2006 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Ned Lamont will take the first step toward running for Governor according to the New Haven Independent.
Lamont planned to start informing past supporters of his move Wednesday morning, a day after the polls closed on the 2009 municipal elections and attention officially turns to the already crowded 2010 campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate.
Lamont’s entry into the race further crowds the Democratic field, as Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, former Speaker Jim Amann, former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, State Sen. Gary LeBeau, and Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi have already announced plans to seek the nomination.
But Lamont’s star power would easily overshadow that of the other candidates. His ability to generate interest and enthusiasm from the activist base will make life difficult for the other contenders.
At the same time, his personal wealth gives him the wide flexibility that the other Democrats do not have. If state financing of campaigns remains unconstitutional, Mr. Lamont can invest his own resources into his campaign just as in 2006. If the constitutionality issues with the Citizens’ Election Program are fixed, then Lamont could go that route, too.
The other Democrats could only wish to have as many options as Lamont.
The NHI article also hints that we could hear about Governor Rell’s plans as soon as this afternoon.
9 responses so far ↓
I think the base will see through Lamont in this case. In 2006, he was making a statement against an incumbent. Sure he was a rich businessman, but he was a “True Democrat.”
In 2010, there’s none of that. There’s no Joe to rally against in this primary. There are plenty of people willing and able to step up against the governor, and have. Lamont is tossing his hat in and trying to buy this election.
I don’t know about anybody else, but I’m still angry that he lost the 2006 election. Truthfully, it was his to win or lose. He kept slinging mud and going left on issue’s and lost the general. Sure the hardcore progressives laughed at all the YouTube video’s that made fun of Lieberman, but guess who our grandparents voted for? Lamont hasn’t shown that he can run an effective statewide general campaign. And this primary is going to be VERY different.
I would agree with the above poster. I would go even further though, and remind everyone that if Lamont can’t even run his own campaign well, in which his potential job is at stake: 1. How is he going to run an effective campaign for Governor, and 2. How is he going to run this state?
I have not been pleased with Lamont’s prior actions, his campaigns, or his attitude. He still seems very much in a “private sector” thinking mode, which isn’t surprising seeing as how he has very little experience in the public sector.
Lamont will try to buy the election (again). I have no doubt that he’ll be able to run an organized campaign, he’ll run the best campaign that money can buy.
Where does that leave us? Out in the cold.
I think Lamont was hoping for a huge response to his declaration, but I think his bubble burst a few years ago.
For those of you who missed the original showing, you can now watch: Bored and Rich – the 2010 edition!
Snore.
This race is just awful…will someone with some sort of either leadership talent, political talent or some kind of decent experience working with the state PLEASE get in this race. The unions must be confused without a candidate to spend all their time and money on…
Ned Lamont is loosely connected at the head with Bill Cibes, Lowell Weicker’s OPM chief who ran for governor on a pro-income tax ticket and was soundly rejected. Cibes got his druthers through Weicker and, before Weicker left town, a cushy position as chancellor of the state colleges was created for him. Lamont is lifting some ideas prepared by Cibes in a little read head piece he wrote. Very likely, Tom D’Amore, who advised Lamont in his primary campaign against Sen. Joe Lieberman, will want a piece of the action. Can Lowell — el jefe — be far behind? Tom Swan, wh0 managed Lamont’s campaign, has or will also reconnect.
This could be fun.
Has anyone called Lieberman to ask whether he would agree to support Lamont’s gubernatorial bid?
I am sure that Malloy is not as pleased with Lamont’s entry as his press release implied. Lamont brings business experience and the ability to self finance. Malloy has strong government executive experience at building coalitions and supporting new businesses. A debate between the two should be very enlightning. I think that Malloy has the goods this time around, he just needs to get his message out to the general public so he is better known to folks besides the political activists. Lamont has a pull for the left of the Dem party but I suspect that the center will hold in this case.
Wow, the Malloy crowd is out tonight.
I’ve always believed Dan would make an excellent governor, but electability also matters. My guess is that b/c of his name recognition, and his popularity, Lamont ultimately means the end to Malloy’s bid. (And of course Susie is all smiles throughout this.)
My hope is that the three major candidates reach some agreement to settle this at convention. Or at the worst they pledge not to trash each other with negative ads, as Malloy did against DeStefano in 2006.
All three of the leaders could make a real change for Connecticut. And for those of you who want to argue for divided governement, the experience of the last twenty years is against you.
So lemme see if I have this right:
Democrats across these United States have their collective asses handed to them at the ballot box … and less than 24 hours later, while the blood is still coagulating, the darling of the Daily Kos Krowd, Ned Lamont, throws his beanie in the ring for Governor in a state where Democrats haven’t held the Big Chair in 20 years.
Because the real answer to Tuesday’s election results is to go … further left.
Makes perfect sense when you think about it … on drugs.
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