Democratic Town Chair Mario Testa has a poll poised to test Mayor Bill Finch’s approval ratings and the various potential candidates for mayor.
The last OIB poll in 2010 showed Finch leading all potential challengers, but included several major storm warnings for a vulnerable mayor including an overwhelming amount of Democrats who said the city was headed in the wrong direction. That’s not good for Finch. Head to head matchups are not as important seven months before a primary, especially for unknown candidates who generally poll behind a well known incumbent. Job performance of the mayor, his reelect number and whether voters think the city’s on the right track are more important.
As candidates draw a contrast with Finch’s performance they can bite into a polling lead fast. But that requires money and an organized effort. The good news for Finch is that he’ll be well financed to make his case for reelection. Former Finch administration official John Gomes has formed a candidate committee for mayor. Mary-Jane Foster, co-founder of the Bridgeport Bluefish, and an executive at the University of Bridgeport, and former mayoral candidate Charlie Coviello have formed exploratory committees.
Looks like former State Rep. Chris Caruso is out of the mayoral sweepstakes now that he’s accepted a state job. What will former Mayor John Fabrizi do? How about former State Senator Ernie Newton?
This will be an interesting poll, assuming the questionnaire isn’t flawed. Will voter opinion of the mayor be influenced by the city’s snow removal efforts? Are voters cranky? How are the streets looking in the city?
*** Just who exactly answers these poll questions, the local Dem town committees? *** FORGETABOUTIT ***
It’s always bitter before it gets better.
Finch is a birdbrain. Go Foster. Go Gomes.
Don Calamari …
Don’t forget about yahooy.
I’d love to respond to your frigging poll.
yahooy, here’s a poll question. How would you respond?
How do you feel things are going in Bridgeport? Do you feel that things in Bridgeport are moving in the right direction, or do you feel that things have gotten off on the wrong track?
Lennie … Seriously … Have you been to Bridgeport lately? How do I think things are going? … Are we moving in the right direction? … or are we off track. Give me a frigging break.
Yes, I’ve surveyed the streets several times this week. It’s ugly. But in general, I don’t think things are going in the right direction. But there’s hope. Well, maybe …
I’m just wondering what you’d say to the pollster!
Horsefeathers!
Mario’s already done his poll. He wouldn’t make an announcement like this unless he wants to fire a shot across the mayor’s bow to let his good friend the mayor know he’s not going to let Finch snooker him with HIS poll.
How do these two guys stay together through a mayoral primary? Let alone through a state representative special election?
Speaking of which …
* PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT *
Bridgeport Influenza is a wasting political malady whereupon suffers are given to hyperactive and spastic behaviors that commonly create other irrational behaviors like incessantly knocking on people’s doors, calling them on the telephone at 3 a.m., yelling and screaming babble, or surrounding City Hall or McLevy Hall with bundles of papers with unintelligible signatures in different-colored inks.
Bridgeport Influenza is from the Italian INFLUENTIA—meaning under the influence of the moon and stars. Bridgeport, of course, just means nuts to begin with. Who makes port on a bridge?
A characteristic of most sufferers is in an insatiable desire to be served by the public with a pecuniary entitlement called a payday, various motor vehicle benefactions, or free tickets to rock concerts.
Regular influenza shows up mostly in winter. It is characterized by coughing, hacking, fever and runny sinuses. Bridgeport Influenza can show up at any time and involves running hacks feverishly.
Bridgeport Influenza results in many variations. The most recent mutation has caused multitudes of people to run for state representative in the 126th Assembly District, which includes parts of the North End and East Side, including the zoo. No direct animal pathogens have been detected at this point; however, the two-footed creatures outside the zoo are pathologically infectious enough, for now.
This variation of Bridgeport Influenza has been recognized as the Santa Flu in recognition of the late Christmas present of a state position that Gov. Molloy gave State Rep. Chris Caruso. Authorities believe a power vacuum has created a mental imbalance in members of the political menagerie.
Santa Flu may or may not have origins in the outstanding eruption of boils on the body politic in the fall election when Democratic Registrar Santa Ayala was implicated in ordering too few ballots. Rather than risk another widespread disruption, ballots are now being printed with no seeming number as a preventative salve.
Just to be safe, voters in the 126h Assembly may get their very own ballot, with reasonable precaution, from a uniformed officer of the federal government who, believe it or not in this day of e-mail, will deliver the ballot to a box outside the door of the registered voter. This eliminates the risk of rain, hail, ice, snow, the return of Mastodons, or missing Wheel of Fortune on TV by actually venturing to precincts in crummy winter weather where officials merely say enough ballots will be on hand and not being used as bedding at the zoo.
Symptoms, descriptions and variants of this illness are being compiled by experts at 1635 Central Avenue.
I think I need a couch!
Up-A-Your-Inua-Endo!
Enlightened // Feb 2, 2011 at 2:16 pm
To your posting
Hear my applause for brilliance!
I think I have the long-lasting remedy for “Bridgeport influenza” … the dispensary at 1259 Park Ave. www .johnmgomes.com
We have seven months to make the remedy effective on the first test: September 13, 2011
*** I’m going to “el campo” where it rains cafe, white cheese & crackers! *** FORGETABOUTIT ***
Only 90 peeps will be polled. All are DTC members. Poll results as follows:
Finch—85
Fabrizi—5
Two related but separate polls were taken Reeper.
Black Rock poll has Foster with 100% and East Side, Spanish and African American poll has Gomes winning with 100%.
Consensus is—Mario, take your poll and shove it.
Grin: Not true, two of those DTC votes went to either Foster or Gomes. They did not go to either guy in your results.
Stick the Poll up Mario’s ass, if it’s not Scientific it’s useless. You have to contact 370 people to make it work. Anything less is BS. (Demographics)
Fellow Bloggers, I admit I know squat about local politics but would love for some of you to explain something to me. First let me say I believe Finch should go. With that said, I would love to know more about Gomes and Foster. But with the very deep-seated control that Dons Mario and Finch have over the dominant Democratic party, and all the cronies who have city jobs and/or lucrative contracts, what chance does Gomes or Foster or anyone else have? The DTC seems stacked and are a bunch of lemmings who will do as told or suffer the wrath of lost jobs and contracts. This inquiring independent mind needs to know.
Indy, it can be done if we all unite behind an anti-Finch candidate. Many of us would love to see a Foster-Gomes team. My question is: if Mario’s poll shows that Finch has an unfavorable rating, then what? Does Mario make a deal with someone else to retain his position of power?
city hall smoker // Feb 2, 2011 at 5:31 pm
to your posting
City Hall Smoker,
Are you guessing or what? Who would continue to keep Mario fed at the table (I mean trough)?
Inde, here’s the short version: if the party plantation owners, as they like to see themselves, controlled so many slaves, they’d have not thrown John Fabrizi under the bus in 2007. Why did they do that? Because they thought Fabs could not win. The base party support is not insurmountable.
Does anyone know where Carolanne Curry lives?
What difference does it make where she lives? She’s been around Bridgeport politics for a long time and knows of what she speaks.
Carolanne is the real deal and I don’t care where she lives.
Jimfox // Feb 2, 2011 at 5:37 pm
To your posting
Jimfox,
I have lived with my partner of 24 years in Westport … by the railroad station at exit 17, in the older Italian community of Saugatuck. She has owned a restaurant in Bridgeport since 1977, Bloodroot. Come have dinner with me sometime.
I usually have an election candidate every year who I’m supporting because it is still the best way I know how to participate in my community. Idealistically, of course, I’m looking for demonstrated leadership in building a foundation of inclusivity.
I’ve worked since 1981 with the City of Bridgeport starting in the Mandanici administration as a City vendor and then subsequently in the campaign efforts of Democratic candidates from Bridgeport up to the most recent City election.
My political life originated in Hartford (where I was born) when John Bailey was Democratic Party Chair.
And yes everyone who knows me knows that my commitment in Bridgeport finds its basis in a 30-year relationship/friendship with a lot of good and decent people.
And my issue in Bridgeport today is advancing the candidacy of an individual who is far more authentically responsive to, and representative of the needs that the complex cultural fabric of Bridgeport calls for today.
Why do you ask?
Just another lemming trying to shoot down the Gomes campaign. Bpt politics, you can’t win so try to crap on the clubhouse leader. I’m sure you are used to it Ms. Curry, I’ve watched the DTC lemmings do this to Caruso for years.
City hall smoker it isn’t that simple as Anti-Finch. This plague began after the Mary Moran administration. Please follow this closely, and look for the common denominator.
Joe Ganim—Mario Testa
John Fabrizi—Mario Testa
Bill Finch—Mario Testa
An old Italian proverb says “You don’t get rid of a snake by cutting off the tail.” We first must realize the rats are leaving the sinking ship, that shows their worth as well as their loyalty. Good riddance.
Mario’s poll is just a distraction, he knows Finch could not win this election.
I thought Stafstrom backed Finch in the election and about a year after being elected Finch threw Stafstrom overboard for Testa. Could be wrong. That’s why you can’t trust a Bpt politician ‘cuz Stafstrom had a fundraiser for Finch and if he wins again he’ll throw him overboard again. Of course Stafstrom’s law firm will get a bump in pay for the fundraising effort. They are all in bed with the enemy for the almighty dollar.
No real economic revitalization will happen in Bridgeport as long this wannabe powerbroker has his greasy hand stretched out for his tribute. Equally ruinous are the whores we elected onto our Common Council. They were elected by us, to represent us, to protect our interests. These spineless cowards actually have the audacity to say “Hey, I’m only doing what Mario tells me to do.” Throw out the entire common council & administration. Bridgeport can do a lot better than this group of parasites. Vote for Change.
Thanks Carolanne, I’ll do lunch, just don’t bring Mr. BRT, he’s Freaking Paranoid.
Jimfox // Feb 3, 2011 at 8:07 am
Jimfox,
Tuesday or Friday 1pm at Bloodroot
2/8 or 2/11
What’s your choice?
2/11 at 1pm Bloodroot I’ll be there.
thanks, Jim
To Mr BPT,your knowledge of regional politics appears very limited. Jimfox has been politically involved long before you began reading the Editorial page. He mentored under John Sullivan, who reigned as First Selectman of Fairfield forever. Jimfox served many important positions over the years. These included the RTM, the TPZ, & also the Conservation Commission just to name a few. This man is not a “Lemming,” if anything I would compare him to a Timber Wolf.
He has very successfully worked on many political campaigns in Fairfield as well as Bridgeport. Your jumping to the defense of Ms. Curry was noble but not necessary. It was only a question asking for information. Also she is more than capable of defending herself without your assistance. In closing, I wish Jimfox would run for the Mayor’s office of Bridgeport. I know he would clean house and the Common Council chamber. He would install people who would be held accountable to him and more importantly to the taxpayers. Carolanne, set a lunch date!
“Antitesto,” are you talking about the same “Jimfox” who posted this comment:
“When a Police Officer knocks on your front door, it scares a lot of people.
When you open the door only to be surprised that the Uniformed Officer is running for State Rep. ‘Hi I’m running for state Rep in 126th and I need your support.’
Officer Kearney has every right to campaign for office.
But not in a Police uniform.”???
Who says?
Ron Mackey, how is it everyone else could figure that out and you couldn’t? Apparently he was right. He can’t make this stuff up.
“Antitesto,” here is my reply, LennieGrimaldi // Feb 1, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Jim, you’re not describing Verna. Who’s your horse?
Now you said, “He can’t make this stuff up.”
Just look at the BS you wrote about Jimfox, you act like he is the second coming …
???
Ron Mackey, I will start at the top & go point by point. Please feel free to read it repeatedly until you understand it.
Lennie asked who his horse was in this race. He replied “Reverend Shaft.”
Secondly I quoted Jimfox saying “I can’t make this stuff up.”
Finally your stupidity hit its peak. Nothing I wrote about Jimfox was BS, all I did was list his prior accomplishments. Further I expressed my opinion on his abilities to make government accountable.
Why is it acceptable for everyone else to voice their opinions of other viable candidates, but I can’t? Your shallow attacks are pitiful.
Does Lennie’s praise of Sen. Morton’s accomplishments prompt you to call it BS? Is Lennie suggesting she may enter the race?
Do yourself a favor, Grow Up.
Antitesto, Jimfox made a claim against Police Officer Kearney and gave a description of her and this is what Lennie said in dispute of Jimfox’s statement
LennieGrimaldi // Feb 1, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Jim, you’re not describing Verna. Who’s your horse?
Next, you listed the accomplishments of Jimfox and then you said, “Further I expressed my opinion on his abilities to make government accountable.” If Jimfox is all that you have written about him tell me why not one person on OIB has even mentioned his name?
Ron Mackey, it’s been fun but I do have more important things to do than to broaden your horizons. Your fixation with this topic does amuse me. OIB is a sounding board of local topics of interest. Some very intelligent people express their points of view in a community network. Any one of us surface any time we choose or we might not log in for months or years. Jimfox surfaced, I responded. I could only hope you direct any further questions to Jimfox. I hope he can continue your education.
Antitesto, maybe you missed your calling because you could be comedian.
Ron Mackey, you finally said something that’s right, & you are the punch line. Please end your sophomoric games. You no longer need to prove your stupidity, we all believe you. Good night Ron.
Hey Ron and Antitesto, a feeling you’re both on the same side, you’re just too blind with rhetoric to see it.