Chris Healy not running makes it seem like its the 4th of July!

As I sit here beaming, I'm trying very hard to determine whether the best news of the year so far was the capture and killing of Osama Bin Laden, or the demise of Connecticut State Republican Chairman Christopher Healy. Well obviously, the crimes of Healy do not compare with the crimes of an evil Bin Laden, but from my castle perch, I can tell you that over the last four months, I heard far more derogatory discussion about Healy than I had Bin Laden.

Crowds celebrated with Fireworks
when Chris Healy announced
he wasn't running for CTGOP Chair

I have another article that I've been putting together for the upcoming Republican Chairman's race - but thanks to Healy, it will take a bit of rework now that he's FORMALLY withdrawn from the race. The word on the street up until last Thursday afternoon was that Healy was still making calls telling people that he was planning on running thus the piece I drafted actually gave Healy a reasonable chance of winning election for the spot. But watching the goings on between opposition camps I actually held the piece because I had the sense that with the fortitude and general conspiracy of activists hell-bent on ridding themselves of Healy, that things might not look so good. So for my part, I opted to withhold the essay in the event that Healy would "see the light" or -- better said, chicken out at the last minute. And he did! 

The point being, Healy isn't stupid, he can do much more than rig Political Conventions - he can count votes like the next guy. Had he actually had the votes to win a majority, he would have certainly ran. But the total number of members who appeared locked up for Justin Clark, Art Scialabba, Doug Hageman, along with the other remaining darkhorse candidates like Bill Aniskovich, Rob Simmons, and Al Alper would have formed some alliance, and struck a deal keeping Healy from his throne in New Britain.

 And I have to say, I spoke to a number of people over the last five days, but I heard more about the pathetic article today written at The Hartford Courant run Capitol Watch Blog written by Christopher Keating. The whole thing was written like a eulogy to a fallen war hero. You have to be kidding me! Never have a bunch of liberal Democrats gotten together to draft a more lopsided commentary praising their enemy, and allowing him to dismiss his corrupt practices as nothing more than partisan politics. Well if that isn't a bunch of bull, I don't know what is. In the final analysis The Courant's writers act as if the members of the CT GOP were like a hateful Baseball owner ousting a World Series winning manager the day after winning the Trophy. Get real, Hartford Courant! In truth, they were using Healy and his so-called brilliant quips to attack Republicans once again.  Like a fool, Healy took the bait.

The Courant inaccurately awards credit to Chris Healy for the newly acquired 14 seats in the House of Representatives as if he had anything to do with it (the article actually mentions this TWICE). And they indirectly try to give him credit for the special election win which was the work of Len Suzio, and his team, and had nothing to do with Mr. Healy. When the article finally gets around to discussing the failures in what they deem the "major elections", they use a quote from Healy just prior saying, "The bottom line is that Candidates have to win Races." So in other words, Healy is leaving the Party in a better place - at least in areas where he can take the credit. In all other areas I guess the candidates just stunk to Hell.  How classy!

What irks readers the most is later in the article, The Courant brings up the collusion against Rob Simmons, specifically pointing to the rigged convention and the fact that Healy got his wife a high paying job on Linda McMahon's campaign. Sadly, instead of choosing an apologetic tone for what was clearly unethical behavior, he goes into a tirade about picking on a politician's wife. Oh Please, Healy! You are nothing more than an opportunist creep! He goes onto to say that he checked with THE ENTIRE STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE and they HAD NO PROBLEM with Susan Bibisi as a paid Communication's Director on Linda's campaign. Yeah, well he missed about 50 people when he went to check. But I'm sure all of his loyal minions gave him the green light, particularly those down at his local bank taking in that six figure paycheck.

What's most disappointing is his dismissal of people with a sense of ethics and decency. Healy told The Courant: "People, when they lose, see conspiracy theories. They see sort of a grassy knoll mentality. If I had that kind of power over that many people, I would be running a satanic cult.'' No, Chris. What we see is a corrupt political leader lining his pockets with cold, hard cash to advance his own personal agenda and aims at increasing his personal wealth and power. We also saw how you stabbed your friends like Rob Simmons in the back, and threw dozens of people under the bus when it all blew up in your face. You weren't running a cult, but a machine that functioned for the sole purpose of serving your self-interest.

And as for your short-lived bid to be Republican National Chairman. We've got one word for that whole episode: HAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! The biggest loser Chairman who lost every key race from Governor's Office to every House seat thinking they need him to build some Republican Army. Yeah right. An Army of total losers. We think it was your ego telling you to run, as no one in the National GOP would consider you a prospect for GOP Dog Catcher with your pathetic record. And as for bringing the Connecticut GOP into the Internet age? You and Al Gore invented the Internet, did you?  Hapless Peter Schiff brought in more money his single campaign via the Internet - $2 million bucks to your $20K. Give us a break, Healy. The exaggerations just keep coming.

When I see articles like this  on written by The Courant, and Healy's step on the gas when I'm wrong mentality its thrills me because it just goes to prove how ineffective and dishonest he is as a leader and there is no reason to shed a solitary tear about his leaving.  His legacy is a lot of work to be had, an empty bank account, and a fractured Party to boot.  Thanks, a lot buddy.

And a final word on old Healy - his classless attack against Heidi Simmons, the wife of former Congressman Rob Simmons, violates the 11th Commandment that he is always so fond of lecturing others about.  What a vindictive creature.  He couldn't even leave on a positive note; instead he opted to throw dirt on former friend who he hosed over at convention time, and his wife - who unlike Susan Bibisi, isn't a failed career political hack.

The biggest loser of all of this is probably not Chris Healy. If you didn't know, Healy has plenty of money to roll around in, and will likely land on his feet working for Phelps or some other lobby firm where he can put his swindling, bullying, and conniving talents to use. The biggest loser by far is likely Catherine Marx. Marx started making calls seeking support of State Central members early on, but her short-lived campaign went over like a rock. Members see her as a nice lady, but a relative novice in all areas of politics. She means well, but her tenure proved that she doesn't have the talent or charisma to move the GOP forward; its all likely she'd end up losing ground on most fronts if she ever took the reigns.

But this is what happens when you ride someone's coattails and don't make use of the opportunity to prove yourself to the organization you represent. Catherine will likely go back to her Town Committee in Hebron, or find a nice spot on the Hebron Sewer Commission where her limited talents can be put to good use. Ok, that was harsh. In truth, my issue with Catherine is not what she did (she didn't actually do much), its what she didn't do - she didn't challenge the status quo when things were being seen as less than ethical out of CT GOP Headquarters. So she leaves heads down, shamed and embarrassed.

So we have a real live contest now in the making - and its sure to have a lot of interesting twists and turns - enough to keep you all captivated. And lest you forget, Chris Healy is going to still be sitting in the saddle pulling the strings and jockeying his picks along the way (a fair warning to you fools who think he's going to sit on the backbench and just spectate from afar). This is almost a much more dangerous situation for the likes of Doug Hageman who was the first to stand up and challenge the sitting Chairman and publicly expose elements of his financial corruption. Healy is in the perfect position to exact revenge on his enemies by using his position and power to influence the outcome of the Chairman election. For those who don't know, Healy has a bumper sticker on his car that reads: What Would Nixon Do? I suggest a few wanna-be Chairman are about to find out.

I'm not going to get into a full blown analysis on the contestants in this short essay (I've already gone longer than anticipated). I expect a very nasty month. With Healy no longer running, I see the short-lived alliances starting to disintegrate. I see people like Justin Clark withdrawing from dialogue with the other candidates and trying to emerge on his own - with Tom Foley pulling his strings. I see Doug Hageman stabilizing and looking to go after Aniskovich who has been courting Hageman's supporters, and I also see several darkhorse (unannounced candidates) waiting for the right time to enter the race. Yes, I know their names, but I'm not going to spill the beans just yet.

You'll have to speculate for now. Oh boy, its about to get interesting!

But for now, go outside and light some sparklers, and drink some champagne. Old Chris Healy is being put out to pasture. And Connecticut's Republican Party is going to be a lot better for it.  And all credit is due to those brave people who stood up to Healy, and worked to challenge his unethical and inept behavior - people like Doug Hageman, Tom Foley, Al Alper, Joe Visconti, Rob Simmons, and many unsung heroes from the Republican Party who are better off being unnamed so they can carry forth their work through the next stage, and of course - don't forget to give credit to yours truly - THE KING.

I AM

THE KING

The original blog entry can be found at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com/

Do or Die - CT GOP State Central Delegates Have a Chance to End Corruption on May 10th

On Tuesday, May 10th Republicans all over the State of Connecticut will have an opportunity to put an end to unprecedented Party corruption, and start anew by taking the first step in ridding themselves of of failed leadership, and self-defeating strategies architected by CTGOP's arrogant Chairman, Christopher Healy, and his lackey, Catherine Marx.  In the wake of this past year's rigged primaries, scandals, and embarrassing results which led to a serious splintering of Connecticut's GOP - it will be a chance to flush out those individuals who have only been interested in self-profit, bonuses structures, and limitless reimbursement accounts courtesy of Connecticut Republican donors.


Mr. Corruption - Chris Healy
Let's send him back to Starbucks
where he belongs

On Tuesday, delegates will cast votes to elect 72 members (78 votes total) which will comprise Connecticut Republican Party State Central, an organization created for the purposes of being a public proponent for Republican ideals, and to organize and aid in the election of Republicans to statewide and federal office.  This year there is an added twist - for the first time in 20 years, those elected to State Central will also have the added responsibility of electing this year's State Party Chairman - a decision critical to Republican electoral success over the next several years, and beyond.

It's clear that over the past decade, neither State Central or its Chairman has served Connecticut's registered Republicans whatsoever. State Central has become little more than a social drinking club for big Party contributors, and a closed venue for favor collection, and pretended networking power for many who have been unsuccessful in their own personal lives, and careers.  The results of such ineptitude in leadership has diminished Connecticut Republicanism to the point where Democrats barely see us as significant opposition - particularly in the Statehouse. In fact, things are so bad, that under Chris Healy, the State of Connecticut, has affectionately come to be known as: The Bluest State in the Union, a title that might make you giddy if it weren't so darn costly to Connecticut families and businesses.

Over the past several months, and for the first time in many cycles, we've seen Connecticut politicians, including Tom Foley, and Rob Simmons,  show the courage to publicly call on Chris Healy to resign. The horrific, and undemocratic practices displayed at last year's State Convention, particularly with regard to the US Senate nomination, and several Congressional District seats, followed by Healy's hand in an 0-12 defeat in State Office elections, including the Governorship (which was by far one of the most avoidable defeats in Connecticut electoral history) have caused anger and outrage now that taxpayers are being steam-rolled by Gov Malloy and Democrats on both economic and left-wing social positions.  And now, we have such a fractured constituency, that we even have Tea Party members challenging (and geared up to challenge) Republicans at the polls which will lead to guaranteed victories for Democrats across the Nutmeg State.

The deafening sound you hear from either Chris Healy or Catherine Marx on Taxation?
On frivolous Spending? 
On the Transgendered Bathroom Bill?
On the Vote to Abolish the Death Penalty?
On State Union Benefits and Negotiations?
-- A mere pip and a squeak to DEAD SILENCE!
It's so bad that my friends who are registered Democrats actually say they feel sorry for me with a hapless leader like Healy waving the white flag of surrender before the battle has even begun!

And do you know what's been happening?  Chris Healy and Catherine Marx have been making calls day and night to pull favors from RTC chairman and long-time entrenched State Central members in order to stack the deck and ensure that retain control over the CTGOP.  Neither Healy nor Marx has an ounce of integrity to recognize that they - along with their overpaid GOP Executive Director Liz Kurantowicz have been nothing short of incompetent, and have cost Republicans electoral loses in almost every district in the State.  What would ever encourage such ineffective people to seek re-election when all evidence points to years of complete failure? By God, the State of Alaska holds more prominence in Republican National circles than Connecticut does! And that's a crime for a State that at one time actually sent Republicans to Congress, and helped solidify two Presidential victories for Ronald W. Reagan.

We are seeing much of the same corrupt actions that we saw during the convention from Healy, Inc. As I've attended RTC meetings, those long-time Healy minions are using two tactics to deflect attention from their favoritism for Healy - when asked whom they support for State Chairman they say they are either undecided, or they avoid the question by hiding behind the fact that Healy hasn't announced. It's almost as cowardly a strategy as Chris Healy's for waiting to announce his candidacy only after making sure he's pulled enough strings to secure the alleged number of State Central member votes needed to lock up the Chairmanship.  That's the kind of leaders you have in Healy-Marx - gutless cowards.  I'm sure he's probably thinking of ways to siphon off another six figures from Linda McMahon, who is probably a Healy-backer, all too thrilled to have Healy jury-rig the next primary or convention.

So for those still following, this begs a few key questions:

Will Republicans have the courage to attend their State Central Convention and ask those running - the tough questions?  Will they ask each and every candidate who they support for Party Chairman, and Why? And if they say Chris Healy will they ask them to explain why he deserves re-election given his dismal record?

Will they ask those seeking re-election what their role was in the antics at the State Party Convention which led to the most distasteful and corrupt State Convention of all time?

Will they ask why out all funds collected by the CTGOP in revenues why only a measly 9 cents on the dollar makes it to the candidate field?  Where does the rest go?

Will they ask why Liz Kurantowicz holds two paid positions - both the Executive Director Position and Finance Director position to the tune of $84K, annually. Why both positions are solely appointed by the Chairman without Party oversight? And why is she is also paid on commission override, for example earning a whopping $13K for ticket sales allegedly from the Prescott Bush Dinner? What other special bonus deals does Ms. Kurantowicz receive, and why? What does this mean to people being Petitioned for $20 here and $50 here when the money seems to go in the pockets of CTGOP staff.

Or ask why Chris Healy rakes in $80K, annually, plus mileage and unlimited expenses, and then have the audacity to demand a $10K raise after excessive failures? (Particularly after swindling a six figure position for his wife on Linda McMahon's campaign - which was deemed by some to be a clear conflict of interest).

Or ask who creates such generous salary and commission-based contracts for CTGOP employees, and who authorizes them? Ask when these contracts can be made public since it seems that apparently no State Party members have ever even seen them? This begs the question of the CTGOP's overall accounting and financial accountability practices?  And why the lack of transparency with regard to CTGOP contracts, and expenditures?

Will they ask why Chris Healy and Liz Kurantowicz spent $1300 on airfare and hotel on a frivolous trip to Kansas City in mid-September? Or what about the $2000 hotel stay and all of the other incredible expenditures that can be read at the Federal Elections Commissions Site (a whole entry can be devoted to pages of abuse)

Or Why State Central spent $3600 on convention signs from Projects Unlimited (owned by Enfield RTC Chair and Healy lackey Mary Ann Turner) particularly when an actual sign company offered to create the same signs at cost in the amount of $500?

Or why the State Party used Grassroots Targeting of Alexandria, Virginia at the cost of $42K in September for the failed use of Micro Targeting? A known, risky approach (which proved ineffective).

Or why the Party outsourced making phone calls, and telemarketing calls to St Paul, Minnesota-based FLS Connect to the tune of $113K? Which led to over-saturation of calls within districts causing negative impacts to candidates state-wide? 

Or why the CTGOP spent $65K on generic GOTV ads from CD Inc. of Alexandria, Virginia?

Why? Why? Why?

And from the looks of things there are a few more people asking questions about how Chris Healy does business. As reported in The Greenwich Times last week, former Gubernatorial candidate, Tom Foley, is demanding a change in the guard at State State Central or else [he implies] Fairfield County Republicans might start to withhold big donor contributions to the CTGOP.  If Fairfield County turns off the cash-flow, things are going to get plenty tight at GOP Headquarters, and Mr. Healy may have to buy his own coffee and gas instead of passing on expenses to donors via his $5000+ reimbursement account. 

All of this shameful and unethical shenanigans has had a corrupting impact on Connecticut Republican Party politics. The evidence suggests that ALL OF IT has had a paralyzing affect on the Connecticut Republican Party's effectiveness. Moreover, a few select individuals have turned CTGOP into their own personal expense and profit center which has left a terrible stain on the reputation of everyone involved -  especially Chris Healy and Catherine Marx. 

With all of this information disclosed (and much more to come) how could State Central Convention delegates support any candidate who would dare re-elect Christopher Healy? It would have to be someone who is either oblivious, or part of the corrupt Healy machine.  Those of us in the cheap seats are asking Republican delegates to have the courage to hold those seeking State Central membership accountable for their stated positions, and their actions. Legitimize the process!

Let's hope for the Party's sake, Chris Healy and Catherine Marx don't put themselves and us through a public nightmare, and simply do the right thing - and step aside.

I AM,

THE KING

This original blog entry can be found at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com