Scully Communications

Depending on which page of Sunday’s Hartford Courant “Opinion” section one turns to, Tom Foley is either the best of the three Republicans running for governor this year or a man who is “either stupid or dishonest.” The former is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board, the latter that of blitzkrieging columnist Kevin Rennie.

Foley, the former ambassador to Ireland and Bush fundraiser picked up the Courant’s endorsement for the Republican nomination for governor, with chamber of commerce official Oz Griebel running second. Lt. Gov. Mike Fedele was third, unable to shake-off the failures of the Rell administration.

More eye-opening was the scorched-earth approach Courant columnist Kevin Rennie is using against Foley. Last week, Rennie called Foley “unfit to lead” (a quote quickly stuck in the middle of an attack ad on Foley by Fedele). This Sunday, he savages Foley for checking “no” on a background disclosure form that asked if he had ever been arrested for anything more than a minor traffic violation.

And just for good measure, Rennie, in essence, declares Republican candidate for attorney general Ross Garber spineless (Garber was also endorsed by the Courant).  Rennie apparently was unhappy with the way a disciplinary committee, headed by Garber, treated a drunken, racial slur-spewing judge.  A couple more steps and Garber is related to Kevin Bacon.

Rennie has no problem throwing around words like “stupid,” “dishonest,” and “unfit.” “Bumbling” and “a disaster” are other favorite terms for the targets of the defeated state senator. But it’s his opinion. And he is entitled to it even if it consists of hyperbole. And it’s a must-read in this household every Sunday.

Former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy, running a campaign based on his experience as a tested leader, has been endorsed by the state’s largest newspaper, the Hartford Courant. “…Stamford is a better place today than it was when Mr. Malloy was first elected mayor. The former Brooklyn prosecutor, who grew up in Stamford, worked well with business leaders, the state Capitol and Washington to bring dollars home. He hired talented managers and set high, concrete goals — such as insisting on seeing a police car downtown every five minutes. He cut the size of Stamford’s government significantly, lending credence to his promise to cut state jobs and downsize state agencies by a third,” the Courant wrote.

The paper’s editorial board said the party-endorsed candidate’s attributes go beyond Stamford. “Mr. Malloy has shown political courage outside the job as well, as in backing same-sex marriage legislation when as a mayor he didn’t have to take a stand. He was an early and strong supporter of the state’s campaign finance law. He is now a beneficiary of that law…Mr. Malloy’s accomplishments in Stamford could serve as a blueprint for what Connecticut needs to do, beyond living within its means: More public transit and fewer exhaust-spewing cars parked on I-95; more corporations encouraged to make the state their home; more loving preservation of treasures like Old Town Hall in Stamford; more measures to include affordable units in new housing, as he has done in Stamford.”

Malloy and rival Ned Lamont debate Tuesday at the WFSB-TV studios in Rocky Hill.

Southeastern Connecticut’s largest newspaper has endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Malloy and former Republican US Rep. Rob Simmons in their respective primary races for governor and US Senate.

The Day says of Malloy, “When it comes to governing, Mr. Malloy’s experience as a mayor better prepares him for the state’s top job, while [rival candidate] Mr. [Ned] Lamont faces a steep learning curve.”

Of former Congressman Simmons who last week re-entered the race against favored and party-endorsed candidate Linda McMahon, The Day said, “In terms of experience, there is no comparison. As a congressman, Mr. Simmons played an important role in reversing a Pentagon decision to close the Naval Submarine Base in Groton. After losing the 2006 election, Mr. Simmons became the state’s business advocate. In that position he got high marks from businessmen for helping cut through government red tape. He also received an education on the challenges small businesses face in the struggle to grow and create jobs.”

Both the state House and Senate yesterday approved a measure to modify the state’s landmark campaign finance reform law to try to mollify a federal appeals court that struck down portions of the law. Practically speaking, unless bother chambers can muster enough votes for an override, the day- and night-long session yesterday may have been a waste of time as Gov. Rell has promised a veto.

The 2nd Circuit US Court of Appeals struck down the law’s “triggering provisions”—granting subsequent funding to a participating candidate when the self-funding opposing candidate spends above a certain amount—by doubling the amount of the initial grants to gubernatorial candidate from $3 million to $6 million.

The legislature tried to placate the court’s ruling that banning lobbyists from contributing to campaigns was unconstitutional by imposing a limit of $100 on such contributions.

The Shad reported yesterday that these were the measures the General Assembly would take.