“Unfortunately, we were not able to come to agreement on allowing the participation of third-party candidates,” Governor Rell said. “But I’m sure there will be ample opportunity for voters to hear from all of the candidates at the various events and public meetings on the campaign trail.”
This is very sad, indeed. A debate featuring all the candidates would have been good for democracy.
I will post more information about where and when the debates will take place when I receive it.
Update 1:35pm:
The DeStefano campaign says that they proposed further debates with the minor party candidates, but the Rell campaign insisted on only two debates. From a September 20th letter sent to the Rell campaign:
We originally proposed a series of at least five televised debates and additional forums involving DeStefano and Governor Rell. The Rell campaign insisted that there be only two debates and that all third party candidates be included in each one.
In an effort to reach an agreement and get the debates scheduled quickly, the Destefano campaign amended its offer and suggested four televised debates and two additional forums. Again, Governor Rell refused to negotiate.
...
Today the DeStefano campaign is again trying to reach a compromise by offering at least two televised, one-on-one debates with an additional two or three debates or forums including minor party candidates.
This deal apparently fell through.
Rich Harris, spokesman for the Rell campaign, told CTLP that while he didn't know the specifics of the negotiations, the governor had been very interested in including the minor-party candidates. "I was there when she talked about wanting the minor party candidates in the debate and she meant it. There was no talk of strategy. I know no one will believe it; why should they? It's a cynical age. ... But it's true."
33 comments:
I'm very surprised that she agreed to this. It seemed that she was holding all the cards.
Any word on an Lt Gov debate?
Any word on a Lt. Gove debate?
See the update to this post.
There is no word on a lt. gov. debate. I know the DeStefano campaign proposed one, and I would like to see one, but I haven't heard anything yet.
anon 1:01,
I don't see why it's surprising. Yes, she held the cards. But it's not as if she really cared about sharing the stage with minor party candidates.
Rell got exactly what she wanted. The debates will be limited to two, and DeStefano's only significant press this week focused on what came off as him whining about "deserving" one-on-one debates. Meanwhile, Rell gets the limited number of debates she wanted, but reprises her starring role as Snow White.
A cynical take? Sure. But then again, I'm a cynical kind of guy. (If she insists on not holding the debates at the same time that post-season baseball games are happening, then I'll become a little less cynical about the whole thing.)
Please...all incumbents with huge leads do not want to debate. Republican Democrat or whatever. Tell me one candidate that doesn't want to cruise to an election win? I know you are dissappointed BRube because the candidate you support is way behind BUT if this were a Democrat way up in the polls I don't think it would really bother you.
BRUCE IS BACK !!!
I hope we won't regret a Rell second term as much as we regret re-electing Bush.
Is it just me, or does Rell strike anybody else as a "C+" student, at best.
OK, OK, I'll bite. Why in the hell would anybody want a Lt Gov debate? So we can see who will do the governor's bitch work better?
Wow Anon 2:27, very short sighted & ignorant. Do you even know anything about either Lt Gov candidate? They'll be the #2 behind the Gov AND acting Governor (I believe) if the Gov is ever out of the state (for whatever reason)... either (who knows) could be running for Governor him/herself in 4 yrs! I think if people will be voting for them ALONG with the Governor candidates, they deserve to get an idea of who they are. Wow, I guess you can watch Dog the Bounty Hunter reruns that night instead...
Hey anon 2:23,
(With apologies to the late Lloyd Bentson.)
I was a C+ student. Some of my best friends were C+ students.
Jodi Rell is no C+ student.
Unfortunately for JDS, she's more of an A student. But I'm still leaning his way because I'm a sucker for the underdog.
Disgruntled--
I'll bet you $100 that three years from now we'll all regret having voted for Jodi, and we'll sit back and wonder what we ever saw in her!
You still haven't made a positive case for Mrs. Rell. Can you?
disgruntled,
Give me 1000-1 and I'll take that bet!
CTRevolution,
Put down the Kool-Aid and slowly back away... We don't want anyone to get hurt.
CTRevolution said...
It's now glaringly obvious that Rell was simply using the Green Party and the Independent Party simply as tools to try to escape a one-on-one debate with DeStefano.
So was Lieberman.
I thought I just heard on Colin that Rell's campaign is not going to take state party money? Anybody know anything about that?
Dumb Jodi is an empty suit.
Will the general public wake up in time to save ourselves from more of the same?
let's see ... Rell wanted 2 debates, she got 2 debates. Hmmmmm, I guess John rolled her.
DeStefano is such a hypocrite. He did everything he could to duck debates with Malloy when he had a lead in the primary polls, and now that Rell is using the same tactic he's crying and moaning about it.
It's how the game is played--you'd think such an old player would know that.
Anonymous said...
I thought I just heard on Colin that Rell's campaign is not going to take state party money? Anybody know anything about that?
Yes, she won't take it.
Should GOP state central decide to do anything for the Rell campaign we would have to it ourselves without any inter-reaction from her or her campaign staff what so ever.
We still take pretty much anyone's money who offers it; that would include lobbiests - and she won't touch it with a ten foot pole.
Rell never said she wasn;t going to take state party $, just not lobbyist and state contractor $
BRubenstein said...
...Rell is trying to coast into office...
What's with the adjective Bruce?
"Rell is coasting into office." Would be more correct and I'm quite sure you're already aware of that fact.
Why in the hell would anybody want a Lt Gov debate?
Well, sometimes Governor's get thrown in jail, and the Lt. Gov., independent of any qualifications or ability, ends up Governor.
You know, you can vote split ticket, as Glassman has ably demonstrated.
As to the Governor's races debates, I would say that Mayor DeStefano and the two minor candidates should go ahead and have the debate without Gov. Rell. I think it helps illustrate the sort of no show that she really is.
where's the toe tag for Hugo Chavez North?
"You know, you can vote split ticket, as Glassman has ably demonstrated."
No you can't...Governor and LG run as a ticket in the general election
Aldon,
Unfortunately, our ability able to elect governor and lt. governor separately went out with the 1965 state constitution.
Which is too bad, because I think Glassman would have a real chance against Fedele (about whom I know next to nothing).
It's also true that DeStefano had only one debate during his mayoral run last year, and he invited that candidate from the Guilty Party.
Genghis Conn said...
..... chance against Fedele. (about whom I know next to nothing)
Italian immigrant; self made millionaire, etc. etc.
Not a lightweight - can speak well but not with the electrifying intensity of say, Dick Bozzuto - never the less he can certainly carry himself and speak better than many in the game including those currently on the field and in play now.
IOW's - he could easily toss JDS all around the ring; but would've
probably been in an actual debate with Malloy. (not that such a scenario was ever likely; simply illustrating using people most would be familar with)
I know little of Glassman and have never seen her speak so I can not address that.
Aldon's wrong about splitting the vote but I'm hearing from a lot of democrats that they wish Mary G. was at the top of the ticket instead. (Not to mention Destefano is hearing the same thing and is seriously POd about it). Hey Genghis, how about a poll?
"The electrifying intensity of Dick Bozzuto?" Be still my heart.
Anon9:07 - It's clear those Dems who have not yet given up on this year's race for Governor are trying to fight fire with fire...she's a strong candidate with a lot to offer though I've heard its not going over well in the DeStefano side of the camp.
there was a TON of buzz about glassman after a recent town committee meeting I attended. If the D ticket falls short on 06, she'll be the one to watch, no question. JDS may not like it, but thems the facts.
C'mon man, you a chicken?
Disgrunt - When did you graduate from the Marty McFly school of debate?
Another new high for the featured posters...
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