RELL IN 2010?

Republican Gov. Jodi Rell says that in January she will decide whether to create a political exploratory committee in advance of a possible run for reelection in 2010. That option gives her the ability to "test the waters" without officially launching a campaign.

But is Rell really interested in another four-year term? Privately, many observers, including Republicans, have opined that Rell is not engaged in her job on a daily basis, and feels she proved her mettle as a politician by handily winning election in her own right in 2006.

Add to this the health challenges Rell and her husband Lou have faced in recent years and the birth of her grandson, and there are plenty of reasons for Rell to finish her term and move into comfortable retirement.

Well, the governor says she and her husband are doing fine, thank you very much, and as for being a doting grandmother, Rell called that comment "sexist." She said she doubts anyone in politics would suggest that a male politician would hang up his cleats just because a grandchild was added to the mix.

When you're a governor whose job performance rating is a stunning 77%, as shown in a November Quinnipiac University poll, your popularity is something opponents must respect and Rell knows it. "I'm very proud of the accomplishments that we have had, and proud of the work I've done for the people of Connecticut," said Rell, "and I think they're proud of me too."

Some observers suggest that if Democratic Attorney General Richard Blumenthal tries for his party's gubernatorial nomination in 2010 (after many years of toying with the idea), the prospect of a challenge from this popular high-profile Democrat would be enough to scare off Rell from any thought of another campaign.

In a year-end interview with me last week, Rell rejected that notion. Referring to a possible Blumenthal challenge, Rell said: "I would actually welcome it. The attorney general and I have been friends, but we also have a difference of opinion (on many issues), so it would be kind of fun to have that campaign." Implicit in that statement is a warning to Blumenthal that maybe he is the one who should worry about the outcome of a Rell-Blumenthal face-off in 2010.

Still, it is possible that Rell's talk of opening an exploratory committee to ponder 2010 could be a political gambit to hold off any notions that she is a lame duck. The 2008 General Assembly session is coming, and Rell wants her budget adjustments and new initiatives given due consideration by the Democrat-controlled legislature.

Beyond the political intelligence an exploratory committee could gather on Rell's chances in 2010, the governor says the 2008 elections will play a role in her decision whether or not to run again. She is interested in seeing who will be elected the next president of the United States. For the record, pondering her endorsement of a Republican presidential hopeful, Rell says she has narrowed it down to two contenders: Arizona Sen. John McCain and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani.

The governor also wants to see if the 2008 legislative elections boost or erode Republican ranks. Right now, there are only 11 Republicans in the 36-member State Senate and just 44 GOP legislators in the 151-member House. Rell claims the state GOP is working hard to recruit quality candidates and will make a full-court press to swell its modest legislative ranks.

Whether or not she runs for a new four-year term in 2010, Rell is taking the protective steps necessary, "talking the talk" to keep her opponents guessing, and hoping to show the Democrat-controlled legislature she is "ready to rumble" if necessary over issues and legislation she cares about.

Posted 12/24/07

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