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As an observer of state government, I’d like to suggest
some New Year’s resolutions for our key state officials, but since
resolutions are personal, let’s just call the items listed below,
"advice”:
Gov. Jodi Rell: It’s time for some punch in 2008 and not the kind you drink!
After sending out news releases on everything from safe driving habits to
online internet safety tips, the governor needs to shed the Donna Reed
persona in the new year and crack the whip a bit. Maybe she could show
lawmakers some “tough love” by urging them to get their job done on time
this year, instead of wrangling with her over budgets and bonding projects
in 2007.
U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd: Chris needs to read the U.S. Constitution more
closely this year. It requires that the
U.S. Senate “shall be composed of two Senators from each state, elected by
the people thereof.” Since last fall, Dodd has been living in Iowa with his
family hoping to score in the January Democratic presidential caucuses in
that state. Last time we checked, Iowa is represented in Washington by Sen.
Chuck Grassley (R) and Sen. Tom Harkin (D). Come home to Connecticut, Chris,
we’ll leave the light on for ya’.
U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman: This year Joe needs to sort out his political
labels—and pick one! You’ll recall that Connecticut Democrats, miffed over
Lieberman’s support for the Iraq war, denied him renomination in 2006, so
Joe ran as an independent and won reelection. He said he would caucus with
the Democrats anyway, and when they took control of the Senate, they named
him chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs. However, Joe’s convinced the media he should be listed as an
independent, or as an independent Democrat. Before year’s end, Lieberman
grabbed headlines by endorsing Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona for
president. Soon thereafter, Joe also endorsed Republican Sen. Susan Collins
for reelection. Though he’s told Connecticut reporters he still considers
himself a Democrat, in the great historic traditions of the party, the
Senator seems to have trouble separating his D’s from his R’s, and maybe his
I’s.
House Speaker James Amann: We’re all on a diet after New Year’s Day to get
rid of the holiday season “spread,” but we’d advise Amann to save room for a
big slice of humble pie. The Democrat needs to avoid sounding imperial in
2008, if he’s serious about his interest in running for governor in 2010.
Recently, Amann was irked by criticism from House Republican leader Lawrence
Cafero (R-Norwalk) that more than $55,000 in overtime had to be paid when
workers installing a sprinkler system in the House had to hurriedly tear
down scaffolding so a half-day special session could be held. Cafero said
the full session could have been avoided. Amann’s response: “I make the call
for the session. When he (Cafero) becomes speaker, he can do what he wants.”
Mellow out, Jim.
Republican Congressman Chris Shays: If he chooses to run for reelection in
2008, Shays should try to find some teammates, because right now he’s
playing solo and that is a lonely song. Shays is the last remaining
Republican congressman in New England, the sole survivor in a proud
tradition of moderate to liberal GOP reps who made their mark over the years
in a party that turned very conservative across the nation.
Posted 12/31/07
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