BREAKING NEWS: LABRIOLA TO CONSIDER ENTRY INTO CTGOP CHAIRMAN'S RACE

The CTGOP would be fortunate
to have a leader like Labriola, Jr.

This is the news we've all been waiting for!

After weeks of being inundated with emails, phone calls, and personal pleas from friends, Jerry Labriola, Jr. has agreed to consider leaping into the race for Connecticut State Republican Chair!  A source close to Labriola reported that "the ground-swell of support from supporters has been overwhelming".  It got to the point where Jerry spoke to his brother David, and his wife Barbara about the idea of running.  After looking at the state of things within the CTGOP, they came to conclusion that he may be one of the only people capable of not only turning the Party around but taking it to the next level."

A brief bio about Jerry Labriola, Jr. can be found here.  

The King's view is that Labriola would be a solid choice because right off the bat he would be a unifying force which would quell the infighting which as reached a fervor pitch.  The various factions would stand down from their hostilities because they already know that Labriola is an ethical, selfless leader who people can trust.  

Here are a few positives about Jerry Labriola, Jr.:

• Labriola is a leader; energetic and positive
• Labriola has track record of personal success in the private sector as an Attorney
• Labriola has organized and delivered election results, and has served his Party faithfully
• Labriola has faithfully carried out his duties as State Treasurer with perfection
• Labriola isn't corrupt and brings personal ethics to the table
• Labriola is conservative and would not be afraid to challenge the Democrats' liberal agenda
• Labriola isn't hated by half the population and the media; in fact - he's appreciated and liked by all - including our opposition
• Labriola has been a Candidate for Congress and understands the inner workings of large scale Campaign Management

Here is Labriola's announcement in full, unedited: 

Dear State Central Committee Members:

The last 48 hours have been an extraordinary time in our Party. As the dust is settling, we can all agree that it is time to move our Party forward, without bitter rancor, and with a healthy amount of respect for each other. We must be mindful that the state is watching us closely, and it is incumbent upon us to enter this new chapter with our dignity intact.

For the last several days many of you, and other members of the Republican Party have approached me regarding the position of Chairman. I am honored and humbled by these overtures of support. A united Republican Party should be a force to be reckoned with in this state. We can and must bring together all sides. We will have a tremendous amount of party rebuilding and fundraising to do over the course of the next two years. While I am confident in my ability to lead this Party, I am mindful of my commitment as Treasurer to maintain fiscal responsibility and discipline for our organization.

I believe this Party, and this State Central body, is capable of gaining more seats in the General Assembly and statewide office, and on the federal level, if we put our heads down and approach the hard work that needs to be done together. It is because of my great faith in our Party that I am so honored by those who would see me as its leader. The opportunity to help my Party in such a role is not one that I take lightly. Therefore, over the next 72 hours I will be speaking with my family and friends to ensure this is right for all concerned.

Thank you.

Jerry

(c) 203-376-0331



While The King doesn't formally endorse candidates, I have to say that this guy would be a stellar pick.


I AM

THE KING


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

A Game of Chess

The Chairman's Race has become a
Chess Game that's locked in Stalemate

Well, its been an interesting week, hasn't it? 



I know folks are eager for an update on where things stand since the rapid disintegration of Bill Aniskovich this week.  And the honest truth is that there are some interesting developments happening behind the scenes which I'm obligated NOT to disclose at this time.  But I PROMISE that if there is any exciting news to share ... you'll see it right here!

That being said, there let's take a quick look at the pieces on the CTGOP Chairman's Chessboard right now.

It's reported that Catherine Marx remains locked in her Ivory Tower angered by what is taking place via email and social media between State Central Members.  She is trying her best to stay above the fray and continues to communicate her intention to seek the Chairmanship. The unfortunate part for her is that during the past few days she hasn't lost or picked up support from any State Central members.  She is holding steady with only 10 committed votes; Of course, she has a lot of people giving her patronizing encouragement.  It's likely that voters see Marx as enthusiastic but linked to the failures of the Healy regime.  I say good for her - if she goes down fighting with her 10 supporters.

Before I get into the other candidates, I have to ask a question that everyone is wondering about: WHERE THE HELL IS CHRIS HEALY? 

Chris Healy: Off in Wonderland with
a big grin on his face while
State Central Members go Bananas!

While the members are in a total uproar - shooting nasty missives at each other on Facebook, and via email, Old Man Healy is just sitting back on his lawn chair watching the fireworks.  When I see this kind of inaction from him, it reminds me of why we are here selecting a new Chairman in the first place.  Can he not blow his whistle and ask folks to take a breather?  Or is he too busy gathering up all his reciepts from his fancy hotel stays, car repairs, and gas fill ups from his petty trips from New Britain to Newington? 

Even Connecticut's Mayor - Mark Boughton has been trying to get Members to relax and work things out without tearing each other to shreds.  And Catherine Marx should be angry, although Chairman Chris helped Catherine kick start her campaign (you can see the fabulous results of that), he did NOTHING to vet Aniskovich from the start. Healy has known about Bill Aniskovich's troubles and he just let him slide through the process - watching it all unfold like the Cheshire Cat in the Corner.

I know some you Healy-loyalists are thinking, "Hey King, you guys wanted him gone, so what do you expect?"

The answer is simple - For the sake of the Party, I expect him to STILL do his job.  The least he could have done was to draft a Press Release telling Democrats to Get Lost and Mind their own G-d damn business!!  What a perfect nail in his coffin for a failed tenure!
 

If there's anyone in the race who has benefited from this weeks' crisis, it's Al Alper.  Alper has been heads down, making calls and is picking up supporters beyond his own district.  Of the existing candidates, he has the most well-rounded resume of all of those left in the race.  Alper is an experienced businessman with a track record of raising funds, and winning elections - albeit locally.  For those who haven't see it, it's worth taking a look at the short Winsley Interview in which he deals with the GOPs long term struggle winning inner city support. If you want to get a sense of Alper's philosophy on Government, read this posts from the Daily Wilton. I draw your attention to the bullet points mid-Page which I find most impressive. Alper isn't the Establishment's guy which is clearly a plus. Currently, Alper has 12-15 votes (many are defectors from Aniskovich's broken camp, I'm told.)  Alper could gain more steam if other dark-horse candidates don't enter the race.



Scialabba (pictured here)
already played his hand, and
lost.  No second chances
for dishonest players

The next character I want to deal with may turn out to be the next prop of the Establishment - Art Scialabba. This guy really takes the cake when it comes to audacity. First, let's be very clear - Art Scialabba is the opposite of a guy like Alper - Scialabba is said to be jobless and is hard up for work. Regardless of what spin you may hear, Scialabba opted to cut the first big deal which positioned Aniskovich to take the lead. The unexpected sell-out, where he was promised the role of Executive Director created a shock-wave which led to days of embarrassment for CTGOP. If Scialabba was smart, he would have taken a few minutes to step back from his own desire to get paid and analyze the situation where he might have discovered that Aniskovich was doomed from the start.

The reality is that many State Central Members who trusted and supported Scialabba in the beginning are not inclined to return to his camp because they are angry about his being a part of an elaborate bait and switch scheme. It's become such a problem that he's estimated to have only 7-9 votes at the moment. The old saying: Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice - shame on me applies here. Scialabba would quickly beguile his supporters once again for cash. That's just they way he is.


It's very hard to rebuild a reputation after you've bartered your integrity away.

I'm also inclined to mention Former Secretary of State Pauline Kezer who remains an underdog in the race, and is not to be underestimated.  Kezer has 30 years of experience in the field of politics and has helped both Conservatives and Moderates win campaigns over the course of her years with the Party.  If you want to know more, you can read her resume and work history here.  From a professional standpoint, she has always been considered liked, and well-respected.

Kezer lost a tough Gubernatorial nomination battle against John Rowland (1994), and ironically - was railroaded in a very controversial Convention where time was extended hours beyond the allocated time sanctioned in the rules in order to permit deals to be made, and votes to be switched from Kezer to Rowland (I was there to witness this first hand).  This was quite similar to the way that the 2010 State Convention was managed (and how this past week's State Chair electioneering was conducted).  Kezer would never permit such shenanigans should she be elected Chairman.  Of that, I am certain.

The biggest issue that Kezer needs to overcome are her liberal positions on social issues.  You may be surprised to see me write this, but I strongly believe that this election is more than about winning elections - it's about establishing a platform which includes a rejection of many of the disgraceful legislative decisions forced on the public by Democrats - this includes the notorious Bathroom Bill, Decriminalization of Marijuna (and nearly included the removal of the Death Penalty). The Republican Party has an obligation to revisit the Bathroom Bill and the Decriminalization of Marijuna Bill for the sake of our children and our future. Declaring these issues dead is akin to surrendering the high ground to our foes.  If Ms. Kezer is unwilling to champion important social causes like these, then she clearly would not be fit to be Chairman..  The King is still quite unclear about many of Ms. Kezer's positions, and how she would reconcile the desires of conservatives versus her own moderate views.

I would have no issue with Ms. Kezer being placed in any strategic role within the CTGOP; I'm just not sold on her becoming Chairman.

As for Rich Olivastro - I believe it was he who told State Central Members on Tuesday that the so-called front runner would likely need to withdraw from the race before it was over.  Good call, Rich!  Now, can you tell me what the lotto numbers will be for next week? 

I'm sure there is plenty more to come before someone screams CHECKMATE!

I AM

THE KING

This original blog post can be seen at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com

Visconti: I have the antidote for CTGOP Woes

I received a request to publish this letter (via email) from Joseph Visconti (I'll assume most of you know who he is).  Not that I want to make it a habit of publishing random letters, but this one struck me as relevant to the current CTGOP crisis, and the State Chairman's Race. 



(Disclaimer:  This letter should not be seen as an endorsement by The King). 

Here is the letter written by Visconti unedited, in its entirety (pics/title added by The King) :

June 16, 2011

Connecticut GOP State Central Members:

Today as I predicted the Connecticut Republican Party has fallen into a corruptible mess regarding the establishment selection of Bill Aniskovich and must now begin searching for a Chairman we can absolutely trust, has ethics beyond reproach, is qualified to perform the duties and who has NO baggage.

 

Visconti may have the perfect
antidote for CTGOPs
chronic failure

Last winter I promoted Doug Hageman but to my dissatisfaction he endorsed Bill Aniskovich. Justin Clark who I caucused for years with when he was the Chair of the West Hartford RTC while I was a Town Councilor also with full knowledge backed Aniskovich thinking Bill was a choice Connecticut Republicans would accept. After the media storm today I believe both Justin and Doug wish they owned a time machine. For the record I will do everything in my power to make sure they or any of the other candidates for Chair that dropped out and endorsed Aniskovich never gather enough support to even bargain the Chair Position because their political judgment under pressure with much at stake for others is unconscionable.



The greatest disappointment in my book is Rob Simmons; his quotes in today’s Hartford Courant are ridiculous as Dan Lavallo’s Blog points out. Rob went back in time to attack Linda McMahon and found it unfitting to see Aniskovich treated the same way by his opponents? It’s time for Simmons to retire permanently and stick to the “Parade Circuit” because his age has evidently rendered his political judgment unsound.

Drum roll please - Here is where I will tell you the future the way it is suppose to be, not as it might turn out in a political parallel universe continuing to be designed by insiders or even as I would wish it to be:

The Political solution for the future chairman of our party is Jerry Labriola our current State Central Treasurer. Here’s how it plays out. Labriola must be courted by State Central Members ASAP to run; Catherine Marx must negotiate herself out of the race and bargain for a position in Jerry’s staff, if she and Jerry can come to terms. Pauline Kezer needs to join the inner workings of the Party to bring her political experience in as well as be a guiding force and stay away from the Social Issues. A Firewall must remain between the State Capitol Boys and State Central as absolute power corrupts absolutely. Hopefully the Capitol Boys understand after not heeding my warning and endorsing Aniskovich that they must tend their own work as elected officials and leave the Party Building to others.



The Doctor Is In!

Last month Jerry Labriola declared he would be running again for Treasurer but I am certain he has been looking in the political mirror for some time now wondering who will be the next “Great Right Hope” for the CT GOP and can lead us through the next presidential election without scandal or vendettas. Newsflash Jerry - there is someone staring back at you, it’s the conscience of the Party and it wants you to stand up for Connecticut Republicans.

If you are a State Central Member reading this, please call Jerry Labriola ASAP and ask him to enter the Chairman’s Race. The phone number to reach Jerry call 203-720-4050 (operators are standing by, CALL NOW!).

Joe Visconti

Former West Hartford Republican Town Councilor
Former Republican Congressional Candidate in CT’s 1st District

The original blog post can be read at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com

Aniskovich Withdraws!

As predicted here at The King's View, Bill Aniskovich has withdrawn.  Connecticut Republicans great nightmare is over, and we can take this unique opportunity to select a Chairman who is capable of moving us forward, providing ethical leadership, and a vision of success.  Any takers?

Let the scramble for the football begin... "FUMBLE!!!"  More commentary later....

Here is Wild Bill's letter:

June 15, 2011
Dear State Central Committee Member:

I am writing to inform you that I am withdrawing as a candidate for State Republican Party Chair.

I am withdrawing because I believe that my professional and personal experiences will continue to be distorted by others to promote a political agenda that is contrary to what we believe as Republicans.

It was my intention to help our Party build a more effective political operation. It is my belief that I cannot do that if my personal and professional experiences become a distraction to the Party.

To that end, I feel it is important to respond to the various claims made by my opponents:

My campaign finance issues involved the forfeit of funds contributed to a PAC by individuals who had already made maximum contributions to my candidate committee. Up until that time, this process fully comported with campaign finance rules and it was a change in interpretation that led to the forfeiture. There was never a finding that I or my Treasurer knowingly violated a campaign finance law.

Stonington Institute submitted a bid to DCF with LEARN, a nonprofit education service center, for its RTC contracts. Those contracts were awarded in compliance with all applicable regulations, including those requiring Attorney General review. In fact, we were the second bidder and awarded the contract after the first bidder declined to perform.

At every significant step in my professional career I received---in advance---an Ethics Advisory Letter that confirmed the appropriateness of my business activities. Those opinions are a matter of public record.

Stonington Institute was acquired by UHS, Inc. in accordance with all applicable regulations. The sale and acquiring entity information was legally noticed twice, once without a purchase price and once with a purchase price, both notice periods expired without any request for a public hearing.

My wife, who at the time served on the state Commission on the Arts, was asked and agreed to serve as the executive director of an agency by the Governor before any story alleging wrongdoing by Governor Rowland was ever published in the media. Her appointment by the Governor was approved unanimously by the legislature’s bi-partisan Legislative & Executive Nominations Committee and the Democrat-controlled State House during the Rowland controversy. I never had a conversation with the Governor about her role in state government and never made any legislative or public decision because of it. As she so aptly commented at the time, my wife got her job at CCT in spite of me, not because of me.

I have been nominated twice to serve on the Board of Governors for Higher Education. My nomination was vetted by the bi-partisan Legislative & Executive Nominations Committee. I was approved unanimously by that Committee and once by the state House and once by the state Senate. Never once in those proceedings did these “issues” ever surface.

I have come to this decision after considerable deliberation with my family and after receiving enormous support from many friends, supporters and committee members.

I know that your deliberations will lead to the selection of a strong leader for the Connecticut Republicans. I pledge my support of your efforts to elect more Republicans in Connecticut.

Bill