‘Who Cut Me?’ AB Steroids, Plus: McMahon’s Body Slam And Rell Q Poll

You gotta love City Council primaries. Vote cutting, absentee ballot bloating, one incumbent knocked off. The results are in and what does it all mean?

A good primary day for party-endorsed Dems, with one non-endorsed incumbent Maria Valle going down in the 137th District on the East Side due to absentee ballots.

Maria was competitive on the machine count but was swamped by the absentee ballots. This likely means the return of Lydia Martinez to the City Council. If you’ve never met Lydia she’s a hoot. Lydia and her running mate Manny Ayala received roughly one third of their votes via absentee ballots. Valle has a position on the Working Families line in November so is still a possibility for reelection.

Maybe next time Valle and her running mate Christina Ayala will work AB voters just as hard?

Quick recap:

District 135: Incumbents Warren Blunt and Richard Bonney defeat challengers Peter Clarke and Mary McBride Lee, and Isa Mujahid who ran solo.

District 136: Incumbents Angel DePara and Carlos Silva won handily over Mark Trojanowski.

District 137: Martinez and Manny Ayala defeat Valle and Christina Ayala, running up more than 100 AB votes.

District 138: Three slates here. Incumbents Bob Curwen and Rich Paoletto hold off two slates, Andy Fardy and Ann Barney, and James Morton and Tyreke Bird.

Fardy and Barney waged a close race at Hooker School, dominated by owner-occupied homes where taxes are a big issue, but the incumbents pulled away at JFK School, a traditional party-regular vote. It’s a voting area on the East Side where you can say vote for the endorsed incumbent Democrats and it means something. That’s the trick with these types of races. “Vote for the endorsed Democrats on the top line!” Translation: the other guys aren’t really Democrats.

And Curwen and Paoletto have lots of experience getting to know folks in their district.

All incumbents save for Valle won so does that mean there’s no discontent in the neighborhoods? Not necessarily. Curwen and Paoletto had a nice win, but just about an equal number of voters cast ballots for the other two slates combined. Nearly the same situation in the 135th District.

Also, look for the game within the game. Curwen runs ahead of Paoletto in the 138th District and DePara ahead of Silva in the 136th. That means some ticket splitting was going on. To me a win is a win, but candidates that run behind their partner (politics is a game of paranoia) will wonder why they ran behind. Who the hell was cutting me!

The results:

135th District: Warren Blunt 253, Richard Bonney 225, Isa Mujahid 46, Mary McBride-Lee 196, Peter Clarke 158

136th District:Carlos Silva 118, Angel DePara 143, Mark Trojanowski 60

137th District: Lydia Martinez 356, Manny Ayala 329, Maria Valle 303, Christina Ayala 275

138th District: Bob Curwen 294, Rich Paoletto 261, Andy Fardy 164, Ann Barney 158, James Morton 123, Tyreke Bird 78.

McMahon Mania

Now, in this corner, from Parts Unknown, or is it the Amazon Region of South America (as opposed to some other Amazon region?), or is it from the Stamford Region of World Wrestling Entertainment? Or, or, or … bring on the body slams, eye gouges, karate thumb thrusts and steel cage matches. Could Linda McMahon and a swan dive of cash be getting into the U.S. Senate race? Yup.

We already have enough Republicans challenging Democrat Chris Dodd to fill an over-the-top battle royal. What’s one more? Except this wrestling wife of WWE guru Vince McMahon can spend, what, $10 or $20 million of her own loot? Hey Linda, I used to be pretty good running campaigns, got a few people elected. You need a campaign manager. How about me? Yeah, what do you say? Linda? Linda? Linda!!!

Oops, Jodi

Rell Q Poll:

CONNECTICUT VOTERS SAY GOV. RELL COPPED OUT ON BUDGET, QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS; GOVERNOR’S APPROVAL DROPS TO ALL-TIME LOW
Connecticut voters say 56 – 34 percent that Gov. Jodi Rell “copped out” by her refusal to either sign or veto the recently enacted state budget, and disapprove 52 – 42 percent of her handling of the state budget, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Gov. Rell gets a 59 – 34 percent overall approval rating, down from 65 – 30 percent in a July 22 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. But she still does better than governors in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio, states where Quinnipiac University has conducted surveys in recent months.

And Connecticut’s Governor has a much higher approval rating that the State Legislature, which has a negative 35 – 55 percent score, its worst score since July 2003. Voters disapprove 61 – 28 percent of the way Democrats in the legislature are handling the state budget.

Voters split 45 – 44 percent in their approval of the way Rell is handling the job situation in Connecticut and disapprove 49 – 44 percent of the way she is handling taxes.

“By a hefty 22-point margin, voters think that by allowing the budget to become law without her signature or veto, Gov. Jodi Rell copped out,” said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, PhD.

“Gov. Rell’s approval is down six points to 59 percent. She has hit an all-time low, although neighboring governors would love to have those numbers.

“Democrats can’t take comfort in these numbers, since their score on the budget is much lower than the Governor’s.

“But Democrats might hope that the Rell juggernaut finally has hit a pothole, which could set the stage for a competitive race for Governor next year.

“There was some thought that with Sen. Christopher Dodd’s reelection campaign dominating the headlines that nobody would pay much attention to the Democratic candidates for Governor, ensuring another landslide victory for Rell,” Dr. Schwartz added.

“If her job approval continues to decline, that could change.”

Connecticut voters disapprove 45 – 26 percent of the new state budget. On other budget-related questions the Quinnipiac University poll finds:
· Voters who disapprove of Rell’s failure to act on the budget say 54 – 34 percent that she should have vetoed it;
· Voters split 46 – 44 percent on whether more budget cuts should have been made or whether additional cuts would have jeopardized vital services;
· Voters feel 48 – 45 percent that state leaders should have kept working on the budget, no matter how long it took;
· 81 percent of voters are “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” that the budget relies too much on borrowing.

Key elements of the budget receive wide voter support, including:
· 74 – 24 percent in favor of higher taxes for upper income individuals and families;
· 65 – 32 percent support cutting the sales tax from 6 percent to 5.5 percent;
· 68 – 30 percent in favor of raising cigarette taxes from $2 to $3 per pack.

But voters disapprove 66 -28 percent of cutting estate taxes for the wealthy. Even Republicans disapprove 52 – 36 percent.

“Among those who disapprove of Gov. Rell’s decision to not sign the budget bill, most think she should have vetoed it,” Schwartz said.  “Nearly half of voters think spending could have been cut more; two-thirds disapprove of cutting estate taxes for the wealthy and over 80 percent are concerned about the level of borrowing.”

From September 10 – 14, Quinnipiac University surveyed 921 Connecticut registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points.

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28 comments

    1. I’ll never eat pasta in his joint. Hey Mario, don’t you think it’s about time to do something for the people of the city of Bridgeport? For a change of pace?

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  1. McMahon will put a “sleeper hold” on Caligiuri crushing him out of Fairfield county cash flow. Russo should get out of Caligiuri corner and try to set up a tag team for votes with McMahon in primary.

    Bobby “The Brain” Heenan will be running the race. Howard “The Fink” Finkle will be doing the voiceovers.

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  2. All of this reminds me of the story about two boys and a pile of manure. One of the boys, an optimist, digs right into the manure, saying that there has to be a pony in there somewhere. The other boy, a pessimist, waves off the pile of shit, saying why bother? I know there’s no pony.

    I’m with the second boy. Why bother? We know the absentee ballots were beamed down from an alien spacecraft hovering over Seaside Park.

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  3. Riddle me this: although Jim McGuiness’s son took his place on the council after Jim passed away, will this be the first time that we have a father and son (Manny and Anderson) sitting on the council at the same time?

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  4. CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners. To the others if you are really interested in the best for your communities continue to be involved. I’m sure your input will be welcome. You have every right to feel good about your efforts.

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  5. *** Well the stage is getting ready for the big circus political show come Nov. 3rd. Be sure & get your tickets early ’cause if you’re slow, most will go to city workers, family & friends & most CT politicians. *** Now remember, it’s not the party you should be voting for, it’s the individual that’s best suited for the job & or seat, depending how you look @ it! Dem. or Republican, Independent & or P/C, your vote counts so use it wisely! ***

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  6. Did Mojo switch parties? Is Mitch the Switch aware of this? Is Mojo working against Manny’s man in the South End? Half the districts don’t have Republicans running for City Council.

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  7. I wonder if Lydia sent some extra ABs up to Waterbury?

    WATERBURY — Four-term incumbent Mayor Michael J. Jarjura beat back a Democratic primary challenge Tuesday from four-term Board of Aldermen President J. Paul Vance Jr.

    Unofficial vote tallies show Jarjura beat Vance by 168 votes, although Vance won more votes in 13 of the city’s 23 voting precincts. It was the absentee ballots that cemented Jarjura’s victory — Jarjura had only six more votes than Vance at the polls, but beat him 273-115 in absentee votes.

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  8. I had a wonderful time at FTC last night. Free food, cash bar, free movie … It was nice to see that film viewed by an intelligent, educated audience, many of whom were old enough to have attended Woodstock as college-aged youth.

    I’m not surprised at the way the primary was voted. This is Bridgeport, after all. There will be no reform-minded and action-oriented individuals holding elected office in this city. Let’s face facts: as long as Mario Testa and his self-important minions hold sway over the Democratic Party nothing will ever be done for the benefit of the people of the city of Bridgeport. Given the odds of it occurring, it’s a safe bet that at least a few of the ABs were “complimentary,” if you know what I mean. Maybe the federal government has given up on Bridgeport; maybe laws are not being enforced because Bridgeport’s political situation is terminal.

    Maybe we all need to move to another town, because the occupant of the mayor’s office doesn’t give a shit, the city council as a legislative body has been rendered neutered and toothless due to the corrupting influence of a self-appointed kingmaker on Madison Avenue and a self-interested tavern keeper on the West Side.

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  9. I live and vote on the East Side and I have never heard worse language than that of Lydia’s workers at Marin.
    I heard about the swearing and nastiness of her people last year at Columbus school and witnessed it first-hand at Marin last night.
    If you were for the other side or were there working and you didn’t take their fliers you were sworn at.
    The east side has a bad rep to begin with and there is no need for Lydia’s supporters to act in a disgusting manner.

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  10. It is one thing to gripe and it is another thing to do something about it.
    If voters are fat and happy with the current situation, that is the way it goes. Opponents haven’t figured out a way to make their discontent the public’s discontent.
    It looks like the status quo more or less burped to rid itself of opposition.
    Everyone knows the AB law is flaky. No one particularly wants to do anything about it. Most AB operations can be overcome by an electorate that cares. This electorate evidently does not.
    Despite the beefing, maybe people are more or less happy with the Don of the Democrats. Mario hasn’t been tagged as a villain.
    Neither has the mayor. People could have used the primary to elect independents or opponents. They did not.
    If I’m the mayor right now, I’m channeling my inner Robespierre and deciding the next official that I am waking. You can’t fire everybody, I suppose, but he’s giving it a shot. No one seems particularly effective in stopping him or slowing him down at this point.

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  11. “people could have used the PRIMARY to ELECT independents or opponents” Can someone please enlighten this blogger on what is wrong with this sentence? You may want to save this comment for November. It might make sense then.

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  12. To the observant blogger Diaz: That should be nominated rather than elected. Tsk, tsk, I say to myself.
    The last Republican aldermen from the East Side, of course, were Ralph Segarra and Wayne Haschak in 1981. I don’t know if there is a document of it happening sometime before that. Maybe when ancestors lived there.
    The East Side is Democratic. Martinez’ and Ayala’s nomination is their election, unless someone can prove they are officers of the United States Navy who want to shell Puerto Rico again.
    Any takers?

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  13. Important news that Lennie seems to ignore:

    Shocker: Senate Ethics Committee Won’t Make Evidence In Countrywide Case Public

    Saturday, August 15, 2009

    With the Senate Ethics Committee letting Senators Kent Conrad and Chris Dodd off the hook there’s been a lot of “I told you so” coming from the left. But the Countrywide scandal still stinks for anyone honest enough to review the facts. And honest enough to believe that expecting the Senate to police itself is a bit like expecting three-year-olds to keep their hands out of the cookie jar.

    As the old Irish toast goes, may your sins be judged by the Senate ethics committee. Actually that’s not an Irish toast but it must be the fervent hope of every politician who received a “Friend of Angelo” loan from former Countrywide Financial CEO Angelo Mozilo. Late last week the six Senators on the ethics panel dismissed complaints against Senators Kent Conrad and Chris Dodd with a mere admonishment about the appearance of impropriety.

    The three Republican and three Democratic Senators say they conducted an exhaustive probe and inspected 18,000 pages of documents. They say they found “no substantial credible evidence as required by Committee rules” that the Senators received mortgage rates or services that weren’t commonly available to the public, and thus did not violate the Senate gift ban.

    We’ll have to take their word that the evidence wasn’t “substantial,” because they didn’t release those documents …

    As for Mr. Conrad, his staff won’t say if the Senator answered questions directly or let his lawyers handle it. Either way, he has to be thrilled that his colleagues found no violation of Senate rules, even after he acknowledged last summer that he had received a benefit and promptly donated $10,500 to charity.

    We’d also like to know what committee members thought of Robert Feinberg, the former Countrywide loan officer who told us last year that Mr. Dodd received, and knew he was receiving, preferential treatment. The Washington Post reported last month that Mr. Feinberg told the same thing, under oath, to Senate investigators and said that Mr. Conrad also knew he was receiving special treatment. Mr. Feinberg said the same to the minority staff of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Does the committee think he’s lying, or that his testimony simply wasn’t “substantial” enough? Again, we don’t know because the letters released by the ethics committee don’t mention Mr. Feinberg.

    If this were a case in criminal court it wouldn’t have been dropped. There would be a grand jury indictment and the case would be heading for trial.

    But it’s not a case in a criminal court. It’s a bunch of Senators who are now admitting they got preferential treatment, but claim they just didn’t know they were getting it, and are now being believed by their fellow Senators over the objections of a witness who has consistently stuck to his story both when talking to the media and testifying under oath. A witness with no apparent reasons to lie.

    It would be a travesty for Conrad and Dodd to get away with this.

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  14. THE AB LAW NEEDS TO CHANGE. GOOD PEOPLE LIKE MARIA VALLE ARE NOW OUT OF OFFICE. THE FUNNIEST THING I HEARD ALL NIGHT WAS THAT CARLOS SILVA WAS GOING TO RUN FOR MAYOR IN 2011. THAT PUNK GOT 300 VOTES IN A STATE REP RACE AND ONLY GOT 118 VOTES IN HIS PRIMARY. HE NEEDS TO WAKE UP STOP RIDING ANGEL DEPARA’S COATTAILS.

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  15. CHARLIE COVIELLO WAS WORKING WITH LYDIA AND CUTTING MARIA OVER ON THE EAST SIDE. HE IS A ROTTEN PERSON JUST LIKE HIS TOOTH. SHAME ON HIM. I AM A BIG SUPPORTER OF MARIA AND I TOLD HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE BEAT LYDIA WITH DANNY BECAUSE THE PEOPLE THAT WORK WERE SUPPORTING HIM.

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  16. To my knowledge Maria Valle and Christina Ayala were offered the endorsement, but Maria never got back to the town committee and Cristina was advised not to take it. If you take a good look at the numbers you can see they, or those who worked for them, clearly cut each other out. While Manny and Lydia worked as a team, there was only a 1 or 2 vote difference on their ABs. Valle girl I know Maria to be a honorable person who would be disappointed with your comments and personal attacks. Shame on you.

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