Connecticut Bob

• Why is Ned Lamont the only "Greenwich millionaire"?

  Finally, someone (kevhill100 at The Laurel) has succinctly pointed out a weird case of media bias that has been rankling me for quite some time.For whatever reason, a goodly portion of Connecticut's reporters and news writers like to refer to Ned Lamont with the prefix "Greenwich millionaire" nearly always attached. [...]
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  Posted: December 09, 2009, 4:46pm EST
  

• Milford mayor buys himself a throne

  Wasting absolutely NO time in spending taxpayer dollars, the new Republican majority Board of Aldermen reversed two years of economic responsibility by purchasing a pair of $700 office chairs for City Hall!The most recent city budget, shepherded in by the Democrats when they held the majority, saved Milford over $6,000,000 [...]
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  Posted: December 08, 2009, 2:18pm EST
  

• Do For Connecticut What He Did to (for) Iraq?

  Tom Foley left his Senate campaign to announce he is running for governor. Jon Kantrowitz has a terrific summary of the Iraq experience and, as always, CT News Junkie was on the scene and filed a great report for those of us who missed the news conference, press availability statement. [...]
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  Posted: December 04, 2009, 4:56pm EST
  

• Paper trail

  Roadside attractions have been a part of America's landscape ever since automobiles became popular and affordable. And the very best roadside attractions, in my opinion, are those that you come upon unexpectedly. They're the best because you have absolutely no expectations, and therefore you can't be disappointed if the plaster [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 8:47pm EST
  

• Save the Nurses!!!

  I am so furious I had to wait a day to post on the most egregious move of Jodi Rell's yet. Yesterday, she announced she was single-handedly closing the program through the vocational-technical schools that produce the highest number of licensed practical nurses in the state. This is so outrageous, [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 6:10pm EST
  

• Everyone with an "R" after their name is running next year!

  (photo credit Ken Krayeske)Holy crap! Apparently every single registered Republican in Connecticut is running for something in 2010. Every one of 'em!Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele announced for governor today, and now Tom Foley is gonna throw his chapeau into the ring tomorrow, I guess that senate thing isn't working out [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 5:44pm EST
  

• Local woman enters race for 3rd District

  Milford native Peggy Rogers announced her intention to enter the race for the GOP nomination to oppose popular long-time Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-03). Mrs. Rogers (above, introduced by Wally Houk) spoke for about three minutes, then worked the room to speak to individuals and small groups. She said she was [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 8:25pm EST
  

• Afghanistan: declare victory and leave

  In anticipation of President Obama's speech tonight, I think the time is right for me to address this issue.Previously I'd been a somewhat reluctant supporter of wanting our country to focus on Afghanistan. I thought Bush's handling of the conflict was a mess from the very beginning, when our military' [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 4:27pm EST
  

• Get on the bus!

  If you're not busy tomorrow (Dec. 2nd) and wish to spend an exciting and constructive day in our nation's capitol rallying for reproductive rights, then you should get on the bus!Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2009Time: 1:00am - 11:45pmLocation: Washington , DCJoin Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and pro-choice supporters' [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 7:13am EST
  

• Ralph Nader, please STFU and go away

  In an AP story about a possible run for Senate here in Connecticut, consumer advocate Ralph Nader said that:"...he is 'absorbing' the reaction he's receiving about a possible bid for the U.S. Senate, saying he wants to first gauge the level of grassroots support before making a decision."You want a [...]
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  Posted: November 29, 2009, 8:29am EST
  

• Planned Parenthood Votes!

  There's a new branch of an organization in Connecticut. "Planned Parenthood Votes! Connecticut" advocates for reproductive rights and encourages pro-choice voters to make their voices heard:Planned Parenthood Votes! Connecticut is the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. In that role, we seek to:*Encourage and protect informed individual [...]
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  Posted: November 28, 2009, 10:42am EST
  

• More on Lieberman's "angst"

  Many bloggers seem to be picking up on Sen. Joe Lieberman's obsessive anti-Democrat attitude. People are starting to question whether the senator is truly representing what his constituents believe, or if he's simply engaging in political payback for the endless professional disappointments he's experienced over the last five or six [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 3:54pm EST
  

• Back from Newport

  CT Joyce and I took a couple of days off to visit Rhode Island this week. The weather was a bit iffy, but that isn't unusual for this time of year. And the areas around Aquidneck Island and Jamestown look beautiful even in the rain and mist.' [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 10:26am EST
  

• How can you tell when Joe Lieberman is lying?

  Whenever his lips are moving, especially in reference to the public option!Sen. Joe Lieberman has been proven wrong on several occasions when he claimed that the public option was NOT a part of Barack Obama's campaign. From Politico (11/19):“It’s classic politics of our time that if you look at the [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 9:59am EST
  

• Moving forward

  “The motion is agreed to!” – Sen. Chris Dodd, Senate Chamber, November 21, 2009More on the implications of this vote later. For now, enjoy this small victory in the larger effort to provide comprehensive health care reform for all. [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 8:20pm EST
  

• Joe Lieberman to vote for cloture?

  Tonight the fireworks begin at the Capitol. But the cards are firmly stacked against the Democrats in the upcoming Senate vote on health care reform.Christine Stuart at CTNJ has a good report on the likely vote:“Senator Lieberman will likely vote for cloture, so that the bill will be debated,” a [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 10:28am EST
  

• More on the gathering

  (Gabe and Tim)Some observations from last night's informal Genghis Conn Appreciation Night. This was definitely a first in the local blogosphere; a gathering of bloggers with hugely divergent political views. But much like Connecticut Local Politics itself, we managed to share a space without imploding in a spectacularly brilliant flash. [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 8:34am EST
  

• A photo from tonight's tribute to Genghis

  I just got home, and we had a great time tonight! Here's a teaser photo from the event, and I'll write about it in more detail tomorrow. Click on it to enlarge.L to R: Tim White, Heath, Jon Kantrowitz, Chris (with a mostly obscured Raj behind him), me, Gabe, Don' [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 11:37pm EST
  

• An informal chat with Ned Lamont

  Last night several bloggers met with Ned Lamont for a friendly chat about the current state of the political situation in Connecticut. Ned recently announced the formation of an exploratory committee for a possible run for governor in 2010. There will likely be a low-dollar (my favorite kind!) fundraising event [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 8:41am EST
  

• Give me a break!

  Apparently letting NO gesture of Barack Obama's go without criticism, the Rabid Right has wasted no time condemning the president for bowing to the Japan's emperor Akihito, in a gesture of respect and friendship that is highly valued in the Asian nation.Can you imagine the storm of criticism that would [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 3:09pm EST
  

• Lieberman suffers pray vigil

  (Chaplain Bilal Ansari/Christine Stuart photo)Over 500 clergy, parishioners, and residents attended a prayer vigil outside the Stamford home of Sen. Joe Lieberman last night to protest the senator's promise to block a vote on health care reform.Christine Stuart from CT News Junkie has the detailed story and video from the [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 7:13am EST
  

• Genghis Conn Appreciation Night

  In appreciation of all the superb writing and amazing work he’s done with Connecticut Local Politics, we’re planning a little NON-PARTISAN get-together for Chris Bigelow, creator and administrator of CTLP. The date is Wednesday, Nov. 18th at Eli's in Hamdem (info below).Chris has decided to take a much deserved break [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 7:25am EST
  

• Rock me like a hurricane!

  Hurricane Gloria, that is! The awful weather we're experiencing from the remnants of Storm Ida reminded me that this is a video project I've been meaning to get around to for months now. (This ain't politics, but there is some footage of former Gov. Bill O'Neill and a much younger [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 11:01am EST
  

• Cyber terrorists? Oh, my!

  Going for the sympathy ploy, I see. More likely, it's just an excuse for an extremely poor showing the first time he tried a money bomb. Boy, Republicans like Peter Schiff and Joe Lieberman just LOVE playing the victim every time they forget to plug in their computers!From a fund [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 8:34am EST
  

• KWIN-uh-pe-ack poll shows SIM-mons AD-van-tage

  Does anyone else find the Q-poll's incessant use of the phonetic spelling of their name in their press releases somewhat irritating and condescending? We all know how it's pronounced! Sheesh!Well, here at KON-et-i-kut BAHB, we would never stoop to that level of disrespect! (didja see what I did there?) Anyway, [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 8:52am EST
  

• Fedele out in the cold?

  This is why one should never assume anything!Today Lieutenant Governor Mike Fedele has to be feeling a little vexed by Gov. Rell's statement regarding who she endorses. WTNH's Mark Davis had this to say:Is Governor Rell stepping back from a commitment to Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele? [..]She also appeared to [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 8:59am EST
  

• Jodi Rell is a nice lady

  Just because I'm a guy who writes a blog that is decidedly liberal in it's slant doesn't mean I can't be appreciative of Gov. Rell for her years of service to the state. While there were many occasions where I disagreed with her positions, I also have to give her' [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 8:25pm EST
  

• Q-Poll: Bysiewicz, Lamont tied, Malloy 3rd

  (Photo from Quinnipiac University Polling Center)In the Quinnipiac poll released earlier today, the numbers seem to indicate that Sec. of State Susan Bysiewicz is in a statistical tie with Ned Lamont for the Democratic nomination for governor. Bysiewicz has 26% and Lamont 23%, which falls within the margin of error. [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 4:00pm EST
  

• Q-poll bearing bad news for Rell?

  This is completely unverified (mostly because I'm lazy) but I heard somewhere there's a new Quinnipiac poll due out tomorrow. With all the recent talk about early results possibly being leaked to some candidates, I wonder if Jodi may have gotten a distinctly unpleasant feeling from this one? Again, this' [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 6:57pm EST
  

• Rell out - now IT'S ON!

  Well, this is why I always predict the exact opposite of what I'd like to see happen!Earlier this week, while in the psychotic throes of a post-election funk, I grandly predicted Gov. Jodi Rell would announce her intention to run for re-election within several days. I had the timing about' [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 5:17pm EST
  

• Rell documents subpoenaed

  Poll-gate has officially begun! (you like that? I just made it up) ("Poll-gate" Copyright (c) 2009 Bob Adams, all rights reserved)The Hartford Courant's Jon Lender (whom I met last Friday at Ken Krayeske's federal court appearance) reports that State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has served at least one subpoena, and [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 4:06pm EST
  

• Lieberman indulges in terrorist fantasy

  Sen. Shameless Opportunist (thanks FDL) is going for headlines once again, probably on the orders of his conservative overlords, by launching an investigation into the "terrorist act" committed by an obviously insane Army psychiatrist at Fort Hood last week. Lieberman claimed in a Fox News interview:...there were "strong warning signs" [...]
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  Posted: November 08, 2009, 3:16pm EST
  

• House passes Health Care Legislation

  Late last night in a rare Saturday session the House of Representatives passed the latest version of the health care reform bill by a vote of 220-215. 39 Democrats broke ranks and joined the opposition (primaries, anyone?) and a single Republican voted in favor of the measure, Rep. Joseph Cao [...]
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  Posted: November 08, 2009, 6:40am EST
  

• Separate Church and State?

  Enough already! I am not Catholic, and for the life of me, do not understand why the rest of us have to answer to the declarations of that church. Today, the House is scheduled vote on a health care amendment that will not only enforce Hyde amendment rules that government money [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 3:47pm EST
  

• Ken Krayeske hearing today

  Today Judge Stephan Underhill heard oral arguments for motions of summary judgment filed by defendents in Krayeske's civil suit against Hartford Police, State Police and the City of Hartford for false arrest, false imprisonment, excessive bail and free speech violations in his arrest during Gov. Rell's 2007 inaugural parade.I spent [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 4:59pm EST
  

• CT Bob Toned Down?

  This, the opening to Colin McEnroe's post-election blog post:The Connecticut blogosphere ages. The newly thoughtful, reflective Ct Bob seems, metaphorically, to have gray at his temples. By 2010 he'll be the Daniel Schorr of the nutmeg 'sphere.Don't worry folks...he'll recover. [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 6:24am EST
  

• Lamont explores Gov. run

  (Bob Adams file photo 2006)This isn't entirely unexpected. Paul Bass has the news at The New Haven Independent.UPDATE - Here's the press release from Ned Lamont:FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEWednesday, November 4, 2009NED LAMONT ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF EXPLORATORY COMMITTEENorwalk, CT - Ned Lamont, successful businessman, co-founder of the state policy center at' [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 12:31pm EST
  

• Democrat wins closely watched NY-23 race

  This is something of an interesting result. In the Republican-leaning 23rd District of New York, Democratic candidate Bill Owens defeated Doug Hoffman. This is a seat the national GOP was counting on winning, and had been occupied by a Republican for over 100 years. In a night of largely awful [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• A prediction

  Gov. Jodi Rell will announce within one or two days that she will seek another term as Connecticut's governor. I'd bet the house on it.Not MY house of course. I'm talking about THE house. The one next door to me. Boy, are they gonna be surprised if I'm wrong about' [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 11:19pm EST
  

• Last call, and a wake up call

  I'm packing up. About a dozen or so people remain, including the News12 people for some reason. The beer is almost gone. It's been a night of incredulity here.This sort of complete sweep can't be explained by any particular shortcomings of our individual candidates. Because they didn't have any. Not' [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 9:55pm EST
  

• The pictures tell the story

  Shock and gloom in Dem HQ tonight. We got murdered. Don't ask me why. The Democrats didn't raise taxes, they didn't knock down any historic homes that were deeded to the city, they didn't reduce the active force on the police dept., and they didn't disappear without notifying the city' [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 8:44pm EST
  

• Yup. It's a bloodbath.

  OK, I guess the current makeup of the Board of Alderman did such a terrible job lowering taxes and maintaining services that they, along with the Democratic majorities on Planning and Zoning and the Board of Ed needed to be destroyed. This may be the worst use of rabble rousing [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 8:39pm EST
  

• Continuing with the results

  About half the precincts reporting. Richetelli has roughly a 2 to 1 lead. Unless things drastically change with the final 3 polling places, it looks like Jim will hang on for another two years. But I'm not calling it yet. Not until the pizza and beer run out, anyway.' [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 8:28pm EST
  

• Results coming in

  The numbers are trickling in. I hate to say it, but we might be looking at a bloodbath tonight. I hope to hell I'm wrong.' [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 8:19pm EST
  

• Tessa shoots CT Bob!

  ...and CT Joyce, too! [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 8:05pm EST
  

• Polls closed! Now the waiting begins...

  Fortunately, the results should start coming in soon. I'll post numbers as they come in.' [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 8:00pm EST
  

• Countdown to results

  Waiting the last 45 minutes until polls close. Tessa and Allie prepare the tote board for the returns when they come in. [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 7:17pm EST
  

• Wifi at HQ

  Gabe piggybacks onto my wifi access at Blogger's Central in the Milford Democratic HQ. News 12 is here until results are final. [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 4:59pm EST
  

• Milford Dem HQ getting coverage

  A satellite van contracted by Cablevision News 12 is currently setting up at Milford Democratic Headquarters, in preparation for live coverage as the results come in, expected soon after polls close at 8PM. HQ will be the place to be tonight, so if you're local, come on down and support' [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 2:36pm EST
  

• Local GOP ignores campaign laws...again!

  According to a high-placed source familiar with state election laws, the Milford Republicans violated the statute that says you must properly identify your campaign literature on the front page with this circular. However, the front page of this multiple page GOP campaign publication, which resembles a newspaper and was left [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 2:00pm EST