Mon - February 9, 2004

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT


ARE DEMS BEING HYPOCRITES?

Normally I would just provide a link, but I wasn't sure how long AP would keep this story up. But this type of story could be the building block on why the Guv won't be forced from office. Of course, I've been wrong before!

Legislature not always swift to act on allegations of misdeeds
February 8, 2004
Associated Press

By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN

Associated Press Writer

Connecticut state Sen. Edith Prague was so angry with Republican Gov. John G. Rowland that she refused to even attend his state of the state address last week.

A day later, Prague was traveling on official business with a fellow Democratic lawmaker who had served from prison after his third arrest for drunken driving.

Rowland is under fire for accepting gifts for his Litchfield cottage from friends, employees and a state contractor and later lying about it. He is the subject of a federal corruption probe and a special state House committee is investigating the governor's conduct to determine whether he has committed any impeachable offenses.

He has not been charged with committing any crimes, or convicted. Nevertheless, Prague and many Connecticut lawmakers from both parties have called for Rowland to resign.

If the special committee recommends impeachment, the full House of Representatives will vote whether to send the case to the state Senate for trial. Of the 151 members of the House who may wind up voting on impeachment, one is charged with sexually assaulting a child and another has been convicted of drunken driving.

The House has declined to take formal action against several members arrested on various criminal charges in recent years. For Prague and many others, the difference centers on whether the conduct in question relates directly to the office.

The lawmakers were accused of crimes unrelated to their office that did not involve benefiting from their position, they say.

"It's a strange difference, but there is a difference here," Prague said.

"I think there is a distinction related to your employment and private misdeeds," said state Rep. Michael Lawlor, D-East Haven, who sits on the inquiry committee.

Others see a potential double standard, depending on the evidence developed in Rowland's case and the ultimate vote.

"This body in many instances has felt the need to reserve judgment before taking some action against one of its own members," said John Pavia, a former prosecutor and an adjunct professor of law at Quinnipiac University in Hamden. "I think they have the same obligation with the governor."

No attempt has ever been made to remove a sitting governor in Connecticut. The Connecticut Constitution includes only three short paragraphs about the process.

A spokesman for Rowland declined to comment on the cases involving lawmakers.

Pavia, a Republican, has warned against creating a confusing standard.

"Who, for example, would ever be able to explain why the legislature moved to remove Rowland when it has never taken any action against one of its own members who is currently awaiting trial on multiple felony counts?" Pavia wrote in a recent newspaper editorial.

That was a reference to state Rep. Jefferson Davis, a Pomfret Democrat charged with sexually assaulting a child. Davis, who has pleaded not guilty, voted in favor of creating the committee that is looking into Rowland's conduct.

"I have continuing responsibility as a legislator," Davis said Friday.

Davis said he has not faced pressure to resign.

"The charges against me have nothing to do with my legislative work," Davis said.

On Thursday Prague, D-Columbia, was driving state Rep. Kevin Ryan, a fellow Democrat from Montville, to a union meeting. Ryan remained in the legislature while he served four months in prison for drunken driving and has since been promoted to co-chairman of the labor committee.

"I was angry at him when it happened," said Prague, sitting next to Ryan, whose license is suspended. "He paid his price to society and he's a very good legislator."

Senate Minority Leader Louis DeLuca, R-Woodbury, said the distinction underscores a double standard.

"She's right, they are different: One was convicted and the other has not even been indicted," DeLuca said. "They're using a ruler for one and a yardstick for another."

House Minority Leader Robert Ward, R-North Branford, said that in retrospect he wishes he had called for Ryan's resignation when he was sentenced to prison.

But Ward noted that Ryan has been re-elected, so the judgment of his constituents should be respected. He also drew a distinction between allegations of public corruption and other cases.

"I think the general sense was to allow the criminal justice system to work for offenses that didn't relate to public corruption," Ward said.

Ryan declined to comment. He did not cast a vote on the inquiry.

Connecticut lawmakers are not alone in showing a reluctance to take action against their colleagues.

"Sometimes legislators tend not to want to get into the private area," said Brenda Erickson, senior research analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures. "It's a very difficult area, especially determining the private-public aspect."

Expelling a member is rare, but more than a dozen states have expelled lawmakers over the years, Erickson said. Others, including Connecticut, have censured members or taken other disciplinary steps, she said.

"I think they weigh it to determine how much it's going to impact the legislator's ability to be a legislator and the impact on the institution," Erickson said. "But the reality is if it's something that raises a lot of concern, most often the people are pressured into resigning and leaving."

In Wisconsin, legislative leaders sent a letter of reprimand to a member in 1995 after his third arrest for various violations such as drunken driving and marijuana possession.

Prague called Ryan's third arrest a personal problem. But when Republican Rep. William Varese was arrested on drunken driving charges in 1998, she asked him to step down from a committee and abstain from voting on her bill to lower the drunken driving threshold.

Prague was criticized by other lawmakers at the time. "I think it's wrong whenever a colleague gets involved in judging another colleague," said Senate President Kevin Sullivan, D-West Hartford.

House Speaker Moira Lyons, D-Stamford, said each case must be considered individually.

As Ryan prepared to head off to prison, Lyons said at the time she would not ask him to step down. Ryan had begun treatment for an alcohol problem, and had made special arrangements to ensure he stayed in close touch with his office, Lyons said.

Lyons said last week that there was no outcry for Ryan's resignation. Rowland admitted wrongdoing, while Davis has denied the allegations against him, Lyons said.

Lyons said lawmakers did privately encourage former state Rep. Donnie Sellers to resign after he was charged with taking a bribe in exchange for a pistol permit recommendation. Sellers resigned after his January 1997 conviction.

"I think the governor needs to be held to a certain standard. We all do," Lyons said. "We all have to get our day in court."

Scott McLean, associate professor of political science at Quinnipiac, said lawmakers are reluctant to pass judgment on colleagues.

"My sense of it is they all belong to a club," McLean said. "They don't want to start pointing fingers or removing one another because there is no clear end to it. He who lives in a glass statehouse should not throw stones."




Posted at 12:57 AM     Read More  

Wed - January 21, 2004

FROM CITY HALL


TO THE GOV'S MANSION

For some of you political pundits ready to hand the keys to the guv's mansion to Dick or Sue, check out this editorial. I say there is a good chance the next governor could come from the ranks of city hall. http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/stories/20040120/opinion/259182.html

Posted at 12:16 AM     Read More  

Thu - January 15, 2004

ONE DOWN, QUITE A FEW MORE TO GO


I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO CRY!

ON THE SCENE REPORTER
I was sitting less than three feet from the guv when he spoke for less than 50 seconds today to the media. His eyes welled up, it took all of his power not to break down and shed a tear. I don't know if it was good or bad that he had to wait so long after Speaker of the House Moira Lyons gave him the bad, but very expected, news that she was uncorking a committee that could lead to his removal from office. I think he was rip roaring ready to step up to the microphone after Lyons' spoke, but then Minority House Leader Bob Ward spoke, then Senate Minority Leader Lou Deluca, then Senate President Kevin Sullivan.......then Rowland, by that time his emotions starting getting the best of him. If he had stayed at the podium another 10 seconds longer, the images on TV and in the papers would be of Rowland wiping away tears.


REMEMBER IF YOU GO AFTER THE KING, YOU MUST KILL THE KING (politically speaking of course)
Hey, a lot of people didn't think that the guv would be hanging in this long. And if the grassroots rallies at his mansion are any indication he's looking for soldiers to help him with this political fight. I would guess that most of the folks he is talking to want to wait and see the outcome of all of the Federal probes before making a firm commitment of support. But if the guv somehow finds away to wiggle out of this incredible political maze, he will be out for blood against all who turned against him. So considering everything that has taken place so far, the guv is still standing..... no doubt he's been bloodied and embarrassed, but he's still kicking and remains in ofice, that is until the feds have there say!

NOW THE PROCESS BEGINS
Moira wasn't very specific on the who, what where and when (we all know why) of the investigative committee. Details to come soon. Who ends up on the committee should very, very interesting!!!! Any suggestions out there?

Posted at 12:31 AM     Read More  

Tue - January 13, 2004

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FUN TO COVER!


BUT ALAS, GOV DECIDES TO SKIP BU$H BA$H


NO FUN(D) FOR ROWLAND
Since the governor was taking political lumps anyway he decided today to announce that he's backing out of attending the big bush fundraiser in Greenwich later this month. But still no word if Rowland has talked to the President and if Bush has offered Rowland any advice, political or personal. Here is the AP report: http://www.ctnow.com/news/custom/newsat3/hc-13174408.apds.m0153.bc-ct--rowljan13,1,1688769.story?coll=hc-big-headlines-breaking

Posted at 09:29 PM     Read More  

Mon - January 12, 2004

SHAYS TALKS TOUGH


HE SAYS IT'S TIME TO LEAD


Chris Shays came into the Legislative office Building saying he was ready to kick ass and take names. No surprise he asked the guv to resign. But mouths dropped when he called out Herb Shepardson, the state Republican party chairman. Not too many of us that cover Connecticut politics saw that one coming. Shays says it was time for someone in the party to lead. He said Shepardson should have been leading the charge to kick Rowland out of office. Instead he said the likable Shepardson was a Rowland cheerleader. The two said they had an honorable disagreement, but man, you know Herb has to be pissed off.

MEMO TO CHRIS
I guess Shays didn't get the memo...Rowland aint going out that easy. It doesn't matter if it's Shepardson, the General Assembly and I'm even to beginning to believe that George W himself can't pry Rowland from office. If you don't have the power to indict, you are wasting your breath if you even shape your lips to say 'Mr. Governor, sir, I think it's time you left office.'

Rowland is taking his stuff to the street. He'll be out and about in public tomorrow. He does have some ardent supporters. All you have to to do is listen to Brad Davis on the radio in the morning (plug, plug.....I'm doing a story on Brad tomorrow).

PEOPLE ARE READING THE POTPOURRI

Jeff (a democrat) from Sandy Hook says he doesn't want the guv impeached because it will consume far too many state resources. He likes the idea of having Rowland swaying in the political winds. I think a lot of the Democrats in the General Assembly would agree, but for now they have to give the appearance of good government ethic conscious legislators,

Republicans on the other hand are truly, truly worried. They have no idea if they will be held responsible for Rowland's actions by the voters next fall. But if you notice, many of the same GOPer's who have called for Rowland to resign have also said they don't think what he did rises to the level of impeachable offenses. They want Rowland to the the dirty work for them and quit, so they won't have to cast a vote to impeach or convict

And Jeff, I am keeping an eye on your boy Dean! We'll see how confident you are of your guy in a couple of weeks! the General is a charging!!!!!

I WAS MISSED!

First, of all I can't believe how many people read my Blog (please forgive the typos and other mistakes I don't have anyone checking my copy here at home like I do at work) Many of you said you missed the Potpourri while I took a break. Thanks for the support. And it looks like we'll have a lot to talk about this year!

Posted at 09:54 PM     Read More  

Sat - January 10, 2004

THE PRESIDENT IS COMING!


BUT WILL ROWLAND BE AROUND TO GREET HIM

Well, well, well. It will be interesting to see if the guv (if he is still in office) will show up at the Bush fundraiser in Greenwich later this month. http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/local/scn-gt-bush3jan10,0,832463.story?coll=green-news-local-headlines

Posted at 12:06 PM     Read More  

Fri - January 9, 2004

WHAT DOES THE PRESIDENT HAVE TO SAY?


IF BUSH PUSHES WILL ROWLAND JUMP?

The Potpourri is back!
After a long and much needed break, I'm back blogging.
Me and the Fox 61 crew are busy trying to get comments from the Bush White House on whether the President has talked to Governor Rowland and if he has offered the Guv any political advice, or for that matter a possible job if Rowland resigns or is impeached. Keep watching Fox 61 and the blog for the latest.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Hartford Courant columnist Stan Simpson is my co-pilot this week as we discuss the latest in the Rowland controversy. Plus we talk baseball and whether Pete Rose should be allowed into the Hall of Fame. The show airs Sunday morning on WTXX/WB20 at 11 am.

And for all of you political junkies out there, WATCH for a major announcement about a new political website. Details in a few more days.

It's good to be back!

Posted at 10:29 AM     Read More  

Sun - December 14, 2003

THE RESPONSE IS FLOWING IN


EVEN THE WASHINGTON POST IS HAVING A SAY ABOUT JOHN G

The Washington Post has assigned two reporters to the Cottage scandal


Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62516-2003Dec13.html

Posted at 11:32 PM     Read More  

Fri - December 12, 2003

THE REASONS WHY HE LIED


GOVERNOR ROWLAND ISSUES A STATEMENT

Statement of Governor John G. Rowland
December 12, 2003

In 1997 my wife and I purchased a small cottage on Bantam Lake in Litchfield. We began repairs and renovations. This work was done by me and my family, by professional contractors and subcontractors, and by friends.

In the limited, spontaneous remarks I made about the cottage and repairs, I provided information that was incorrect and incomplete. I regret doing this and I am sorry I did it. I apologize to the Capitol press corps, which deserves forthright information. But more importantly, I apologize to the citizens of Connecticut, whose trust and respect I prize above all else. I intend to keep that trust through my continued hard work over the next three years.

By releasing this statement and the attached documents, it is my intention to set the record straight. The information I am providing is based on my knowledge and information gathered by my attorneys at my direction.

Attached are documents that reflect improvements made to the cottage, our payments for that work, and bank loans we obtained to help make those payments. As reflected in these documents, we paid over $30,000 for improvements to the cottage. On my initiative, I have voluntarily provided all of these documents to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

In addition to the payments identified in the documents, I did not pay for certain work and services. Specifically:
In 1997 workers affiliated with a company owned by the Delahunty family of Southington helped to install a new ceiling in the cottage. P.J. Delahunty paid these workers.

In 1999 employees of a company owned by members of the Tomasso family performed exterior work at the cottage, including work on the gutters and drainage.

In 1999 Mr. and Mrs. Larry Alibozek and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ellef paid for the installation of heating improvements and a water heater.

Peter Ellef provided a stepping stone for the front stoop of the cottage.

Other personal friends helped perform and/or coordinate work on the cottage. They are: Jo McKenzie, Vinny DeRosa. Ed Mikenas, and Maurice Fabiani.

In 2001, Christine and Paul Corey gave me a hot tub to use at the cottage as a birthday gift.
None of the people mentioned above received any benefit from my office or the state in exchange for their assistance. Nor did they ask for any such benefit. I am sure they were trying to help my family and did not expect that their assistance might someday embarrass them or me. I am grateful for their kindness, but am sorry for any appearance of impropriety that was created.
I am continuing to cooperate with a review of the matter by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Therefore, I will have no further public comment on these issues.

Posted at 05:25 PM     Read More  

Tue - December 9, 2003

NEWSPAPER EDITOR UNLOADS ON JOHN G


PREDICTS ROWLAND WON'T LAST FULL TERM

Chris Powell, managing editor of the Journal Inquirer hammers John Rowland. Calling his administration the most corrupt ever. http://www.success-hk.com/pp/item_cate_itemlist.asp?cateID= {2A175684-46B0-4E67-B98D-54B0E82E2AB9}&subCateID= {BEBE6D2D-62E0-466C-AAE5-AC8332650A08}

Posted at 11:35 PM     Read More  

Tue - November 18, 2003

NO GOV. PRESS CHRISTMAS PARTY


PATTY ROWLAND CANCELS CHRISTMAS PARTY

On Monday, Patty Rowland told a reporter that the annual media Christmas Party would not be held this year. I didn't hear the reason she gave as why not. So today I asked Gov. Rowland himself and he said the party wouldn't be held because Ms. Rowland was upset over media coverage of her son who was busted recently for drugs.

Posted at 11:56 PM     Read More  

Tue - October 28, 2003

TOP REPUBLICAN BELIEVES GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IN JEOPARDY


CONGRESSMAN SHAYS SAYS HE WON'T RUN FOR GOVERNOR

Here is an AP report that should cause alarm in Republican circles:


Shays: Connecticut Republicans in trouble in 2006

MANCHESTER, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut Republicans will have a
tough time winning the governor's race in 2006, U.S. Rep.
Christopher Shays told the Journal Inquirer of Manchester on
Tuesday.
And they won't have Shays, a veteran Bridgeport Republican, as a
candidate for the state's top executive post.
"I think, candidly, it's going to be a tough haul for
Republicans (in 2006)," Shays told the newspaper.
Besides the fact that there are roughly 200,000 more Democrats
than Republicans in Connecticut, Shays said state Republicans will
have held the governor's office for three terms and voters tend to
want change after a stretch of one party in control.
Shays, who has spent the last 16 years in Congress, said he
won't run for governor in 2006. He did not, however, rule out a
gubernatorial run after 2006.
Shays said he is focused on his job representing the 4th
Congressional District. He leads the subcommittee on National
Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations of the House
Committee on Government Reform. The subcommittee spent much of the
past two years examining domestic preparedness and response
capabilities.
"I really love my job," he said.
Should Republican Gov. John G. Rowland not seek a fourth term,
Shays said Lt. Gov. M. Jodi Rell has earned the right to be the
GOP's nominee for governor. Rowland has said he is still deciding
whether to run for one more term.
In recent months, Rowland's administration has been beset by
controversy, including a federal corruption investigation into
alleged bid rigging involving the governor's former deputy chief of
staff. Rowland has also paid more than $15,900 in fines and
reimbursements to settle investigations with the state Ethics and
Elections Enforcement Commissions.
Shays said the investigations are appropriate, but defended
Rowland, someone he considers a friend.
"I feel like he is an honest person," Shays said.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Posted at 10:42 PM     Read More  

Wed - October 22, 2003

THE JI HITS THE GOV HARD


BUT IS THE PAPER ON THE RIGHT TRACK?

The Journal Inquirer writes a deep and lengthy piece accusing Gov. Rowland of streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetching the truth in his knowledge of all things Enron/CRRA. Don Michak is a very good reporter. However I may have to read this story again, because I'm not sure he's totally made the case against the governor this time.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10386097&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6

ALREADY FOLKS ARE RESPONDING TO THIS ONE

A reader writes that I'm 'buggin' with the defense of the governor on this one!

"Doesn't make the case??

C'mon dawg. Read those denials by Pagani at the end of the article.
Either everyone else around Rowland is lying/exaggerating, or Pagani
is. And the donations to the RGA, and award payments or success
payments or whatever they were called...

I guess the standard for scandal is pretty high in Connecticut,
considering recent events (Bridgeport and Waterbury). But nothing
seems to stick to the guv."

Here is what I have to say:

I talked to the governor in New Haven at great lengths today about this whole deal (I'm going to see if I can get the interview posted on the site, or least the audio) He says he's "guilty" of trying to promote and attract fuel cell business in the state but that's it. As I said I'll try to get my interview with him posted to the site. But to my "dawg" that wrote I still think while the JI has linked together a number of circumstantial pieces of evidence to try and support their conclusions, I still have not seen the smoking gun to directly implicate the governor's direct involvement in any of these deals.




Posted at 08:09 AM     Read More  

Thu - October 9, 2003

NEW POLL COMING OUT


IT CAN'T HAPPEN HERE....

But that didn't stop Quinnipiac University from polling public support for a recall of Governor Rowland. Details released later today.

Posted at 01:05 AM     Read More  

ALL THINGS CONSIDERED...


THE NEWS COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE

Okay so the Gov's numbers are still in the toilet (35 percent approval), but most CT voters (69 percent) say they wouldn't recall Rowland if they had the opportunity to do so.

In more good news bad news for Rowland voters say

Rowland has strong leadership qualities, 54 -- 41 percent. But he gets negative scores on other character traits:
36 -- 55 percent that he is honest and trustworthy;
36 -- 58 percent that he cares about voters' needs and problems;
35 -- 54 percent that he has high ethical standards.
for more on the poll click here http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x8446.xml

I LOVE CAMPAIGNS!

It didn't come as a HUGE surprise that New Haven Mayor John Destafano http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/mayor/index.html On Thursday I interviewed Destafano at a Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Convention http://www.ccmlac.org/ It was a crowd that very well could help catapult him to the Governor's mansion. Let me tell you folks......city and town leaders are plenty angry at the governor AND the state legislature. The muni leaders believe that the state left them unfairly holding the bag with all of the deep state spending cuts. I spent close to an hour in a room filled with angry, select(people), town managers and other front-line political folks. There was a lot of talk o organizing huge grass roots outreach efforts to "throw the bums out" in the legislature next year...and be a big voice in the next gubernatorial race three years down the road.

OTHERS THINKING OF RUNNING
Here are links to other Democrats thinking of running for Governor
http://www.cslib.org/attygenl/ Richard Blumenthal
http://www.sots.state.ct.us/ Susan Bysiewicz
http://www.state.ct.us/ott/ Denise Nappier
http://www.cityofstamford.org/MayorsOffice/message.htm Dannel Maloy

MORE CAMPAIGN PROMISES
Earlier this week I talked about a possible congressional shakeup in the 2nd district, Well a word of advice to Nancy Johnson http://www.house.gov/nancyjohnson/ don't look back something or someone might be gaining on you http://www.newbritainherald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10284125&BRD=1641&PAG=461&dept_id=10110&rfi=6

Posted at 12:38 AM     Read More  
GOVERNOR BUSTS A MOVE
RESPONSES TO RECALL
RECALL TALK

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