Connecticut Senate 2012

[Senator Napoleon]

Since this is an open seat, it should be pretty interesting. We all know Chris Murphy and Susan Bysiewicz are running. What I haven't seen mentioned here yet is State Rep William Tong's candidacy, announced last week.

http://www.thedailywestport.com/news/tong-run-liebermans-senate-seat

He is a Lieberman ally and somewhat right wing. I really doubt he will gain much traction, possibly not even getting through convention. With Susan's total incompetence, this means Murphy remains the only option for Connecticut Democrats.

Also, I'm hearing Caliguri may run again. He very well could win an open seat since CT-05 probably wont become more Democratic. Sam already followed Murphy to the State Senate by winning his open seat in the 16th. That being said, Caliguri is pretty conservative compared to the Nancy Johnson type of Republican that would play well here.

[homelycooking]

William Tong would have been better off running for State Senate, if a vacancy were to open up. He is very poorly known beyond his Gold Coast district of Stamford and New Canaan (New Canaan is EXTREMELY affluent, so a pro-Lieberman, moderate style plays well there). Beyond the fact that he is only one of maybe half a dozen or so Asian elected officials in the state, his potential for broad support across Connecticut is very limited.

[Senator Napoleon]

William Tong would have been better off running for State Senate

Yeah, I don't want him there either. He thought it would be wrong for Democrats to challenge Lieberman.

[Senator Napoleon]

http://woodbury-middlebury.patch.com/articles/seeking-the-democratic-senate-nomination-2

Stupid Susan thinks Iraq and Afghanistan only cost us two billion dollars a year.

And Some Dude 2010 write in candidate Brian Hill is the first Republican entry. The good news is he is far from a teabagger and wantsntoleave Afghanistan. Also, he is black. I can't see him getting anywhere but he could become one of those Allen West military blacks that Republicans eat up. Republicans do have a history of nominating candidates with no political experience for major offices in CT.

[homelycooking]

And Some Dude 2010 write in candidate Brian Hill is the first Republican entry. The good news is he is far from a teabagger and wantsntoleave Afghanistan. Also, he is black. I can't see him getting anywhere but he could become one of those Allen West military blacks that Republicans eat up. Republicans do have a history of nominating candidates with no political experience for major offices in CT.

This guy will soon be squeezed into a footnote in the history of the 2012 Senate race once Linda McMahon's campaign war-machine revs up. Though who wouldn't love to see what would happen if a town like Hartland was forced to choose between a white Democrat and a black Republican...

[Senator Napoleon]

And Some Dude 2010 write in candidate Brian Hill is the first Republican entry. The good news is he is far from a teabagger and wantsntoleave Afghanistan. Also, he is black. I can't see him getting anywhere but he could become one of those Allen West military blacks that Republicans eat up. Republicans do have a history of nominating candidates with no political experience for major offices in CT.

This guy will soon be squeezed into a footnote in the history of the 2012 Senate race once Linda McMahon's campaign war-machine revs up. Though who wouldn't love to see what would happen if a town like Hartland was forced to choose between a white Democrat and a black Republican...

Linda can waste her many however she chooses but she will have a worse showing than 2010. I can't believe the GaoP is considering renominating her.

[homelycooking]

Decades of Democratic dominance of the legislature, the end of the Rowland-Rell gubernatorial era and the recent failure of the GOP to win any congressional races has left the GOP benches quite empty. Rob Simmons would get crushed if he tried to run again (or if he inexplicably "suspends his campaign" halfway through). Most GOP State Senators (e.g. McKinney, Kissel, Roraback) are too parochial to quickly acquire a statewide following, and most State Reps. are too insignificant to stand up to Democratic heavy-hitters Murphy and Bysiewicz. So the GOP will end up turning to McMahon.

[Heimdal]

I think it is fair to say that Connecticut is more of a one-party state today than it has ever been after the last world war.
Soon Lieberman will be gone as well.

[Senator Napoleon]

I think it is fair to say that Connecticut is more of a one-party state today than it has ever been after the last world war.
Soon Lieberman will be gone as well.

And deservedly so.
Connecticut Republicans can't stay reactionary on social issues and nominate nobodies and expect to win. Someonevlike Chris Shays could make the race a toss up.

[homelycooking]

I think it is fair to say that Connecticut is more of a one-party state today than it has ever been after the last world war.
Soon Lieberman will be gone as well.

And deservedly so.
Connecticut Republicans can't stay reactionary on social issues and nominate nobodies and expect to win. Someonevlike Chris Shays could make the race a toss up.

But the Republicans don't have anyone even remotely like Chris Shays left. Shays himself is damaged goods, and every indication says that the GOP is going to make a sharp turn to the right in the near future.

[Senator Napoleon]

I think it is fair to say that Connecticut is more of a one-party state today than it has ever been after the last world war.
Soon Lieberman will be gone as well.

And deservedly so.
Connecticut Republicans can't stay reactionary on social issues and nominate nobodies and expect to win. Someonevlike Chris Shays could make the race a toss up.

But the Republicans don't have anyone even remotely like Chris Shays left. Shays himself is damaged goods, and every indication says that the GOP is going to make a sharp turn to the right in the near future.

Murphy is too strong of a candidate to draw a semi-decent challenger, especially with that open seat in CT-05. I think Shays could beat Byswiecz. To put it more simply, Republicans are screwed here for quite some time.
I wonder what race Tong is trying to raise his statewide profile for.

[Former Moderate]

This guy will soon be squeezed into a footnote in the history of the 2012 Senate race once Linda McMahon's campaign war-machine revs up. Though who wouldn't love to see what would happen if a town like Hartland was forced to choose between a white Democrat and a black Republican...

Hartland, 1998

Gary Franks (R) 376
Chris Dodd (D) 344

[homelycooking]

That's a strong Democratic performance for Hartland.

[Former Moderate]

That's a strong Democratic performance for Hartland.

To be fair, Gary Frank didn't even crack 1/3 of the vote statewide. Pretty awful performance for a former GOP congressman.

[Wrecking Ball and Chain]

Is there anything notable about Hartland to cause its Republicanism and supposed racism? Just looks like a typical lily-white New England town to me.

[homelycooking]

Is there anything notable about Hartland to cause its Republicanism and supposed racism? Just looks like a typical lily-white New England town to me.

I'm exaggerating a bit, but Hartland is the most Republican town in Connecticut - yet it is not especially affluent. Yes, it is 98-99% white. It is also very rural - the smallest town in Hartford County. My high school had a number of students from Hartland and the vast majority of them seemed to fulfill the "redneck" stereotype. Indeed, we had a large contingent of workboot-wearing, pickup-truck driving, Confederate-flag wearing types. We even had some problems with "White-power Wednesday" a while back.

Needless to say, Hartland has not voted for a Democrat for president - ever.  

[cinyc]

I think Shays could beat Byswiecz.

That incompetent embarrassment Byswiecz is running for Senate?  If Democrats are stupid enough to nominate her in the primary, Republicans just might have a chance to pick up the seat.  But I doubt most Connecticut Democrats are that stupid, are they?

[Senator Napoleon]

I think Shays could beat Byswiecz.

That incompetent embarrassment Byswiecz is running for Senate?  If Democrats are stupid enough to nominate her in the primary, Republicans just might have a chance to pick up the seat.  But I doubt most Connecticut Democrats are that stupid, are they?

I doubt it; I would never cast a vote for her for any office. But she could still beat a stooge like McMahon handily.

[cinyc]

I doubt it; I would never cast a vote for her for any office. But she could still beat a stooge like McMahon handily.

McMahon would beat Byswiecz handily.  Byswiecz is no Blumenthal.  She's more like a Coakley.  McMahon's money could be used to define her negatively in a way that couldn't work with Blumenthal.  There's plenty of material to do so with.

[Senator Napoleon]

I doubt it; I would never cast a vote for her for any office. But she could still beat a stooge like McMahon handily.

McMahon would beat Byswiecz handily.  Byswiecz is no Blumenthal.  She's more like a Coakley.  McMahon's money could be used to define her negatively in a way that couldn't work with Blumenthal.  There's plenty of material to do so with.

McMahon is very hated here, the partisan lean of Connecticut means she will lose. Simmons maybe could if he raised some cash, but Linda will just be wasting more money. Blumenthal also had problems of his own and what I expect for 2012 will be an environment less favorable to Republicans.

[Senator Napoleon]

Looks like I was right about Chris Shays considering a bid.

[Senator Napoleon]

Can't wait to get rid of this POS!

[Keystone Phil]

Can't wait to get rid of this POS!

There's nothing more evil then bipartisanship, eh?

[Senator Napoleon]

Who said anything about bipartisanship?
Loserman said that "Democrats have departed from a robust foreign policy" as we bomb the crap out of Islamic nations.

I do admit it is nice to see he is finally referred to as a neoconservative instead of a moderate.

[Jayhawker]

Can't wait to get rid of this POS!

There's nothing more evil then bipartisanship, eh?

Yep. It's sad so many people look down on their politicians reaching across the aisle to lend a helping hand.