Last July we noodled around conjuring up vacation ideas for some of our "hardworking" Connecticut politicians. This summer, let's try it again, with new suggestions. Remember, it is illegal in Connecticut for pols to accept expensive gifts from special interests (including web writers), so what we offer below are fantasy road trips, just for the fun of it:

Gov. Jodi Rell: The governor is cutting back in all state departments to save money because Connecticut's budget surplus has turned into a deficit. So why not put the guv in a minivan and send her off to the much-publicized "World's Longest Yard Sale" in August. This 630-mile bric-a-brac sell-off runs along US 127 through Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, and Alabama. We're sure Rell can snag great bargains on "stuff" that state government can use, saving big bucks.

Sen. Joe Lieberman: After the Connecticut Democratic party refused to renominate Lieberman in 2006 because of his staunch support for the Iraq war, the Senator ran and won as an independent. Now Joe is backing Republican presidential nominee John McCain, and may speak in support of McCain at the Republican national convention in Minnesota. He won't be a delegate to the Democratic convention, but we're sure Joe misses some of his "buds" in his old party. So maybe we can snag a "floor messenger" credential for Lieberman. That way he can go to Denver in late August and sneak in to "bond" with Democrats still willing to talk to him.

State House Majority Leader Chris Donovan: When the 2009 legislature opens in January, Donovan is expected to move from his #2 leadership post in the Democratic caucus to #1—House Speaker. That means more responsibility and more worries, so let's send Donovan on a fun trip. Chris, a guitar player, belongs to a legislators band called "The Bad Reps." Let's fly him to the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" in Cleveland. While there, Donovan can dream about being a big wheel, by listening to such rock hits as "Leader of the Pack" by the Shangri-Las, "King of the Road" by Roger Miller, and "Superfly" by Curtis Mayfield. If all that goes to his head, we can bring him back to earth with "You Ain't Nothin' But A Hound Dog" by Elvis--the real king!

Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele: It's not easy being #2 and that's Fedele's fate as lieutenant governor. His duties include ribbon cuttings, filling in when Gov. Rell is out-of-state, and minding the State Senate. Perhaps Mike needs a life-changing seminar to boost his ego. Let's send him to see self-help guru Tony Robbins in Toronto this month, where he can absorb the "Unleash The Power Within" experience. Tony promises he can help Fedele "break through any barriers that might be holding you back."

State Sen. Gayle Slossberg: As co-chair of the legislature's Government Administration and Elections Committee, Democrat Slossberg had a challenging year, sparring with her Democratic co-chair and political gadfly Rep. Chris Caruso of Bridgeport over ethics reform legislation. Let's give Slossberg some quality time away from Caruso, by sending her off to Necker Island, the Caribbean enclave of billionaire Sir Richard Branson. Posh guest rooms at the idyllic island getaway cost between $23,000 and $26,000 per week. We're sure Caruso's legislative salary won't let him go that far--and since our fantasy trip uses Monopoly money, no worries for us!

Sen. Chris Dodd: Dodd's job approval ratings took a hit in the latest Quinnipiac University poll, due in part to unfavorable publicity over allegations that the Senator received special treatment from controversy-plagued Countrywide Financial when Dodd refinanced his mortgages. That being considered, perhaps the Senator should stick close to those well-mortgaged homes this summer, and forgo any vacation—real or imagined!
 

Posted 7/14/08

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