Amann May Not Take State Job After All
by Christine Stuart | January 20, 2009 8:24 AM
Posted to State Capitol
Former Speaker of the House James Amann, who was expected to start his new job as a senior adviser to the newly elected Speaker of the House Chris Donovan Tuesday told WPLR’s morning hosts Chaz and AJ that it’s still just a job offer.
“The Speaker is brand new, he doesn’t need any of this continued criticism,” Amann told Chaz and AJ this morning explaining that he was leaning toward not taking the $120,000 a year state job.
“Maybe people have the perception it’s a no show job,” Amann said. He said people may think “I’ll just be running for governor and collecting a check.”
Amann said he spoke with Donovan yesterday and “batted around some other options,” such as a part-time position. “I’m leaning toward probably calling Chris today and telling him it’s not worth it for him,” Amann said.
When he was offered the job, Amann said, Donovan “laid out a tough agenda for me.”
Donovan was “making sure I didn’t do any other sort of business on his time,” Amann said.
When Donovan offered Amann the job he outlined strict conditions to his employment in a memo, which stated: “Neither you nor your campaign staff may make public statements about Governor Rell or other gubernatorial candidates that places me or the House Democratic caucus in an awkward position. That is to say, you may not affect the goodwill I have with the governor, agency heads, or other public officials.”
In addition Donovan stated that Amann’s “employment with House Democrats should not be viewed as, or represented as, an endorsement by me of your candidacy.”
But even leaders within the Democratic Party had their doubts about Amann’s ability to juggle it all.
“It’s just too much and foretells that Amann’s gubernatorial run is likely to end very quickly after it leaves the dock,” John McNamara, Chairman of the New Britain Democratic Town Committee wrote on his blog NB Politicus this weekend.
Democratic insiders said the entire Democratic caucus felt it was wrong to offer Amann the job. Many said they were unware it had even been offered to Amann until shortly before the press release was issued on Friday.
Amann is still expected to announce his campaign for governor Jan. 29 in Bridgeport. Amann, who was in studio with Chaz and AJ Tuesday morning said he had a meeting later Tuesday morning with his communications director for his campaign.
Comments (4)
Posted by: ctkeith | January 20, 2009 11:10 AM
Next thing you know "Crusher" will be asking us to believe that this job offer wasn't agreed to BEFORE and AS A CONDITION OF his decision to resign as Speaker.
We know you better than you know yourself,Mr. Speaker.
Posted by: Joe | January 20, 2009 4:20 PM
What a disaster. The Democrats just can't get out of their own way. What was Speaker Donovan thinking in the first place?! Strike one Mr. Speaker.
Yet again the Democrats trip over their own feet. Look folks, you have a super-duper majority, get your act together and figure out what is best for the people and get it done. Stop the pettiness and stupidity and just get to work and do it right.
Posted by: TrueBlueCT | January 20, 2009 4:39 PM
Now the GOP needs to give Cappiello the boot, as gosh knows the Statehouse can work just fine without either Amann, or the failed Congressional candidate.
But of course they won't, as they protect their own slush as strongly as they condemn the Democrats.
Last week we were treated to a round of forced stories about how our State Reps and Senators should take a pay cut. But if you do the math, the savings from the trumped up pay cut would barely exceed what taxpayers stand to save if the two patronage positions, (Amann and Cappiello), are both eliminated.
C'mon Chairman Healy. How about it?
Posted by: Walt![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| January 20, 2009 4:49 PM
Even the NHRegister's readers, probably 70% pro-Dem, commented about 100% against thie attempted rip=off.
Probably killed Amann's gubernatorial hopes.
Folks aren't as stupid as Amann thought, Might as well take the job now and try to avoid arrest. Can't get elected now.