It became clear that the hearings were little more than a partisan witch hunt aimed at bringing down an enormously popular governor when the committee flatly refused to expand the hearings into similar ethical lapses by Democratic legislators.
...
Because Moody had indicated in her testimony that she "did not fully read and ... absorb" the memo, some Democratic leaders are demanding that Moody resign or be fired. Others are saying that a perjury investigation by Chief State's Attorney Christopher Morano is necessary.
As Moody's attorney has pointed out, she has not denied reading the memo. She has simply indicated she is unfamiliar with its contents - which considering that she has read and edited thousands of memos over the years, is not an unreasonable statement.
That hardly amounts to perjury.
Could Lisa Moody improve her interpersonal skills? Yes. Does Lisa Moody have trouble dealing with subordinates? Yes. Is she corrupt? The answer is no. (Hamzy)
According to her testimony, which is, for the record,
"My testimony is I did not read and memorize that memo."she actually did deny reading the memo. Since it's pretty obvious that she did read it enough to suggest changes, she either has an absolutely terrible memory or she lied under oath to a legislative committee. One is a bad quality for a chief of staff to have. The other is one of those things that should get you fired and slapped with a hefty fine.
This isn't a partisan witch hunt. The legislature has a right to expect those speaking before it to tell the truth, especially if they are under oath. The public has a right to expect the officials of its government to be free of corruption.
Hamzy says that Moody is not corrupt. I say that we haven't yet determined if she is corrupt, and that the legislature has the right and the duty to do so. It would be nice if the Democrats in the legislature policed themselves with such zeal, but the fact that they don't doesn't mean that the case against Moody isn't legitimate.
It is especially crucial in light of the ethics scandals of the past decade that we determine the truth of this matter. Let's get to the bottom of it.
Sources
Hamzy, William. "End Partisan Witch Hunt." Hartford Courant 10 July, 2006.
Lender, Jon. "Memo's Changes Point To Moody." Hartford Courant 1 July, 2006.
9 comments:
TG,
I do think that the investigation still serves a purpose, although, as I said, it would be nice to see a little more zeal when it comes to investigating other Democrats, as well. Moody should at least explain the marked-up memo.
The end game is the problem. This should have ended with Moody's resignation in December, like you said. But it didn't. So now what it looks like is that the legislature's putting pressure on the governor to force her to resign or fire her, or drag Moody (and Rell) through the muck again.
But on the other hand, there's strong evidence of some actual wrongdoing on Moody's part, and it is still legitimate for the legislature to investigate it.
When will we have Zero Tolerance for law-breaking on the part of our elected officials? We couldn't get Ganim out of office until the U.S. Marshals took him away. Similarly, Rowland, et al.
With the exception of a few pockets (Bridgeport and Waterbury, especially), this used to be a good government state. How did it become Rhode Island?
keep it up...
The more ink in the Courant for Moodygate, the less for issues voters care about. Not hard to figure out why the Democrats haven't held the governor's office in decades.
Come to think of it, is there still a primary for governor or just for US Senate?
The True Gentleman said... "
I simply put forth that I think Ms. Moody should have tendered her resignation"
She's offered it.
Considering the weaselfest (ie: Eleff) that surrounded Rowland it's understandable that Governor Rell want's one person nearby that she trusts absolutely.
Unfortunately this rather hollow, stupid oversight by Lisa has been picked up by Dems that clearly can find NOTHING else to try and hang on the Rell administration.
The whole thing (including some of Lisa's actions I'm sorry to say (but I'm sure she'd agree)) is dumb.
I pray the average voter is bright enough to know bad politics when they see it.
Caruso strikes me as over the edge and apparently strikes the voters in his own district the same way.
"As you know, I was formerly a supporter of John DeStefano. Since the convention, I have consulted with the town committee people in my [Democratic State Central Committee] District. Over two thirds are supporting Dan Malloy. After careful reflection and consultation with my fellow Democrats, I am proud to endorse Dan Malloy." Audrey Blondin officially announced tonight to a crowd of party activists and supporters as Lieutenant Gubernatorial candidate Mary Glassman and Gubernatorial candidate Malloy looked on. "In politics, your word is everything. Dan Malloy is a man of honesty and integrity, who keeps his word. That is what the Democratic Party needs to lead it, and that is what the State of Connecticut needs in its Governor."
Taking the floor, Malloy said that Litchfield County's support will put Malloy/Glassman over the top on August 8th, and on August 9 Democrats across the state will come together, and the people of Connecticut will elect a new Governor, because they know it is time for a change. "And come November 9, Jodi Rell will wake up and read the paper and say how shocked and dismayed she is to find that she is no longer Governor." Malloy finished, to loud laughter.
Financial numbers are out, too. DeStefano/Slifka raised approximately $380,000 in the quarter just ended. Malloy/Glassman raised some $650,000. "We have $1.2 million dollars to spend winning this primary over the next four weeks," Malloy said.
The True Gentleman said... "I hadn't heard that Ms. Moody had offered her resignation."
Maybe the press doesn't know it either.
That is however what she told me outside the convention in New Britain when I ran into her on my way back from a coffee run at any rate.
Lisa Moody needs to GO But The Rell People are so worried the minute she goes that Jodi Rell is in trouble. I am sure there is some Rowland Hack who needs a change of scenery or let her stay in office The longer she stays the better it is for Dan Malloy becoming our next Governor.
Post a Comment