The guberantorial debate
One of the traditions associated with the debates at the Garde Arts Center in New London is the organized labor rally outside the theater - and the arrival of the candidate not endorsed by the unions marching up State Street. Last night's debate had both and normally wouldn't be of such an interest except this year's election is different than past years.
The Democratic gubernatorial candidates have labored under the shadow of the more contentious U.S. Senate Democratic contest. It has been difficult for either to break through. Add to that the expectations of a low voter turnout on Aug. 8 - and suddenly that union support seems a bit more influential this year. And that would seem to benefit New Haven Mayor John DeStefano. It appeared pretty clear that the majority of those present for the debate were DeStefano supporters - thanks primarily to the unions turning out the numbers.
But watching the debate in person verus watching it play out on a television screen is something different. How many actually tuned in last night to watch isn't known - but my guess is very few.
Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, who needed a strong showing last night, came out aggressively in trying to draw a clear distinction between himself and DeStefano. Similar to DeStefano - a major problem for the two because they agree more than disagree on virtually every key point - Malloy used his success in Stamford as the springboard in making his case as the better candidate to handle the problems of the state. In fact, he has one of the better lines of the night when he suggested that anyone who doesn't think Stamford is a successful model should see afterwards, "and I'll give you $12.50 so you can take a bus to Stamford."
Bottom line:
- There was no clear winner in terms of either candidate locking up undecided voters .
- Neither candidate was successful in elevating the guberantorial contest to a level equal to the attention that will continue to be focused on the Senate race.
- DeStefano maintains the advantage entering the final weeks because he is still slightly better known in these parts, and he has the union support.
But don't rule out Malloy yet. DeStefano had the same advantage going into the May State convention- but it was Malloy who emerged with the endorsement.
The Democratic gubernatorial candidates have labored under the shadow of the more contentious U.S. Senate Democratic contest. It has been difficult for either to break through. Add to that the expectations of a low voter turnout on Aug. 8 - and suddenly that union support seems a bit more influential this year. And that would seem to benefit New Haven Mayor John DeStefano. It appeared pretty clear that the majority of those present for the debate were DeStefano supporters - thanks primarily to the unions turning out the numbers.
But watching the debate in person verus watching it play out on a television screen is something different. How many actually tuned in last night to watch isn't known - but my guess is very few.
Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, who needed a strong showing last night, came out aggressively in trying to draw a clear distinction between himself and DeStefano. Similar to DeStefano - a major problem for the two because they agree more than disagree on virtually every key point - Malloy used his success in Stamford as the springboard in making his case as the better candidate to handle the problems of the state. In fact, he has one of the better lines of the night when he suggested that anyone who doesn't think Stamford is a successful model should see afterwards, "and I'll give you $12.50 so you can take a bus to Stamford."
Bottom line:
- There was no clear winner in terms of either candidate locking up undecided voters .
- Neither candidate was successful in elevating the guberantorial contest to a level equal to the attention that will continue to be focused on the Senate race.
- DeStefano maintains the advantage entering the final weeks because he is still slightly better known in these parts, and he has the union support.
But don't rule out Malloy yet. DeStefano had the same advantage going into the May State convention- but it was Malloy who emerged with the endorsement.
posted by Ray Hackett at 8:38 AM
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