Murphy knocking doors in Danbury

(cross post from Hat City Blog)

5th CD Democratic candidate Chris Murphy's 41 towns in 41 days tour recently made it's way through the Danbury area.

The man who wants to give Nancy Johnson her pink slip knocked doors with fellow Democrats Jim Kelly and 109th State District Democratic candidate Joe Taborsak and the campaingn filed this video report.

Goddard sets the record straight regarding Lieberman poll

Attaboy Taegan!

Editor's Note: Though a Republican firm, this is the Lieberman campaign's internal poll.

Thanks for setting the record straight and informing your readers that the Public Opinion Strategies poll is nothing more than a poll from the Lieberman campaign.

Yet another example of People-Powered Media (PPM) in action. You're back in my good graces Taegan (and I promise to spell your first name correctly in the future).

Lamont releases new ad, urges voters to sign the petition against swift-boat group

Today, Ned Lamont released a new TV ad entitled "Patriot" at the same time Joe Lieberman's swift-boat friends "Veterans for Truth" releases their pro-Lieberman ad. This so-called group are nothing more than Washington lobbyists and political operatives with ties to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and headed by no other than Dan Senor...you know, the former advisor to Iraq Coalition Provisional Authority who was partly responsible for losing 9 billion U.S. dolars under his watch as well as a source of the majority of the screw-ups after the U.S. took over Iraq.

Yeah, that guy.


The Lamont campaign had this to say about their new ad, Joe's swift-boat group, and reminds us that not all veterans are happy with our junior senator .

As we release our latest ad, "Patriot," Senator Lieberman has new friends releasing ads of their own: Allies of the infamous "Swift Boat Veterans." The group, "Veterans for Truth" has deep Republican ties, including former advisors to President Bush and is one of those mysterious 527 organizations shielded from disclosing individuals funding their effort.

[...]

The "Veterans for Truth" ad thanks Senator Lieberman for supporting President Bush and the Iraq War. But one Connecticut veteran shared his tale of Senator Lieberman's "support" in a letter to the editor of a local paper several weeks ago.

When Collin Halloran explained his unit had been issued sub-standard equipment, the response was that "[Senator Lieberman] left the impression that they believed we had the equipment we needed, despite the contrasting beliefs of soldiers in my battalion."

I am a registered Democrat and a soldier currently serving in Afghanistan with the 1-102 Infantry Battalion of the Connecticut National Guard. Last week I received some newspaper clippings in the mail that sparked my interest: Senator Joseph I. Lieberman has been successfully challenged and forced into a primary that will take place in August.

As some readers may have heard, in January my battalion was issued substandard equipment for our deployment to Afghanistan. Originally, we were issued M-16s rather than M-4 carbines, rifles with shorter barrels and collapsible butt stocks. As a politcally active member of the battalion, I began to get in touch with Representative DeLauro and Representative Simmons, who both responded quickly and enthusiastically. Senator Dodd also responded quickly and gave me prompts on how to further validate my request for weapns.

However, I did not receive a response from Senator Lieberman's office. I continued to leave messages for both him and his military aide, now senior counselor, Fred Downey, who reprsented Sen. Lieberman at the Battalion's send off ceremony on Jan. 4. After several messages, I finally received a return phone call. However, I was not met with the same enthusiams expressed by other legislators; I was immediately confronted with an inquisition that seemed to have the purpose of dispelling the belief that the battalion was ill equipped. Rather than listen to our specific concerns, the "benefits" of the M16 were highlighted and the advantages of the M4 were downplayed.

Lieberman's office left the impression that they believed we had the equipment we needed, despite the contrasting beliefs of soldiers in my battalion, some who have been on as many as five deployments. The others in Washington were not so quick to abandon us...

Lieberman has never hesitated to voice his support for the war, and recently voted against pulling troops out of Iraq, so where was he when over 500 of his own constituents were being sent overseas to fight on behalf of his great country? It appears the senator was so concerned with climbing the political ladder, he forget what his job is really about: the people...

When my absentee ballot returns to the States next month, Lamont's name, not Lieberman's, will bear the check. when August 8 arrives, will you stand for the hypocrisy?

Sincerely,

Colin D. Halloran

Letter Source: The Town Times - Middlefield, CT. June 30, 2006.

You see, not all veterans are proud of Joe's cheerleading of this war and many veterans in Connecticut are very upset about Dan Senor's swift-boat group attempts to attack Ned Lamont.

If you're just as outraged as many veterans are over the "Veterans for Freedom" smear campaign, please go to the Lamont campaign site and sign the petition which calls on Sen. Lieberman to denounce the ads.

You can view Lamont's new ad below.

Bolton nomination scrubbed

I wonder if Sen. Chris Dodd had anything to do with this? If he did, then GOOD FOR HIM!

From Reuters

Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday scrubbed a planned vote on President George W. Bush's bid to keep John Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Committee Chairman Richard Lugar, an Indiana Republican, did not explain why the vote on whether to send Bolton's nomination to the full Senate was removed from the day's agenda and did not say if or when it would be taken up again.

Eric Blankenbaker and Dan Gerstein: Dumb and Dumber

Just when you think the Lieberman campaign can't do anything more pathetic, they prove us wrong yet again. Will this finally get Dan Gerstein fired? CTBob has the details.

On the Joe2006 blog tonight, millionaire-lawyer non-combatant successful-draft-deferrer Joe Lieberman's campaign director, Dan Gerstein, brought up the topic of wife beating in relation to his discussion of the Senator's possible campaign contributions.

While addressing the questionable validity of a story about GOP fundraising efforts for Lieberman that was posted by their OWN CAMPAIGN STAFF on their OWN BLOG, Gerstein asked if it was possible to prove the Senator doesn't beat his wife.

After several messages questioning Gerstein about the wife-beating topic, the Lieberman spokesman said "Joe Lieberman does not beat his wife."

You have to read Dan's comment to actually get the full effect of his incredible level of stupidity.

Let me get this straight. You are asking us to disprove an anonymous, single-sourced story from a magazine of questionable credibility that not one respectable news outlet has even come close to picking up on? What's next, you want us to provide evidence that Joe Lieberman doesn't beat his wife?

Seriously, folks, I am more than happy to answer legitimate questions raised on the blog, and I apologize for not doing more of it yet (been a little busy doing a few other things), but can we please have a little perspective? Thanks.

This is so stupid that I don't know where to begin. Lets see, assclown Eric Blankenbaker says that the Insight Magazine article which stated that the White House and the GOP raised money for Lieberman's campaign was " is as phony as all the others that came before it" without providing any evidence to debunk the article THEN silly Gerstein flips out on the comments and states "What's next, you want us to provide evidence that Joe Lieberman doesn't beat his wife?"

Are you following the logic in all of this folks?

Well, Gerstein just couldn't put that shovel down and kept digging a whole for himself when the people commenting about his post jump all over him and ask former spokesperson who was recently demoted to provide evidence that Joe didn't beat his wife (well, dumb-dumb brought up the subject).

First, Joe Lieberman does NOT beat his wife. Second, I will personally look into whether or not Joe's campaign has taken a significant amount of money from registered Republicans. I don't think so. But I can make sure. How's that for transparency?

Oh, this is rich. After assclown Blankenbaker screams that Insight Magazine story is false, Gerstein says that he'll look into the matter and states that Joe doesn't beat his wife (although, he's the person who brought up the topic).

I'm at a loss for words...

New poll shows bad news for Lamont?

Taegan, you're kidding me right? Please tell me you were kidding when you did this post.

A new Public Opinion Strategies (R) poll finds Ned Lamont (D) trailing Sen. Joe Lieberman (I), 51% to 35%, in the Connecticut U.S. Senate race. Republican Alan Schlesinger receives 4% of the vote, while 10% remain undecided.

Key finding: When asked which candidate is running a negative campaign, 40% say Lamont compared to 19% for Lieberman.

Now, I like Political Wire and they even cross link to this site from time to time but man, someone REALLY dropped the ball on this one.

I'll give Tim Tagaris the honors and let him break this down. Trust me, this is so easy that I honestly think Tim was able to find this information before he finished his cigarette.

Public Opinion Strategies = Neil Newhouse (link)

Neil Newhouse = Joe's Pollster (link)

New Poll = Internal Poll (link)

Wanna disect it, wanna push it? Release it in full.

Get it, got it, good.

Now Taegan, I'm a big fan of your site so please do the right thing and do a follow-up post and fully disclose the connection between Public Opinion Strategies and the Lieberman campaign. It would have been nice if you told your readers about the Neil Newhouse connection.

I'm disappointed in you Taegan, very disappointed.

Sullivan hearings begin

This is not going to be good news for Gov. Jodi Rell as the disciplinary hearing into the actions of former Supreme Court Chief Justice William J. Sullivan started today.

For those who do not remember, Justice Sullivan delayed the release of a court decision by potential successor Justice Peter T. Zarella in order to help Zarella win confirmation as the new Chief Justice. The release of Zarella's decision would have damaged his chances of becoming the next Chief Justice.

The events surrounding Zarella's nomination process has been bizarre from the beginning starting with Gov. Rell strong-arming the legislature's judicial committee to speed the nomination process along with Sullivan's possible illegal actions. Gov. Rell has never explained why she attempted to speed Zarella's nomination nor has she or anyone from her staff acknowledged whether or not they knew about Sullivan's action beforehand.

Yesterday, Democratic candidate John DeStefano issued a press release and urged Gov. Rell to come clean and explain her role in the entire affair.

"Gov. Rell should explain why she put unprecedented pressure on lawmakers to fast track Justice Zarella's nomination," said Derek Slap – DeStefano campaign spokesperson. "Voters have a right to know if she or anyone on her staff knew of Chief Justice Sullivan delaying the release of the court decision and withholding it from lawmakers who were about to vote on Justice Zarella's nomination."

The court decision in question said the judicial branch's criminal and motor vehicle dockets are not open to the public under the Freedom of Information Act. Justice Zarella voted in the majority, against the public disclosure of information. Chief Justice Sullivan is now accused of improperly delaying the release of Justice Zarella's vote.

An editorial in the Hartford Courant on April 16th reads, "Nobody -- least of all Gov. M. Jodi Rell -- has persuasively explained why the legislature must rush to judgment on the nomination of Associate Justice Peter Zarella to be chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court."

Another article said Gov. Rell's actions amounted to, "blindsiding legislative leaders." Rep. Michael Lawlor - co-chair of the judiciary committee, was quoted as saying, "I smell a rat, and we're going to figure out what it is," said Lawlor. "I do know one thing. Usually, when there is an attempt to sneak things through at the last minute, there's a reason for it. It's incumbent on us to find out what that reason is."

"Gov. Rell privately berated lawmakers, including members of leadership, and used all the power of her office to rush through a nomination," said Slap. "Just as former Chief Justice Sullivan is publicly explaining his role in this process, so should Gov. Rell."

Well, after many months, it seems like we're going to get some answers as today Sulivan admits to delaying the release of Zarella's decision.

Former state Supreme Court Chief Justice William J. Sullivan acknowledged delaying the release of a court decision earlier this year to help a potential successor win confirmation, fellow Justice Richard N. Palmer testified at a hearing Wednesday.

Palmer and acting Chief Justice David M. Borden were the first two witnesses at a hearing on whether Sullivan violated state law and the judicial code of conduct by holding the decision to help Justice Peter T. Zarella, Gov. M. Jodi Rell's nominee to become chief justice.

[...]

The Judicial Review Council, an independent body that investigates complaints against judges, charged Sullivan in July after he admitted delaying the release of a decision in which Zarella voted with the majority to keep certain judicial records secret from the public. Sullivan was concerned Zarella's position would be an issue during legislative confirmation hearings.

The entire situation surrounding the Rell nominating Zarella was strange from the start and many questions surrounding Rell's actions have gone unanswered. With Sullivan's hearing back in the spotlight, questions regarding Rell's role in the matter is sure to resurface.

You can watch the hearing online at CT-N now.

My impressions on Joe Lieberman's new site

First impression: I can't access the site on my Macintosh.

Second impression: I can't access the site on my Mac in WindowsXP mode.

Third impression: Finally able to access the site on my WindowsXP machine...wow, they sure beat the hell out of the bold font.

Fourth impression: The first blog on their blogroll has a picture of Bin Landen wearing a Lamont sticker on his turban and another post compares Lamont to David Duke therefore, Lieberman is linking to hate sites? Very classy senator.

Fifth impression: Has Joe Lieberman done anything besides getting earmarks for the people of Connecticut because that’s all I see when I click on the "Fighting for Connecticut" section.

Sixth impression: From Dan Gerstein's first post on Joe's blog:

The fact is, for the last several months we ceded the online debate to our rivals.

Wow, Dan comes right out the gate lying his ass off. Gerstein never "ceded" the online debate he wrote for LieberDem along with assclown Matt Smith. Jane Hamsher of FireDogLake slammed Dan for lying about his role in the campaign while blogging for LeiberDem and Matt's pathetic rebuttal is a blogger classic complete with backpedaling updates whenever Jane slammed them again (you go girl).

Last impression (before I became bored): Nice to see that Joe's using the site to talk about everything besides the issues. I mean really, going after Lamont’s spokesperson because she used a lower case d in the word Democrat?

Also, I'm still waiting to hear about that "hacking" update regarding Lieberman's last site.

BTW: Love the lack of a RSS reader on the blog. Maybe they'll get that fixed when they make the site available to Macintosh users.

UPDATE: Matt over at Emboldened goes through Joe's blogroll which is entirely right winged (to say the least).

Poll reports on the obvious (and Joe Lieberman could care less)

People are pissed off and want a change.

Most Americans are angry about "something" when it comes to how the country is run, and they are more likely than in previous years to vote for a challenger this November, a new poll suggests.

A majority of Americans surveyed -- and a higher percentage than recorded during the same time last year -- said things in the United States are going "badly." Among this year's respondents, 29 percent said "pretty badly" and 25 percent -- up from 15 percent a month ago -- answered "very badly." By comparison, 37 percent described the way things are going as "fairly well," and 9 percent answered "very well."

Of these people, 76 percent said there was "something" to be angry about in the country today. By comparison, 59 percent felt that way when polled in February.

[...]

A majority -- 55 percent -- said they are more likely to back a challenger in races on this year's ballot. Such anti-incumbent sentiment is higher than the 48 percent recorded as "pro-challenger" in a similar survey in 1994, when the GOP took control of both houses of Congress.

[...]

The economy topped the list of respondents' concerns, with 28 percent calling it the most important issue when deciding how to cast their ballots. Coming second was Iraq at 25 percent, followed by terrorism (18 percent), moral issues (15 percent) and immigration (14 percent).

Democrats lead Republicans by a 10-point margin, 53 to 43 percent, among likely voters asked which party's congressional candidate they would support in November, and Democrats held a 56-40 lead on the same question among registered voters.

This is not good news for Republican cheerleaders Nancy Johnson, Chris Shays, Rob Simmons.

The only saving grace is that the captain of the cheerleading squad, millionaire Joe Lieberman, is running a de facto Republican campaign and is trying to rally up the conservative base in Connecticut for his own selfish gain and his inability to do the right thing will ultimately hurt the very Democrats he once supported prior to his embarrassing primary loss.

Condoleezza Rice: A disgrace to all African-Americans

Outdoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's comment in which he compared those who opposed the war to fascists, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice drinks the Bush-flavored kool-aid and takes the administration's pro-war rhetoric to a whole new disturbing level.

Secretary of State Rice compared the Iraq war with the American Civil War, telling a magazine that slavery might have lasted longer in this country if the North had decided to end the fight early.

"I'm sure there are people who thought it was a mistake to fight the Civil War to its end and to insist that the emancipation of slaves would hold," Rice said in the new issue of Essence magazine.

"I know there were people who said, 'Why don't we get out of this now, take a peace with the South, but leave the South with slaves?'" Rice said.

That's right folks, African-American Condoleezza Rice just compared critics of the war in Iraq to those would approve of slavery. As an African-American who strongly opposes this stupid war, words cannot express how offensive her remarks are but unfortunately, I'm not really surprised since I lost ALL respect for this woman a long time ago when she should her true colors during the Katrina disaster.

For those who need a quick history lesson on what the Secretary of State was doing while hundreds of African-Americans were DYING in New Orleans, lets roll that video tape again...

When questioned about the Bush Administration's failure to cut their vacation plans (including hers) in order to help those who were dying (including HER OWN PEOPLE) in front of our eyes on television last year, Condi get an attitude.

"I resented the notion that the President of the United States, this President of the United States, would somehow decide to let people suffer because they were black," Rice told the magazine.

"I found that to be the most corrosive and outrageous claim that anybody could have made, and it was wholly and totally irresponsible."

Oh, you "resented" the notion that notion that people are pissed off because you and the rest of the administration didn't cut your vacation plans which included you hitting tennis balls with Monica Seles at the U.S. Open or buying shoes at Ferragamo on 5th Avenue in Manhattan.

According to Drudge, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has recently enjoyed a little Broadway entertainment. And Page Six reports that she's also working on her backhand with Monica Seles. So the Gulf Coast has gone all Mad Max, women are being raped in the Superdome, and Rice is enjoying a brief vacation in New York. We wish we were surprised.

What does surprise us: Just moments ago at the Ferragamo on 5th Avenue, Condoleezza Rice was seen spending several thousands of dollars on some nice, new shoes (we've confirmed this, so her new heels will surely get coverage from the WaPo's Robin Givhan). A fellow shopper, unable to fathom the absurdity of Rice's timing, went up to the Secretary and reportedly shouted, "How dare you shop for shoes while thousands are dying and homeless!" Never one to have her fashion choices questioned, Rice had security PHYSICALLY REMOVE the woman.

Yeah, got'cha Condi.

What does the self-promoting woman who never has a problem reminding us that she was a poor black girl from Alabama say about her role in the whole Katrina screw-up?

Asked if she felt personally accountable, Rice said, "The government did its best. People aren't perfect, and this response was not perfect. You know, I do foreign policy, I don't run Homeland Security. I don't run FEMA. I do foreign policy." She added, "I did what I could to coordinate the international response."

Oh, so that's her excuse for hitting tennis balls and buying expensive shoes as a category five hurricane ripped not only New Orleans, but her own home state.

Condoleezza Rice: a disgrace to all African-Americans.

(update: JoeBob is correct, Condoleezza Rice proved last year that she's a disgrace to all Americans, not just African-Americans. Therefore, it's with great honor that I update this post on his behalf).

What's wrong with this picture

Reports of the parade are coming in and one thing is for sure, Republicans love Joe

From the Hartford Courant.

Beth Parmelee, a Republican from Southington, said she came to the parade just to support Lieberman.

"It was amazing to see the support he received today," she said. "If this parade was a poll, I think he would have been out way in front. I think he will have a lot of Republican support on Election Day."

From the News-Times

There were also strong pockets of support for Lieberman along the route -- often, like Zoghbi, Republicans who will march across party lines when they vote in November.

"We are Lieberman supporters and we are conservative Republicans," said Russell DeMarco, who was at the parade with his wife, Diana. "That makes us a rarity in Newtown."

Lieberman (R-CT)

Oh all the times to go out of town...

WTF?!?

Now let me explain things first boys and girls. I've been going to the U.S. Open every Labor Day weekend with my family the last four years and this year was special because it was Andre Agassi's last tournament.

Now, I've been waiting for the day when Ned Lamont would visit Danbury and although he did stop by for a festival, he didn't stop by Democratic headquarters...not until this weekend when I was OUT OF TOWN! To top if off, Ned and Joe marched in the Newtown Labor Day parade and you have the makings for a incredible political blogger day.

AGH! I missed all the fun! Well, actually I didn't as I was able to take some amazing photographs and build by photography portfolio (anyone need a freelance photographer). Cruise over to CTBob as he was Johnny on the spot and has an amazing video report. I couldn't believe the size of Lamont's supporters in the video...my goodness it was huge! Poor Joe walked all alone with no one standing by his side. So sad...so pathetic...so poetic.

It's pretty late and I have limited details on Ned's appearance in Danbury but from what little I heard, Democratic Headquarters on Main Street was standing room only which is amazing. Reports of up towards 100 people came by to hear Ned speak which is the largest I've ever heard for a DTC event in Danbury (hell, I didn't even know the place could hold that many people).

I'm off to bed. I'll get back up to full speed tomorrow.

UPDATE: Okay, I heard that once again, the Lieberman goons went on a rampage and tore up some Lamont signs. When will the media report on these jerks when they go after Lamont supporters (anyone remember Meriden).

Read about what happened and all the other silly stuff here. It's amazing that CNN would devote anytime to this stupidity as I'm assuming that what happened was SO minor compared to everything else that happened (which was positive).

You can read the AP report on the event here.

Labor Day holiday

The posts here will slow down a bit as I'm going to the U.S. Open for the weekend. Hopefully, it will stop raining...

Diane Farrell unleashes new TV ad against Rep. Shays

Today, Democratic 4th CD candidate Diane Farrell began airing her first television commercial to the local markets. According to her press release, her ad will focus on Rep. Chris Shays everlasting suport for the Iraq War.

From Farrell's press release.

"Congressman Shays has been President Bush's most loyal supporter in Congress on this war. Despite some of his recent comments, he still says he 'totally' supports the war and he still supports the president," Farrell said. "He has said he believes 'this is a war we have to win.' He has called it 'the Lord's work.' Congressman Shays has given the president everything he wanted to run this war and has demanded virtually no accountability in return. He's demanded no exit plan. The war in Iraq is a disaster and Congressman Shays bears some of the responsibility for that."

Here's the new ad.

Say it ain't so Joe, you're showing up the Labor Day parade afterall

Remember this fine quote from Newtown First Selectman Herb Rosenthal about Joe Lieberman attendance record at the Labor Day parade.

"I let him know that he would not be welcome to march with me," Rosenthal said. "He wouldn't be coming because he is a U.S. Senator. He'd be coming because he's a candidate."

Rosenthal said Lieberman has been invited to march every year for the last nine years and only came one time over those years and that was before 2000.

Well, it's funny how a tough election can bring Joe Lieberman back to town huh?For this first time in over six years (or should I say the first time this millennium), fifth-party candidate Joe Lieberman decides to pay Newtown a visit and march in the Labor Day parade (as a party of one of course).

From Connecticut for Lieberman Joe Lieberman's press release.

*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***

LIEBERMAN TO MARCH IN NEWTOWN LABOR DAY PARADE

On Monday, September 4, 2006, Senator Lieberman will march in the Newtown Labor Day parade alongside volunteers and supporters.
***LABOR DAY PARADE***

WHAT: Senator Lieberman to march in the Newtown Labor Day Parade

WHO: Senator Joe Lieberman

WHEN: Monday, September 4, 2006
9:30 AM-11:00 AM
*OPEN PRESS*

WHERE: Main Street, Newtown, CT

DIRECTIONS: From 84 E: Take exit 10 onto Rt. 6 W. Turn left onto Church Hill Rd./ US-6. Turn right onto Main Street.

From 34 W: Follow Rt. 34 W into Newtown. Turn left onto Roosevelt Drive./ CT-34. Continue to follow CT-34. Turn left onto Church Hill Rd. Turn right onto Main Street.

Too funny.

Help support Chris Murphy

As my regular reader are aware, I'm a big fan of Chris Murphy. He's the 5th CD Democratic candidate whos currently giving Rep. Nancy Johnson a serious run for her money.

Well, Ned Lamont is giving Murphy a helping hand by giving his fellow Democrat his full support and doing what he can to help Murphy give Johnson her pink slip.

On August 8, Connecticut Democrats voted for change in Washington.

The Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate carries with it a special responsibility. We are electing a coalition for change, and our organization will work in concert with Connecticut candidates promoting a message of progress at home, and abroad.



In Connecticut 's 5th Congressional District, Democrat Chris Murphy is running against rubber-stamp Republican Congresswoman Nancy Johnson, who has been part of the problem in Washington for 24 years.

We've built a sizable online community over the past six months, and today we are asking you to support our campaign, and our Party, by helping Chris Murphy. Can you make a $20, $50, or $100 contribution to his campaign today?

http://www.nedlamont.com/helpchrismurphy

Republican Nancy Johnson and Lieberman Party candidate Joe Lieberman have a lot in common these days.

They share a "stay the course" message on the war in Iraq . Their support for the Bush/Cheney Energy Policy and campaign contributions from those who profit from high gas prices have Americans paying the price at the pump. And they are both funding massive GOTV operations aimed at driving Republicans to the polls.

But our Democratic coalition for change will prevail because of the strength of our grassroots and netroots support. Can you help send Chris to Congress with Ned Lamont by making a contribution today?

http://www.nedlamont.com/helpchrismurphy

Fifteen seats. That's all we need to get a Democratic-controlled House of Representatives eager to ask President Bush the tough questions on foreign and domestic policy -- one that will serve as a check on the last two years of the Bush-Cheney Administration.

Chris Murphy's campaign is poised to be one of those fifteen seats that the Democratic Party can pick up this year. He is a rising star, and it will be an honor to work hand in hand with him next year, bringing much needed change to Washington , D.C.

For more information on Murphy, let me take you back in time and check out a eariler post of mine when urphy was nominated the Democratic Congressional candidate for the 5CD.

Murphy wants to keep on a positive note distancing himself from the negative attacks that have been launched against Johnson in the media. Although I don't see a problem highlighting the hyprocisy of Johnson nor do I have a problem attakcing politicians (it's pretty obvious), one must respect the way Murphy is running his campaign and hopefully voters will notice this as well during as the election season heats up.

Watch Chris Murphy in aciton...

In the end, Rowland wins so tell me again why I should vote for his number two?

Tell me again why I should vote for Jodi Rell?

Tell me again why it's unfair to connect Gov. Rell to Rowland?

After spending less and a year in jail, John Rowland adds insult to injury by selling his Bantam cottage and makes a HUGE profit at the expense of the taxpayers .

How is he allowed to get away with this? Where was Jodi Rell when the entire Rowland scandal was unfolding? This article brings back old memories and questions about what Rell knew when Rowland was running the show.

Former Gov. John G. Rowland has sold his Bantam Lake cottage, reaping a hefty profit thanks in part to the free renovations performed by state employees and contractors that led to his downfall.

[...]

The sale was approved recently by the White Memorial Foundation, which owns the property and held the $110,000 mortgage Rowland took out when he purchased it in 1997.

It's unclear how much of the profits Rowland will actually garner. His former wife, Deborah Rowland, filed a lien last year claiming that Rowland owes her more than $272,000 from their divorce settlement.

Her attorney, James R. Greenfield of New Haven, could not be reached Thursday for comment. John Rowland also could not be reached for comment Thursday.

In the end, Rowland got a minor slap on the wrist, Jodi Rell claims she knew nothing and gets a pass by the public, and we all get stuck with the bill while Rowland is laughing to the bank.

Lets take a walk back down memory lane...

Repairs to the cottage were among the more than $100,000 in gifts that prosecutors charged that Rowland received in exchange for the former governor's help in obtaining state work.

Rowland resigned July 1, 2004. Later that year, he pleaded guilty in federal court to a corruption charge. He served 10 months and was released in February of this year.

Building permits showed that Rowland had about $13,500 worth of work done on the cottage. When The Courant reviewed those records and talked with subcontractors, it became clear that far more work was performed.

Rowland at first insisted that he had paid for all of the work. At a press conference in his hometown of Waterbury, Rowland downplayed questions about the cottage, saying that the cabinets were off the shelf from The Home Depot and that he had bought a hot tub that was sitting in the backyard.

He complained at that time about the high mortgage he and his wife Patty were paying.

Within days of the press conference, The Courant revealed that the hot tub was really a gift from a governor's office subordinate and her husband, a Rowland political appointee.

It was later revealed that much of the work had been done free, either by Rowland cronies or by employees of TBI Construction, owned by William Tomasso. Former Rowland aides Peter Ellef, Lawrence Alibozek and Vincent DeRosa had either paid for or arranged some of the work.

So lets recap:

1. Rowland lets power get to his head, becomes arrogant and openly rips the taxpayers off (on numerous occasions) while Jodi Rell is second in command.

2. Rowland lies to everyone, tries to cover up his actions and lashes out to the press (who will forget Patty's X-Mas poem).

3. The Republicans (who knew better) came to his defense while Jodi Rell (knowing that she would eventually become top-dog in CT) remained silent.

4. The press finally nails Rowland and he fesses up to his crime.

5. Rell becomes our new governor as Rowland is hauled off to jail (for less than a year).

Next thing we know...

6. Gov. Rell's Chief of Staff Lisa Moody lets power get to her head, becomes arrogant, and transforms into Karl Rove's evil twin sister.

Moody is freely allowed to go overboard with her historical hardball tactics and aggressively shakes the political money tree to the point where she crosses the line. Moody personally hands out invitations to Republicans to a Rell fundraiser (which in political terms means I'm handing you this invitation because I want money out of you so better bring your checkbook or else). This boneheaded action sets off a chain of events for Rell's Chief of Staff that results in the shamefully under-reported scandal called "Moodygate."

7. Moody gets investigated, allegedly lies under oath (and I use the term allegedly very loosely) and again, Gov Rell repeats her pattern of not knowing anything and gets a pass from most of the press.

Trust me, I just scratch the surface here folks. Those in the mainstream media could (and should) not only fill in the blanks, but start asking Jodi Rell some hard questions regarding her role in the entire Rowland scandal AS WELL as her role in Moodygate.

Remember, I'm just getting started.

Tell me again why I should vote for Jodi Rell?

Tell me again why it's unfair to connect Gov. Rell to Rowland?

Tell Newtown First Selectman Herb Rosenthal thank you

Oh man, it seems like the wheel have come off over at the Lieberman camp after Newtown First Selectman Herb Rosenthal flat out told team Joementum that they weren't welcomed to walk with the Democrats at the Labor Day parade.

This whole episode started when a mistake was made by a member of the Newtown DTC who sent out a letter to Joe Lieberman inviting him to march with the Democrats in the town's annual Labor Day parade. In an effort to do damage control, Rosenthal stepped up to the plate and told Lieberman that he was not welcomed to march with the Democrats since he IS NO LONGER a Democrat.

The task fell on the shoulders of First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, a Democrat, to contact Lieberman and tell him he wasn't welcome."I contacted Lieberman's people and told them it would be embarrassing for me and other Democratic town officials if he marched with us," Rosenthal said Thursday. "I and the Democratic Town Committee don't want to give the wrong idea that we are embracing his independent candidacy."

Well, that didn't sit well with our favorite hitman spokesman Dan Gerstein as he had yet another ah...episode.

Dan Gerstein, Lieberman's communications director, said Thursday that Rosenthal is backpedaling now on what his real statement to Lieberman was regarding his presence at the parade." Mr. Rosenthal told the senator that he was not invited, period," Gerstein said. "It was his intent to tell us that the senator was not welcome at the parade at all. He (Rosenthal) has since changed his story to say he was just dis-inviting the senator from marching with the Democrats."

Rosenthal then smacks back.

Rosenthal believes Lieberman's desire to march in this year's parade is campaign oriented." He won't be marching because he's a Democratic U.S. Senator," Rosenthal said. "We have invited him every year for the past nine years I've been involved, and he only came one time. That was before 2000 sometime. Senator Dodd comes more often."

It remains to be seen if Lieberman will actually show up but if he does, he won't be walking with the Democrats...that honor goes to Ned Lamont.

Please email the First Selectman and tell him thank you for being a proud Democrat and doing the right thing. You can email Rosenthal by clicking here.

As for Lieberman's Dannyboy, relax buddy and think about "good stuff."