Williams....

Our editorial board meeting this afternoon with state Sen. President Don Williams, D-Brooklyn, was certainly lively, but -- in my opinion -- not very informative. Much of what we heard today is the same we've heard for the past two years....

But don't take my word on that...see and hear for yourself. The entire interview -- unedited -- is (or will soon) be posted on our web page....www.norwichbulletin.com.

49 days and counting....

Our displeasure with the Democratic leadership of the General Assembly , and their handling of the state's budget crisis is well documented.

On Friday, 1 pm., state Seate Presdient Don Williams, D-Brooklyn, will be coming in for his editioral board intereview. The interviewed with be lived-streamed on www.norwichbulletin.com. And it will be videotaped and posted in its entirety on the web page later that night and avaialbe for anyone to watch at any time....unedited.

It should be quite discussion...

Day 50 and still counting....

Janet Peckingpaugh, the Republican challenger in the 2nd Congressional District race, was in this morning for her editorial board interview. The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, had his interview last week. And Dan Reale, the Libertarian candidate in the four-way contest was in on Monday. All three interviews were broadcast live on www.norwichbulletin.com — and they were videotaped. Those interviews, complete and unedited, are now on our web page, giving voters the opportunity to watch and listen to each candidate talk about the issues in their own words....a chance to compare and contrast each.

We wrap up the 2nd District race on Thursday at noon with Green Party candidate G. Scott Deshefy— and that, too, will be broadcast live as it happens and later posted on our web page.

By the end of the week, all four will be available to you

53 days and counting...

Unlike other elections years, I doubt that we'll see many of the big name visitors to Connecticut stumping for candidates -- but there are two marque names on their way to the state to lend a little star power to two of the high profile candidates on this year's ballot.

President Barack Obama has agreed to come to the state (if you consider a fundraising in Stamford coming to Connecticut) on behalf of Democratic Senatorial candidate Dick Blumenthal. Exact date and time yet to be announced, but sometime near the end of the month.

And former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney was in Connecticut yesterday lending his support to Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley. That event took part in Greenwich.

It seems that most of these kinds of events are held in Fairfield County, and the obvious reason is that's where the money is. Although Foley, a millionaire, is self-funding his campaign, he is collecting contributions as well...and much of his own money being pumped into this campaign is being done as loans, not direct contributions...meaning he's hoping at some point to recoup the investment he is making.

More so than any past election that I can remember, money is playing a major role. Which is why we very rarely see any of the marque names here in Eastern Connecticut for that very reason.

54 days and still counting....

Have you noticed that the tone of the campaigns have been turned down a notch or two lately. Sure, the candidates are still snipping at each other, but the attacks ads on television have been replaced with testimonials.

In this past week I've discovered that Republican U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon is an optimistic person who loves to laugh and has a great sense of humor.

I've also lerned that Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley is a heck of friend , there for everyone who needs him.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Malloy has returned to the old neighborhood where he grow up with his siblings, a more joyous time in his life that has motivated him to work day and night so that none of us have to work night and day.

And most surprising, I've discovered that Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Dick Blumenthal doesn't always slick back his hair and isn't afraid to be seen in public not wearing a tie.

55 days and counting....

Rob Simmons and Daria Novak are no longer actively involved in this year's election, but that doesn't mean they're laying low. Both are remaining active in support of Republican candidates, such as appearing at a local GOP fundraising event in Canterbury on Sunday.

That event feature sseveral candidates, including 2nd District Republican challlenger Janet Peckinpaugh (who defeated Novak in the Aug. 11 primary), Lt. Gov. candidate Mark Boughton, state Rep. ChrisCoutu, R-Norwich, and John Hallbergh, the petitioning candidate challenging Senate President Don Williams, D-Brooklyn.

But then...there's also Rob and Daria. And that has caused a few folks to say, what's up with that?

It's an easy to understand why the organizers of the event, the Canterbury Republican Town Committee, would invite both. Rob is still one of the most popular Republicans in Eastern Connecticut, and Daria -- who had the support of many of the town committee's membership -- also remains quite popular.

For Novak, it's a mater of staying active. She obviously has plans for the future and is attempting to build a grassroots organization within the 2nd Congressional District of conservative-minded Republicans for possibly some future campaign.

For Simmons, it is a pledge he made during the primary campaign that if he lost the party's nomination in his US Senate bid, he continue to work on behalf of Republicans statewide in the general election. Does Rob have any future plans? I'm not sure he knows yet....but clearly he's a not ready to hang it up.

Might there be another Senate bid in two years (if U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., opt not to seek re-election?), or might be considering a possible state position in the Foley Administration if Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley wins in November. Foley did tap Simmons to be his "advisor" on military matters, particularly the issue of the sub base if threatened with another BRAC round.

There could be several spots where Simmons could be quite effective....like maybe commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs if Commissioner Linda Schwartz decides not to stay on, or maybe the Office of Military Affairs.

Fifty-five days before the election....lots of things happening; lots more to develop over that time. Stay tuned.