TRIFECTA: Three Degenerate Bills Pass Committee

The Connecticut LOB is located in
an alternate universe where right is
wrong and wrong is right

Wednesday was a gloomy day for Republicans in Connecticut. And that's putting it mildly.

First, the Judiciary Committee passed H.B. 5389 AN ACT CONCERNING THE PALLIATIVE USE OF MARIJUANA, which The King warned everyone about last month. The Bill easily passed Judiciary by a margin of 35-8 (vote tally here). The real crying shame about the passage of this bill, is that only seven Republicans voted against the measure which clearly shows that Connecticut Republicans continue to suffer from an identity crisis inconsistent with the National Republican Party and its membership.

For the record, the following Republicans voted in favor of passing out marijuana to anyone who can find a burned out, 60s-raised, Tye-died physician willing to produce a doctor's note:

Andrew Roraback, S30
Themis Klarides, T. 114 (CTGOP Party Vice-Chair)
David Labriola, 131
John Kissel, S07
John Hetherington, 125
Christie Carpino, 032 (Sponsor)
Debra Lee Hovey, 112
T.R. Rowe, 123
Robert Sampson, 080

If you see any of the fools above whining about drug problems in schools, drug-related violence, or looking with a blank stare as they try to fathom the ever-increasing issue of substance abuse - then you can remind them about their foolish vote to make marijuana legally more available to Connecticut households. If they try to tell you that there is no connection between their vote, and their contribution to expanding the drug problem in Connecticut, you can tell them to go smoke another doobie, and face the fact that they are compounding the problem, and what's worse - they are sending the wrong message to the youth of Connecticut which is Smoking Pot is OK if you really, really want to. Nice! By the way, the whole medical component of the Marijuana argument is ridiculous cover - and could only have merit back in the 70s when the strength of today's pain medications were a fraction of what's on the market now; plus they're readily available at any CVS in the State providing you have a script.

The eight brave, dissenting voices are:

Paul Doyle, S09 (Democrat)
Al Aldinolfi, 103
Michael McLachlan, S24
Arthur O'Neill, 069
John Shaban, 135
Bill Simanski, 062
Richard Smith, 108
Jason Welch, S31

Note to Themis Klarides: You can forget your aspiriations for RNC Committee Person because the Republican National Committee doesn't do marijuana!


DEATH PENALTY REPEAL

By far the worst vote today came regarding Connecticut Democrats never-ending quest to repeal the Death Penalty under the guise of S.B. 280 AN ACT REVISING THE PENALTY FOR CAPITAL FELONIES. Oddly enough, the passage of the Bill out of the Judiciary Committee comes at a time when a Quinnipiac Poll shows that Connecticut Residents support the Death Penalty by a wide-margin of 67 in favor and only 28 against. The poll actually indicates a new high for Death Penalty support in Connecticut which means that there wasn't a cooling off period as Connecticut Democrats had hoped for post-Komisarjevksy-Hayes verdicts. If anything, the public is more determined then ever to see these two meet their maker for the heinous crimes they committed on the Petit family.

Democrats tend to only care about polling data that favors their barbaric causes, so you can imagine how quickly today's poll was disregarded by liberals sitting on the Committee. The vote tally was a sobering 24 in favor of repeal to 17 against repeal. Even Andrew Roraback, who was clobbered in this blog and has since taken a weekly beating at the hands of his chief rival CT05 Congressional wanna-be Lisa Wilson-Phony (Foley) (a.k.a scarecrow lady), voted against repeal.

I'm not sure whether or not Roraback's early release demands were met, or not but regardless, he voted with his Republican colleagues on what was basically a party-line vote. If he votes the same way when it goes for up a general vote in both chambers then that will effectively end his controversy over the Death Penalty, and close the issue - for it's not what you did last year, it's what you did yesterday.

The concern that has pro-law enforcement/ pro-justice system lawyers and others talking is that if this bill were to be voted on in the General Assembly and passed, then the chances that either sick bastards Joshua Komisarjevsky or Steven Hayes would face the Death Penalty is slim to none. Despite rhetoric by Governor Dannel Malloy and his liberal buddies that, if passed, this Bill wouldn't apply to the Petit murderer's grandfathered sentencing - every activist judge and liberal trial lawyer will be looking for an opportunity to challenge on behalf of Death Row inmates using an Equal Protection Law argument (5th Amendment "due process") to find a way to get Hayes, Komisarjevsky, and anyone else off death row.

Make no mistake, Dannel Malloy said he'd sign a bill to repeal of the death penalty if it came to his desk. Don't think for a minute that the Governor's Office isn't knee deep involved in the whole orchestration of the Democrats legislative agenda. The deal to advance this bill right now and get it passed is no coincidence - with two years left in his term, Governor Malloy is looking to make short work of this item, and praying that the people of Connecticut forget the whole thing by the time 2014 rolls around. Sadly, if the income tax battle taught us anything, it's that the public has a short memory, and moreover tends to become more accepting of bad ideas over time.

Today's real headline should have read: "Connecticut
Democrats take first step to overturn Hayes-Komisarjevsky
sentencing." because that's been their plan all-along.

SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION

I also warned you about H.B. 5024 AN ACT CONCERNING VOTING RIGHTS which also passed it's committee 11-4 on a Party Line vote. Without going into too much detail, the level of fraud that municipalities can expect will be unprecedented - mostly favoring Democrat Candidates (which to any genius reading might explain why Dems are head-over-heels in love with the idea, and Republicans are cringing at the very thought - might be something do with how well Democrats have perfected voter fraud over the years, ex. Acorn, or Chicago Style Politics, not sure). And if that wasn't bad enough, the entire cost of administration and hardware for checking for duplicate voter registrations via online computer terminals, and the staff to support this fraudulent bill will be handed down to all 169 towns - which, as we all know, can barely balance their budgets as it is.


So there you have it. Connecticut's Grand Old Party, took a grand old beating today. If you are disgusted, you should be. And I hate to tell you this, but if you look at the docket, you'll find all kinds of expensive and perverse pieces of legislation that will likely be looked at and passed by Connecticut's one party authoritarian structure. It's going to get worse before it gets better, that's if - there's any chance of it ever getting better at all.

Lastly, has anyone seen Democrat State Representative and U.S. Senate hopeful William Tong?  He failed to show up to cast a vote at either the Death Penalty, or the Pro-Marijuana hearings - not that he would have been on the side of the righteous.  Rumor is that Tong was last seen on Dennis House's Face the State show.  If anyone sees Mr. Tong wandering aimlessly in Hartford Keeney Park feeding pigeons, contact Speaker Chris Donovan. 
 

 All Points Bulletin: "Dawg Gone, Tong Gone!"

Have a better day!

I AM

THE KING

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


Disclaimer: This entry and others will be modified/updated at a future date. All entries are for the sole purpose of entertainment.

What happened to The King?

Hi Gang! I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer! 

Get out and enjoy the Summer!

Certainly the weather has been near perfect through July, and I hope folks are taking the time to recharge their batteries by taking a short vacation from all the political shenanigans, and you're getting outside to enjoy the season and each other.  It's very important to spend time outside of your political circles because it helps to remind you precisely why you work as hard as you do to help turn the tide, and restore liberty to your board, town, state, country, etc.  And I really mean it - take a break!  There is a ton of hard work ahead of us, and we're going to need all hands on deck pretty soon.  Remember - you can't win if your running on an empty tank!

Of course, there is plenty of plotting and scheming over backyard BBQs, I'm sure.  My phone rings constantly, and for those of us knee-deep in campaigns, fundraising, or planning - the breaks are few and far between.  Someone has got to keep the engine running because unfortunately - liberalism doesn't take a break, and neither does THE KING.  That being said, The King's View has been quiet on the publishing side of things, but very active behind the scenes.  Never fear, we aren't disappearing - just taking a short break, letting things work themselves out, and getting ready to pick our spots!

About a month ago, I told readers that I was going to draft a piece entitled, "Winners and Losers." But I've had second thoughts about publishing an article that would do more harm than good; and would likely not serve the best interest of the CTGOP, and our new leaders' desire to mend broken relationships and bring waring party's together after a fairly dramatic (and somewhat nasty) internal election phase. So after drafting the piece, I scrapped it.  That chapter is over (almost), and we are ready to start anew where we can.  As long as those who have been removed mind their own business, and don't try to play silly games by thinking they are going to operate a shadow CTGOP office from outside the legitimate walls of Republican Headquarters, then we are fine.  For if they do - there will be no mercy, and no quarter shown!

Although we all want to stay positive and move forward, please make no mistake, many the old coalitions are still intact, and there's plenty of counter-productive grumbling taking place.  And there are still a few district chairman and vice chairman who are still to lose their slots due to ineptitude and - frankly speaking - just being on the wrong side of the tracks.  And from what I'm hearing some of these people have gone out of their way to call attention to themselves and act like jackasses, thus forcing our new Chairman to have to make a move to replace them.  After all that's been said and done, some people still don't know enough to shut up and stay under the radar.  How does that saying go?  You can't teach a dumb fat blond cow new tricks?   I dunno, I can't remember.  And clicking the "like" button on Facebook after everything the dumb cow writes, makes you equally as guilty as she. Bright people will know who that's directed at.

I've been reading and researching plenty about the candidates who are starting to publicly make their case to represent Connecticut Republicans on the ticket to oppose entrenched Congressional Democrats.  As of this moment I haven't decided who I plan to support in any of these races.  However, I'm troubled by a few things I've seen and heard, and concerned about some of the history of a few of these individuals.  While there is no such thing as the perfect candidate, there is a price to be paid for supporting and contributing to the enemy's camp.  And "being in business" is no excuse for writing checks to fill the Democrat coffers, who in turn uses it to buy ammunition which is fired at Republicans far and wide.  Actions have consequences, and some stray bullets have had the unintended consequences of bringing down some very good people. People forget that contributions have legs, and are often shared between candidates both directly and indirectly.  That must always be a consideration when you to out and write that check.  Enough said on that for now.

So as for The King's View, we've plenty on tap coming on down the road.  And you can expect a few surprises along the way with regard to new features, columns, and even guest writers.  We are going to have a lot of fun, and I hope you'll tune in to watch!  If you have any good tips or stories, feel free to send them to me at thekingsview@gmail.com .  Anonymity will be assured.  Just please be sure to try to have your facts and stories straight.  Unfortunately, I don't have a full-time staff to verify everything. 

Before I end, I just want to finish up with a final thought because its important for me clear up a huge misconception - I do not write this column for profit, and I'm not in league with any facet or coalition within the Republican Party, Democrat Party, Independent, or Tea Party movement.  My opinions are my own, and I do not plan on carrying any one's dirty water for them for payment or favor.  If we can turn the tide and restore Connecticut to its roots - ending the long dark shadow that has been cast over it by nearly 70+ years of labor-liberal rule, than that is payment enough for me. 

I'd just like to see the sun burn through the fog covering the Nutmeg State.  We can make this happen.

I AM,

THE KING

This original blog entry can be read 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

Lieberman, Giffords, McMahon again, and The Coming Storm

With the week almost over, I thought I'd draft up something to post.  I've been busy working on a few different pieces, but alas - I've been heads down on a number of other commitments which have kept me from finalizing the entries. And these are real barn burners which are sure to tick of the Proletariat at Status Quo (Republican) Headquarters over in New Britsky.  And Hey, I appreciate the traffic to the blog, and your emails -  its been quite reassuring to know that like-minded people are "tuning in" from Twitter, Facebook, and through general searches on the Web who are sick of the collusion and idiocy within our CT GOP leadership.  My advise is to keep up the pressure, and never give up!!

So onward...

On to the Galactic Senate for
Joe Palpatine?

This week our old foe (and sometimes friend) Joe Lieberman announced he's not running for re-election.  We know he has some health-related issues, and given that Senator Palpatine has been in there for eons, he's probably ready for a change of pace.  Running as Al Gore's running mate probably aged him more than his recent inter-party battles with the fringe elements of Connecticut's Democrat Party.

In truth, I'm not a huge fan of Joe Lieberman because his record shows that despite the left-wing media's determination to paint him as a moderate, he's voted with Democrats 95% of the time.  He voted for socialized healthcare, gay marriage, bailouts, and all the tax and spend bills Democrats have rammed through during their off and on majority.  On the other hand, he supported the Gulf War and the extended war in Afghanistan which was considered too Republican-minded for crazed anti-war crowd in Liberalville. 

Oh, yeah, then he gave a speech in support of his friend  and colleague John McCain at the Republican National Convention.  This was probably one of the few moments in the last 60 years where friendship actually stood above politics.  Unfortunately, for Joe, it pretty much led to the beginning of the end for his tenure as a Democrat.  But to his credit; he got the last laugh. He taught his own Party a lesson by running as an Independent and defeating both the Republican and Democrat candidates, and returning to the Senate for a final victory lap.

There is a lot of speculation in the Websphere about whether or not Lieberman will actually complete his term.  The real question being would he actually step down early knowing that it would give Governor Dan Malloy the opportunity to appoint a temporary Senator, thus handing Democrats the advantage of running from an incumbent position?  We don't know.

Since my telescope has been pointed at the madness within the Connecticut Republican Party,  I don't have much insight into the current relationship between the Dems and Lieberman; other than he still caucuses with them.  I guess he could either serve out his term and let everyone just play their own game, or he could mend ways with his Party and throw them a bone to close the loop on his Democrat legacy.

Personally, I hope he serves out his term and tells Connecticut Democrats to stick it.  It would be a fitting way to go out - standing tall, particularly after the way they sought to censure, and embarrass him for being loyal to his old friend, John McCain.  Let that be your legacy, Joe.  Who knows when we'll see that kind of gesture in Congress ever again. 

^^^^^^^^^^

I haven't written anything on the whole Gifford's story because quite honestly, I'm tired of hearing about it.  The media's handling of the whole situation from the minute the bullet left the chamber to the present endless coverage has been nothing short of disgraceful.  Even one Connecticut Television Reporter, George Colli, tweeted that the event could be the defining political event of our time.  I thought about tweeting back to him, but I didn't want to make him look any dumber than he already did.  This is what happens when a political candidate loses and turns news reporter - they pimp their own malarkey.  Colli is better off up on Fox 61s roof talking about snow.

Like everyone else, I hope she pulls through.  I'm horrified at the murder of the 9 year old girl who had so much to live for, and yet her life snuffed out by a sick marxist wackjob.  This guy deserves the death penalty.  It aught to be interesting to see how this all unfolds.  In the meantime, journalism sank to a new low.  And you wonder why Republicans can't stand the Media.  Pathetic creeps.  All of you.

^^^^^^^^^^^

My last comment is on the dark clouds over the latest Connecticut GOP alignment.  From the way things are shaping up, Chris Healy seems ambivalent over the steady outcry over his failure as Chairman of Connecticut's Republican Party.  The chief incompetent got an earful last weekend at an event held in New Britain with 500 outraged Republicans.  He sat silent and motionless,  taking it all in, and likely secretly adding names to his enemies list for future reference.  So arrogant and detached, he probably missed an opportunity to defuse some anger by - at a minimum - talking to the crowd and accepting some personal responsibility for the CT Party's fall backwards in the face of National Republican victories.  Also, we know that Healy has been busy working over State Central Members, and Town Committees trying to sure up his own support.  I can't imagine what kind of story he's concocted to explain away complete defeat other than to throw the candidates under the bus;  At times I wonder - does he actually "get it"? 

Would we really be surprised to
see the Return of  Sith Empress
Linda McMahon?

On its merit, he should be so embarrassed by his detrimental impact on the last election that he should have never showed his face at a GOP event for at least six months AFTER his resignation.  But under orders from his new Master - Linda McMahon, he's staying put to - in a way - pay back a favor for his ineffectiveness.  His job is to jump the gun and get his shock troops in place to support her next Senatorial run (or should I say purchase) when Lieberman steps down.

There are other names floating around for Chairman given the statewide recognition of Healy's ineptness.  But if Healy doesn't resign (unless a majority of State Central Membership calls for a vote of no confidence) then we are stuck with him and likely another series of dimwitted maneuvers to advance his lose-win agenda.  Yeah, that's - we lose the election, and he wins by collecting big bucks from Linda McMahon (or his wife does or both). 

Republicans will be stuck in a permanent spin cycle on this one.  It will take someone with a tough skin and a fair amount of cash to overcome the antics from Republican Headquarters doing Linda's bidding, and McMahon's personally financed propaganda machine.  I think a lot of good, principled candidates are going to look at the tall mountain of greenbacks to climb and say forget it.  But we might get a candidate similiar in nature to a Peter Schiff (certainly NOT Peter Schiff I pray God - he doesn't have the personality or organizational skills) to stand up and challenge Linda on policies and issues.  Hopefully, not someone with a background  that is more controversial than hers. 

So unless someone takes action, we are certainly going to face doom.   You might ask, why King, do you expect that Linda would automatically lose?

Well, in the first place, as post-election results have shown, Linda is unpopular among women. And her overall vote count wasn't as close as expected. This is due in part because she helped build a Pro-Wrestling circus that advocates violence and promotes bad behavior (even if only resulting in moms trying to get their 8-year olds to stop emulating wrestlers by jumping all over the sofa  and fighting at school), and second, her arrogant mailings and attacks on fellow Republicans are not something that will simply pass from memory.  People are still angry about the convention-rigging, and nasty personal attacks.

More important is that since the Republican Party appears on target to maintain the status quo and repeat last year's collusion and treachery, its likely that Tea Party members and others will work to form a coalition under the Constitution Party.  Laugh all you want, but even if those numbers appear small; the little army is quite capable of inflicting damage to McMahon's candidacy.  These folks are pissed off enough, and will work like machines to get out the vote for their Independent candidate which will derail the McMahon train in the General Election.  Even Healy and his cronies can do the math, Democrats stick together, and in a close election,  Republicans losing an additional 4-7% points to an independent candidate guarantees defeat for McMahon - regardless of how many millions she spends.  The science of demographics and the forecasting tell the story.

So there you have it.  Another week of trouble in paradise.  There's plenty to talk about next time... Dan Malloy is going to provide all of us with plenty of material over the next four years.  I hope he is enjoying the televised applause over handing out donuts to his union buddies during the series of snowstorms because there's a whole new storm coming - the battle over the state budget.  I can't wait!

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

The Connecticut GOP Crisis Part 1: Replace the Chairman

We all know how miserable the results were for Connecticut Republicans in the last election.  And a good number of my friends invested incredible amounts of personal time and energy into trying to elect Republicans wherever possible.  Of course, we knew going in that many of these races were a long shot, and some of them were likely not winnable given the demographic certainties.  Notwithstanding the odds in places like Connecticut's First Congressional District, Republican activists forced Democrats to spend far more time and money to ensure the margins were sustainable to deliver a win not embarrassing to a sitting party leader.   


The party of Chris Healy

Where many of us still struggle to understand the results is in places where Republicans have previously held seats, and where polls showed Republicans ahead by decent margins just days prior to the election; I'm referring to Connecticut Congressional Fourth and Fifth Districts.  Given the tidal wave of Republican support across the country, it seemed a foregone conclusion that even in this traditionally blue state that at least those districts that leaned red would come through if, as projected, Republicans would show up, and Democrats stayed home.  Yet, Democrats won by substantial margins in both districts.

Another seat that could have been winnable for Republicans was the Connecticut Second Congressional District; a seat once held by Rep. Rob Simmons.  But this race was doomed from the start because it was sabotaged by Republican State Chairman Christopher Healy and his politicos even before the candidate, Daria Novak had legitimately landed the nomination.  Healy opted to push controversial news reporter Janet Peckenpaugh who had neither the background or capacity to hold the office.  More so, and adding further damage, Healy worked hard to undermine the nominated candidate by seeking a ruling that would enable the State Party to funnel money to candidates other than those nominated by the Party at the State Convention.  Healy's actions helped destroy any chance for Daria Novak to succeed.  Doug Dubitsky, a nice guy, probably didn't help matters by serving as a spoiler during the primary. 

I could devote a whole essay to the United States Senate Race.  Winning this seat was a tall order to begin with made more difficult by the State Chairman and a very rigged State Convention which saw Rob Simmons railroaded out of the nomination.  Linda McMahon spent a lot of money, and for every dime spent and every vote bought, it's pretty clear that that residents of Connecticut don't want anything to do with Linda McMahon.  I was concerned with McMahon from the start based on her background and history, and watched her campaign implode against a weakened Dick Blumenthal.  Her post-campaign comments about "not going away" have Republicans of all persuasions fearing the future, and praying that just goes back to Wrestling and leaves politics and Republicans alone.

And lastly, the Gubernatorial race played out like a bad B movie.  We saw massive failures of coordination at the onset, starting with a Republican Governor AWOL from start to finish, a Chairman disengaged from the race, which led to a bloody primary between Republican candidates who cut each other to shreds giving Democrats plenty of ammunition to use later on.  And we saw buses visiting places with more candidates than consituents, debates of shame, lack of issue management, and failed allocation of resources at key polling locations that proved costly in the final hours of the election. 

The bottom line is that our Connecticut State Republican Party leadership failed us.  And in the final analysis, things spiraled out of control starting before the nomination process ever began, and the results at every level will likely prove more costly to taxpayers than ever before.

So anyone reading so far is saying, "Hey King, that's great.  You've told us what everyone already knows. So repeating the same rhetoric doesn't buy you anything."

Well, fair enough.  It doesn't buy me anything.  And quite frankly I'm not looking to be bought, or sold on anything.  I'm just a voter who is sick and tired of being represented at the state and federal level by individuals who are counter-productive to our ability to create jobs and improve our Connecticut economy.  This is the central point that we should all be concerned with. 

If you thought Connecticut Republicans were angry before the election, you should listen to them now.  Normally after such a multi-tiered loss, people burn out and go away and recharge their batteries for a few months.  Instead, it appears that the outrage over party shenanigans and what is being seen as "step backwards" via losing the Governor's Office has brought people to a fervor pitch.

I've been very clear about what I think of the current Republican State Chairman Christopher Healy.  He should resign.  If Healy worked in the private sector and produced these kinds of results, he'd be fired.  The results show that since he's been state chairman Connecticut Republicans have done far worse at every level, and Democrats are now even a super-majority in the Statehouse.  It seems that the only one who's benefited from Chris Healy serving as State Chairman is Chris Healy.  Imagine that? The amazing thing is the nerve this guy has to stick around; lately he's putting himself front and center putting out press releases and attending meeting to give the appearance that he's in charge and leading us forward.

Well, he's not.  And he can't.

What he's doing to working his ass off to maintain the status quo, surrounding himself with loyal idiots at State Central who will defend his failed leadership, and spin his horrific record to the end of the Earth.  He's most concerned about keeping his position of power so he can hobnob with Republican leaders at the National Party and find ways to make himself rich and important because clearly he can't do it in the private sector.  Sadly, Healy has big balls, and he doesn't see his failures as his own, and having people he's hand picked surrounding him all day tell him how wonderful he is probably doesn't help OUR cause - getting Republicans elected to all offices and turning around our economy.

The biggest sign that he's delusional about his capability is his audacity to announce that he was considering a run for National Republican Party Chairmanship.  Can you imagine? Based on his record in in Connecticut?  It's no surprise his candidacy lasted ten minutes.  He's the last thing the RNC needs right now in its moment of triumph.

You have to realize that anyone with an ounce of integrity would have resigned already.  Most would be embarrassed about EVERYTHING that has happened within the last year alone - from turning on a former Congressman (who likely had much to do with him even getting the job he has) to undermining nominated candidates, to conflict of interest by having his wife take a high paying gig working for a primary candidate who never stood a chance in Hell.  Yet, he holds his head up high and works to build his fledgling dominion at GOP Headquarters.  Sort of sad.  Sort of costly to us all.

The Republican Party here in the State of Connecticut is severely fractured.  There are economic and social moderates, tea party folks, Fairfield County factions, second amendment groups, big business groups, small business groups, conservative sub base laborers, pro-life groups, and all different kinds of other groups clamoring for a voice.  To say that the Connecticut Republican Party lacks a cohesive identity is an understatement.   It's a mess.  And the mistrust of those at the top is more than evident than ever before, which is why it needs to change.

If we learned anything from this past election, its that writing a big check (in the millions of dollars) doesn't really win you friends, and it surely doesn't win you elections, no matter how historic the dollar amount.  And it isn't a substitute for a winning strategy. 

The best thing the Republican Party could do is to hold caucuses, elect new people outside of Healy loyalists, and start over.  Yes, I know this would remove favor and patronage as a prerequisite to election to State Central, and its Committees, but would be much better than it is today.  And it may give us the best chance of realigning the Party for resurgence.

Look, I know this is blue sky.  This tactic won't get rid of all the bad apples who have brought us down the tubes.  But its likely the only chance to put in fresh blood, and reinvigorate the GOP with fresh ideas and winnable strategies.  It's also the chance to remove the power of the few who seek to rule by minority status and return the Party back to its constituency.

If we don't do this, the party will fracture further.  Those people who felt betrayed, and don't see a form of remediation will likely walk away, and/or form third parties which would be devastating to the Connecticut Republican Party, and to those of us who want to see tax reform and economic changes, and see Connecticut return to a pro-business state once again.

If you can share the message, tell it from the mountains. It's time for Chris Healy and his cronies to go.  Let's rebuild the Connecticut Grand Old Party together, for a brighter tomorrow.

In my next entry, I want to deal with the varying dynamics of Connecticut Republicans, and the dangerous upcoming battle to forge a unified platform for the Party.  This won't be your Grandfather's blog entry so I hope you catch the next installment.

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

Connecticut Convention Hell - Republicans should hang their heads low

The Republican Party boasts of being the party of principle and open process. Yet on Friday night at the 2010 Connecticut Republican Party Convention, I and many others witnessed behavior that brought shame on the party, its officials, and its Chairman - Chris Healy. The Linda McMahon campaign along side of State Central officials worked endlessly to threaten, intimidate, and force delegates to switch sides and support Linda McMahon over Rob Simmons. Many of these delegates switched from Peter Schiff to Linda McMahon after it was clear that Schiff was unable to barely get to a quarter of the support needed for a win.


Moreover, the behavior of the hack convention security team under direction from State Central Operatives were hawks about throwing Simmons election team members off the floor or impeding their ability to talk to delegates, meanwhile Linda McMahon herself and her army crawled all over the convention floor as convention security simply looked the other way. I watched one of the Simmons team members being harassed by the Chris Healy, pro-McMahon forces, and out of frustration he turned to the hack, pointed to the three McMahon team members standing behind the hack, and said, "*uck You, you're letting those [McMahon] guys run the floor and sending the Simmons team off. Your showing your biased support for McMahon's team! What the hell is this?"


Watching it all up front and close, I watched several people upset about being threatened that they would lose their seat on their town committee, and I saw one guy being told that if he switched his vote to Simmons that "he'd never be involved in politics again, and he'd live to regret it." If I hadn't had my wits about me, I would probably exploded and would've grabbed the guy threatening the delegate by the neck and thrown him against the wall. The reek of Stalinism, the smell of corruption, and the image of Chicago-style bullying filled the convention air. It was nauseating. Simply putrid!


As I watched people turn their votes over to McMahon's team, I also couldn't help notice the clear support and shrill of excitment in the voice of the announcer at the microphone. One delegate turned and said, "My God, they are cheering Linda on from the Podium. I've never seen anything like it." Yeah, well me either. The bias was clear - the crack security team pushing Simmons team members off the floor, at the podium with the wild cheerleading of switches to Linda, and in the itimidation by State Central stormtroopers. This is Republicanism?


As most readers know, I'm not a fan of Linda McMahon, and do not intend to support her even if she were to ever win the Republican Primary. During most elections, I support candidates who's positions either mirrors my own views, or supports a particular hot button position that I think outweighs the rest of the issues that may be on the table. Party hacks (and these people are on both sides of the aisle) believe that regardless of the outcome, we are simply supposed to fall in line with the Republican candidate at the end of the cycle and blindly support them in order to make sure that the opposition party doesn't take the seat. But does such an act of blind loyalty mean anything if the manner in which the Republican candidate violated the basic principles of Republicanism or fair play?


Connecticut Republicans are most known for being referred to as RINOs (Republicans in Name Only) by the majority of Republicans in other states. Today, most of Connecticut's Republicans arrogantly believe that Conservatism - even common sense Reagan Conservatism is reactionary or out of touch with modern American despite the fact that its principles are built on common sense positions. I raise this because its was clear at this year's convention that the Republican Machine supported moderate and liberal Republicans over their conservative counterparts (trying to push Janet Peckenpaugh over Daria Novak is a perfect example). Many of these candidates don't even have a Republican record, or have a clear record of funneling money and support to Democrats in the past. And some, like Janet Peckenpaugh, who made the claim to not even remember who she supported in 2008. These are people that CT State Central pushes in our faces - unprincipled, convictionless, money windbags. Ideology means nothing to these Healy-types.


Linda McMahon, for example, gave thousands to Democrats over the years to defeat Republicans, including giving money to Joe Courtney to successfully defeat Rob Simmons last time around. Given this paradox, how on Earth could a Republican delegate even consider giving Linda McMahon their support? It's said that people have short memories, but I think they just lack principle.


Getting back to the results - I suppose some of it was the big checks Linda wrote to RTCs in need, and some of it was just people getting caught up in the frenzy of wanting to put a unknown entity who runs a wrestling business and promises "something different" in play as their nominee. But its the threats and intimidation that I can't go for. Now how much of each element comprised the nomination, we don't know right now. But any of the latter is shameful, and I witnessed enough of it to make me want to either work for Rob Simmons in a primary setting, or vote third party in the General. (something I've actually never done before).

There is a reason only thirteen states use this rediculous forum for nominating their politicians. Last nights jury-riging event is the reason why this concept should be stopped. It's time to go to the primary system and leave all the decisions to the general public; not a handful of grimy people pulling strings in the back.

Lastly, I do want to discuss the Simmons campaign. I'm sure I might get a few angry messages after this posting but as they say - it is what it is. I have to say that I agree with many delegate's criticism of the Simmons camp for its lack of organization and overall lack of activity on the floor of the convention. My own personal experience left me with a bit of a sour taste. On the day of the convention, I called and volunteered to come down and help out. I was told they would be happy to have me help in a variety of ways, just to come down. After arriving in the afternoon, it took hours to finally connect with people who were running all over the place trying to get organized. I spoke with several campaign folks who weren't able to find me ANYTHING to do. Then I was told to come back at six o'clock to help with the "running". Even during the chaos of the convention, when Rob Simmons needed his staff doing their part, they didn't find any work to do for a large number of us to do. There we were, about seven of us wearing Simmons t-shirts, standing against the back wall, and given absolutely nothing to do.

On the basis of pure organization, it probably would have been more unbelieveable if Rob Simmons had actually won. That would have meant that the Simmons camp had done their homework in advance of the convention, and the delegates were locked up. Well, I guess that wasn't the case. My thinking is that they were as disorganized on Friday as they have been all along. How much Rob Simmons knows about this the lack of eptitude and the overall mess is unknown to me. But an honest Simmons campaign staff can only point inward at itself for creating such a mess, and allowing Linda McMahon to run a veteran candidate into the ground on a night that based on experience and ability, should have been his victory to savor.

As for where Rob was during all of this. I'm not sure. If he was on the convention floor (like Linda McMahon was) I sure didn't see him. Sort of disappointing.