Sunday, May 21, 2006

Dan's the Man

At the crucial moment, between the end of the first roll call and the switching of votes, it may have come down to the fact that Dan Malloy was there and John DeStefano wasn't.

Yes, there were other factors involved. Malloy had excellent people working the floor during that pivotal time. They flew around the room speaking with wavering delegates, desperately trying to scrounge up the handful of votes they needed. And they did it. DeStefano's people picked up a vote or two, but found that the votes they did have had slipped through their fingers.

This has been a constant throughout the gubernatorial campaign: Malloy has surrounded himself with experienced people who know how to play to the media and control a room. The DeStefano campaign, by contrast, only recently began to shake off its image of being an amateur production.

Perhaps DeStefano's game of promising the lieutenant governor slot to more than one person hurt him, as well. DeStefano had made a pretense of holding a place open for Malloy (although DeStefano wouldn't consider running as Malloy's LG should Malloy win), while Mayor Scott Slifka of West Hartford was already the campaign's choice. Audrey Blondin, another hopeful, was visibly upset after apparently being told that DeStefano had not chosen her.

But when the moment came, when votes were being traded and the convention was on the line, Dan Malloy was everywhere. He was up and down the aisles, talking to delegates, even jumping on a chair at one point with a plea for more votes, a trail of cameras and reporters struggling to keep up with him.

Where was John DeStefano? His absence was notable, especially compared with Malloy's manic activity. According to several people, he had left the room to declare victory as soon as the first vote was done. Then what? The New Haven Independent reports that he was behind a closed door in preparation for his acceptance speech!

When he finally did emerge, it was only to be told that Malloy had declared victory to supporters at around 4:00. Malloy had climbed onto a chair with a bullhorn, and whipped his supporters into a frenzy. DeStefano remarked that there were still votes to be counted.

But when the count came, DeStefano had lost by four votes.

Almost as an afterthought, DeStefano introduced his running mate, Scott Slifka of West Hartford, to the remaining media people (I actually just happened to catch this on my way out the door) following Malloy's acceptance speech. By then, it was too late. Malloy had captured the day.

There will still be a primary in August. DeStefano currently has more money and the support of organized labor, but it remains to be seen whether his campaign will find themselves outhustled by Malloy again.

10 comments:

ctkeith said...

Line A =DLC, Republican lite and Pro War Pro Bush

Lieberman/Malloy

Line B = Real Democrats,Anti War Anti Bush

Lamont/Destefano


Lets get ready to rumble!!

ctkeith said...

I notice Chris McC uses the Words Us,We ,I and me alot as if he's an important part of something.He even says,People gave ME their word as if he would be able to punish them if they went back on their word to HIM.Heres a few examples,

"I already have commitments from Blondin loyalists and others ..."

"I can also tell you that I have commitments of support outside the Fifth for Malloy"

"We beat them on the floor of the convention, and we will beat them on the gridiron"

"Dannel Malloy is the nominee tonight. And he will be the nominee on August 9.

I promise."




-----------------------------------

This is classic behavior of those suffering from a Napoleon Complex.

I've always admitted I'm not important and am just a guy with stong opinions.Unfotunately it might take serious therapy for Chris McC to figure out the same.

ctkeith said...

Johnathon,

The only time Malloy taked about the war was when he was forced to.He won the chance to be on the Prowar Line with Lieberman by agreeing to ytake the war off the table for this convention and now he has to wear that.

Line A is Lieberman/Malloy
Both these men are Members of the Pro war,Pro Corperation,Pro Walmart,Pro Triangulation,Pro Free Trade with no regulation and Pro Bush Tilted DLC.

WEAR IT DANNEL,YOU EARNED IT THE OLD FASHION WAY,YOU STOLE IT JUST LIKE W IN 2000!!

ctkeith said...

Malloy can announce Publicly announce anytime that his Membership in the Pro-War,Pro Corperate and Pro -Neocon Joe Lieberman organization known as the DLC and run by Al From and Co. has ended.Until then he's gotta wear it like a badge of honor.

PS. I'm hoping to get a photo of the 2 line A DLC Dems kissing.That would make quite a Button!!

ctkeith said...

mikect,

Didn't you find it telling that ChrisMcC found it outragious that I didn't cave to being lobbied by big bad Rosa?LMAO

Genghis Conn said...

As for why the process allows it, I have no idea.

Why did they change? Because someone came and sat on them.

Genghis Conn said...

The Malloy people used Jedi mind tricks on them. Weak-minded fools!

Really, I think a few were promised something, or they were wavering anyway, or they just wanted to be on the winning team. Ask each one, get a different response.

Authentic Connecticut Republican said...

Can someone cite the last time a primary winner for any state wide election, went on to win the general election in Connecticut?

-ACR

Genghis Conn said...

Denise Nappier 1998. Before that, John Rowland 1994.

Mr X said...

I was a delegate and was with DeStefano But after what he did to Litchfield County by playing us against West hartford when he knew Slifka was his choice.I am doing the right thing and supporting Malloy the rest of the way in the Primary and Election.DeStefano will lose the Primary No Doubt in my mind!!