A few years ago, I interviewed all the candidates for Governor and came away with the impression that Dan Malloy was a policy wonk that would make Connecticut work better. The gist back then in June of 2006;

In the past six years, Main Street in Middletown has changed from empty store-fronts to a more pedestrian inviting look of small businesses like Java Palooza. It’s the kind of small scale growth that has been a small bright spot for the Connecticut economy recently. In this setting it seemed natural that chatting with Malloy would turn to themes of the Connecticut economy.

“I think Connecticut has some surprising opportunities” said Malloy. “We have the capacity to compete in more areas than people think.”

To Malloy, Connecticut is a land of opportunity, but he admits that he worries more about what happens if Connecticut doesn’t change course.

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$22 million to get less than 50% of the Republican Vote. That would be, um, as of today’s 95% poll results, 58,206 voters divided by $22 million equals = $377.96 per voters cost of acquisition.

In the business world, this would be judged as wasteful spending, bad strategy and an unsustainable burn rate. If you want to campaign on bsuiness expertise, you might want to show some business acumen. Just sayin’…

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I’ve got my answer somewhere still in my brain. But Margaret Carlson whipped out the perfect opinion piece, which I’ll post here:

Men in Tights Stimulate Family Values Party: Margaret Carlson

By Margaret Carlson – Aug 10, 2010

Bloomberg Opinion

Time was, simulating the sexual assault of a scantily clad wrestler on TV might get you hauled before the U.S. Senate, not elected to it.

Welcome to the times we live in, when the further you are from doing anything in the public interest, the greater the chance you will win a Republican primary.

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Are you ready to rumble? Entering the ring is Linda McMahon. She’s got cash which most Republicans think is needed to knock off Dick Blumenthal. Who’s he? The avenging attorney general for the state of Connecticut who is waiting this round out on the sidelines since there’s no Democratic primary for the Senate seat. Stealth operative Rob Simmons is very much McMahon’s opponent. He’s also the guy that would do the best job in the actual Senate, having done a pretty good job as the Connecticut congresscritter from the second district. Lurking in the background, but equally able to put money into the race is Peter Schiff.

The polls say McMahon routs Simmons. Schiff barely polls, so it’s a tag team rout. But what happens if Republicans in Connecticut actually care about Connecticut’s representation in the Senate? What if they really want to see federal dollars that get sucked out of Connecticut, come back to the northeast corridor region instead of out in Montanna or Wyoming? What if Connecticut Republicans want to see someone who will work hard for Connecticut? Then the choice is clear, Rob Simmons.

Connecticut doesn’t need to become like Minnesota, with an entertainer for a Senator.

For weeks, in some cases months, the campaign to become the next fill-in-the-blank has been occupying the best and brightest political flunkie minds. Oh, maybe not, but there’s certainly been a fair amount of trees sacrificed to the alter of why the “other guy” is is bad, American pie is good, and bright photos of aging white men who want you to think they can rock the house, legislatively that is. Then there’s Linda McMahon, who no longer wants to rock the ring, is not an aging white man, and plans to introduce chair throwing as a debating tactic in the Senate. But that’s a post for little later.

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By Susan Wallerstein

A recent New York Times article (7/21/10) described how Maine is revisiting its longstanding practice of funding public employees’ pensions exclusively through a state retirement system.  Public sector employees, including teachers in Connecticut and 13 other states, do not currently participate in the federal Social Security program.  Recent articles about deferred retirement option plans (DROP) describe the benefits of allowing area public safety employees who retire to be re-hired in the same positions.  Policymakers explain that these plans typically generate savings for participating towns and cities while allowing them to retain highly qualified individuals.

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from a press release:

For Immediate Release

The CT4th.com Hotsheet is a new website covering the GOP candidates running in

the August 10 primary in the 4th Congressional District.

The ct4th.com Hotsheet is a collection site. It is one website for voters to find

everything they need to know about the candidates and the issues.

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from a press release:

Hartford –

“Today’s announcement regarding West Nile virus positive mosquitoes underscores the importance for Connecticut residents to take necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites,” said Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Dr. J. Robert Galvin.  “In previous years, most West Nile virus infections were acquired during August and September.”

Monitoring and risk assessment for WNV emphasizes mosquito trapping and testing results.  The CAES maintains a network of 91 mosquito-trapping stations in 72 municipalities throughout the state.  Mosquito traps are set Monday – Thursday nights and conducted at each site every ten days on a rotating basis.  Mosquitoes are grouped (pooled) for testing according to species, collection site, and date.  Each pool is tested for the presence of viruses of public health importance.  Positive findings are reported to local health departments, in press releases and on the CAES web site.

For information on West Nile virus and what you can do to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program Web site at www.ct.gov/mosquito.

Is this in honor of Tour De France? Who knows, but it sounds like a great idea.

from a press release:

2010 SOUTHERN CT TOUR DES FARMS

Sunday, August 1

http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=11169

IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT SUNDAY AFTERNOON?

CT Folk’s Tour des Farms: Cycling to Discover Local Food and Local Music.

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