This one really was over before it began. It's possible that had Dan Malloy been the nominee, it would have been closer. In fact (check how Stamford voted) that's almost certain.
But no one was beating Jodi Rell this year. Not even the map above truly captures the magnitude of her win. Statewide, Rell defeated DeStefano 63%-35% (with the remaining 2% going to the two minor party candidates), a margin of 28% or about 312,000 votes. In many towns, Rell's margin of victory was well over 30%. DeStefano won seven towns out of 169. Seven. Rell won by over 20% in all but twenty-four towns.
Curiously, voters also decided not to elect any Republicans to help Rell out in the legislature. It seems like voters chose the status quo, with a few more Democrats thrown in for good measure (and as a reponse to national issues and some good individual efforts).
Rell's victory sans coattails, and DeStefano's terrible loss in a year of strong Democratic gains, underscores just how weak the party organizations have become.
19 comments:
Interesting that Bloomfield went for DeStefano. Why Bloomfield?
Malloy only won Stamford for Mayor last fall by a slim margin and that was against an upstart retired FBI agent. The suggestion that he might have taken the state or even STamford for governor is at best a stretch of the imagination.
DeStefano was outcampaigned by Rell who used the power of her office and her unearned incumbency to keep the race at a low profile. Additionally, Malloy and Amman sat on their hands rather than support DeStefano. If Rell were truly a strong leader she would have brought a few more Republicans along. Instead DeLuca and Cafero carried the day into the drink.
As a Democrat, I'm glad the CT GOP is dysfunctional and in disarray. Still, we have to give the GOP something, so a figure-head Governor is OK by me. Otherwise, we won't even have a semblence of two-party rule. I just hope Blumenthal has the guts to challenge her in 2010. That would seal the GOP fate in this state.
remarkable how the brilliant DeStefano allowed the grannie from Brookfield to accumulate the highest vote total of any CT gubernatorial candidate in history
"Anonymous said...
remarkable how the brilliant DeStefano allowed the grannie from Brookfield to accumulate the highest vote total of any CT gubernatorial candidate in history"
Does it ring any bell with you that most who voted were republican? These are the same republicans who put Lieberman back in office, and tired of Nancy Johnson and Bob Simmons!
CT has turned red, inside out. Or is schizophrenia?
I'm ashamed.
CGG,
The all blue map scares the heck out of me.
For fourty years the Dems have controlled the state legislature, and yet it gets worse and worse every year. The idea that if we just get this passed or add a little money here and there it will get better hasn't worked. All I see from this election is higher taxes, increased regulation and more of the same that got CT into this mess. Is it any wonder that NC is booming with low tax rates & low regulations? It's time CT woke up and smelled the stench that is our legislature. I would much rather see both parties be strong and competitive. When both sides actually have to worry about being elected, then we truly can get things done that are benificial to all rather than bribing us with our own money.
GC, as usual, has it right.
All you people out there hearlding the death of the Republican party or some Democratic legislative mandate have it all wrong.
This was a NATIONAL election, not a local one. People voted Democratic because they did not like Bush or Iraq....not because they were in love with Jim Amann or Martin Looney.
Rell won because of her personal popularity and had no coattails because people voted straight D after the Gov/Senate/Congress.
So don't read too much into this election-- Republicans are still weaker than Democrats in CT, but no moreso than they were ten days ago.
Blumenthal has no guts, and quite frankly, no b_lls. If he did, he would be governor/senator Blumenthal by now...
"Instead DeLuca and Cafero carried the day into the drink."
The House Republicans lost seats as usual. But the Senate Republicans held there own in a bad republican year. 800 votes away from picking up a seat. Not bad.
Malloy only won Stamford for Mayor last fall by a slim margin and that was against an upstart retired FBI agent.
Stamford actually has a huge Republican base though, one of the biggest in the state if I recall correctly.
Malloy definitely would have lost too, but he also definitely would have done a hell of a lot better than DeStefano.
Is there a map like this for the senate race yet?
GC SAID:
It's possible that had Dan Malloy been the nominee, it would have been closer. In fact (check how Stamford voted) that's almost certain.
Are you sure GC? Fedele was all over Stamford throughout the Summer & Fall. He hit the campaign trail MUCH harder than Rell, filling in at all forums she couldn't make. I'd bet he saw DeStefano dace to face more than Gov Rell. I ran into him at least 5-6 times throughout election season, probably 4 times in Stamford. He was the guy to beat Malloy for Mayor of Stamford had he chosen to run (so they say, but after meeting him a few times, I'd believe it).
I like Mike Fedele, but if he had so much pull how did his old house seat fall to a Dem?
Rell is a nightmare.. she's done nothing for this state other than sit around and look maternal like a taxidermy Barbara Bush. We need more GOOD job growth, we need the utilities to stop hammering the people, we need CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVES, we need health care for those who can't afford it.. and she is CLUELESS. Its just like her college career.. she cant be effective once she's gotten where she's going, and the people of Connecticut are just accepting it without question.
I can't believe I moved here willingly. I must be out of my mind.
:(
More maps coming, anonymous. Patience--they take forever to make.
As for Fedele, I'm not sure how much of a factor he'd be against Malloy. We may very well have a chance to find out in 2010.
Please note that the chart for CT Senate is incorrect. The margin of victory for the Democrat in the 25th district was 31.4% and should be the darker blue color.
25th Votes % Variance
wilms 9,170.00 34.3%
duff 17,578.00 65.7%
26,748.00 31.4%
http://www.statementofvote-sots.ct.gov/StatementOfVote/WebModules/ReportsLink/StateSenView.aspx?Parameter=11/07/2006-General
Please correct that. Thanks
Mary Pugh
Campaign Manager for Senator Bob Duff (25th)
There are no cotails in Connecticut. 2nd Regan term was, that's the last time and probably will be for at least another 6 years. Logic: no sper inspriring candidate in either party for President in 2008, perhaps in 2012 and really hard for a Gov in CT to inspire anyone. Sorry.
As a democrat I voted for Cliff because DeStefano and Rell both suck, BUT, I think having a GOP gov is not a bad thing...if we had a dem, wouldn't we be just as bad as Bush with a GOP House and Senate? Checks and Balances are as much a cornerstone of democracy as voting is...
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