Thursday, September 14, 2006

Rell Issues and Accomplishments Page

It took a while, but Gov. Rell's campaign has finally posted an "Issues and Accomplishments" page.

Actually, right now it's just an "accomplishments" page containing a long list of things that either she has accomplished or have happened on her watch. Some are good:
Toughest in the nation campaign finance reform. Governor Rell demanded that the General Assembly pass tough, real reforms of our campaign finance system - including bans on campaign cash from special interests. The changes are considered a national model.

Some are a little embarrasing:
Connecticut's rank among New England states for job growth: No. 2, behind only Vermont. Connecticut's rate of job growth between July 2004 and July 2006 was 1.2 percent, tied with Massachusetts and second to Vermont's rate of 1.5 percent.
At least it isn't negative... yet.

The Rell campaign promises new initiatives in the coming weeks:
A few of the highlights of Governor Rell's record are below. And in the coming weeks, Governor Rell will be outlining how she plans to build on that record of achievement - how she plans to continue keeping her promise of LEADERSHIP - INTEGRITY - RESULTS.

We'll see how that goes. Rell is at her best when she isn't proposing grand new schemes, but working on, refining and pushing existing ideas and plans. And frankly, John DeStefano can't wait for some new Rell plans, so he can start criticizing them. In fact, the DeStefano campaign already has a template ready to go:

DeStefano Press Release ____/____/2006:

John DeStefano today expressed his [disappointment/outrage/disbelief] at Gov. Rell's newest [crazy/narrow/dimwitted] proposal, _________________. DeStefano says that the proposal will [hurt/maim/sadden] the [poor/elderly/union workers/cute kittens] who do so much for our state, by robbing them of their [dignity/money/ability to vote Democratic].

Rell's proposal only helps [the rich/Wal-Mart/suburbanites], and doesn't [go far enough/cost nearly enough], says DeStefano, and compared the plan to his own plan for _______________, saying that his plan is superior because it [costs more/taxes the rich to feed the poor/is way cooler]. DeStefano calls on Rell to [hang her head in shame/go on vacation until November 8th/keep releasing these plans].

And so on.

The point is that Rell barely has to release plans for the future. In fact, she may be better off being as vague as possible, like Clinton was in 1996. People don't necessarily like her for her ideas. They like her because she's Jodi Rell. Why risk confusing people with new stuff?

Source
Governor M. Jodi Rell: A Record of Accomplishment. Accessed 9/14/2006.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

The DeStefano template is very funny, albeit sadly accurate. The best part is the "go on vacation until Nov. 8th" suggestion. Too bad for JDS, MJR could go on vacation until then and still win by double digits.

Perhaps you can do a Congressional challenger template next. It would probably be pretty easy, just make sure to mention Bush and Iraq as many times as possible.

GMR said...

Job growth statistics that don't take into account popultion growth are useless. But the # of people working is up: 45,600 more workers, but only 19,700 more jobs. So the difference accounts for the addition of self-employed and the addition of commuters to out of state locales. Not sure if the 19,700 jobs includes jobs that are filled by commuters into CT from Westchester. Seems sort of hard to believe that the # of self employed and commuters out of state grew much more than new jobs in the state...

I would hope that the DoD kept the Sub base open for military needs, not because it's a make work system for 31,000 people. But heck, as the governor, you just want the place opened, even if costs the other 49 states.

At the same time, the Governor restructured the state contracting system to establish a single point of contact for employers รข€“ including minority-owned, women-owned and small businesses - looking for a share of state business:

Now, can you imagine what would have happened if minority-owned and women-owned businesses had to go to a different website???

How much is NY state kicking in for these new commuter rail cars that we're paying $459 million for? I would hope NY would shoulder most of the costs, since it seems ridiculous that those of us who actually work in CT and pay taxes in CT then have these taxes used to subsidize people who work in NY and end up paying 0 in taxes to CT because NY takes their taxes.

Open space Schmopen space. Yeah, I like green areas as much as the next guy, but we need more housing here. It's damned expensive. And stopping sprawl is like trying to stop water from flowing downhill. My wife and I moved from Greenwich to Ridgefield for more affordable housing, and some of our Ridgefield friends are moving to Southbury. Yet all the Fairfield county towns seem to stop about any new development.

Well, I'm stll going to vote for Rell, especially when compared to JDS.

Genghis Conn said...

It could be like Mad Libs.

My opponent is ________(adjective) and doesn't care about _________ (noun).

Anonymous said...

Has anyone seen the article on the Journal Inquirer website regarding Governor Rell accepting campaign contributions from employees of contractors who do business with the state as well as two registered lobbyists. Didn't she pledge that she wouldn't do that? Why isnt that article discussed on the blog today?

Anonymous said...

ctrevolution said: "I honestly don't see how Rell will win..."

Whether you see it or not, it is going to happen - you can count on it.

Take a look at the Q poll (and others) and cross tabs - there is absolutely no way DeStefano can win.

If he attacks Rell, his negative numbers sore (and they are already too high). If he just plays nice, he can't get Rell below 50%.

DeStefano still has a name ID gap to make up. His negatives are too high. And he can't raise enough dough. Oh, and yes, Lamont-Lieberman will still suck the air out of the Governor's race.

It's over!

If you can't see that, then you almost don't even deserve the right to post on a political blog.

The best part is that people like you and truebluect - who constantly attack Rell - are supporting such a bad candidate and you can't even see it.

Oh, and by the way, quick, tell me 3 issues that Governor Ella Grasso stood for? Go ahead .... you lose!

Anonymous said...

Ok, so how about this: Rell's campaign website proudly boasts of her support for and signing of the Civil Union bill, and generally of equal rights for Gays and Lesbians. DeStefano's site says absolutely nothing on those topics or any related topics. Progressive? Not.

Anonymous said...

Rell's performance as a governor reminds me a bit of Harriet Miers. You know, the nice old lady/vastly underqualified pick by Bush for the Supreme Court. The similarity is this, they both don't know what they're doing. Let's end Republican incompetence in administrating our country. Honestly.

Anonymous said...

Where is John DeStefano?? Havent heard a thing about him lately.

Is he running for Governor or what??