Republicans Gather to Vent at Election Postmortem
by Christine Stuart | Jan 8, 2011 7:44pm
(15) Comments | Commenting has expired
Posted to: Election 2010, Local Politics
What went wrong?
That’s the question more than 350 Republicans from across the state tried to answer Saturday morning at CCSU during a conference organized by House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero and Senate Minority Leader John McKinney.
“We’re here to have a discussion about where we’re headed as a party,” Cafero said. “It’s not a meeting about assessing blame or getting personal.”
But some comments were extremely personal and more than a handful of people expressed opinions about why candidates at the top of the ticket here didn’t win on Nov. 2, even as Republicans across the nation were making big gains on their way to reclaiming the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Ken Hjulstrom, Marlborough Republican Town Committee chairman, said he doesn’t know why the Republican Party wasted money on getting Susan Bysiewicz out of the attorney general’s race.
“Why did we stand in her way?” Hjulstrom asked before suggesting the electorate and possibly her own Democratic Party would have voted against her. The Supreme Court ruled Bysiewicz was not qualified to run for attorney general prior to the Democratic state convention in May.
“And I’m not going to say anything about Linda McMahon, but I was disappointed in the outcome of the convention and how the whole thing played out,” Hjulstrom added.
McMahon, the former wrestling executive who painted herself as the ultimate outsider candidate, was able to wrest the Republican Party’s endorsement from former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons at the convention in May.
McMahon, who has attended several public events since her defeat in November, didn’t attend Saturday’s meeting. But Simmons did.
Simmons said he came to support Cafero and McKinney as they assume their leadership roles as the head of the party. Since former Gov. M. Jodi Rell retired, Cafero and McKinney are the two highest ranking elected officials in party.
“In the last 20 years I haven’t seen this many Republicans in a room except for a convention,” Simmons said as he continued to greet supporters near the buffet table.
Some Republicans have said since Nov. 2 that Simmons — had he won the nomination — would have had a better shot at beating Blumenthal. Instead, McMahon lost by a significant margin and state Republicans failed to win a Congressional seat. They also lost the governor’s office—the only Constitutional office the party had held—but did pick up 15 seats in the General Assembly.
Simmons said the party needs to do at least four things to get back on its feet:
“One, it’s got to win the special elections,” Simmons said. “Two, it’s got to reverse the voter registration trend. Three, it’s got to connect its message with organizations like the Yankee Institute, which can then offer solutions. And four, it’s got to get rid of the convention system and have its primary in May.”
Simmons’ fourth suggestion was batted around a lot Saturday as Republicans, for the first time in a long time, had to try and figure out how to heal after a bruising primary fight.
Mike Clark of Farmington said the Bibb Co. “slander,” put out initially by former Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele’s campaign for governor, “cost Tom Foley the election.”
“That came from the Republican side of the house,” Clark said, referring to Fedele’s attack ads regarding Foley’s management of the Bibb Co.
Gov. Dannel Malloy’s campaign picked up on the ads and ran their own version, featuring some of the same former Bibb Co. employees from Fedele’s ads. After the dust settled and the ballots were tallied, Malloy held a slim 6,404-vote advantage over Foley, who also was in attendance Saturday.
The former ambassador to Ireland promised to stay involved as he received hugs and well-wishes from supporters and friends. As he stood at the back of the room a number of Republicans he met while on the campaign trail offered him unsolicited advice about what he could have done to win.
But as Republicans were looking back and assessing their losses Saturday, Foley said he is moving forward. He said he’s spent the past few months catching up on some personal and business issues that he had ignored during the campaign.
Foley said his current efforts are focused on forming a policy foundation or institute to “make sure good policy for Connecticut has a platform.” Foley said his foundation, which he expects to launch in the coming months, will be a voice for education reform and the economy.
Meanwhile, Cafero and McKinney challenged Republicans to help them register more voters to bring the state total up to 500,000 before the next presidential primary in 2012. About 438,000 are registered Republicans in the state, which represents a 9 percent decline since the party peaked in 1986.
A handful of Republicans in attendance Saturday said the party has to do a better job of reaching voters in Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford where a majority of the electorate is made up of minorities.
Howard Jubrey of Windsor said few people in the room Saturday looked like him, but if Republicans want to win elections, then “you need people that look like me.”
“Stop being afraid of being called a racist,” he urged.
Jubrey, who lost to Rep. David Baram by 5,306 votes, said he “got hammered by a guy who said he was going to raise taxes.”
Jubrey joked that because he is a Republican his own mother wouldn’t vote for him. “I see minorities in this state moving more and more toward socialism,” he added.
Corey Brinson, a candidate for Secretary of the State who could have mounted a primary challenge against Jerry Farrell but declined to do so, said former Gov. M. Jodi Rell did well in the cities in 2006 because she said she would eliminate car taxes.
He said Rell’s message resonated with voters in the city who pay taxes on their vehicles. Even though Rell was never able to eliminate the car tax, Brinson said “that’s how you have to message campaigns.”
There also were several individuals Saturday who opined the Republican party and the Republican Town Committees were not inclusive or welcoming to the energetic members of the Tea Party movement. Many of them said they are members of the Tea Party first, Republicans second.
Tea Party supporter Bill Evans said two members of his local RTC were dead and two lived out of state before the recent RTC elections. But even after the election many members don’t show up for the meetings and Evans, who wants to participate, continues to be given the cold shoulder.
Chris Healy, chairman of the state Republican Party, said he thinks the Tea Party was successful in energizing the Republican base. He said there are simply certain demographics in Connecticut that are trending against the party. He said it didn’t help when then Gov. Rell went along with the Democrats in crafting a budget, which at the time borrowed close to $1 billion, to avoid having to make further cuts.
Healy said that by using the state’s credit card in last year’s budget, Rell deprived the party of an opportunity to create the economic pain that is supposed to go with the spending cuts necessary to close a large budget deficit. By borrowing close to $1 billion, Rell allowed the Democratic majority to ignore the real problem. Also, Healy said the Democratic National Committee poured money into Richard Blumenthal’s campaign for the U.S. Senate while the Democratic Governor’s Association provided financial support for Malloy’s gubernatorial bid — spending money on a campaign in Connecticut for the first time.
President Barack Obama and President Clinton made two appearances and so did First Lady Michelle Obama. Healy, who considered challenging National Republican Chairman Michael Steele for his job, said the party did not receive any national funds. But McMahon spent about $50 million of her own fortune on her race and the races of some of the other candidates.
Healy also said new public campaign finance rules have essentially tied his hands. He can only spend $3,000 on state House candidates and $6,000 on state Senate candidates.
“The unions can do anything and none of that counts,” Healy said. “Where we had candidates close to the ground, we won.”
(15) Comments
posted by: Ctkeith | January 8, 2011 8:36pm
a couple of questions should have been asked.
1)How much did Chris Healy and his wife pocket from the McMahon campaign and do they plan on doubling that(and retiring comfortably)after her 2012 Senate Run loss?
2) Does Rob Simmons still have that teabag in his jacket Pocket?
posted by: ... | January 8, 2011 9:53pm
I think there was a sense of anti-incumbent attitude in CT, but it was directed slightly at Rell (despite her outgoing popularity). She left the state in massive budget deficits we cannot accurately present yet.
No matter which side you want to blame, she was at the helm and failed to get the people of CT seriously involved in the budget issue. The executive office was also under Republican leadership for decades and they chose to make a shift.
But so far it looks like 2011 will see some gains by Republicans at the Capitol if the really rally out their base for the special election.
posted by: Barbara J. Ruhe | January 8, 2011 9:55pm
A positive event, with lots of thoughtful comments. To quote an “ancient”—“We must all hang together or we will hang separately”. The glass on this election is “half full”—the Dems are stuck trying to clean up the mess they made. Good luck on that. In 2 years and 4 years we will be stronger and badly wanted and needed. So if you are a Republican—get involved for the next 40+ days so we can win the special elections, donate to your local Republican Town committees so we do well in the local races later this year, find one person and get them to register Republican, study our history so you understand why we are the party who cares and has fought for the rights of ALL Americans. And finally not having Susan Bysiewicz any where on the horizon is not an insignificant victory—
posted by: GoatBoyPHD | January 9, 2011 9:24am
For the GOP State Legislature candidates Democrat Richard Roy pointed the way when he went after the DEP.
That’s something the GOP can sell: Better outcomes for the same or less money via administrative reform and legislative action and direct legislative oversight if necessary.
If the CT GOP wants to be viable then let them start proposing ways to better the way state agencies do their jobs and be very specific about it and get inside those agencies including DEP to change the way the state does business.
Rolling back to Rowland’s 2002 recession budget and getting that across in the press would have been a simple and effective technique. A 50% budget increase since 2002 looks good on graphs as runaway government
The most impressive thing about the GOP was the ineptness of the campaigns at the state level. Name 3 things the GOP stood for in 2010 at the state level and how that was communicated and you get a big befuddled look on people’s faces.
Had the GOP gotten on their hands and knees and begged to lose they would have been more effective and gotten some mercy votes. At least it would prove they can communicate a vision.
When you can poll the public 3 weeks before the election and ask the public the 3 things the GOP will bring to the table in 2011 and get blank stares what does that tell you?
posted by: Barb | January 9, 2011 9:56am
I read the story on this meeting both on Ameriborn News and this website. Seems like a lot of information was exchanged from both GOP representatives and tea party people. Communication is always good. If that many people went out on a Saturday morning in the snow to participate, it’s a good sign.
posted by: jeffs | January 9, 2011 10:59am
Are there any Republican policies in CT or in other states that can be used as clear, unequivocal examples of the benefits of Republican governance? I mean, actual examples of successfully implemented state policies that clearly helped people and that can be applied to CT?
posted by: hawkeye | January 9, 2011 1:16pm
JonesAC12: “THE TRUTH HURTS!” You write that: “No matter who you want to blame for our massive state deficit,” but as aan obvious true Democrat, you have already already blamed former Gov. M. Jodi Rell for it!
What’s going to happen to our deficit spending, when the “Democratic big spenders in our Connecticut General Assembly, who piled up this deficit, now that have a lifetime Democrat as Governor?
Barbara J. Ruhe, tells the truth, but sometimes the truth hurts, to people who stick with a sinking party allegiance!
However, I disagree with Barbara J. Ruhe, regarding Susan Bysiewicz. Barbara Bysiewicz was the best candidate that the Democrats could have had!
posted by: saramerica | January 9, 2011 1:20pm
Am LOLing at the irony of Healy whining comment: “unions can do anything and none of that counts”. Are we regretting Citizens United decision suddenly? What about the $1 million AAN spent on ads attacking Chris Murphy on behalf of Caligiuri in the 5th and however much they spent against Himes in the 4th?
Does that “count”?
posted by: City Hall Watch | January 9, 2011 2:49pm
The thought that Rob Simmons could have beaten Blumenthal is an exercise in useless and stupid thinking. Rob Simmons couldn’t hold his congressional seat and though given a plum job by Rell, couldn’t use it as a platform to a) accomplish anything b) make his name a household name in the state or c) win the Republican nomination. Come on. This naval gazing is pointless. Create a plan. Work the plan. You are right to place partial blame on Fedele. It was an idiotic excercise to bring up the Bibb Company, allegations that were wholly and completely false. And the difference between Republicans and Democrats is what?
posted by: Tim White 1 | January 9, 2011 3:15pm
I voted for Foley, but was sympathetic to Malloy. He told the truth about CTs fake accounting, thereby taking the “good government” mantle. I know it was only one good gov’t issue, but it was better than nothing.
I suspect there’s a small, but relevant (maybe 2% to 5%), number of unaffiliated voters who make their decisions on good government—not tax & service—issues.
The GOP could probably make some headway if they would advocate good government in Corrupticut. Unfortunately, I have yet to see any elected official—except Malloy—make such efforts.
In recent years, Donovan gave Crusher a $120,000/yr no-show job. And Williams supported Gaffey by way of punishing Hartley for her call for accountability.
And then there are the likes of DWI Dillon who gets to keep all her stipends for those nonsense titles… and there was the Rep. who saw—and ignored—Ernie Newton’s payoff.
Do any elected officials say anything?
No. (Caruso is an exception, but he only calls out Rs… he still hearts his own party.)
And on the GOP side, McKinney ignores Deluca for months before Deluca becomes the only rank’n'file R by relinquishing his title.
And as much as I admire what Cafero has done with House Rs, he is complicit in perpetuating the problems by his silence.
The Dems can’t openly oppose transparency and accountability. And with new media, the Rs could be heard.
If the CT GOP wants to make inroads, they should begin by demanding good government.
I’m not holding my breath.
posted by: Barbara J. Ruhe | January 9, 2011 6:23pm
I ran in the First State Senate District against a 24 year incumbent—one of the issues I ran on was re-vamping DCF—an agency I know a little bit about. Folks were interested, but there was far more interest in preserving the status quo as promulgated by the unions. State employees told me if Tom Foley was elected they would lose their jobs. Voters vote for their self interest—sad, but true. It should be interesting to see how Dan Malloy deals with the issue of too many state employees. As for me I will run again. Why? Because 26 years of a person holding a seat and just voting with the party is enough. I have ideas on how to do things better and I will continue to share those ideas with the folks in the First District who can conceive of the fact that Republicans are not members of some evil empire, but rather folks who want better, less expensive, less intrusive government that will allow folks to make a better life for themselves and their families. Republicans do not eat babies and hate old people. Republicans believe that the needs of those who can not must be looked after. They also believe in a “hand up, not a hand out”. Republicans had some great legislative candidates and will have some great candidates for the special elecitons.
posted by: hawkeye | January 9, 2011 7:10pm
Tim White: EXPECT HIGHER TAXES! You don’t have to question the fact that Gov. Dannnel Malloy WILL give us higher taxes to pay, as his Democratic Connecticut General Assembly won’t allow for any serious budget cuts, to be made.
Unfortunately, our “big spenders” will continue to prevail! With Malloy and our thrift-less General Assembly, “taxpayers are stuck between a rock and a hard place!”
posted by: redlady | January 9, 2011 8:29pm
We can only hope the Rs are finally getting it. I’m still skeptical. It is true that in NE CT the RTCs are in tatters and mostly full of RINOs and folks who are afraid to be assertive with their conservative views. It leaves the door open to the liberal base and discourages good fiscally inclined candidates from getting involved. I hope more Republicans begin to see this as the root of the problem and begin to mend it. If anyone cares, please join your RTC and save your pennies for 2011 and 2012 conservative candidates. Money talks and ******** walks.
posted by: ... | January 9, 2011 9:09pm
Thanks hawkeye for mislabeling me. I’ve been registered independent since I could vote (though I changed to D briefly for Malloy in the Primary). My policy views are center-left, but its not a matter of politics its people and policy. It’s sad to see someone as smart as you seem to be quickly grouping people as such.
Everyone has their blame in the deficit issues of our state. There are some Democrats in the House/Seante I wouldn’t mind seeing loose re-election next cycle. And I actually hope there will be a more conservative voice this spring in the House.
And overall I would say your fiscal view of Malloy isn’t very spot on considering his prior statements. But maybe we should play a wait and see game on this?
posted by: saramerica | January 10, 2011 7:42am
Hawkeye, if you could just stop the partisan ranting for just a moment and read a thoughtful analysis like Tim White’s, you might learn something useful.
And if the CTGOP looked like a good investment, maybe they might get some of the $10m in Greenwich Hedge Fund money that helped fund other GOP victories http://bit.ly/hys04X