An open spot on the ballot?
Republican Alan Schlesinger's U.S. Senatorial bid appears to be slowly slipping away, and it's only a matter of time before he announces he is withdrawing from the race. The question is does he step aside before Aug. 8 or after?
Although some would like to believe and foster the idea that U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman will be offered the sport if he should lose the Aug. 8 Democratic primary, that isn't going to happen. Lieberman has outlined his plans for his independent bid in the event he loses., and Republicans, I suspect would be much more comfortable in replacing Schlesinger with one of their own - and someone who might actually be a contender in a three-way contest.
Schlesinger, if you haven't been following the saga, has some major problems with his past gambling activities - using a fake name at Foxwoods and now apparently sued by two New Jersy casinos in the past for gambling debts. Even he has to know that his chances of winning an election under those circumstances are next to none.
Although some would like to believe and foster the idea that U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman will be offered the sport if he should lose the Aug. 8 Democratic primary, that isn't going to happen. Lieberman has outlined his plans for his independent bid in the event he loses., and Republicans, I suspect would be much more comfortable in replacing Schlesinger with one of their own - and someone who might actually be a contender in a three-way contest.
Schlesinger, if you haven't been following the saga, has some major problems with his past gambling activities - using a fake name at Foxwoods and now apparently sued by two New Jersy casinos in the past for gambling debts. Even he has to know that his chances of winning an election under those circumstances are next to none.
posted by Ray Hackett at 2:45 PM
5 Comments:
Leo...Lieberman has already stated that if forced to run an independent campaign, and wins re-election, he intends to continue caucusing with Democrats - and remain a registered Democrat.
So far, I don't see that Alan Schlessinger has "major problems." There is nothing wrong with using a fake name at a casino and he paid back his Atlantic City casino markers in the late 1980s. Based on my conversations with people who aren't involved in politics as much as I am, they are not interested in nor concerned with this perceived "major problems" at all.
My guess is that when the Hartford Courant realized that Lieberman was going to lose the primary and run as a petitioning candidate, they figured they better start bashing the Republican on issues that have absolutely nothing to do with his qualifications as a candidate for US Senator.
With Lamont winning the primary on August 8th and Lieberman running as a petitioning candidate, a Republican candidate is most definiately in the race.
I expect more Schlessinger bashing from the likes of the Courant any day now.....
Bill...just a question for you. Given the mood of the electorate going into this election campaign, and this growing feeling of not being able to trust elected officials, don't you think Schlesinger's gambling issue is going to raise people's concerns?
And Wayne...no denying that Sen. Lieberman has enjoyed widespread support in this state for many years. But if he should lose next week's primary - who does he campaign with? The answer is...no one. Democratic candidates in the other races have pledged to support the nominee - so Lieberman won't be seen on the same podium with them. The Republicans will have their own candidate - Schlesinger or someone else - and independents, well, they are independent thinking people.
It will still be a tough fight.
What is correct...is that when you close the curtain on Election Day to cast your ballot, there's no one looking over your shoulder to see who you vote for.
I truly don't believe that people think that there is a "gambling issue" with Alan Schlessinger. Gambling at casinos is perfectly legal and he's done nothing raise people's concerns here, at least not with the people I've been talking to.
I don't agree with Wayne Bartling that "many" Republicans will vote for Lieberman if he's on the Democratic line or petitions his way on the ballot, I think "some" is more realistic.
In my experience of working on campaigns and viewing poll results, over 90% of registered Republicans vote for candidates that appear on the Republican line on Election Day.
Bill, I am glad to see someone agree with me on the Alan Schlessinger gambling non-issue.
If ever there was a case of tring to make something out of nothing, this is it. The voters aren't going to care though I am sure State Rep.Christopher Caruso will get hysterical about it as soon as he is finished pulling Lisa Moody's pigtails and calling her names.
What is this talk really all about anyway? Schlessinger was duly nominated. Why should he drop out now? If someone else wanted it they should have gone after it at the convention or forced a primary.
What are the motives of these people?
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