As US Senator Joe Lieberman’s future with his former party hangs in the balance everyone seems to have an opinion about whether he should stay or go.

As the voices in Connecticut to punish Lieberman for working against the Democratic presidential ticket grow louder, one New York lawyer in his early 30s, who asked to remain anonymous, hopes to reason with the opposition through his new Web site: Let Joe Stay.

The Web site started after the election encourages Democrats to keep Lieberman in the caucus.

Keep reading our Q and A with the mystery blogger to find out what he thinks and how he seeks to influence the debate in Washington DC and Connecticut.

Continue reading "Should He Stay Or Should He Go?" »

Republican Party Chairman Chris Healy sent this letter to Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz Friday afternoon asking her to delay the certification of Tuesday’s vote because he fears the results in some close races may not be accurate.

Especially in races where candidates were cross-endorsed by other party’s like the Working Families Party.

Using an example from the 62nd District were 18 year incumbent Rep. Richard Ferrari, R-East Granby, was ousted by political newcomer Annie Hornish, Healy said he is concerned about “how easy it is to incorrectly double count votes for cross-endorsed candidates.”

Continue reading "Republicans Concerned With Results In Close Races" »

Was Tuesday’s election also a referendum on a true “three-strikes-and-you’re-out” law?

If it was, the law isn’t as popular as some might think. A majority of the 58 General Assembly candidates who signed a petition supporting a three-strikes law lost on Tuesday. Here’s how it broke down:

In the Senate, 8 of 15 lost their races, while 2 of the 7 winners were uncontested.

In the House, 29 of 43 candidates lost, while just 14 won.

Between the two chambers, about 64 percent of the candidates supporting three strikes lost. But it remains to be seen whether those results are definitive with respect to public support for the law.

“It shows you that issue was a campaign issue, rather than a valid policy issue,” Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, D-New Haven, said Wednesday.

Sen. Sam Caligiuri, R-Waterbury, who also is chairman of the Three Strikes Now Coalition, says he respectfully disagrees with Looney’s assessment.

Continue reading "A Referendum On 3-Strikes?" »

As Joe Lieberman’s future with his former party hangs in the balance, Democrats in his former home city offered different views on how to deal with a prodigal son.

Lieberman, Connecticut’s four-term U.S. senator, met Thursday afternoon with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to begin the first of a series of chess moves riveting Democrats nationwide: Will the Reid’s Senate Democrats allow Lieberman to hold onto his post as chairman of the powerful Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee? Or will the party punish him for his central, Obama-slashing support for John McCain’s presidential campaign—and send him once and for all into the arms of the Republcans?

Click here to continue reading Paul’s report.

(Updated Thurs. 9 a.m.) Once the dust settled on the 2008 General Assembly races it looked like Democrats in the state House will hold a 114 to 37 majority over Republicans, while Democrats in the state Senate will hold a 24 to 12 majority over the Republicans.

The number of Democrats in the House jumped from 112 to 114 Wednesday when results from the 62nd House District were reported to the state. It looks like Democratic newcomer Annie Hornish beat Republican incumbent Richard Ferrari by almost 700 votes in the district that includes Granby, East Granby, and Barkhamsted.

The Secretary of the State’s office confirmed Wednesday that there were no automatic recounts triggered in any of the races once all the results were tabulated, however, final numbers weren’t due until 6 p.m.

Continue reading "The Morning After" »

(Updated 4:07 p.m.) With president-elect Barack Obama in the White House and a Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate, the possibilities for some of Connecticut’s top-elected officials seem endless.

When asked if he would accept a position in an Obama administration, U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, D-CT, said Wednesday morning that “I like the Senate job.”

And with U.S. Sen. Joe Biden as vice president-elect, Dodd’s choices within Senate leadership open up. With Biden in the White House, Dodd is next in line to become chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.

Continue reading "Congressional Musical Chairs Begins" »

Connecticut voters soundly defeated the first ballot question asking voters if they wanted to hold a constitutional convention.

Proponents of a convention hoped it would lead to citizen initiative and referendum and possibly a ban on gay marriage, while opponents warned that a convention would trample citizens basic civil rights and give political power to special interest groups.

In a statement sent out late Tuesday night by opponents, Peggy Shorey, ‘Vote No’ campaign manager said, “People recognized that a political convention is risky, and it’s not real change.”

Continue reading "Voters Defeat Constitutional Convention" »

(Updated 12:30 a.m.) Riding the coattails of president-elect Barack Obama, Democrats in the Nutmeg state picked up at least six more seats in the House and at least one more seat in the Senate boosting their two-thirds majority in the General Assembly to a veto-proof majority.

Late Tuesday night it looked like Democrats could boost their majority in the House from 107 seats to 112 or 113 seats, while Democrats in the Senate expected to boost their majority from 23 to 24 or 25 seats depending on the outcome of some close races.

With a two-thirds majority in both chambers, a Democrat-controlled legislature could override Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s veto in the coming term. But will they?

Continue reading "Democrats Reclaim Their Super Majority" »

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz said Tuesday evening after the polls closed there were only a few reported problems with the optical scan voting machines. However, as of 8:30 p.m. there were no officials results to report. The fax machine which receives them remained quiet while the media toured the back offices of the operation.

Bysiewicz said she remains optimistic the state will reach the 90 percent voter turnout number that she predicted earlier this week. As results roll in we’ll keep you updated so keep checking back and catch us live on Fox 61 News at 10 p.m. with reporter Rick Hancock.

While some were hesitant, many more voters, teachers, and students were eager to buy a bottle of water, a cup a coffee, or baked goods from a small group of Hall High School students using their school’s polling place to raise money for suicide prevention and awareness.

Jessica Lola Nix said the proceeds from the fundraiser will go to a nonprofit group called To Write Love On Her Arms.

Continue reading "Raising Money For Suicide Prevention At The Polls" »