Connecticut Local Politics

The Day has an interesting column about the 2010 gubernatorial race today, in which Democrats engage in their favorite quadrennial sport of the past decade and a half–namely, waiting for Richard Blumenthal to make up his mind.

Malloy acknowledges that defeating the attorney general would be a virtually impossible task because of the $1.5 million spending limitation imposed on party primaries by campaign finance reform. Then, there’s Blumenthal’s 80 percent favorability rating and astronomical recognition level in voter polls. Unlike other Democrats who want to run, Blumenthal only needs one year to launch a campaign because he’s on state TV stations every night garnering publicity regarding one cause or another.

That’s why Blumenthal should let the Democratic Party know his intentions now, Malloy argues. Anyone heard that before from other Democrats who wanted to know if Blumenthal would run for governor?

Malloy, for whom narrowly losing to eventual Rell punching bag John DeStefano seems to have been the best possible outcome in 2006, is not shy about announcing his own intentions.

“If he runs, I’ll support him. If he doesn’t, I’m running. …I’m letting everybody know that I’m ready to go.”

Malloy, if he did run, would instantly be a credible contender, although if Blumenthal decided not to run I imagine there would be a stampede. Susan Bysiewicz, Donald Williams and others (Dodd? If he isn’t busy in an Obama Administration. Larson? He wanted to be governor in 1994) could all possibly jump in. Jim Amann is already in. It could be a chaotic, hectic primary.

I understand the caution Democrats take when approaching the delicate subject of Blumenthal and the gubernatorial nomination. But if anyone out there is actually willing to take him on, the hill might not be as steep as they think. Here are some reasons why.

1. Blumenthal has a long, long, LONG record in Hartford. How much of it has actually been examined?

2. As stated above, Blumenthal has been in Hartford since 1990. The candidate of change he ain’t. An outsider like Malloy might have a decent shot, depending on the mood of the electorate in 2010.

3. Blumenthal has not been in a close race in something like two decades. He’s rolled over his token Republican opposition in every election since he first won the office of attorney general. No one has any idea how he’d do in a close, fierce race. Since each candidate would have the same amount of money to spend, he couldn’t just win by outraising his opponents, either.

4. He’s been quick to say he wants to be a senator. He has hemmed and hawed on the gubernatorial race. It’s pretty clear which he’d rather. Democrats might not be so happy with a candidate who really wants some other job, instead.

5. Blumenthal is cautious to a fault when it comes to gingerly placing his hat in the ring. A strong Democrat with lots of support and a commitment to take the race to the primary might make him think twice.

The upshot is that Democrats really, honestly can’t keep waiting for Blumenthal. Mayor Malloy is right. He needs to fish or cut bait. Democrats need to know what he’s planning, so they can prepare for what could be their best chance to take the governor’s mansion in twenty years.

Source
McGinley, Morgan. “Mayor Malloy Still Interested In Run For Gov.” The Day 10 August, 2008.