaign. I agree whole-heartedly that there needs to be campaign finance reform in Connecticut (and nationally)-- I see how PAC money and special interest money is the driver-- heck,look at the finance reports and see the PAC and lobbyist contributions across the board. There seems to be a lack of courage in Hartford on this issue. I spoke to a State Rep who is against reform, and althought I disagree with his position-- at least he is being honest. There are too many in Hartford that claim to be for reform, but just not yet. (Kind of like St. Augustine- who prayed, "Lord, make me chaste-- just not yet.")

I thought that instead of taking a shot at me, you were going to comment about how I voted against the 'abortion free zone' proposal in Waterbury. Although it was an item that did not belong before a municipal board, it was a good time for me to reflect on the issue of abortion. I was happy to see the new Governor in VA talk about his faith in the context of abortion and the 'wedge issues'. As a Catholic, I really relate.

Yes, you are correct that I have posted 'admiration and loyalty' to Mayor Jarjura. He is a good man, who treats people well and that, MikeCT, is something that I see far too little of in politics. I admire that he was raised poor and now his family business does very well. No, I don't always agree with his political positions- but despite that fact, I consider him a friend.

Mike, I have a voting record over the past several years on the Board of Aldermen- surely you can find something better to attack me about- as opposed to being bashed for such a horrible character flaw--someone who is loyal to a friend?

Anonymous said...

Here is the website for Republican State Senate candidate, Gregg Hannan in the 12th District.

www.Hannan2006.com

Anonymous said...

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/41444

Anonymous said...

Paul--

Your friend, Jarjura, might be a good ole boy, might have a big heart, might work hard, might treat you well, and might call himself a Democrat.

But anyone who chooses to affiliate themselves with Brian Brown, the Family Institute of CT, hate politics, and the Radical Right, is not a "good man". Period.

When I see Jarjura's name on the masthead of the Family Institute of CT, that tells me all I need to know about him. He might as well be a Klan member to those of us who believe in women's and gay rights.

Why don't you re-write your comment to include some condemnation of the FIC, and Jarjura's affiliation with it? Otherwise you stand to be known by the company you keep.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Vance,

I appreciate that you have taken the time to respond, though you have missed my point. When you enthusiastically endorse and celebrate the victory of a candidate, you become more than a personal friend. You have chosen to be a political ally of a candidate that for years has sought to control women's bodies and reproductive decisions, opposed campaign finance reform, treated our gay neighbors as second-class citizens, partnered with right-wing bigots, and endorsed the state's most overtly corrupt, venal and criminal Republican. You choose to identify with a candidate who has - arguably more than any Democrat in the state - publicly rejected the values and principles of the Democratic base and has been a continual source of embarrassment. You should hardly be surprised when that base challenges your political judgement. I am also disappointed with Chris Murphy's e-mail, but your entanglement with Jarjura is on an entirely different scale.

Speaking of these issues, it would be helpful if you could clarify:

* Do you support access to confidential abortion services for all women, regardless of age, marital status or ability to pay? Do you support restoration of federal Medicaid funding for abortion services?

* Do you support full public financing of federal elections?

* Have you been involved with the DLC?

* Do you support civil unions? Equal marriage? DOMA?

Deanfan,
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Jarjura a Klan member?..you mean like the most senior Democratic senator?

The door is open in the other party if the cultists in the Democrat ranks drive away Jarjura and Lieberman