Understanding The Ganim Brain, “We’ll Look Into It” (The Smooch Of Death)

Ganim supporters
A number of people pictured with Ganim on his first day back on the job are now appointees learning the Ganim brain.

The meowing in Bridgeport’s political corridors has kicked up a few octaves in recent weeks as operatives continue to stand in line, position, lobby and complain about their entitlement for a city job after furthering the election of Joe Ganim as mayor. Of course, so many will argue they were singularly responsible for the 6,200 votes he received in the primary and more than 11,000 votes in the general election in what is among the most compelling comeback stories in the history of American politics. And by the way, even some of the people he put on the payroll are a little scratchy about the access they have to the chief executive.

In the nearly three months of JG2, Ganim has filled roughly three dozen of about 60 discretionary jobs at his disposal. A lot more than that were active in his campaign that seemed to take on a life of its own in support as well as raising dough to turn out the vote that defeated incumbent Bill Finch in a tight primary on the way to a convincing general election victory.

Ganim has pretty much resolved jobs for most of the operatives he felt were there from the start when a comeback was a roll of the dice in the face of some heavy opposition and a well-financed incumbent. A handful of jobs are still available awaiting a long line of wannabees. Some jobs he has not filled because of the budget deficit, other jobs he must finesse because of legal complications involving layoffs and bumping rights. He shows up at a public meeting and there’s almost always someone there reminding him, “I’m still here, what about me?”

“Okay,” Joe will say, “let me check with so-and-so to see if we can work it out.” If it doesn’t work out, it’s so-and-so’s fault.

And then there are folks who helped Joe whom he may not want back on the public payroll because of baggage that could blow up. He might try to maneuver them, hide them in a private sector job.

The key to lobbying Ganim for something, be it a job or an underling wanting something done, is picking spots. If he thinks you want something badly he’ll interpret that has having an angle. To Joe’s way of thinking just about everyone has an angle, there’s something in it for them, but he doesn’t mind that as long as it doesn’t inconvenience him. Conversely Joe will come back to you seven, eight, nine times if he wants something from you. He’s as thick-skinned as they come when handling rejection. You might say yes on the 10th ask.

It doesn’t mean he likes you to lobby him with the same fury.

When you ask him for something and he responds, “We’ll take a look at that” it means maybe at best and likely NO. Joe is a master of wiggle room. He likes to give himself a way out in case circumstances change. Not until you hear the magic words “I think you’re gonna be okay on that” can you breathe easier.

Some supporters Joe put on the payroll are also learning Ganim the candidate and Ganim the mayor have different operating agendas. Ganim is very respectful and accommodating of campaign volunteers. But when he puts you on the payroll it’s a whole different relationship. You helped Ganim, he helped you with a job, now he’s even with the house. It’s especially unnerving to him when payroll people think they can run to him to fix, insert and resolve every little issue or some score they must settle because they have a relationship with the big guy. Soon enough, he will shut down on you. His eyes will glaze over into placid disengagement. Translation: you’re driving me nuts.

Oh, he won’t tell you necessarily you’re driving him nuts, but he will show it in different ways. He won’t take your calls, he’ll say work it out with this person, he’ll change the subject quickly, he’ll move on to the next thing. So when you really need something from the guy it will be difficult for him to know the difference. And then you’ll be thoroughly infuriated.

Word to the wise, pick your spots.

And then when he wants help from you, remind him you need help too. That he understands, to Joe’s way of thinking, that’s tangible.

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28 comments

    1. If I remember correctly, Ganim laid off the previous head of Department of Veteran Affairs but Av Harris (or whatever his name is) announced Alma Maya would be taking over that position. But Av the communication guru had to quickly withdrew that statement when the fired VA head hired Tom Bucci as her lawyer. So Av then said Ganim et al. are looking at a “reorganization” of social service departments. I would not be surprised if we see the reappearance of Alma Maya in the “new” social services position.

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  1. As soon as Finch won the DTC nod, Mr. Testa vacationed/vanished to Italy, starting the rise of Joe Ganim. Some people think he deliberately abandoned his post to help “his choice.” They got that idea from me.

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    1. You son of a bitch, the Vietnam war enters this demented blog because Mario was sent to Vietnam during the war. Where were you? In the garage at home playing with yourself? Any time you want to discuss the war face-to-face, let me know. Bringing that war up is low.

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  2. It’s all about adding value. See that photo at the top? A previous post outlined their salaries, showing how much value they subtract on a regular basis. There is no mechanism to measure how much value they add. Maybe that’s why they’re smiling.

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  3. What a thread this AM!!!
    We’re back to Fantasyland it seems.
    Dr. Grimaldi offering insights into the practical and political insights of the recently elected mayor who appears tongue-tied at this moment as to priorities.
    LE offering a brief course on the history of the war in VietNam.
    Jim Fox repeating his NO TAX INCREASE mantra.
    Gonzalez offering for a fee what heretofore has been for free.
    Andy Fardy suggesting of the incumbent: TRUST NOTHING.

    Anybody bother to read the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report on the 2014-15 Fiscal Year? Lots of facts and figures reported with some ERRORS just as reported to you last year, though fewer this year (for which we got an award). Form trumps substance in municipal governance.

    What do you think Bridgeport is worth officially? Based on what assumptions? Does that connect to: bonding, taxation, attractiveness of your property values to a new buyer, attractiveness of business opportunity to new entrepreneurs? Time will tell.

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    1. John Marshall Lee // Feb 22, 2016 at 7:58 am
      To your posting.

      JML,
      You have shown how a resident, property owner and taxpayer should actively respond to the challenge of bringing “openness, accountability, and transparency” to the numbers and to the governance that defines Bridgeport.
      You have shared more valuable information about City numbers with the Bridgeport public than the Finch/Wood administration did in eight years.
      I am heartened by the level of intelligence you bring to these numbers. Please continue.
      On another subject, I’m not questioning Lennie’s rather uncanny insight. But this I know. Whoever Joe Ganim is, he is capable of reshaping, restructuring, renewing and resurrecting the City of Bridgeport.

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  4. *** NOT FOR NUTTIN’ JOE BUT YOU’RE MISSING A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF YOUR POLITICAL PUZZLE IN YOUR FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE, AND THAT PIECE IS ME, RALPH. AKA MOJO! *** CALL ME WITH A GOOD OFFER I CAN’T REFUSE, OKAY? *** CIAO ***

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