A Dark-Horse Emerges: Enter Pauline Kezer
Just when you thought it was going to be a rainy, uneventful weekend...
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| Pauline Kezer, a moderate, is well-respected within CTGOP and by the General Public |
Ms. Kezer is best known for her successful tenure as Connecticut's Secretary of State from 1991 to 1994. She was elected to multiple terms as a State Legislator from 1979 to 1986 (promoted by her peers to Asst. House Majority Leader, and Asst. House Minority Leader), and served as Connecticut's Vice Chairman from 1987 to 1989, and Assistant Treasurer from 1998 to 1999.
Kezer is another late add to the mix of would-be Chairman. If this tells you anything, it's that despite what some candidates would have you believe, the Chairman's race remains wide-open. And there are plenty of surprises yet to come.
The King's view is that Kezer's announcement reveals that there is extreme dissatisfaction among key Republican insiders, and the membership (and public) about 1) the current slate of candidates, and 2) the prospect of having Bill Aniskovich as Chairman.
It seems that the catalyst to Ms. Kezer's entry was likely Bill Aniskovich's recent letter to CTGOP members which contained signatures of 35 House Republicans who've vowed support for Aniskovich. This strong-armed tactic meant to entice State Central members into Aniskovich's camp was not well-received by those concerned about his checkered background, and its perceived negative impact on the future of the Republican Party.
This entry is not meant as an endorsement of Ms. Kezer. But you have to welcome anyone to the debate who has her depth of experience and knowledge, and is considered extremely ethical by her peers. I'll have more to say on this candidate at a later date.
I AM
THE KING
This original blog entry can be found at www.thekingsview.blogspot.com
3 comments:
Many of your observations about Pauline's background and experience are correct however, she's been out of it for so long, most of the State Central members don't even know who she is and those who do know her don't like her.
Her letter to the State Central members was full of a lot of bravado and embellishment and her answers to the questionnaire were pretty bad and not at all impressive.
She can put her toe in the water all she wants but I honestly can't think of one of the 72 who would support her.
Maybe Derek Phelps will come to the meeting on Tuesday and she can slap him again.
I was surprised by her interest to take on this monumental role given that she is up in years, and the time commitment is going to require someone who can commit to close to a full time job.
I too was at the State Convention when all of the theatrics took place on the floor during all of the vote switching between Rowland and her. That was one for the record books. I'll certainly never forget it... I'm sure Phelps won't either.
Notwithstanding, I'm interested in what she will have to say. I'm not sold on how a moderate leader would not push the Party to the center-left. For all my disagreements with Chris Healy over his leadership style and shananigans (well deserved I may add), Healy wasn't a moderate. I'm afraid what the impact would be to the Party if we went that route.
I'll reserve judgement for the moment, but I don't get the warm and fuzzies about her at this point.
The only other thing I will add at this point is that we know for a fact that Ms. Kezer helped Martha Dean when Ms. Dean was running for AG. That is a sign that although Kezer is a moderate Republican, she is willing to get in the trenches and work for a conservative candidate. Whoever becomes Chairman will need to support Republicans who are black and white, fat and thin, and conservative and moderate. That's the key to winning a REPUBLICAN majority. Folks, Jesse Helms types aren't going to run and win in every district here in the Nutmeg state. :)
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