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

Marx, Alper score big; Aniskovich Bombs

Quick note to those who thought I might be putting out a lot of information out about tonight's CTGOP Chairman Candidate Forum...

After tonight, CTGOP members
 learned that Aniskovich is a
 train wreck waiting to happen

I just got in after chatting with other members, and I'm not going to be able to draft a long play-by-play of who said what.  Just not in the cards. I'm too exhausted. (This does happen to those of us who actually work for a living).

First, thanks to those candidates who participated tonight. Good to know there are a few Republicans who haven't sold out, and are in this for more than a big pay day, or pack of favors.  

I will say that Catherine Marx, Al Alper, Pauline Kezer, and Rich Olivastro were impressive with their presentations.  Al is always spot on and if the CTGOP doesn't find a leadership position for this guy, then they are truly wasting talent. His inner city strategy was realistic, and his presentation came off well-received.

Catherine Marx came out of her shell, and for the first time that I can remember articulated a solid plan. I liked her response to whether or not she was tough enough for the job asking defiantly, "You want to try me?" which left her questioner reeling backward! And her printed materials came off quite professional and first rate. I was also impressed with her voter registration strategy.

And Rich Olivastro came off entirely different than in his previous two appearances. While he may not be ready for State Chair, he came across genuine in comments; his point that "We are not here for us, we are here for the People of the State of Connecticut" - was right on the money.  Pauline Kezer came across seasoned and knowledgeable, many believe she would be a good face for the Party. People will be eager to hear more.

Jerry Labriola, Jr. presented his Treasurer Report which put the scare into people (certain people) - he's going be looking at all the expenditures according to the Treasurer's guidelines to reduce spending.  And its pretty clear that we have major work to do in the fundraising department.  Good job being straight up with the Members, Jerry.  Hope you stick to your guns, I'm sure the Chris Healy farewell tour is racking up the bills.  Can we get an accounting of how much its cost Connecticut Republicans for Chris Healy and his staffers to wave good-bye so far?

I know you see me as biased (I am for good reason) but a lot of people are now very concerned about Bill Aniskovich after tonight's weak performance. Many are concerned with his responses to member questions, particularly with regard to his legal ability to fundraise since he is still considered a State Contractor.  When asked if he was aware that he had to wait a full year after the cancellation of his state contract before being eligible to legally fundraise for the Party, he said, "I didn't know that". For someone who is an attorney, and who was an elected official who deliberated over campaign finance laws, its someone disturbing that he would claim ignorance of the laws. Seems rather convenient. 

Imagine how his backers felt tonight when they heard this ambiguous response.  Seems to me something is Rotten in Denmark.  But seriously, someone aught to call the Secretary of State's Office and confirm that Wild Bill is even qualified to run. 

Lastly, his response to the Stonington debacle was at best confusing, if not incoherent.  It was as if Aniskovich has this so locked up that he didn't need to even prepare to handle questions from members.  If he thinks he can be so disrespectful to a friendly GOP audience by not evening pretending to take these questions seriously, then how will he handle a mainstream media inquisition? Makes you think twice, doesn't it?

Oh, but Aniskovish does get some credit for his careful coordination to force/buy/what-have-you five major players all in a 24-hour period:  Torres, Scialabba, Martin, Campbell, and Hageman.  Raise your hand, if you think this was just a big coincidence - all for the good of the Party. Methinks that this is a story unto itself that State Central Members aught to consider.  For Christ Sake, they didn't even bother to spread out the withdrawals to even make it look believable!  While everyone was rounded up into a so-called tally-count, how many now feel like they've been merely used as pawn's on Aniskovich's Chess Board? 

Hey Gary, nevermind calling out a demand to keep things under the lid - how about we talk about collusion out in the open.  No one signed up for this.  And the public is NOT being served by everyone just shutting their mouths and doing as they are told.  There is another Party across the street that does this.  Are we them now?

Enough for now.

I AM

THE KING

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

A Dark-Horse Emerges: Enter Pauline Kezer

Just when you thought it was going to be a rainy, uneventful weekend...

Pauline Kezer, a moderate, is
well-respected
within CTGOP and by the
General Public

The King has learned that former Secretary of the State Pauline Kezer has announced that she is running for Chairman of Connecticut's State Republican Party.  Kezer informed State Central members of her intention to run via email on Saturday afternoon.  She's also requested time to address State Central members at the CTGOP meeting on Tuesday, June 14th.

Ms. Kezer is best known for her successful tenure as Connecticut's Secretary of State from 1991 to 1994.  She was elected to multiple terms as a State Legislator from 1979 to 1986 (promoted by her peers to Asst. House Majority Leader, and Asst. House Minority Leader), and served as Connecticut's Vice Chairman from 1987 to 1989, and Assistant Treasurer from 1998 to 1999. 

Kezer is another late add to the mix of would-be Chairman.  If this tells you anything, it's that despite what some candidates would have you believe, the Chairman's race remains wide-open.  And there are plenty of surprises yet to come.

The King's view is that Kezer's announcement reveals that there is extreme dissatisfaction among key Republican insiders, and the membership (and public) about 1) the current slate of candidates, and 2) the prospect of having Bill Aniskovich as Chairman.

It seems that the catalyst to Ms. Kezer's entry was likely Bill Aniskovich's recent letter to CTGOP members which contained signatures of 35 House Republicans who've vowed support for Aniskovich.  This strong-armed tactic meant to entice State Central members into Aniskovich's camp was not well-received by those concerned about his checkered background, and its perceived negative impact on the future of the Republican Party.

This entry is not meant as an endorsement of Ms. Kezer.  But you have to welcome anyone to the debate who has her depth of experience and knowledge, and is considered extremely ethical by her peers.  I'll have more to say on this candidate at a later date.

I AM

THE KING

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