Dodd’s Political Pulse, Plus: Caruso’s Taxidermy Shop, And Teach Your Children

Analysis and Comment, City Politics, Education, News and Events, State Politics55 Comments

Is Chris Dodd in trouble? Yup. Is he dead politically? Not yet.

Of course, if the U.S. senator steps into any more bear traps, state party leadership may have to saw off his leg. That sound you just heard was Dick Blumenthal ripping the cord to the power saw. No, Dick wouldn’t do that, would he? Could Leather Face be far behind? Oh, that’s right, Joe Lieberman isn’t up until 2012.

Yes, in polling terms, this is like the Texas chainsaw massacre and voters hold the chainsaw. The latest Quinnipiac University poll shows Dodd behind all potential Republican candidates. Shoot, put a guy named Yahooy in the poll and voters would scream Yahooy!

Can Dodd survive? Yes, but it depends. He needs several months of peace with no more screw-ups. Quiet time is a salve for a troubled incumbent. Barring no more perceived sweetheart mortgage deals, Irish cottage gifts or banking legislation wired to help Dodd’s financial industry buds, Dodd has a chance led by his new young-gun campaign guru Jay Howser to rehabilitate his voter standing.

Damaged incumbents with a long connection to a state are hard to take out. Alaska Senator Ted Stevens was convicted on corruption charges in the weeks before the November election and lost by a thin margin. (And now it appears the indictment against him will be thrown out due to prosecutorial misconduct.)

And double-digit polling leads can be erased. When I managed Bill Finch’s successful state senate race against incumbent Lee Scarpetti we were down 25 points two months before the general election. Finch won handily.

Finch’s internal polling in the summer of 2007, just two months before the mayoral primary, showed him 10 points behind State Rep. Chris Caruso. Caruso ran a myopic race and lost.

Former State Senator Rob Russo had a double-digit polling lead over his Democratic opponent Anthony Musto. The Barack tsunami came along and swept Musto into office.

Crazy shit happens in campaigns. Maybe the largest beneficiary of the Q Poll isn’t Rob Simmons, the best known of the GOP candidates who shows the loftiest lead over Dodd. Simmons is fairly well known as a result of three terms in Congress representing eastern Connecticut. No one beyond the Waterbury area knows State Senator Sam Caligiuri, but some Republican operatives in Connecticut’s 4th and 5th Congressional districts, where most of the state’s Republicans live, are quietly lining up for Caligiuri who officially announced entry into the race the other day vowing to wage a primary.

I don’t know Caligiuri, never met him, but his background is impressive: partner with the Hartford office of  Day Pitney, Connecticut’s largest law firm, B.A. from Boston College, a Masters from Yale University and law degree from Catholic University of America School of Law. He also served six months as acting mayor of Waterbury following disgraced child predator Phil Giordano’s removal from office.

The biggest question for Caligiuri, can he raise the money against Simmons who already has a fundraising base? If that happens whatever baggage that Simmons and Caligiuri have will emerge (with a lot of help from Dodd’s political spin machine) and GOP pols I talk to say Simmons has more baggage than Sam.

Meanwhile, Dodd will do a lot of praying to God.

Caruso’s Tax Orgy

Remember all those years ago when City Councilman Chris Caruso fought for the long-suffering taxpayer? He was a one-man riot squad frothing about government fat, political patronage and, of course, corruption, always corruption.

Makes you wonder how he’d have dealt with city unions had he’d not run such a narrow-minded race and been elected as the city’s chief executive in 2007. As Democratic leadership in Hartford begins the process to tax the middle class and small businesses out of this state, there’s Caruso in today’s Hartford Courant preaching the need to pass the highest tax increases in state history.

No mention of state employees pitching in, no mention of painful and necessary union givebacks. Chris is the new Tax Man in Hartford, having sold his soul to union leadership to the point of no return. On a state level, at least.

If Caruso runs for mayor in two years  as the state rep that endorsed the largest tax hike in history he’ll make Mayor Bill Finch and former Mayor John Fabrizi look like penny-pinchers.

Yes, I can already envision the direct mail and radio campaign: Chris Caruso … Bridgeport’s taxidermist … he stuffed taxpayers with the highest tax hike in history. And he’s just warming up.

Crosby, Stills & Nash

Hey, what do you think about the boys playing under the stars at Seaside this summer at the Gathering of the Vibes? Well, they were officially announced Thursday night by Vibes promoter Ken Hays. Get your tix.

Line Up The Applications

News release from the Fairfield County Community Foundation:

NORWALK – April 2 – The Fairfield County Community Foundation is offering scholarships to students from the greater Bridgeport area who are currently enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs.

Students from Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Milford, Monroe, Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull and Westport are eligible to apply.

The deadline for applying is Monday, June 1. Applications and more information can be found online at www.fccfoundation.org under the “Scholarships” section.

Scholarships are available in four areas of study: Special Education, Health, Legal Studies and Industrial Arts.

The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds and contribute to existing funds. The Foundation also provides philanthropic advisory services, and develops and leads initiatives to tackle critical community issues. It is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards for community foundations. The Foundation has awarded over $100 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org.

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55 comments

  1. Thank you for the vote of confidence. I too have often thought that a Yahooy candidacy would receive a warm and generous endorsement from the hundreds of thousands who follow my preachings.

    As far as Dodd is concerned, the only way he can survive these attacks is if he is absolutely squeaky clean and all allegations are patently false. What chance of that? Besides, the Republicans are hell-bent on putting as many GOPers in office as they can. They will not let up on Dodd and will scrutinize his every move until he is defeated and comes to Bridgeport to offer his vast experience for the betterment of our community.

    Personally, I think he stinks. He and that other shithead, Barney Franks should be tarred and feathered and drawn and quartered.

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  3. Dodd has more problems than an unemployed steelworker in Bridgeport.

    Crosby, Stills and Nash @ Seaside Park? Sign me up!

    Scholarships for nearby students? Get this: Bruce H. is already impacting policy!

    But here’s why I’m writing:

    Google might buy Twitter.

    www .pcworld.com/article/162558/google_to_buy_twitter_report_
    says_deal_is_in_the_works.html

    And here’s the best part:

    Google’s purchase would establish a price tag and make OIB the next big thing commanding a multi-billion dollar buyout!

    What would Lennie do? I dunno, but fellow bloggers (wink), fame awaits!

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  4. THIS is what I am talking about. OIB makes users feel euphoric and will be exposed as a tech breakthrough. Read yahooy’s words.

    Thank you for the vote of confidence. I too have often thought that a Yahooy candidacy would receive a warm and generous endorsement from the hundreds of thousands who follow my preachings.

    Is it magic? No, just OIB.

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      1. yahooy,

        I’m living better through Chemistry. I see that spelling is still not your strong suit. Sometimes things just don’t add up. I hope your problems have not been compounded by the rule of 72.

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  6. CSN is a great addition to the ‘Vibes’ roster. Not to burst anyone’s bubble, but I would venture a guess that the pristine harmonies will be recreated via background singers and/or prerecorded vocal tracks. Perfectly understandable after all that David Crosby and Stephen Stills have been through (divorces from famous French actresses, drug abuse/addiction, alimony, prison time, blow torches, etc.).

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    1. Kid, I saw the three of them (with Young) a few years ago. Nash and Crosby still perform sweet harmonies. Stills, try he does, cannot sing anymore. He needs lots of help, but he can still play.

      They will get lots of help from the crowd. Will famous OIB guitar slinger Bridgeport Kid help with backing vocals?

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      1. Voice is not my strong suit.

        Stills has got the magic on guitar; always had it, always will. Nash was not as strong a devotee of consciousness-altering entertainment products as the other three. There’s a great documentary film on CSN, “Long Time Coming.” There’s a scene with Crosby, whacked out of his gourd on a number of substances, lying in a hammock while Stills gives in to his disgust and Nash looks on. Other features include rare TV appearances, recording sessions, revealing interviews and exciting concert footage that span their entire career.

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  8. *** Time for new blood in the U.S Senate; Dodd’s old ways of doing for “himself” first, then his constituents is in need of a major overhaul here in Conn. & the Senate. Simmons seems to have the experience, backing & overall sense to make the change needed to not only win, but also regain some type of legislative seniority in Washington. *** Blumenthal doesn’t seem to know what exactly he would like to do in furthering his career? Maybe politics is not stable enough for him @ this time & age, where maybe a judgeship would be! Once again, “Father Time” will tell all when it’s ready to be told. *** And in ending, “Dewars on ice” must still be down under @ the “rainbow league’s” pitchers & catchers tryouts. Since he was “exposed” on OIB, he seems to be quietly practicing his “alternative hobby”, what a guy, I mean girl, no I mean … hell you know what I mean! ***

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  9. Tom, I’m sorry it is getting to the point where I’m no fun anymore, and I am not sure I will see daylight again. I also hear that Judy blue eyes plans to love the one she’s with.

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  14. I almost forgot.
    It’s payday for Paul Timpanelli
    $$$$$$$$$2,400.00 per week.
    I am sure he didn’t forget to collect it from Bridgeport taxpayers.
    I forgot why he gets it and for what.

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  16. I’m off for the weekend, albeit a rainy one. Before I go I would be remiss if I did not anoint The Philistine of the Week. This week it goes to The Bridgeport Kid. His unbelievably stupid viewpoints on the legality of illegals not paying income tax and his insistent point that sending the untaxed money home to Mexico is really in the best interest of the United States is beyond my tolerance point. You know Kid … instead of posting this nonsense, why don’t you announce your candidacy for Chairman of the Board of Education?

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    2. Yahooy,
      Better hurry. I hear the announcement; last call to board the ferry across the river Styx. Remember to bring a few pieces of silver for Charon.

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    3. You really ought to take a pill and lie down on the sofa. You’re getting worked up over nothing; could lead to hypertension or an aneurysm.

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  17. Tommy

    No, I can’t spell SSRI. I don’t even know what SSRI stands for. I’m still trying to figure out what that Grape thing is Hubler’s talking about.

    Famous Pizza … that’s in Bridgeport, isn’t it? No thanks.

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  18. I thought you were Born Again Bridgeport. Ana always said you were speaking in tongues. If I cross the Rubicon someday, perhaps you might like Zuppardi’s in Waste Haven?

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  20. Yahooy

    That Grape thing was called a Grapeful Dead. If not invented, definitely perfected at the Naut. Mixed by Leo with a Bud as a chaser. SSRIs are a more primitive approach to producing the same effect.

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    1. Yahooy should head over to Steeple Chase Island and have his Neuro-Transmitters checked out alongside the WICC Transmitters. Yahooy is so Anal-ogue that he can’t go Digital, only Postal. Of course then Anna always claimed he couldn’t get it up.

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  21. Lennie, I think you missed the point of Caruso’s budget performance. I think that it proves that he has decided that his future is in Hartford and not as Mayor. In that context his remarks make perfect sense. He was sucking up to the Democratic leadership trying to prove he can be a team player in hopes of winning a real leadership post down the road. Could be a good plan for him. God help the rest of us.

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    1. Thanks Charter, but after 20 years in the legislature Caruso has decided he wants a meaningful leadership position? Yes, good luck. But, I suspect he’ll still make another run at the mayoralty. He cannot help himself.

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      1. Kid,

        In Hartford the outsider shtick is pretty much an act. When was the last time he took on a Democrat (other than one from Bridgeport) on a major issue? Sticks to the party line a lot more than most.

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  23. I see that I have created some meaningful debate regarding my views on illegal aliens taking jobs away from unemployed citizens. Let there be no misunderstanding here: each dollar that is paid to an illegal alien from which no payroll taxes are collected is earned illegally. The criminal is, indeed, both the illegal alien worker and the employer, especially the employer.

    The stimulus plan depends upon an increase in personal income tax. For that there is no dispute. The millions of illegal aliens taking untaxed wages could cause even the best-laid plans for recovery to fail.

    Bridgeport Kid. You really should review this issue more carefully. I concur with your detractors that your perspective is completely and totally without merit.

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    1. If the jobs weren’t available there would be no demand. If the borders were sealed someone else, a citizen or national of the United States of America, would be in line for the jobs currently performed for untaxed wages by undocumented foreigners. What is your stand on that perspective? Should teenaged boys cutting suburban lawns be arrested and charged with failure to pay income taxes and social security deductions on the double sawbucks they earn for each lawn? People have been working for cold hard cash ever since the Chinese discovered and unleashed the magical power of coins and paper money about 7,000 years ago.

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    2. “Let there be no misunderstanding here; each dollar that is paid to an illegal alien from which no payroll taxes are collected is earned illegally. The criminal is, indeed, both the illegal alien worker and the employer, especially the employer.” If the employer is especially guilty of a crime here, could you explain why the employee should bear the brunt of the punishment? And what should this punishment consist of? Your language and rhetoric would indicate that you prefer public floggings or something equally draconian.

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  24. I see that the city has filed a lawsuit against Stratford and the hooligan pols there that oppose safety improvements at the airport. I’m with Mayor Finch on this one, sue the bastards.

    Mayor I-Pack Miron is calling Finch a bully. What does that make Miron? It’s time for a good border war. Link over to CT Post to read all about it.

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  27. As I said before, The Bridgeport Kid does not seem to understand the impact illegally obtained because they are untaxed wages has on the efforts in place for economic recovery.

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    1. Do you really think that the underground economy would be eradicated if it were possible to detain and deport every single undocumented alien working for untaxed wages paid in cash? People have been working under the table for centuries; why is it only now that this is an issue? Oh, right, xenophobia spreads like a common cold.

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  28. I have been following the posts regarding illegal immigrants not paying taxes on their wages and agree with Stone Barrington and yahooy. I’ll therefore answer The Bridgeport Kid’s questions to both. From the tone of his responses, The Bridgeport Kid is not likely to understand my answers to his questions anyway.

    “If the employer is especially guilty of a crime here, could you explain why the employee should bear the brunt of the punishment?”

    #1. The employee is an illegal alien here without proper work authorization or any authorization for that matter. Therefore the illegal alien is committing a crime by just being here.

    #2. The illegal alien is collecting wages that are not taxed. That in itself is illegal. The employer is breaking the law by not collecting the taxes AND the illegally employed illegal alien is breaking the law by not declaring the earnings to the Internal Revenue Service, The State Department of Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration.

    I agree with Barrington about your abilities. I hope the rest of OIB readers aren’t as ill-informed as are you.

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  29. Up On Bridgeport,
    According to you, yahooy is Anal-ogue and Miron is a Moron.

    Who elected you to be as infallible as the Pope?

    Did you ever look in a mirror?

    By the way, I’ve seen anna. I’ll bet she says that about all of the guys she’s been with.

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    1. aboost,
      Clearly you are the mouth organ for yahooy. The truth is an absolut(e), although I think you are a Bombay drinker, defense.

      If I had a fallibility ratio as high as the Pope’s infallibility, I’d really be up Johnson’s Creek.

      The present day Pope in his pre-papal days, around Vatican circles, was known as the “Rottweiler.” Now he is called the “German Shepherd.” His infallible theory regarding the use of condoms to control the AIDS epidemic (Pope’s against this health policy) is as enlightened as the Church’s position on the Theory of Copernicus.

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      1. yahooy

        Last time I looked in the mirror was when I was working for Bridgeport “Lines & Signs” Department.

        Have a nice Palm Sunday and a Good Friday. I’ll be enjoying for my Seder dinner a Beef Brisket and Potato Kugel. Sorry you will have to be Passed Over this year. No Gefilte Fish for you!

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  30. The reason that the government does not go after the employer is because there are a lot of big businesses involved in the use of illegals and it would be bad for the economy. Place all of the blame on the individual and none on the business and you will be sure never to stop the flow of illegals. Make business pay and pay dearly and the problem will end tomorrow. The new problem will be who will do the work for dirt pay. Double the wages of the migrant farm hands in California and watch fruit and produce prices fly through the roof.
    The government takes in tons of taxes. The illegals fill out bogus I-9’s and work for 6 months to a year. The business never checks. The government never checks. And the money sits in the US Treasury because the immigrant is never going to file a tax return.

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  31. “The illegals fill out bogus I-9’s and work for 6 months to a year. The business never checks. The government never checks. And the money sits in the US Treasury because the immigrant is never going to file a tax return.”

    One would think that, if the money were sitting in a governmental bank account it would be accruing interest, which would only be profit.

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