Friday, April 14, 2006

Schlesinger to Enter Senate Race

GOP Sees "Opportunity"

Alan Schlesinger will be entering the U.S. Senate race Monday, according to the Hartford Courant:
Schlesinger, who won six elections for the state legislature and two for mayor, predicted Thursday that Democratic challenger Ned Lamont would defeat Lieberman in a Democratic primary in August, setting up a possible three-way race in November. The reason for the prediction, Schlesinger said, is "history" - meaning that Democrats in Connecticut have traditionally chosen the more liberal candidate in primaries.

"This is the party that brought you [former gubernatorial contender Bill] Curry twice and is totally upset with Lieberman over Iraq," Schlesinger said. "Lamont will be coming at him from the left, and I will come at him from the right." (Keating)
So he's counting on a Lamont win, and/or Lieberman moving to the left. It's not a bad strategy, as Lieberman has already drifted leftward since his infamous statements about Iraq last year.

George Gallo is also optimistic.
"He's been the bulldozer of Connecticut politics," Gallo said of Lieberman. "He has rolled over everybody, but 2006 is going to be an interesting year for the senator. If Lieberman wins the primary, he's still going to have a race on his hands. This primary is going to force him back to his left. That creates an opportunity for us." (Keating)
Schlesinger has promised to use $500,000 of his own money for the campaign.

The other announced candidate, of course, is Paul Streitz, who even Gallo dismisses as a "one issue" candidate. Jack Orchulli is also considering a run. A nomination fight between these three could be the only interesting part of the GOP convention next month.

Source

Keating, Christopher. "Ex-Mayor, Legislator From Derby To Announce Run For U.S. Senate." Hartford Courant 14 April, 2006.

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3 comments:

ctkeith said...

Lieberman knows he can't win a primary.He's hoping he can muster enough of the old hacks(like DiNardo) to win the vote at the convention and then he's going to bolt and run as an Indy.

Their won't be 3 people who admit they voted for Lieberman at the convention when this happens.Just watch.

ctkeith said...

BRubenstein,

Ms. Dinardo sold herself as a great Fundraiser while running for the Position of State Chair.

From what you've seen has she lived up to the sales pitch she presented as a candidate or is state central still totaly dependent on the JJB dinner funds and our 2 senators genorosity?

Weicker Liker said...

Alan Schlesinger has got to be kidding....

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCE should he spend $500,000 of his own money on a US Senate Race.

Tells me he has no broad support, mich like Jack Orchulli in 2004.

Orchulli already is owed $1.3 Million by his Campaign Committee from his run in 2004 against Dodd.

Orchulli is an empty suit.

And remember, Orchulli has also gone on record in the Journal Inquirer with an interest in running for State Treasurer.

What does Jack want??? A US Senate Seat or State Treasurer???

Also, Schlesinger lalso ikes to boast about his opposition to the State Income Tax in 1991. His alternative was to raise the CT Sales Tax to 10%. He wanted our state to rely on an an unstable and unpredictable revenue stream to balance our state's needs.