Tessa Marquis's blog

No Relief in Sight
This Editorial appeared in the August 30/September 6, 2010 edition of The Nation.

How bad is it out there? Even a cursory scan of the news paints a grim picture of an America on the brink: broken roads, crumbling bridges, dimmed streetlights, shuttered clinics and scrapped school programs. Everywhere one turns, the nation's basic infrastructure—built in the twentieth century to connect communities and care for the sick, the young and the old—is being abandoned, as if there were not enough workers to keep it up. Yet the exact opposite is true: more than one in ten Americans are out of work, and more than half of those have been unemployed for more than six months.

[...]  many good proposals are left foundering. Take the infrastructure bank proposed by Michael Lind and Sherle Schwenninger of the New America Foundation and championed by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. By investing private and public funds in America's roads, rails, electrical grid and telecommunications systems, an infrastructure bank would create the jobs Americans so desperately need; as Washington Post columnist Harold Meyerson points out, infrastructure is "the investment with the highest multiplier effect." It's also the first move in restructuring the economy so that it's more stable and productive and less at the mercy of financial bubbles and busts. This kind of long-term rewiring will also require more progressive taxation to reduce gilded-age inequality and strengthen labor protections for workers. But when the CBO, centrist deficit hawks and obstinate Republicans call the shots, it seems the chances for good proposals like these are slim to none.

NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut PAC Endorses “Lifelong Supporters of a Woman’s Right to Choose” for Constitutional Offices

WEST HARTFORD--NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut PAC has endorsed Democrats Dan Malloy, Nancy Wyman, George Jepsen, Denise Merrill, Denise Nappier and Kevin Lembo for state constitutional offices in the November 2^nd general election. Each has a long history of fierce advocacy for women’s reproductive freedoms in Connecticut.
 
In the governor’s race, NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut PAC endorses Dan Malloy, who believes that a woman’s personal reproductive choices should not be impeded by the government. 
 
Malloy said, “I’m proud to be a lifelong supporter of a woman’s right to choose.  Throughout the numerous public offices I have held, and as a candidate for Governor, I’ve been a consistent and strong advocate for that basic right.” 
 
NARAL Pro-Choice CT PAC has also endorsed Malloy’s running mate, Nancy Wyman, for Lieutenant Governor. Wyman has been a vocal advocate for women’s reproductive rights for more than two decades. 

PAC Chair Cari Pierdes said, “The Malloy/Wyman ticket will work proactively to ensure that all of Connecticut’s women have greater access to reproductive health services and the information they need and deserve.” 
 
The Republican candidate for Governor, Tom Foley, did not seek the NARAL Pro-Choice PAC endorsement.  His running mate, Mark Boughton, is anti-choice and has been endorsed by opponents of reproductive freedom. 
 
In the Attorney General race, NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut PAC has endorsed Democratic candidate George Jepsen. In recent years, Connecticut's Attorney General has played a significant role in defending against attacks to women's reproductive freedom.

“George Jepsen has a long history of supporting reproductive choice in Connecticut.  In 1989, as a State Representative, he played a key role in codifying Roe v. Wade in state law, and in 2001 as Senate Majority Leader, Jepsen was instrumental in defeating a proposed amendment that would have banned late term abortions,” stated Pierdes.
 
NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut PAC has also endorsed Denise Merrill for Secretary of State and Denise Nappier for State Treasurer.  Both Constitutional offices have been held by vocal pro-choice leaders for more than 10 years. 
 
Merrill stated, “In my 18 years of service, I have fought for and helped win passage of pro-choice legislation including abortion rights, the defeat of partial birth abortion restrictions, and requiring hospitals to provide rape victims appropriate medication-- Plan B.  As Secretary of the State, I will continue to fight for and stand up for women’s rights.”
 
Kevin Lembo was endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut PAC for State Comptroller. As the State’s next Comptroller, Lembo would be responsible for administering the health insurance plan for over 185,000 state employees and retirees.  Said Pierdes, “It is imperative that our state’s next Comptroller respect and promote reproductive choice.”
 
The NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut PAC endorsement is given only to those candidates who have requested endorsement and who are deemed by the PAC to be 100% pro-choice. The PAC is non-partisan.
 

NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut PAC works to elect candidates to statewide office and the General Assembly who unequivocally support women’s reproductive freedom.

Democracy for America (formerly Dean for America) is launching a new series of Campaign Strategy training programs.  Starting this Wednesday (August 18, 2010) and to be held once a week through September 22nd, each online/phone-in session tarts at 8:30 pm East Coast time and lasts about an hour.

Time well spent.

Here is the link to DFA's site where you can register for the sessions.

I have posted the six sessions on the Upcoming Events section on this site and also listed the subjects below:

• August 18, 2010 -  Messaging for Progressives
• August 25, 2010 -  Mobilizing Key Constituencies - Labor, Women & Veterans 
• September 1, 2010 - Creating a Positive Campaign Culture
• September 8, 2010 - Relational Organizing 101: House Meetings, 1-1's, Emergency Meetings
• September 15, 2010 - Mobilizing Progressives with Google          
• September 22, 2010 - GOTV: Getting Out the Progressive Vote

The Top Ten Things We’ve Learned About Linda McMahon In this Primary Season

Ouch.
And then he followed it up by posting

Meet Dan Debicella

    From the Himes campaign information I think it’s important to know:

RADICAL: Dan Debicella has repeatedly sided with insurance companies over the people of Connecticut, voting against nearly all senators to deny coverage for prosthetics, hearing aids for children, and treatments to help cancer patients find bone marrow donors. You might want to read that sentence again, because I didn’t believe it when I found out either. But it’s true – In 2007, Debicella was one of four senators to side with insurance companies against deaf children. In 2008, he was one of two votes against requiring coverage of bone marrow treatments designed to expand the National Bone Marrow Registry that helps match cancer patients with donors. In 2009, he had the chance to side with the people over the special interests – but he voted no again.

RECKLESS: Dan Debicella has the worst environmental record of any Connecticut state senator in the past decade, according to Connecticut’s League of Conservation Voters. Southwest Connecticut knows we have to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by supporting alternative energy development, which will lead to green collar jobs to fuel our economic recovery. Southwest Connecticut also treasures the Long Island Sound and all the natural wonders that surround us. We can’t afford Dan Debicella, a state senator who is too far out on the wrong side of environmental issues.

WRONG: Dan Debicella voted to deny emergency contraception to victims of rape, then downplayed the importance of his vote. The facts speak for themselves: In 2007, Dan Debicella was one of three senators to vote against a bill requiring all Connecticut hospitals to offer emergency contraception to rape victims. It’s one thing to vote against this measure, but look at how he defended his position: when his 2008 opponent called him out on his vote, Dan Debicella said, “On the rape bill, all I did was vote against a bill allowing morning-after contraception to be issued to victims.” That attitude is just wrong, and we can’t let it go to Washington.

Here is a list of candidates and their websites (updated by Aldon Hynes, based on the Statement of Vote from the Secretary of the States Office 9/2/2010. This does not include expected minor candidates, such as those from the Independent Party that are expected to be officially announced later.)

Candidates for Governor

Republican

Tom Foley
TomFoley2010.com

Democrat

Dan Malloy (Cross endorsed by the Working Family Party)
danmalloy.com

Independent

Thomas Marsh
www.marsh2010.com

Candidates for Lt. Governor

Republican

Mark Boughton
BoughtonForCT.com

Democrat

Nancy Wyman (Cross endorsed by the Working Family Party)
nancywyman.com

Independent

Cicero Booker

Candidates for US Senate

Republican

Linda McMahon
Linda2010.com

Democrat

Richard Blumenthal (Cross endorsed by the Working Family Party)
RichardBlumenthal.com

Connecticut for Lieberman

John Mertens
mertens2010.com

Independent

Warren Mosler
moslerforsenate.com

Candidates for Secretary of the State

Republican

Jerry Farrell, Jr.
FarrellForCT.com

Democrat

Denise Merrill (Cross endorsed by the Working Family Party)
denisemerrill2010.com

Independent

Cicero Booker

Green

Michael DeRosa
www.mikederosa.org

Libertarian

Ken Mosher

Candidates for Treasurer

Republican

Jeff Wright
WrightForCT.com

Democrat

Denise Nappier (Cross endorsed by the Working Family Party)
denisenappier.com

Independent

Andrew Grant White
www.facebook.com/AndrewWhite2010

Green

David Bue
ct.greens.org/candidates/bue2010.html

Candidates for Comptroller

Republican

Jack Orchulli
webackjack2010.com

Democrat

Kevin Lembo (Cross endorsed by the Working Family Party) 
kevinlembo.com

Independent

Emanuel Lorenzo Blake

Green

Colin Bennett
www.newmenu.org/ColinBennett

Libertarian

Joshua Katz
www.katz4comp.com/

Candidates for Attorney General

Republican

Martha Dean
MarthaDeanForAttorneyGeneral.com

Democrat

George Jepsen (Cross endorsed by the Working Family Party)
georgejepsen2010.com

Independent

Stephen Fournier (Cross endorsed by the Green Party)
www.stepfour.com/fournier2010

CT news Junkie, our best source for news from Hartford, had an article by Caitlin Emma entitled Senate Overrides Rell’s Veto yesterday:

The Senate overrode Republican Gov. M Jodi Rell’s veto of the public campaign finance fix Thursday afternoon by a 24 to 10 vote.

I have just posted the Roll Call Vote there and thought I should also add it on this site, for commentary or discussion. Pardon the CAPS, that is how they had it on the ct.gov site.

YES vote (to Override Veto)
JOHN W. FONFARA
ERIC D. COLEMAN
GARY D. LEBEAU
MARY ANN HANDLEY
JONATHAN HARRIS
DONALD J. DEFRONZO
PAUL DOYLE
TONI N. HARP
MARTIN M. LOONEY
EDWARD MEYER
THOMAS P. GAFFEY
GAYLE SLOSSBERG
JOAN V. HARTLEY 
JOSEPH J. CRISCO, JR.  
ANDREW MAYNARD
EDITH G. PRAGUE
ANDREA STILLMAN
ANTHONY J. MUSTO
EDWIN A. GOMES
BOB DUFF
ANDREW J. MCDONALD
THOMAS A. COLAPIETRO 
DONALD E. WILLIAMS, JR.

NO Votes
DAN DEBICELLA
MICHAEL A. MCLACHLAN
TONI BOUCHER
JOHN MCKINNEY   
ANDREW W. RORABACK 
ROBERT J. KANE   
EILEEN M. DAILY
SAM CALIGIURI
LEONARD FASANO
ANTHONY GUGLIELMO
L. SCOTT FRANTZ

SENATOR(S) ABSENT
Kissel of the 7th – Family business
Witkos of the 8th - Legislative business

CABO is Connecticut's first and only Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Chamber of Commerce.

CABO's mission is to create, identify and enhance business opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly organizations, thereby fostering a more inclusive and vibrant Connecticut economy.

The organization meets in West Hartford on the 1st Thursday of each month.
8:00AM - 9:30AM at the Pond House Cafe in Elizabeth Park
                              and
in North Haven on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
6:00PM - 8:00PM at the North Haven Holiday Inn.

Television Ad "Speak Up" from Denise Merrill.

 Majority Leader Denise Merrill asks a pertinent question:"How do you get heard when you are running for Secretary of the State?"

Lembo First Television Ad from Lembo 2010 on Vimeo.

Special Report on the Tea Party Movement: An Analysis of An Ideological Republican Grass-roots Movement

By Stanley Greenberg, - 07.30.10


The ‘Tea Party’ is very real and will have a big impact on this year’s election and beyond – but it is important to correctly characterize this movement. The Tea Party is a grass-roots, intensely ideological, conservative Republican movement, fired up by Fox News and Glenn Beck. It is not remotely an independent or populist revolt against the elites or a working class revolt rooted in frustration with the recession, Wall Street and government.

I saw this on the Rosa DeLauro blog
You can also red the entire report (in prettier fonts) at Democracy Corps