tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post113259496762169451..comments2023-10-18T11:04:13.946-04:00Comments on Connecticut Local Politics: AP: 5th District a "Bellweather"Genghis Connhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042849182723767087noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132757045372761632005-11-23T09:44:00.000-05:002005-11-23T09:44:00.000-05:00Dear Bloggers:There are some of us given our backg...Dear Bloggers:<BR/><BR/>There are some of us given our backgrounds, connections, etc. who can't possibly provide names but who would like to give information where possible - this is why the anonymous function works well. We'd rather contribute as unnamed sources than not contribute at all.<BR/><BR/>A different anonymous ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132711120357916692005-11-22T20:58:00.000-05:002005-11-22T20:58:00.000-05:00Haven't we had this anonymous discussion before? P...Haven't we had this anonymous discussion before? People may post here under whatever name they choose, even though it creates confusion. <BR/><BR/>Anyone wanting to post under a consistent name but doesn't want to go through the annoying hassle of a Blogger username can just select "other" from the three options under "Choose an identity" on the comment screen. Type in whatever you want.<BR/><BR/>As for party strength in the 5th District, I more and more believe that the election results were more about dissatisfaction with incumbents and less about party. If there is an anti-incumbent mood in CD-5, that's much worse news for Nancy Johnson than an anti-Republican mood.Genghis Connhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13042849182723767087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132705884080567242005-11-22T19:31:00.000-05:002005-11-22T19:31:00.000-05:00Anonymous(7:18)Care to explain what is so obvious ...Anonymous(7:18)<BR/><BR/>Care to explain what is so obvious to you? I'm not angry about anything and I fail to see what you consider I'm being self-righteous about.<BR/><BR/>I'm trying to carry on a discussion about what is going on the strengths and weaknesses of Republicans and Democrats in the 5th CD. I kind of thought that was the purpose of the post.<BR/><BR/>Nor do I see where you come up with the assumption that people from Connecticut who voted for Bush don't exist in my world. I actually have quite a few friends that voted for Bush.<BR/><BR/>Next!Aldon Hyneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00527868669926331034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132705137263811172005-11-22T19:18:00.000-05:002005-11-22T19:18:00.000-05:00Aldon, since it obviously angers your liberal self...Aldon, since it obviously angers your liberal self righteous derriere so much, I will remain among those 700,000 people in CT who don't exist in your world but did cast a vote for Bush..twice<BR/><BR/>Better to leave you guys all living in your own Pauline Kael villageAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132703771102690372005-11-22T18:56:00.000-05:002005-11-22T18:56:00.000-05:00Hey, I voted for George W, and I'm right proud of ...Hey, I voted for George W, and I'm right proud of it.<BR/><BR/>You don't think Al Bore or John Fairy would have invaded Iraq and gotten them people who attacked us on 9/11?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132701701275762322005-11-22T18:21:00.000-05:002005-11-22T18:21:00.000-05:00Yeah, that's what we need, Anonymous endorsements!...Yeah, that's what we need, Anonymous endorsements! <BR/><BR/>Hi, I support Mayor DeStefano, but I can't tell you my name.<BR/><BR/>and<BR/><BR/>Hi, I'm not telling you my name, but I'm not supporting Mayor DeStefano because his BlogMaster disagreed with me over on Connecticut Local Politics.<BR/><BR/>(Talk about being sensitive.)<BR/><BR/>or<BR/><BR/>Hi. I'm anonymous and I'm endorsing Jodi Rell because I think the Democrats are like GM.<BR/><BR/><BR/>As to the common ground, I agree with people that suggest that the 5th CD is not strongly trending in one direction or another.<BR/><BR/>I disagree that pointing out the positives for Democrats in the 5th is analogous to spinning for GM.<BR/><BR/>I think we should be talking about all aspects of an issue and not simply dismissing people's whose opinions are different as spin.<BR/><BR/>Of course, I don't know if the person that posted anonymously at 5:14 is the same as the person that posted anonymously at 2:25 yesterday or 9:36 this morning.Aldon Hyneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00527868669926331034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132699352407557132005-11-22T17:42:00.000-05:002005-11-22T17:42:00.000-05:00Genghis--Please, isn't it time you require at leas...Genghis--<BR/><BR/>Please, isn't it time you require at least a registered screenname for people to post?<BR/><BR/>The anonymous crap is only going to get worse as we move into 2006.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132697662672170462005-11-22T17:14:00.000-05:002005-11-22T17:14:00.000-05:00aldon, i am very sorry you are so sensitive about ...aldon, i am very sorry you are so sensitive about this. far from a nameless attack, i in fact prefaced my comments in complimenting you on both occassions and linked us by our common great cause. i simply added my opinion that i disagreed with your take on the 5th because of what i saw as huge omissions. isnt that what this blog is about, opinions. people can certainly choose to agree with me or agree with your take on the 5th. i tend to think the 5th is neither as bleak for the dems as some have painted it here nor as rosy as you have painted it. i just dont think your few examples show the whole picture out here. i am currently an undecided dem and have been pushed to endorse DeStefano but i have to say that your style leaves a little to be desired aldon and is leading me to hold off. i hope in the future you can agree on the common ground when offered even if an anonymous person disagrees with you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132695233791483982005-11-22T16:33:00.000-05:002005-11-22T16:33:00.000-05:00Anonymous one, Apparently you didn't read my res...Anonymous one,<BR/><BR/> Apparently you didn't read my response if you think I am simply looking "at a town clerks race to gauge overall success".<BR/><BR/> Putting ones name to an argument doesn't lend credibility, but not believing in what you say enough to add your name to it, does damage credibility.<BR/><BR/> All we know is that there is some person who claims to have worked hard for Democrats in the 5th who is attacking my credibility because they have a different view of the political situation in the 5th CD.<BR/><BR/> I hope people are getting tired of nameless attacks.Aldon Hyneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00527868669926331034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132689022712521532005-11-22T14:50:00.000-05:002005-11-22T14:50:00.000-05:00aldon, again. i appreciate your zest for our great...aldon, again. i appreciate your zest for our great party and the hard work you do on behalf of it so please dont be so defensive. i too, have put blood, sweat and tears into making this a more Democratic world. i know the 5th very well and simply don't agree that you can look at a town clerks race to gauge overall success when there are other glaring major examples that you fail to mention. also, putting a name to an argument doesnt make it credible, that actual facts of the argument decide credibility.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132687642555032142005-11-22T14:27:00.000-05:002005-11-22T14:27:00.000-05:00Anonymous, I worked hard for Dean Esposito. He's ...Anonymous, <BR/><BR/>I worked hard for Dean Esposito. He's a great guy and I think it would have been great if he won Danbury. However, did you forget what other bloggers or the Hartford Courant had to say about the race?<BR/><BR/>"Registered Democrats still outnumber Republicans, but both are dwarfed by unaffiliated voters. In fundraising, Boughton had raised $74,064 by Sept. 30, outpacing Esposito by a 10-1 ratio."<BR/><BR/>Granted, Esposito did catch up some in the final month, but as much as I believe in Democratic politics, I rarely expect a challenger who is considerably outspent by the incumbent to defeat the incumbent.<BR/><BR/>Based on that, I think looking at how the Democrats did on the rest of the ticket is more significant.<BR/><BR/>Likewise, I would suggest you look at some of the other races, for example Harwinton and a few other towns in the northwest, where Democrats did manage to upset a Republican incumbents.<BR/><BR/>Granted, Bethel was a disappointment and I don't know the details in New Fairfield. <BR/><BR/>As to Quinn, I only have second hand information, but I was told that he did not campaign with the sort of gusto that Bingham did. The New York Times reports, "What they [Bingham's campaign] were doing was campaigning hard and knocking on doors. Mr. Bingham said he knocked on at least 6,000 doors to get his message across."<BR/><BR/>You should not over look the effect of a lot of money (in Boughton's case), and a lot of hard work ( in Bingham's case). <BR/><BR/>Based on all of this, I would suggest that you are actually the one who is ignoring a lot of the facts.<BR/><BR/>As to credibility, at least I am willing to put my name on the line.Aldon Hyneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00527868669926331034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132686255006574392005-11-22T14:04:00.000-05:002005-11-22T14:04:00.000-05:00aldon, i'm a dem and would love to be on your side...aldon, i'm a dem and would love to be on your side on this one but the facts remain that the r's won in what should be democratic cities of danbury, new britain and torrington while also beating dem incumbents in bethel and new fairfield. further, the dem endorsed candidate lost in waterbury. surely, a town clerks race does not trump these mentioned results. i appreciate your zest for our great democratic party but you tend to lose credibility when you ignore facts and insist on spin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132685178573527292005-11-22T13:46:00.000-05:002005-11-22T13:46:00.000-05:00well, if DeStefano succeeds in giving state employ...well, if DeStefano succeeds in giving state employees the same deals GM was giving the UAW, the state will be the one out of businessAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132680711937835082005-11-22T12:31:00.000-05:002005-11-22T12:31:00.000-05:00Gee Anonymous, I guess you're right. The Democrat...Gee Anonymous, I guess you're right. The Democratic party must be on the verge of going out of business.<BR/><BR/>Next!Aldon Hyneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00527868669926331034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132678555703241662005-11-22T11:55:00.000-05:002005-11-22T11:55:00.000-05:00guy who never posts: Don't ever confuse Kevin Ren...guy who never posts: Don't ever confuse Kevin Rennie's twisted view of the world and unsleeping malevolence with the view of the Courant... This is Kevin's little way of getting back at anyone who has ever slighted Him. He's Pat Seremet with a tie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132671794857727882005-11-22T10:03:00.000-05:002005-11-22T10:03:00.000-05:00Yes, Aldon, we (closed Oldsmobile/lost Torrington)...Yes, Aldon, we (closed Oldsmobile/lost Torrington) but we (sold a few more Saturns/ won a couple of council seats in Danbury)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132668376971112972005-11-22T09:06:00.000-05:002005-11-22T09:06:00.000-05:00One of the things that I like about working for Ma...One of the things that I like about working for Mayor DeStefano is that he encourages his staff to give him constructive criticism about how he is doing. It is a stark contrast to so much of the Republican agenda where criticism is discouraged. Likewise, even though some DeStefano supporters may get a little upset when I say good things about Mayor Malloy, I believe we should say both the good and the bad about all Democrats, whether or not they are opponents in a campaign.<BR/><BR/>I mean no disrespect to Mayor Quinn. However, the buzz that I’ve been hearing is that he ran a poor campaign and appeared out of touch with his constituents. If I were to tell him, “Quinnie, you’re doing a great job,” I believe I would be doing him and all Democrats a disservice. He needs to hear what people are saying and thinking. He really needed to hear it a few weeks ago, and not just on election day.<BR/><BR/>As to my ‘spinning’, I still maintain that Democrats picked up seats in Danbury and many other municipalities in the 5th is a sign of strength. It seems more like spin to suggest that Democrats picking up seats is a sign of weakness.Aldon Hyneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00527868669926331034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132660463347458372005-11-22T06:54:00.000-05:002005-11-22T06:54:00.000-05:00People who read a lot into Murphy's campaign becau...People who read a lot into Murphy's campaign because he was able to defeat Angelo Fusco and Ann Dandrow haven;t thought much about the political abilities of the people he defeated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132639456698137802005-11-22T01:04:00.000-05:002005-11-22T01:04:00.000-05:00It's funny - you would have heard the same chatter...It's funny - you would have heard the same chatter we're seeing here about the 4th district this time two years ago. What changed in the 4th? A great candidate emerged - Diane Farrell, and the district finally woke up to the fact that their congressman wasn't an "independent". Those same elements are here in the 5th. Remember, Murphy was the guy who ran Koskoff's race in 96, he beat a previously "safe" Republican incumbent for his House seat, and he turned a Republican Senate seat into a D seat in 2002. I think the 5th CD in 2006 will be what the 4th was in 2004.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132639246935923642005-11-22T01:00:00.000-05:002005-11-22T01:00:00.000-05:00It's funny - I think you would have heard a lot of...It's funny - I think you would have heard a lot of this same chatter about the 4th CD this time two years ago. What changed? A very good candidate emerged - Diane Farrell, and the district finally woke up that their congressman wasn't "independent". The same formula is here in the 5th. Remember, Murphy is the guy who ran Koskoff's race in 96, he beat a "safe" Republican incumbent for his House seat, and he turned a previously Republican Senate seat into a Democratic seat in 2002. If you ask me, the 5th CD in 2006 will be what the 4th was in 2004.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132633182776573132005-11-21T23:19:00.000-05:002005-11-21T23:19:00.000-05:00Smart move Aldon...dissing the 5th CD by saying it...Smart move Aldon...dissing the 5th CD by saying it will be the toughest race..and also dissing mayor Quinn when your candidate wants support in the 5th CD...please show him your comment and this and ask him to respond...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132626988605444412005-11-21T21:36:00.000-05:002005-11-21T21:36:00.000-05:00Aldon could do the PR for GM they way he spins the...Aldon could do the PR for GM they way he spins the Dem party's weakness in NW CT.<BR/><BR/>"Yes ,we are closing lots of plants, but the ones that are open are doing really, really well"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132622627752245152005-11-21T20:23:00.000-05:002005-11-21T20:23:00.000-05:00I do believe that the 5th CD is going to be the mo...I do believe that the 5th CD is going to be the most difficult of the three Republican Congressional seats in Connecticut to win. However, I don’t think it is impossible, and I would turn some of the arguments of anonymous posters back on them. <BR/><BR/>For example, Torrington; my understanding of what happened in Torrington is that people viewed Mayor Quinn as an incumbent that had lost touch with his constituents and ran a poor campaign. A lot of people maintain that Rep. Johnson has also lost touch with her constituents. While she has a lot of money from the large pharmaceutical companies, she is also going to have to run a strong campaign, and her association with the failed Medicare Part D is likely to hurt her.<BR/><BR/>In Danbury a very well financed incumbent did beat back a challenger, but the results were not as shining for Republicans as they might like you to think. The Democrats picked up seats on the city council and Lori Kabeck upset incumbent Joseph L. Scozzafava for town clerk. There were many other small upsets like that around the 5th CD.Aldon Hyneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00527868669926331034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132620310126207422005-11-21T19:45:00.000-05:002005-11-21T19:45:00.000-05:00Let's see... Presidential and Congressional approv...Let's see... Presidential and Congressional approval ratings in the tank. Johnson acts as a DC corporate lobbyist, with 80% of her money coming from out of state, mostly from Washington-based PACs. National and local Democratic organizers pumped up.<BR/><BR/>If Dems feel they have to wait until Johnson retires to aggressively pursue the 5th district, then they don't deserve the office - now or in the future. (More background on the <A HREF="http://connecticutlocalpolitics.blogspot.com/2005/11/open-forum_13.html#comments" REL="nofollow">5th CD fundraising</A> and <A HREF="http://www.murphyforcongress.org/" REL="nofollow">Chris Murphy</A>.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1132605599022187292005-11-21T15:39:00.000-05:002005-11-21T15:39:00.000-05:00Murphy?: Second place.There's just no "THERE" the...Murphy?: Second place.<BR/><BR/>There's just no "THERE" there. <BR/><BR/>Rarely has a politician been more puffed up by his own press machine than this guy. Let's face it, folks, he's John Edwards without the drawl and Southern charm. <BR/><BR/>It IS true that if Nancy gets into trouble here, then it's curtains for the GOP in other places, because the damage will have been done by the White House, not the likes of the apparent Dem frontrunner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com