Hackett Lays Waste to Well-Rehersed McMahon

In the absence of a full article today... everyone should read this column by The Norwich Bulletin's Ray Hackett which dismantles Linda McMahon and the kids playing the role of campaign staff.  None of what Hackett's written surprises me, and you'll notice that some of it has already been written in The King's View multiple times over the last six months.

Hackett gets it right when he puts Linda McMahon through the ringer - the accounting of her story - through junior surrogates, of course - is well-scripted, well-rehearsed, and fictional.  And whatever circus Linda thinks is set up at the Bulletin, it's likely nothing in comparison to the size of the controversial one she runs in Stamford.  And if I were Linda McMahon - I wouldn't be throwing around the word Blackmail so easily loosely.  That's a word that may come back to really bite her in the rear before this is all over.  Not everyone in the world has been forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement, y'know. 

Linda's obsession with playing the role of victim in her re-imaged difficult life is laughable; particularly considering the body count of dead and injured wrestlers in an industry that she claims to be "proud of" but won't discuss.  The number of people screwed over by Linda McMahon to build her less than honorable empire is well documented in books, magazines, and documentaries that are readily available to anyone who has an interest in reading about it.  But the sad truth is most people don't care -  because most people can't stand Linda McMahon.

Linda has made a complete mess of things.  And one thing is for certain, her ongoing war with the media has all but guaranteed that she will never be a U.S. Senator from Connecticut (or anywhere else). 

What Ray Hackett and the Press haven't published is the insider's view of what Linda McMahon is doing to the Republican Brand.  In truth, those who are on the take  - have cashed their checks, and taken their goodie bags home - and they're sweating bullets because their own political careers and credibility are going to take a major hit when this is all over.  And they know they can't back down or else Linda's henchman will expose their role in her scheme.  Many of these bozos have to live for today because the true reckoning for this disaster is yet to come.  The smart ones - all five of them who dared stand up to the devil and her thugs - realize that all this negativity and arrogance against the media is going to have a catastrophic effect on the Republican under ticket in November if McMahon is atop of the ticket. 

Oh, and Mr. Hackett - the CTGOP has a script too - well, sorta of.  And Linda McMahon doesn't follow that one either.  And that's because she fancies herself a bigger actor than everyone on the CTGOP stage.  Delegates, State Central Reps, and political officials and even our Chairman are mere extras on Linda's set, and they are about as important to her as the painted clouds and cardboard trees that comprise the phony reality that she's created for herself.  Ask Chairman Jerry Labriola how much he enjoys every morning, slowly cracking open his newspaper with one hand over one eye, and the other squinting - just praying that his brand hasn't created a brand new scandal for him to deal with.  Can you imagine being responsible for being the public face of this train wreck? 

Maybe the Media is liberal, and perhaps it's filled with bead and sandal wearing hippies with long white beards who are cynical of Corporations, the Wealthy, and Jesus who will vote Obama for a second term, but that's the game.  You suck it up, you go to the meeting, you answer their questions, and they rule you out.  What's the big deal?  No one is going to be impressed with someone who takes their ball and goes home because they don't like the rules.  What a crybaby.  And while we're here - no one likes to see their candidate cowering behind the children she has answering the phone, or running her office.  There's a reason she hired a tainted campaign manager like Corry Bliss - in that it will be easier to throw him under the bus as an incompetent buffoon when this is all over -  and she gears up to seek her next political office.

It's true, McMahon isn't a career politician - she would have had to win something to have earned that title.  But she's a five year candidate who's blown a mint with nothing to show for it.  Here's hoping that if Linda McMahon hasn't had her fill, that Republicans who are sick of seeing her drive the Party into the ground  - certainly have. 

If Connecticut's GOP wants to see a brighter day, it'll need to start by getting rid of Linda McMahon.  In the meantime, I guess CTGOP candidates can add The Norwich Bulletin to its growing list of media outlets that it can cross off its Christmas Card list.

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. This article does not imply endorsement of the candidate mentioned above, nor has this article been solicited for publication by any political candidate, campaign, or PAC

The Arrogance of Lies and Deceit

It's getting to the point these days where it's hard to even pick up a newspaper for fear that the third or fourth shoe might drop in Connecticut's ongoing epic drama: Scandals and the Scandalous.  The problem with the whole damn thing is that this isn't your typical Reality TV show which usually ends with a rags-to-riches multi-million dollar prize winner, or the princess winding up with the prince and living happily ever after.  No, it's a real story about how Connecticut residents aren't being served by either political party - one no better than the other, and which have lost - their way, and the public confidence.  In other words, those being nominated as Connecticut's alleged best are in actuality Connecticut's very worst, and the public is getting screwed.

Now, I'm not really concerned with the Democrat Party and what happens to its collection of retreaded has-beens as they crumble in the press.  One doesn't have to look very far to see their head of Party - Governor Dannel Malloy place politics over reason when he went out of his way last month to support ex-con Ernie Newton.  Governor Malloy could have saved face and elevated his office by standing up for public decency and declaring that there isn't room anywhere in Connecticut politics for corrupt cretins like Newton.  So instead of taking the opportunity to inspire and rise above it all by preaching that crime doesn't pay, our incredible shrinking Governor got up on his high horse and declared that everyone deserves a second chance - everyone except former Republican Governor John Rowland, that is.  Could Party or Politics have played a role in such an unwavering endorsement? Oh, of course not!

Then we have Connecticut House Speaker Chris Donovan's finance scandal which continues to rock the scene and fill up our newspapers with tales of corruption and shady dealings.  Boy, what a credit to the State of  Connecticut - FBI agents showing up on doorsteps to visit our politicians still in their bathrobes while they sip lattes from their golden mugs.  How quaint. Amusing stuff to yuck up on Face The State right Brendan Sharkey? Sharkey told Dennis House this past Sunday: "Hahaha.  Well... it was a little embarrassing, because they asked about this bill, this roll your own bill.. I thought there were talking about the medical marijuana bill.. hahahaha.  Not the actual bill".  What a knee-slapping moment to share with the peanut gallery.  I mean it was so funny, I almost forgot to laugh. 

And special thanks for Themis Klarides for doing such a nice job supporting Donovan on behalf of the CTGOP, "I agree with Brendan about how we feel about Chris, his character and integrity.... a man of his word and honor."  Hey, that's great! Why don't you campaign for him in CT-5 too while you're at it?  All week long, the Democrats shut Republicans out of the legislative process and our so-called leader just kissed the rear of the guy who helped orchestrate the shut-out.  Brilliant!  Republicans are self-checked with this kind of hair-brained leadership.  Amazing!

Connecticut Democrats can take pride in turning the Legislative Office Building into a scene from CSI.  It must have been a relief for the Democrat Party's key constituents - city dwellers, to see the cops crawling all over Party bigwigs instead of them for a change.  Of course, Governor Malloy couldn't keep his big mouth shut and let due process take its course - he had to run out and defend Donovan - "guilty until proven innocent,"  barked Malloy.  Man o' Man, this guy must have been some prosecutor.  But its no surprise to see Malloy defend bad guys like Donovan and Newton, because he repeated the same act a few months ago when he supported Komisarjevsky and Hayes - albeit indirectly through elimination of the Death Penalty.

The sad thing in all of this madness is that Connecticut Republicans aren't positioned to take advantage of Democrats getting pummelled on the ropes.  And that's because we're too busy bumping Democrats from the front page with our own own dirty scandals filled with tales of corruption and dishonesty.  Or we're too busy running candidates like the well-scripted Linda McMahon who can't even talk about - let alone defend - the dirty industry that she's made her millions from - which makes her a non-starter in the first place against even the worst Democrat the opposition might field in November.

So Lisa Wilson-Foley takes center stage as the CTGOPs corrupt candidate of the year.  Lisa Wilson-Foley told the press, "This is all a distraction.  I'm focused on the issues."  Yeah, well newsflash, Babe - YOU are the distraction, and YOU are the issue!  You, Mr. Tuesday, Apple Rehab, and former Governor John Rowland.  It's sort of amazing to listen to John Rowland on WTIC these days - acting completely and utterly oblivious to all of this as he rages on against organized labor - he has some nerve.  It's like he's living in a parallel universe somewhere totally aloof to his role in helping the Wilson-Foley-Healy campaign crash and burn, and helping to create a level-playing field for Democrats in the Fifth Congressional District who should be sucking wind at this point in the game.  Can you imagine how many screeners TIC callers probably have to go through to get to The Guv?  I wouldn't be surprised if WTIC has a 4 minute delay just so they can beep out, or drop any caller who starts to go down the "wrong road" with unapproved questioning. 

A friend of mine called me the other day to taunt me over the latest Republican headlines.  He said, "King, you have to agree that your team isn't any better than our team.  And in a Blue State where Democrats usually win - you guys are screwed because the public doesn't see you as decent alternative.  They'll stick with our cronies over your upstart crooks.  And Linda McMahon - she's a real gas.  Good luck with that one. Hahaha."



"Look fellas, no commercials, but at least Chris Shays has
his plane in the air. Formica, Obstinek, you're next!"

You have to feel bad for our stealth Chairman Jerry Labriola, Jr.  Here Democrats are coming apart at the seams, yet our ex-Governor fueled by our ex-Chairman turn our Party into a totally mockery, and a non-factor.  On the one hand, you have Mrs. 38%  running around thinking she's going to be U.S. Senator, Lisa the Millionaire Barbie pretending that no part of the scandal has anything to do with her, and the rest of Republican field seems to be bouncing on and off the ground at 15 mph in their biplanes as CTGOP's worst candidates scream by in Jumbo Jets showering manure on the frustrated public below.  The whole thing is a living nightmare. 

Just to think, tonight is the eve of the one year anniversary of Jerry Labriola, Jr. announcing he was running for State Chairman - if only he had crystal ball to see what fate had in-store for him: crooks, by-offs, bribes, and self-destructing candidates.  And party insiders who were willing to disregard polls prior to the State Convention, and then later buy-into polls showing favor toward their palm-greasing benefactor.  You can't make this stuff up.  And you can't prop up the unelectable either.  It's self-fulfilling prophecy - what has happened before will happen again.  And the Pat Sullivans of the world will laugh all the way to the bank regardless of the outcome while the rest of us can only dream of what might have been.

And one final note, The Norwich Bulletin's Ray Hackett surmised in his latest piece that that neither delegates nor voters care about the WWE.  It's not that, Ray.  It really isn't that.  It's that given the overall state of our political climate in Connecticut, and the pathetic and unqualified choices voters have been given to choose from - simply put - it's that no-one cares.  And that's a tough place to be in when you're wanting to turn a Blue State partially Red after nearly 23 years.

Someone remind me why I'm Republican again?

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. This article does not imply endorsement of the candidate mentioned above, nor has this article been solicited for publication by any political candidate, campaign, or PAC

Happy Fathers Day

Just a short post wishing all my fellow fathers out there a Happy Fathers Day!  Whether you have young ones, or mature adults who've already left home (or just about to leave the nest like The King's children), I hope you get the chance to spend some quality time with them on this gorgeous day!

And for those of you - guys and gals who are able to spend time with your dads - well, The King hopes you've made plans to include him in the day's festivities, or at least plan to drop him a line. Live is short and one day he's there and suddenly without warning - he's gone.  Make the most of the time you have with him whilst you still have it!

Happy Fathers Day, Dad! We miss you lots, and honor you today!

I AM

THE KING

Ballot Hogs

There is solution for dealing with
political cheaters

This is one of those commentaries where it would be very easy for The King to go personal and get some folks very upset by mentioning the guilty by name. But in order to not distract from my point on principle I'm going to do a rare thing here and not drag any specific individual candidate through the mud to invoke a defensive overreaction, or claim that I'm just  going out of my way to pick on someone (for the sake of a personal agenda); readers can compare notes, and draw their own conclusions about who the guilty parties are at some point in the future.

Lately, we've read a lot about Connecticut Republican candidates scrambling to collect signatures for the purposes of: 1) qualifying to appear on the August Primary ballot as a Republican Candidate, or 2) making a run as a third party candidate should they fail to win their respective Primary, or lastly 3) for the sole purpose of having their name appear more than once on the voting ballot - as both a Republican Candidate, and as a third party candidate.  Out of the box, let me say that The King believes that anyone within our ranks who collects signatures for the sole purpose of running under any Party other than Republican is a traitor to our Party and should be discounted from the start.  If you leave our ranks and go off and challenge the endorsed Republican from a third party platform (as some have done in the past) then consider the door closed behind you, and locked.  We wish you good luck in your new life. 

And I know a few people have their own story about how they've been screwed by the system at the local level. Yep, I've heard you and I get it. There are a lot of places where people are feeling high and mighty about themselves, and manipulate the votes to favor a less qualified candidate  -- and the results are always the same - the usual second place finish. But I'm still not in favor of a third party run as a revenge tactic to punish the majority because at the end of the day it never works, and it creates hard feelings among the ranks that can take as long as decade to heal. And as Republicans bicker and remain divided, Democrats become entrenched.  We have a hard enough time in Connecticut - so PLEASE, just skip it, and get over yourself.  I'm not saying you have to vote or support the winner (that is a topic that I will delve into at a later date).

Before I dive into the main point, I want to be very clear that I admire the tenacity of those Republicans who collect signatures to fight to appear on the Primary ballot.  Our nominating process to qualify to appear on the ballot is clearly anything but democratic.  In short, when you can legally pay and bribe delegates for votes at a State Convention, and the fact that the decisions about who is permitted to attend and participate in the nominating process are generally decided by a closed group of local insiders who are in cahoots with a candidate or set of candidates from the start, then for some the only thing left for them to do is to abort the formal Party process, and collect signatures to appear on the ballot. 

As for the Convention percentage rule - its designed to make those candidates who engage in the buying of delegates (and votes) lives much easier while at the same time discouraging losers from advancing their campaigns forward.  The King believes that the percentage rule is largely unnecessary because at the end of the day - few candidates, other than a few self-funded millionaires, would be able to raise enough capital to make a go of it anyway, and will eventually be dismissed by the voters as long-shot opportunists, or would remain an unknown to most outside a small pool of political hobbyists, and political insiders.  And most millionaires, save a few who are out of their minds, won't part with a dollar for such a pointless endeavor. Note that I did write most.  There are a few who will spend more than a few million for a massive ego boast.  Ahem.

Now there are times when - a candidate whom I don't support gathers enough signatures to appear on the ballot.   But I accept that this is the way the system must work to remain open to anyone willing to bust their tails and do the hard work.  If it were up to The King, we'd skip the Convention Process all-together and go with a direct primary process and cut the power-players off at the knees.  But since those who profit the most from Convention antics would be the ones to vote to decide its fate, its unlikely that those money-grubbing electioneers would ever vote to remove it regardless of how sense it makes to eliminate it.  If you haven't learned anything from the last two Conventions, you should have at least figured out that most of those pulling the strings are really out to make a buck, and "winning" the general election is a secondary goal - that's if it's one at all.


Trading Principle for Ballot Manipulation

There are times when you have to be bigger than your enemies on principle and not emulate them by act or deed to score cheap political points.  Over the years, Democrats, have created sub-parties such as the notorious Working Families Party, for one.   The WFP is a charade of sorts, organized by those on the far-left to make it appear as though they are an independent party with an agenda separate from that of the Democrat Party.  Well, sure the Working Families Party is likely more extreme - it takes a group of die-hard political activists to go through the motions to set up a fake political party in the first place to make it appear as though it's an earnest opposition party to its Democrat parent party; pretending to represent the special interests of "working families" and all that other nonsense, etc.  But when it comes to running candidates, rarely does the WFP ever oppose the Democrat running, and as a matter of fact, 99% of the time they pretend to mount pressure to "vet the Democrat" for his or her liberal views during the early goings, all the while planning to endorse them a month or two down the line so they can claim to be cross-endorsed, and appear on the ballot more than once. 

At first glance you would think that such a ploy to put someone on the ballot twice (or three times) would be seen as shady by most people.  But you may think that only because as an everyday Republican you're likely a rational thinker who's out of touch with the psychology of the modern day voter who apparently sees things much differently than you do.  One could argue quite successfully that the reason Governor Dannel Malloy won Connecticut was due in part because his name showed up more than once on the ballot, thus giving those dissatisfied with the option of voting Democrat, the opportunity to vote for him under and independent line.  Yes, again, to most of us - that seems rather absurd.  But if you don't think its effective, then you are way to rational and ignoring the fact that such a strategy actually works.  Fact is, Democrats wouldn't pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into such a scheme if it weren't an effective strategy and a path for victory.

Unfortunately, instead of pointing out the irony of such scandalous behavior, our side is now looking to imitate the opposition by trying to form third parties and gather signatures to run on more than one Party line.  If it were up to me (and its not) someone would seek to limit every individuals appearance on the ballot to only one slot.  Democrats will claim that it's undemocratic to strong arm people into participating in a level playing field, but I'd argue its about fair play, and in the best interest of stopping the disgusting escalation of strategic shenanigans which gives our entire political system a bad name.  The only reason you would want your name to appear more than once would be to give yourself an unfair advantage over your rival.  So let's cut out the B.S.!  These second hand endorsements aren't real endorsements, any more than parties like the Working Family Party are real parties, and everybody knows it. 

From a Republican standpoint, this strategy might help one or two candidates appear to be cross-endorsed from a perception-only standpoint, but the truth is that it hurts the overall Republican brand because instead of expanding our ranks, and selling the GOP as a single, viable party, it makes it look like our candidates have such little faith the GOP that they are willing to hedge their bets by running under another platform.  It's not just smoke and mirrors, the under-ticket could stand to suffer greatly from Republican federal candidates running under a separate banner.  I'm sure its a great ego boost for some, but its also a stab in the back for others who could stand to lose a close election because the public could cast a protest vote against Republicans by voting for a candidate on another line. 

If Republican Candidates want to stand on principle, they won't run as independents, or under any other third party line.  If you want to send a real message this year - vote against ANY candidate who appears more than once on the ballot in either August or November.  And if all the candidates in the election appear more than once, then  punish them all and write-in Mickey Mouse - because a fictional cartoon character is more worthy of your vote than anyone trying to hijack the system for their own selfish interests.

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. This article does not imply endorsement of the candidate mentioned above, nor has this article been solicited for publication by any political candidate, campaign, or PAC